This post was written by Dawn Babcock
The Malaysian Culture Group (MCG) has been an active multinational organisation since 1983, with precursory activities starting as early as 1978. Betty Thomas, an American, moved from Bangkok to KL and mooted the idea of a group interested in learning about Malaysian culture. She was active with the National Museum Volunteers, Bangkok and saw the value of starting a similar group here in KL.
In the early years, a small group of expat wives began arranging informal evening lectures at the Muzium Negara (National Museum). The lectures were popular, and it soon became apparent that these programs filled a need in the community to learn about Malaysian culture, history, religion, and traditional crafts. Due to the growing number of people wanting to participate, The Malaysian Culture Group was officially registered as a non-governmental organisation with the Registrar of Societies in March 1983. Datin Kay Hashim was the first elected Chairman (President) and is the designer of the original MCG insignia, a section of which is still used today for the MCG emblem.
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Over the years, MCG has offered regularly scheduled events including both lectures and outings. A number of unique Special Interest Groups (SIGs) have also developed over time. Following the initial popularity of the evening lectures, study groups were formed to learn about particular aspects of Malaysia in greater depth. These study groups were eventually replaced by book groups with their own personalities and reading lists. Our library of books and journals on Malaysia and South East Asia has been growing since the early years, in part due to these study groups and book groups.
One of the most popular and unique SIGs offered by MCG is called Explorers. Originally called Exploration Groups, it has been around since at least 1984 and offers participants the opportunity to get to know KL and environs through a series of self-generated excursions and activities. A series of books containing the write-ups of these experiences was produced in the 1980s and 1990s. These books, called Kuala Lumpur Through the Looking Glass, reflect the dedication these participants had towards learning about their community. In the preface of one of the volumes the editor wrote: “Kuala Lumpur Through the Looking Glass is designed to create a permanent record of the Exploration Group tours, and to share the knowledge gleaned from these tours with others.” These members had more foresight than they probably realised as these books now contain glimpses of a bygone era.
Modelled on the success of Explorers, our most recent addition is a SIG called Enak!. Initiated in 2010, this group meets to eat, as Enak! means “delicious” in Bahasa Malaysia. Participants arrange opportunities to taste different styles of local foods at various hawker stalls, kopitiams, and historical establishments to learn more about the culinary diversity of Malaysia.
“Honouring our Heritage, Looking Forward to the Future” was the theme of our 2013 Annual General Meeting held at the Malaysian Petroleum Club located in the Petronas Twin Towers. Our 30th year as a registered organisation was also commemorated, and we were fortunate to have five former presidents in attendance, including our very first! Our members, both Malaysian and expat, had a wonderful day reminiscing.
The next 30 years promises to be just as enjoyable and interesting as our first 30 years, so why not get involved? If you are interested in learning more about The Malaysian Culture Group, please visit our website at www.mcgkl.org, or visit our Facebook page.
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Events
Enak! meets every second Thursday of the month.
Book Group 1 meets on the last Friday of the month.
Book Groups 2 and 3 meet on the last Wednesday of the month.
For upcoming events and more information, visit www.mcgkl.org.
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Source: The Expat August 2013
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