A journalist from China is receiving accolades for her impressive proficiency in Bahasa Melayu while covering the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, as reported by a local newspaper.
Liang Liang, a journalist hailing from Yunnan, confidently approached a group of Malaysian reporters covering the Games and engaged in fluent Bahasa conversation with them.
Photo via NST
"I got excited when I saw the tiger-striped attire. I knew at once that those wearing it must be from Malaysia. I immediately approached them and started conversing in Bahasa Melayu. It's very hard to practice the language here in China because only a handful of people speak it," she shared with the local daily.
It was discovered that Liang Liang acquired her language skills during a one-year exchange student program at Universiti Malaya. Even after returning home, she continues to learn the language and has even earned the nickname "Husna" from her Bahasa Melayu lecturer at Yunnan Minzu University.
She also confessed her admiration for veteran songstress Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, who contributed significantly to her Bahasa Melayu proficiency through her music. Liang Liang revealed that many of Siti's songs are used as reference materials in her university courses.
Currently employed as a Bahasa Melayu journalist at China Media Group, Liang Liang is responsible for reporting news in the Malay language that occurs in China.
"I miss Malaysia. I miss the pasar malam (night markets). Visiting them used to be my hobby. I especially liked the ones at SS2 and the one at Masjid Jamek," expressed the well-acquainted student. She added, "Malaysia is a very safe country with so many interesting places, such as Melaka, Penang, Putrajaya, and Port Dickson," highlighting her fondness for the country.
According to Berita Harian, this year's Asian Games saw a total of 64 journalists on duty to report on the Games in various languages.
