KOTA KINABALU/KUALA LUMPUR — Julia Chan and Arif Zikri spoke to Sabahans and Sarawakians on what Malaysia means to them and what it means to be Malaysian. 

Ask Sabahans about being Malaysian and they can begin with something as uncomplicated and universal as good food and world class sunsets and end with something much more complicated: how to belong to a diverse federation without losing the unique identity that comes with being Sabahan.

Ahead of Malaysia Day, Malay Mail asked several Sabahans what comes to mind when they hear “Malaysia”, what being Malaysian means to them, how that identity differs in Sabah, and what they wish people in Peninsular Malaysia understood about being Sabahan.

For many, including marine biologist Malinda Auluck, 40, the answer was first and foremost food — and the strong opinions that come with it.

“We are snobbish about our food. Want to cause an uproar? Ask for crispy skin rendang,” she said.

Comedian and trivia host Matt Brian, 29, had a more unexpected first thought.

“To be honest, as a comedian, the first thing I thought of was the missing plane,” he said.

Most waxed lyrical about Malaysia’s delectable food and cultural diversity although corruption was another answer, albeit one given in jest.

But jokes aside, Malaysia meant home and Sabahans loved the country’s diversity and the ability of people from different races and cultures to live alongside one another, mostly in peace.

“It’s far from perfect, but I can say it’s got the best food in the world, it’s got the best sunsets in the world, and the best people. That works for me,” Matt said.

For digital marketer Leon Kuan, 33, Malaysia brought to mind food, cultural diversity, multiple languages and the Malaysia Agreement 1963, which paved the way for the formation of the federation.