I’ve been discussing, chatting, interviewing and reading lots of thing about the issues of identity. Until now the issues of identity still ambiguous. Why identity needs to be interpreted as one? Why must there be a single identity? After few months discussing about issues of Malaysian identity in the virtual round table these are my conclusion.
Identity represents certain group of people, an image or history supporting the group. Identity in Oxford English Dictionary is defined as ‘the fact of being who or what a person or thing is’.
My definition and understanding of identity might be different to my mother’s or my grandmother’s. Identity changed, transformed and evolved through time and generation. There are many reasons for the changes of identity. It can be education, technologies, government laws, political, religions and beliefs, tradition and lifestyle. It can change because of the new era of globalisation and free market. Furthermore, it can also be, because of the freedom to choose.
And it doesn’t have to be a single identity. It can be multi identity in any country, or places or person. Identity evolves and transforms!
This is one of interesting Petronas Malaysian Ad for Deepavali festival in Malaysia 2006. Deepavali, also called Diwali or Divali, is a major Hindu festival that is very significant in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. Deepavali is one of many festival celebration in Malaysia.
Malaysia is changing, progressively. Thanks to the education system, development, technology and globalisation. But for the younger generation since 1999, being westernised, through action, wearing branded item clothing and speaking in English can define certain status in Malaysia.