The story of a nation is seen through the lives of its people. The Malaysian Insight speaks to citizens who were born in 1957 and are as old as Malaya’s independence. Their stories offer a glimpse of what being Malaysian means to them.

ZAINON Ahmad can still recall her childhood days spent playing and fighting with her friends of all races with vivid fondness.

The mother-of-four said her early years in Johor of being raised in an environment that was inclusive and multicultural had shaped her to be who she was today.

“Growing up in Malaysia during my time as a child was the best. We Muar folk mixed with everybody in the neighbourhood and in school,” Zainon told The Malaysian Insight at her home in Petaling Jaya recently.

“We got along very well with our Chinese neighbours, and with our Chinese and Indian friends from school. I was in the top class and most of the other kids were Chinese. Only 30% of the class was Malay.

“That is why until now, most of my friends are non-Malays,” she said.

Born to a carpenter father and housewife mother just a week before Malaya attained independence on August 31, 1957, Zainon said her illiterate parents knew the value of a sound education and a right upbringing for her and her 12 siblings.

“My parents had no racist bone in them.

“Our neighbours were mostly Chinese. Friends of other races were all welcomed at our house on Hari Raya to celebrate together.”

The ease with which she could mix with people of all races was carried with her until her university and working days.

“When I was studying at Universiti Malaya from 1977 to 1981, we didn’t care (about race). I had many Chinese course mates. Even my roommate was Chinese,” said the accounting graduate.

Zainon said her father insisted on sending all her siblings and her to English-language schools.

“In the mornings, we attended religious classes. In the afternoon, we went to an English school. If the school session changed to the morning, we switched our religious classes to the afternoon.”

A more racist Malaysia

As a mother, Zainon said she and her husband of 37 years, Lokman Awang, taught their children the importance of education and acceptance of different races and religions around them.

After graduating, Zainon worked for the National Padi and Rice Board (now Padiberas Nasional Berhad or Bernas) as an accountant until she retired in early 2000.

Her three eldest children went on to have successful careers – one is an investment banker, one a doctor and another an engineer. The youngest is still studying at a well-known American university.

Zainon said the racial divisions she now sees in society sadden her, and she said she no longer sees the kind of multicultural environment she once grew up in.

“People are really racist now.”

Perhaps as a result of her and Lokman’s open and accepting views of other races and religions, three of her older children ended up marrying non-Malays.

“Maybe it is because I am colour-blind. That’s why I don’t care (about people’s skin colour),” Zainon said.

Her hope for Malaysia as it turns 60 is for the people to come together as one.

“I know it is hard, that it will take a long time.” – September 7, 2017.