“NANYANG” CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MULTIRACIAL HARMONY HIGHLIGHTED THROUGH “SAILING INTO SOUTHERN SEAS” PROGRAMME

NIBONG TEBAL, 17 May 2026 - The “Sailing into Southern Seas” programme, organised by the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation in collaboration with the Persatuan Bahasa Tionghua, was successfully held recently at Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Held on 17 May 2026, the programme highlighted the uniqueness of Malaysia’s multicultural society and Chinese cultural heritage through the appreciation of Nanyang culture, which reflects the history, language, food, and lifestyles of Southeast Asia’s multicultural communities.

Programme Chair of the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Ajuntha Kuppan, said that the theme “Sailing into Southern Seas” carries profound meaning as it reminds society of the historical migration of the Chinese community to Southeast Asia in the past.

According to her, the Chinese migrants who came to the region brought along their language, customs, and traditions before interacting with local communities, eventually giving rise to the unique Nanyang culture enriched by cultural diversity.

“Nanyang culture evolved through the blending of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other communities in this region. From food and spoken language to the lifestyle of the people, everything reflects the cultural harmony that has become part of Malaysia’s identity today,” she said.

She further emphasised that programmes of this nature are particularly important for younger generations, who are becoming increasingly disconnected from their own cultural history and heritage amid the rapid pace of modern life.

She added that the effort by university students to revive this cultural atmosphere is highly meaningful and deserving of recognition.

Meanwhile, Programme Chair of the Foreign Languages Section at the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Dr. Lee Pin Ling, stated that culture should not be a barrier that separates communities, but rather as a bridge that connects people through mutual understanding and respect.

According to her, the openness of the programme to the entire university community regardless of race and background demonstrates that cultural diversity can serve as a unifying medium within the campus community.

In the meantime, the Project Director of “Sailing into Southern Seas 2026” and Advisor of the Persatuan Bahasa Tionghua, Khor Gek Suan, said that the programme was not merely an exhibition or cultural activity, but also served as a meaningful platform for cultural appreciation among participants.

According to the advisor, the programme provided participants with the opportunity to learn about history, understand cultural evolution, and appreciate the importance of cultural heritage today.

The advisor also expressed appreciation to the Programme Coordinator, Nicholas Fam Zi Jian, and all parties involved in making the programme a success. She hoped that similar initiatives would continue in the future to strengthen unity and foster greater appreciation for cultural diversity in society.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim
Photos: Courtesy of the “Sailing into Southern Seas” 2026 Programme Secretariat