Latest news with #Manglish
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Easy Malaysian comfort food – from morning buns to sticky toffee pudding (yes, really)
'Have you eaten yet?' is a common greeting in Hokkien, one of the four dialects spoken by my family. It's the question my mother asks me most frequently, posed in various languages and tones of voice. Whether I'm happy, sad, frustrated, confused or in a hurry, rain or shine, it's always, 'Have you eaten yet?' By the age of three, I was asking that question in two different languages – my mother taught me a hybrid of Malay and English. Although I grew up in Glasgow, I was quintessentially Malaysian too, a feeling many mixed children understand, that sense of belonging to multiple places. I would play with a plastic Chinese-lantern fish brought back from Malaysia and boast to my primary school friends about receiving the red packets given during Lunar New Year. Connecting to my roots meant drawing on my mum's knowledge and experience of Malaysia. Mum cooked a lot, too, often recreating dishes from memory. My own version of Manglish (Malay/English) emerged primarily from food-related words, though there were occasionally some endearing references thrown in. 'Piffy, Big Fat Noodles – ready!' Little did I know that this phrase would play such a significant role in my life. My mum would bellow it from the bottom of the stairs, and I'd come running down the 19 steps that led to the basement kitchen in our flat. To this day, I'm not entirely sure why she called me Piffy, but she did all the time. Whatever the reason, I'd be there in a flash, sitting eagerly at our dinner table. For the first 18 years of my life, I didn't know the real name of the Big Fat Noodles. It's char kuay teow ('char-kway-tee-ow'), arguably Malaysia's most famous noodle dish. My mum's ability to transport you to another place through her food was my initial guide to connecting with Malaysia. When I think about the dish that first introduced me to my heritage, it was Big Fat Noodles. It's become so important to me because my mum made it for me from such a young age. Food has the power to initiate conversation. The nuanced relationship between emotion and food is such a tie when it comes to identifying where you feel like you come from. I find food so symbolic of traditions, culture and identity. I've made it my life's mission to bring together seemingly disparate ingredients to create dishes that are more magical as a whole, greater than the sum of their parts. In recent years, I've found myself connecting with my mixed-race heritage more confidently than ever before by embracing my culture and identity via food. It's through the creation of my food and the daily operations of my restaurant, Gaga in Glasgow, that I've felt this connection strengthen the most. Food holds an immense significance in defining who I am. Coming from a Malaysian-Scottish background, I've learnt to nourish my soul with it and use cooking as a comforting bridge to my roots. Food was also so integral to my mum's teachings. She would teach me how to listen to the sizzle of something we were cooking, how to toss pasta with chopsticks, how to make a full banquet out of leftovers and embrace our no-waste culture. I experienced a feeling of 'otherness' as I grew up, but I've discovered it to be my greatest strength, being from two distinct places that have equal significance and influence on me – the ' sama sama ', or same-same, but different. I believe that in this modern era of constant movement and travel, this notion will resonate with many. With these recipes I want to broaden your ideas of 'authenticity', and to encourage you to cook in a way that nourishes both your body and soul.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia can lead regional AI direction
Before a paycheck even lands, suggestions flood in from online — trending gadgets from TikTok, timed discounts on Shopee, dessert ads aligned with late-night cravings. These aren't coincidences. Artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly influencing choices and drawing attention to products in real time. This is no longer about the future. AI has settled into daily life. It's part of how content is consumed, services are used and purchases are made. Digital experiences are now crafted, not stumbled upon. Efforts such as the National AI Roadmap and the National AI Office position Malaysia as a leader in digital transformation. But as algorithms become more embedded, deeper issues emerge. Convenience comes at a cost. Every interaction is tracked, yet the logic behind decisions often remains hidden. Without visibility, trust starts to thin. AI doesn't just echo existing behaviour — it guides it. When systems rely mostly on input from urban, younger users, the result can be narrow and unrepresentative. Older populations, rural residents, and minority communities are often left out of the data loop. That absence creates algorithmic blind spots, reinforcing divides under the guise of personalisation. Technical success alone isn't enough. If AI is to shape Malaysian life, it must do so with integrity. The Madani framework — founded on values like compassion, respect, innovation, sustainability, prosperity and trust — offers more than policy. It sets a direction. True respect means guarding against exploitative data use. Real compassion means ensuring that digital tools don't only serve the fluent or connected. And trust? That grows when systems are transparent and accountable, not hidden behind lines of code. AI is already choosing what's seen, offered and ignored. The question is no longer whether it works but whether it works fairly and for whom. Government action can help. Independent algorithm audits and transparency reports should be encouraged. People deserve to understand how their data is used and why certain content or products are prioritised. A few lines of code can influence public opinion, spending habits, or even social attitudes. Globally, algorithm-driven platforms have raised concerns around misinformation, surveillance and polarisation. In a diverse nation like Malaysia, responsible AI governance is not optional — it is essential. Language inclusivity is another concern. When platforms neglect Bahasa Malaysia and use Manglish or regional dialects, large segments of the population may be excluded. Inclusivity must be intentional, not assumed. There are encouraging signs. One local beauty brand recently used an AI chatbot to resolve a customer complaint — offering a prompt, personalised apology and a voucher. The interaction felt efficient and sincere, showing that responsible AI can enhance human connection. Yet, many small and medium enterprises remain at early stages of adoption. While interest in AI is growing, implementation remains limited. Many businesses, especially in rural areas, need clearer guidance and support. This is where public-private partnerships can make a difference. Agencies working with tech platforms can lead AI awareness campaigns, especially in rural schools and community centres. Digital literacy is the first step toward digital fairness. Such efforts could be supported by a national AI ethics code for marketing — providing clear principles around fairness, inclusion and accountability. Policymakers would do well to bring this to the forefront of digital governance discussions. Looking ahead, Malaysia has a chance to lead. As Asean chair in 2025, we are in a unique position to shape the region's direction on responsible technology. The Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement may serve as a platform to align data governance and strengthen digital cooperation. AI is here to stay — but how it is used remains a choice. A trustworthy digital future depends not just on clever code, but on shared values, clear guardrails and inclusive dialogue. This means engaging all stakeholders — industry, policymakers, civil society and the public. Through openness and collaboration, AI can serve the public good rather than narrow interests. Because in this algorithm-driven age, those who build with care won't just capture attention — they'll earn lasting trust.
