Kiwi journo investigates how Kiwi education helped shape modern-day Malaysia
RNZ journalist Samantha Mythen travelled to Malaysia this year to meet some of the thousands of Malaysians who studied in New Zealand during the 1960s and 70s, exploring how their time abroad influenced their lives and contributed to Malaysia's development. In this article, she reflects on her time in Malaysia and shares stories of the people she encountered.
Samantha Mythen says her time in Malaysia reaffirmed her belief that humanity is fundamentally the same wherever you are and that "borders are just lines drawn on a map."
I landed from the depths of an Aotearoa winter in the hot, humid, encompassing arms of Kuala Lumpur in late July.
More than 400 years of colonisation means Malaysia is a potpourri of cultures.
First came the Portuguese, then the Dutch, who traded Malay to the British for Indonesia. Japan occupied Malaysia during World War II, and then back came the British.
Independence was only achieved in 1957.
Today, there are Indigenous groups, Malay, Chinese and Indians, expats and tourists.
Every city, town or even tiny village in Malaysia has a Chinatown and then around the corner a Little India. Walking the streets was like visiting a historical library, something to learn in each direction you cast a look.
My favourite Malay word I learned was Antarabangsa, which means ‘international.’
Samantha: "Every city, town or even tiny village in Malaysia has a Chinatown and then around the corner a Little India."
Visiting Penang, I took the train (the best way to travel in my opinion), then a ferry over to Georgetown.
Sticky from sweat, on my way to the hostel I noticed a makeshift bar crowding a street. People were sitting on red plastic chairs, beers in hand, laughing, yarning, chatting, cheers-ing. On a shop nearby were the words ‘Antarabangsa Enterprise.’
After dropping my bags, I hurried back. A cool beer in 35-degree heat? Yes please.
I sat down with a group of seven, including a gypsy from Germany, an old British sailor, and two people who grew up in the same village but only met in Penang.
International Enterprise alright!
For the next few hours, I happily listened to their colourful life stories. Our discussions ranged from topics of Malaysia’s taboo history to the best falafel in town to the old ferry that sunk yesterday and the call for help to salvage it.
They tell me that race tensions simmer underneath their country’s day-to-day life.
But surrounded by my welcoming companions, Malay, Indian, Chinese, British, Belgian-German-Indonesian gypsy, and me adding a Kiwi spice, one only saw the colour human.
It was a theme that stuck with me as I met with my interview subjects—incredible alumni from New Zealand universities who led Malaysia down its newly independent path with their newly found knowledge and Kiwi values.
Getting out and about meeting locals revealed to Samantha Malaysia's diverse and complex society
New Zealand's diplomatic relationship with Malaysia is the oldest it has with a Southeast Asian country, and its basis was founded on these students.
The thousands of students who arrived on our shores in the 1960s and 70s were some of the first international students received at New Zealand universities, paving the way for a legacy of exchange and connection that lasts to this day.
Datuk Nancy Ho, from Kota Kinabalu, studied pharmacy at Otago University in the late 60s.
She became the first Malaysian pharmacist in Sabah to serve at a public hospital and eventually became the first East Malaysian President of the National Pharmaceutical Society.
Ho said her time in New Zealand taught her the ability to understand different cultures.
"Humans are the same. We all suffer the same diseases and have the same insecurities and uncertainties. Yes, we can be culturally different, but we are very much on the same human landscape."
Sitting outside Antarabangsa Enterprise, breaking borders with beers and learning about new cultures firsthand was my own chance to learn and understand more about being human.
It’s one of the best things about travelling in another country—try and avoid the other “tourists,” and find the spots where you can meet the locals.
Visiting a school for stateless children in Sabah established by New Zealander Dr Kathryn Rivai
The theme of cultural exchange continued when I interviewed Professor Emeritus Data Dr Hashim Yaacob. He was born in a village in the state of Kelantan, neighbouring Thailand, growing up without electricity or running water.
Professor Yaacob received a regional scholarship, facilitated by his local government, to pursue his studies in New Zealand.
Studying dentistry at Otago University in the 70s, Yaacob went on to become the Universiti Malaya's Dean of Dentistry and Vice Chancellor of five universities.
He told me of his experiences studying in Aotearoa, and the significant impact on his life.
Citing a traditional Malaysian proverb, he spoke of the importance of cross-cultural interaction: “Tak kenal maka tak cinta,” which roughly translates to “you can’t love what you don’t know."
Elaborating further, he explained, “If you don’t know this person or this country or this situation, then there will be no love for it. And once there is love, there will be peace.”
During my time in Malaysia, I interviewed seven alumni of New Zealand universities. Each has kept a connection to New Zealand, travelling back to our shores at least once, with some having married Kiwi's they had met while studying. And the connections have been intergenerational, with several of the interviewee's own children also studying in New Zealand.
Everyone I interviewed said their lives would have been completely different if they had not come to New Zealand - their studies and their time here shaped the rest of their lives. and if I can be so bold as to say, they helped shape the formation of a newly independent Malaysia.
Around the world, countries are tightening their borders. But international exchanges, whether educational, for work or just travelling somewhere new are a great reminder that borders are just lines drawn on a map.
Upon visiting somewhere new, you realise we’re all quite the same. We all love to eat delicious foods, share our stories, have hopes and dreams for ourselves, our friends and families, and we all love a cold beer on a hot summer's day.
Read stories from Samantha's Malaysia visit
RNZ website - Undocumented and prevented from attending school - stateless children in Malaysia
RNZ website - NZ's role in helping shape international politicians, doctors and teachers
RNZ website - New Zealand-educated Malaysian students transform newly independent country
RNZ website - International students a bridge between New Zealand and Malaysia past and present
RNZ website - Educated in New Zealand to serve Malaysia’s development, then and now
RNZ website - How a Kiwi education shaped stellar career of Malaysia's first astrophysicist
RNZ website - NZ's role in shaping Malaysian doctors and teachers
The Foundation's Media Programme helps New Zealand journalists cover stories that shed light on Asia and on New Zealand’s ties to the region.
Our Media Travel Grants provide New Zealand journalists with funding to travel independently to Asia to research and prepare stories – to help demystify Asia for New Zealand audiences.
