A TikTok video shared by @latifahhuang has recently gone viral, featuring a group of Chinese students explaining why they chose to learn Bahasa Melayu. Their fluency in the Malaysian national language has impressed many Malaysians, especially considering one of the students had only been studying it for seven months.
Photo via TikTok (@latifahhuang)
In the video, the students are interviewed in Bahasa Melayu, responding confidently to questions from the host. When asked why they decided to learn the language, one student explained, “Asian countries, especially Malaysia, share a close connection with my hometown and even with me personally. I feel a strong bond and closeness.”
Another student mentioned that she and her family visited Malaysia in 2010, and she immediately felt a special connection, describing the country as “a beautiful place.” One more described Malaysia as “a peaceful country,” while another shared, “My hometown is close to Malaysia, and I really love the culture there. That’s why I chose Bahasa Malaysia as my major.”
The interviewer then asked about their favourite Malaysian dishes, and the students eagerly named cendol, kuih lapis, roti tissue, anything spicy, and nasi lemak.
The video sparked a flood of comments from netizens expressing their admiration. One wrote, “Wow, that’s impressive. I’m from Indonesia, and even though I study in Malaysia, I still struggle to write essays.”
This heartwarming video highlights the growing interest and appreciation for Malaysian culture and language beyond its borders.
