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Fran Lu

A Chinese funeral and an Indian wedding took place on the same street on the same day in Malaysia, but the two families managed to coexist and show mutual respect, winning applause online.
Both ceremonies took place on July 5 in Tampin, in the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan.
The funeral was that of the mother of a local Democratic Action Party politician of Chinese origin.

On the other side of the street, an Indian family rented a hall to host a wedding.
Funerals are usually considered ominous and a jinx on new couples.
Meanwhile, the happy vibes of a wedding are often believed not to be suitable for the solemnity of funerals.
However, the politician, surnamed Wong, was more worried about his neighbour’s big day, the Malaysian news outlet China Press reported.

He contacted the Indian family to comfort them with the fact that his mother died at the age of 94, a number which is considered to bring a “joyful funeral” in Chinese culture.
It is believed that death at an old age while surrounded by your family is a joyful occasion, especially when the elderly person does not suffer too much from illness or pain.
Wong sent a friend to tell the Indian family that his family did not plan to hold any religious ceremonies that evening and that their family could celebrate their wedding normally.

The Indian family did not say much back, but simply smiled.
Then, to the Chinese family’s surprise, the Indian family also turned down the wedding’s music and asked their guests to park their cars a decent distance from the funeral site.
The Chinese family and their friends expressed gratitude to their neighbour.
The two families’ mutual empathy and care moved many people online.
Local media outlet SAYS reported on their interactions, calling them “a display of Malaysian harmony”.
Malaysia is known for its cultural and ethnic diversity.

According to the country’s official data, as of 2024, the official overall population is around 34.1 million.
The country’s three largest ethnic groups, Malays, Chinese and Indians, account for 63 per cent, 20 per cent and six per cent of the population respectively.
“Mutual respect and help. This is what good neighbours are like,” said one online observer.
“This is the true Malaysian spirit,” said another.
“Both families have accepted their events as a part of life,” a third said.


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People & Culture

Mutual respect, ethnic diversity triumph in Malaysian street as two very different ceremonies take place at exactly the same time


Mutual respect, ethnic diversity triumph in Malaysian street as two very different ceremonies take place at exactly the same time.


Malaysia

India

Democratic Action Party (Malaysia)

China family holds funeral as Indian neighbours host wedding in joint act of communal harmony

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Mutual respect, ethnic diversity triumph in Malaysian street as two very different ceremonies take place at exactly the same time

Mutual respect, ethnic diversity triumph in Malaysian street as two very different ceremonies take place at exactly the same time