Our nation is like nasi lemak

(From left) A Taylor’s University culinary student dishing out nasi lemak to Foo, Wang and Star Media Group managing editor Brian Martin at Star Gallery.

TAYLOR’S University culinary students prepared nasi lemak meals for Star Media Group (SMG) staff to savour the essence of Malaysia’s unity and diversity.

Dishes prepared included the classic sambal (chilli paste), stir-fried kangkung, fried chicken, boiled egg sambal and fried potatoes.

Taylor’s University chief marketing officer Ben Foo said with the theme “campur-campur”, this initiative was important to provoke thoughts about unity.

“Our goal is to use food as a metaphor to highlight that we are all different, but together we all bring a certain saltiness and sweetness that amounts to something fantastic.

“It is a juxtaposition to show that sometimes it can get messy and disunited, but ultimately there is a common thread that brings us together,” he said.

SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang said the initiative was representative of Malaysian unity.

“With the theme #ricetogether, Taylor’s initiative centred around nasi lemak, a culinary masterpiece that represents the rich cultural tapestry of Malaysia as it showcases a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous culinary traditions.

“It is heart-warming to see Taylor’s bringing what is deemed the national dish of Malaysia to Menara Star, fostering a sense of unity and celebration among the multiracial workforce here and living up to the multi-ethnic Malaysia concept,” she said.

A number of SMG staff who were queing up patiently for the rice packets said the wait was worthwhile.

Journalist Sheila Sri Priya said, “Nasi lemak was the perfect dish as it is our nation’s favourite, thus it did not fail to satisfy the palate and bring people together for the meals.

“It served as a poignant and tangible testament to Malaysia’s unwavering dedication to promoting and celebrating our rich cultural diversity.”

Taylor’s University also recently held an event at its Lakeside Campus in Subang Jaya, Selangor, aimed at entering the Malaysia Book of Records for the category, Most Participants in a Nasi Lemak Breakfast Session.