WHY DON’T YOU … ?

The co-director of Rogue Art puts her own stylistic spin on patriotism.

Beverly Yong of Rogue Art’s stylish patriotism

… READ MALAYSIAN. Apart from our prizewinning novelists Tash Aw and Tan Twan Eng, there’s plenty of local-grown fare to choose from. I found 21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders by ex-police officer Rozlan Mohd Noor a romp of a read. A poem a day, by Latiff Mohidin, say, can provide a much-needed pause in our information-overloaded daily life.

… COOK LIKE GRAN. In my eyes there’s no better chicken curry than the one my Popo (grandmother) used to make. Happily, she passed down the recipe for her curry rempah. It goes without saying that food is what keeps us most rooted as Malaysians.

... WEAR NATIONAL DRESS. In Malaysia, we’re lucky that that can mean anything from baju kebaya to a sari. For me, there’s nothing as wonderfully simple as a cheongsam for almost any occasion. Dani Leong of Chee Kong tailor at Kompleks Selangor learnt his art from his grandfather and the generations of care and experience show in his work. Off the rack, there’s Ang Eng at Suria KLCC, who retains two or three local cheongsam sifu, and also makes nyonya kebaya.

… EXPLORE OUR HISTORY. I came back from the UK about 15 years ago, and I’m still learning new facts and twists to this fascinating history all the time.

… CUTI- CUTI MALAYSIA. Discover a state you’ve never been to or haven’t visited in a while. If you’re a KL-dweller like me, you’re likely out of touch with the rest of the country.

… USE A LOCAL APP. I’ve just discovered My Teksi So Seksi (and it is). No more frustrated queuing on the phone or hailing a taxi in the rain.

... SUPPORT THE ARTS SCENE WE HAVE HERE. It’s something that belongs to all of us, and something that should be invested in, and I’m not just saying that because I work in the field. For the past 15 years, I’ve drawn inspiration from the work and dedication of the artists and art workers I’ve had the privilege of coming to know.