Reminiscing 2000’s Malaysia at Malaysian Night 2024 in Osaka

OSAKA, 16 November - The Malaysian Students' Association Japan (MSAJ) successfully hosted Malaysian Night 2024 at the International House, Osaka. The event was attended by 73 participants, including MSAJ members and non-students, many of whom traveled from various prefectures within the Kansai area and beyond. Honoured guests included Mr. Ahmad Tarmizi Ab Aziz (Deputy Director of MIDA Osaka), Ms. Syaliza Abd Aziz (Director of Tourism Malaysia Osaka), and Mr. Faizal Ahmad (Assistant Director of Tourism Malaysia Osaka).
Malaysian Night is an annual event organized by MSAJ’s Bureau of Social and Culture (BSC). Due to COVID-19 concerns, the event was discontinued after 2019 but made a comeback last year in Tokyo. This year's theme, “Malaysia in the 2000s,” invited participants to reminisce about the nostalgic era of 2000s Malaysia, a time when many participants likely spent their childhood years. The dress code for the night featured the trending 'Y2K' and 'retro' fashion, reflecting the early 2000s style. The inspiration behind this theme was to excite attendees with a mix of current trends, nostalgia, and a feeling of being back in Malaysia.
The event commenced with opening speeches from the honoured guests and MSAJ President Muhamad Firdaus Ali. This was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony by MSAJ representatives and the honored guests to officially inaugurate the event. Attendees were treated to a feast of traditional Malaysian dishes, including Nasi Hujan Panas, Rendang Daging, Ayam Berempah, and satay. For dessert, offerings included Teh Tarik, currypuffs, Kuih Lapis, Kuih Seri Muka, and Kuih Cara.
The evening was filled with various activities, including a singing performance by Haziq Daniel from Fukushima University, lucky draws, as well as quizzes about Malaysian facts and classic Malaysian pop songs. At the end of the event, awards were presented to the honoured guests, performers, and those with the best attire. The 'Best Dress' winners were Jome Chen from Wakayama University and Ainul Radhiah from Utsunomiya University. The event concluded with a group photo session with all participants.
"The star of the night was definitely the food! From main dishes to desserts to drinks, I was able to cure the longing for 'kenduri' food or mamak dishes from Malaysia," said Anis Amira, a fourth-year student from Nara Women’s University, praising the event and highlighting its success as the first Malaysian Night held in Kansai. The event demonstrated the strong sense of community and cultural pride among Malaysians in Japan. It is hoped that such events will continue in the future to foster connections among Malaysians and celebrate our rich culture and heritage.