Although we live in a country where there is a melting pot of different races, cultures and religions, it is quite rare to hear of an intertwining of cultures and races as we’d often keep to ourselves.
This is made even worse with race-based politics which often polarises us against one another.
However, some politicians appear to have gone against the grain to embrace their background and heritage.
Recently, a video of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi speaking Mandarin while campaigning for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat election at Kulim, Kedah, on December 5 went viral.
In his speech at the Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) ceramah, Zahid stressed that the collaboration between BN and PH to form a unity government is essential for the progress of the country.
“I learned from my mistakes. BN and UMNO learned from our mistakes. We indeed had a lot of money during the 2018 election. But money is not everything, though everything needs money.”
He then suddenly switched to Mandarin and said, “Wo mei you qian. Hen duo qian? Bu zhi dao, bu yao qian (I don’t have money. A lot of money? I don’t know, I don’t want money).”
“I am Malay. You are Chinese. I am Malaysian. We are all Malaysians, right?” he continued in Mandarin.
How is he able to speak Mandarin?
The clip of him speaking Chinese has gone viral on social media. Although it was met with cheers at the site of the ceramah, some netizens were a bit more skeptical and made jokes about it.
“(Looks like he is) going to hell…”
“The DAP effect,” commented another user.
The reason behind why Zahid was able to speak Mandarin is because he was raised by a Chinese foster father.
“I must tell Chinese journalists that I have a Chinese foster father. I sold ice-cream together with him way back when I was in Primary One to Primary Six … for 6 years.”
“His children are like my own siblings. They are from the Hai Lam clan, and we had lunch and dinner together in their kitchen. Until now, I still maintain my relationship with them,” he added.
Meanwhile, it is also reported that Zahid has a Chinese godmother who he visits almost every Chinese New Year.
Watch the video of him speaking Chinese below:
Zahid Hamidi ni baru seminggu masuk Pakatan Harapan dah reti cakap Cina. pic.twitter.com/gT8r5nbaJo
— Zailee (@zaileefd2) December 6, 2022
What do you think of the video? Were you surprised to hear Zahid speaking Mandarin?
Also read: Zahid Hamidi: We Should Stop ALL Provocation to Promote Peace & End Political Instability
