Beaming with pride: Dalphinus and Lai.
GEORGE TOWN: Working away from home can be daunting. But for Sabahans and Sarawakians here, having friends around always makes it better, especially on special occasions such as Malaysia Day.
Joe Vincent Dalphinus, 24, who has been based here for over three years, said while he goes back to Sabah about twice a year, he will be in Penang today for Malaysia Day.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia international English junior lecturer said he would be hanging out with some of his Sarawakian friends this year.
“We will go out and do something fun. Sometimes, the university students here will organise a celebration and we will join in.”
Back home, Dalphinus said, he would sometimes join his family to watch the Malaysia Day parade in Kota Kinabalu.
“It is celebrated there like National Day is celebrated here.
“It is a two-hour drive from my home to Kota Kinabalu, so there were some years when we gave it a miss as well,” Dalphinus said.
He added that Malaysia Day is special to him because this country has thrived despite the South China Sea geographically separating Sabah and Sarawak from the peninsula.
Chinese-Sarawakian Candy Lai, 35, said: “My family celebrates all traditions and occasions including Gawai. There is usually a gathering of family members; I will join in via video call.”
“We do the same even for Malaysia Day. But this year, I am working.
“To celebrate, I will probably go out with my husband and his family,” said the assistant nurse manager, who is married to a Penangite.
