JOHOR BARU: Switching seamlessly between Mandarin, Malay and English at his father’s avocado juice stall, actor Razzuan Rosli regularly surprises customers with his fluent command of the three languages.
“Many were amused to hear a Malay trader promoting his product in fluent Mandarin,” he said.
Razzuan’s linguistic ability stems from his primary school education at Chinese vernacular schools – SJK(C) Rengit and SJK(C) Kangkar Pulai.
“My father wanted all his children to pick up more languages to expand our opportunities in the future.
“All seven of us studied at Chinese primary school,” he added.
Describing his Mandarin fluency as one of his strongest assets, Razzuan said many of his more than 200,000 social media followers are from Taiwan and China.
He noted that engaging with this international audience has helped him build stronger interactions among Chinese fans who regularly tune in to watch his updates and performances.
“When I tell them I’m Malay, they get very excited. When they find out I’m an artiste, they make an effort to watch my dramas and listen to my songs.
“I’m touched. The market is different, and when they support you, they are very passionate.”
He added that the skill has also opened professional doors, landing him a role in a Chinese film scheduled to begin shooting in October.
As a public figure, Razzuan said helping at his father’s stall remains part of his life.
The eldest of seven siblings, the 35-year-old said his childhood was closely tied to night markets, and returning to his “playground” allows him to stay connected to his roots and support his family’s long-running business.
“I don’t feel awkward at all. My father has been in this business for more than 30 years, this is my playground.
“It’s about family. My father has worked hard for us. If I can use my ability to help the business grow, why not?” he said.
