Live well, work hard, play play? 
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This ought to be about Eid ul-Fitr and how it is a season of seeking forgiveness and forgiving. ‘Īd mubārak, my friends. Let take this time to rejoice for what we have and what we may offer to those who have not.
This ought to be about the food and the feasting and friends. Lemang and lontong. Rendang tok. Ketupat and cucumber galore. Satay — sticks of chargrilled beef and chicken and lamb, and if your host is game for it, venison and rabbit and some secret meat. Some pengat pisang — or pengat durian if you are adventurous — to leave a lingering taste of the sweet life on your lips. (The friends aren’t for consumption, by the way, unless you’re on rather intimate terms.)
This ought to be about the spirit of Muhibbah, something so uniquely Malaysian it’s hard to describe it to others unless they too have experienced it themselves. Be it Hari Raya or Chinese New Year or Deepavali, we can bond on any public holiday on offer; our houses filled to the brim with different colours, be it dishes or decorations or dresses or simply the tones of our skin.
This ought to be about all that, and it is, surely.
But looking back at the very best Raya open house I have had the privilege of attending, what I remember is wearing an authentic baju Melayu for the first time, complete with the kain samping and a sharp-looking songkok on my rather big head… and getting more than a couple of “friendly” pats and pinches on my well-clad behind along the way.
I may still be fat, but man, do I feel fabulous or what! 
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Words & design by Kenny Mah. Photographs by Kenny Mah, et al.
Where you live sounds much more inviting than here in Japan, all the cultures coming together in unity, I’ve never visited but I want to, I feel the grass is greener where you are?
It’s just the feeling, I guess. I can’t wait to visit Tokyo next year myself. Let’s just say when there is a crossover of cultures we are all better for it, yes?
I would like to know if the boy has ever worn the baju melayu to any other occasions besides Raya…
*sprinkles Jem’s kaypoh-ness all over the Boy’s comment box*
Nope. First time EVER pakai baju Melayu. *brims with pride*
Waaaaaaaahh!! Kenny gor gor hensem oooo…
*blushes*
Not true also never mind. Flattery is always welcomed. LOL
Hey you look nice!
And more importantly, very happy too! Happy Muhibbah!
I like the sound of this greeting: Happy Muhibbah!
awwwwwwwwwwwwww, segaknya adik kak teh! am almost envious of those girls around you!
Them are some lucky girls, I agree.
*runs from stilettos thrown at him by indignant ladies in sexy kebaya*
Dear Dato’ Mah.
Selamat Hari Raya.
Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
Siape ni Dato’ Mah?
yep, despite my cannibalistic tendencies, i have to agree that friends aren’t food! as i often quote confucius as saying, he who eats his friends ends up without many.
Yes, well. That Confucius bloke, he knew what he was saying, didn’t he?
Waaaaaaaahhhh…. kamu benar – benar cakep dan ganteng sekali menggunakan baju tradisional adat melayu dan bertopikan peci.
Ooh, bahasa Indonesia… And I know what you’re saying too, so: blush, blush!
Hey you rock the Baju Melayu look pretty good!
I see, the post Raya feasting has just started for you… how are you going to get ready in time for Deepavali feasting?!
Methinks I need to work on less feasting and more fasting and fit-ting! *looks at ever-expanding waistline*
Oh sigh.
How dashing! =D
Now if only I can carry this off every day of the week instead of just once a year…
wtf if u are fat there are no skinny ppl in the world. hrrrpmh.
Okay, fat-centric around me belly? Does that help? Hehe.
Fuiyohh! You look so hensem lah in Baju Melayu.
clap, clap,claps
Dontcha love how me Manglish-ise English words like ‘handsome’ into ‘hensem’? That, to me, is something that is uniquely Malaysian. (Unless Singapore decides to claim this too, for themselves. Ahem.)
hahaha! yeah, I think Malaysia should claim Intelectual Property on several famous local insignias, you know. like batik, local dance, words and etc- to avoid nasty brawl with neighbours. (oh you know the issue)
Ahemmmmm
I don’t think you can IP a word, unless you mean a trademark/copyright… others are bound to use them for their own purposes, which, when you think about it, is a form of viral marketing anyway and great for sharing your ideas around.
Now, isn’t sharing caring and aren’t Malaysians caring?
not fat at all lah… well done to your contribution in the spirit of muhibbah.
We all contribute, my friend, we all do.
ei Kenny, don’t we get a full fledge photo of u in the traditional garb?
There’s one somewhere…
Whatcha wearing for the coming Festival of Lights?
Should I spend it in a nudist colony as planned — Nothing.
Too bad you are not a lady.. or else, it would be fun to see you wearing saree? LOL!
No. It. Would. Not.
I wanna see you in a saree
*looks at this and similar comment above*
What’s this, a conspiracy to get me in a saree?
woah! any plans for a jeepa this Deepavali? hehehe…
Me? In a jeepa? Now wouldn’t that be the sight indeed…
Nice nice!
U had it made?
Nah, it belongs to my colleague’s husband. I just had it dry-cleaned too… Too expensive for me to own one just to wear once a year…
You look very different in that Baju Melayu…just simply outstanding!
*blush blush blush!*
Wow, you look different in the baju Melayu…impressive!
Different being the operative word, haha. Thanks, dear!
OH STOPPPPPIT!!! you fat?!!! you dont know the MEANING of the word.
I do, oh I do. My belly flab can fuel a small nation’s energy requirments.
that might indeed, be the lost peg in the stillborn 1Malaysia, the power to drive it up and make it real
Consider the lost peg found?
I have donned a few foreign costumes in some events or do but never a baju melayu!
Well, you really should try it, sir! Beautiful and light… and I need to try a few more costumes from other cultures too.