G1 Chinese means somebody who educated in Chinese schools, read Chinese newspapers, watched Chinese TV programs, listened to Chinese songs & participated in Chinese organisations. He/She speaks, reads & writes Chinese. 

I am a so called ‘G1 Chinese’ in Malaysia. My primary school is a SRK(C), I studied in Pay Fong Middle School in Melaka, which is a Private School and I sat in both Unified Exam & SPM (but sad to say that I have failed my BM in SPM). Then I went to Taiwan University for my Nursing Degree. 

I could be better off if I stayed in Taiwan as they needed more medical professionals to serve in Taiwan, a better career, barrier free in language, of course a higher paid job! Or could I go Hong Kong for the similar reasons only they communicate in Cantonese, I do not find any problem cause my parents are Cantonese, I can speak Cantonese. I feel proud to be a Chinese! 

But I decided to come back to my Home Malaysia once I finished my Final Exam & got my Nursing Licence. I knew where I belonged to, I born in Malaysia, my parents are in Malaysia, my siblings are in Malaysia, my relatives are in Malaysia, my home is in Malaysia, my root is in Malaysia. 

Do I really love Malaysia? I would say no & this is not the reason calling me back. Do I hate Malaysia? Oh yes at the beginning. Why? First Chinese school not been given much monetary subsidies, and I remembered we need to go all out searching for funds to sustain the development & daily expenses for our school! Then …….has been listening too many negative comments from my father that the government was not given fair treatment to our Chinese, in terms of business opportunities, Mosque was built everywhere & can be heard their payers anywhere but temples were not allowed …… things like that.  

I came back from Taiwan in year 1996. I started to worry not because of the unfair treatment to Chinese, not the short of job opportunities. What worried me most was: how am I going to look for a job? It became the utmost important thing in my carrier life! My English was poor nor I knew Bahasa Malaysia well. I remembered my first job in a Medical Centre was the Language training ground. Doctors, Nurses all were well command in English & BM. I have got no choice but to polish & catch up as soon as possible! 

After an 11-year working life, I am no longer a nurse, my English is still poor (not as poor as before). In between I start participating in group discussions, attending dialogues & talks, mingle around with friends who came from all walks of life.  The more I communicate with them the better I understand on the Malaysian Chinese situation. I am no longer looking from a G1 Chinese point of view, there are more things in Malaysia for us to explore. Be it good or bad. There are still no equality between races, there are still more things to negotiate & compromise. There are still misunderstandings & explanations going on.  

I would say mutual understanding between each other still the utmost important thing to be practiced.  Hope the communication process keep going on, all parties are heading towards the same right direction. All nations are getting more understanding & tolerance.    

Let’s hope for a better future!!!