“I’m a radio DJ and I love indie music…”

I want to interview Kimbra (singer). She’s my idol, she’s amazing. She’s like my spirit animal. I just think she’s so real. And Kimbra is like a huge mega pop star now but she’s been completely true to herself. She’s not afraid to be weird and express herself however she feels she needs to express. She’s very eccentric, I love her. She’s such an artist. I guess you can say I’m a bit like her! I know it may be hard but we should be true to ourselves and we shouldn’t be afraid of that. The other day I did a story on radio about the Hotdog Princess, a little 5 year old girl who instead of dressing up as a princess at her school, she wanted to be a hot dog, and turned up in a hot dog costume. I’m not kidding, kudos!

For me, the best thing about being a radio DJ was being able to connect with people…and with Capital Wave, through music especially. Radio is so personal…you’re with someone while they’re in their car, while they’re at work, before they go to bed. Someone called me on the show once and said they were going through some things but every time they’d hear my show they would feel better and that my music and my energy just had a positive impact on them. They said us announcers may not know it but it really does. That’s the reason I go to work everyday”.

– Humans of Kuala Lumpur— with Ashley Chan.

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on September 12th 2017)

Raja Muda Selangor – RMS, DYMM Tengku Amir Shah invites you to join to SAY Ignite 2017!

Dear everyone,

SAY IGNITE 2017 is to be held tomorrow (April 1) and is one of the many initiatives planned and organised by SAY (Selangor Youth Community) to foster interest and increase youths’ participation in community-based activities covering arts and culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship, sports and health.

Humans of Kuala Lumpur founder Mushamir Mustafa will be speaking there!

Come and join!

Do you have a story? Let us know here: https://forms.gle/ht4HsvbxgSgcKS5h8

 

(This post was first published on March 31st 2017)

“When you are studying overseas, the studying and teaching style is very different…”

“Back in Malaysia you just need to memorize the notes given to you by your lecturer or teacher and you will be able to get good grades! But if you come here, and rely only on the slides given, you will not be able to pass an exam!

Here, they encourage us to give our on opinion on subjects, to debate, and promote self-learning. You need to read more publication papers in order to present your evidence towards whatever you are required to write, which I find difficult at first but its very useful as I have to do more thinking than let the teacher do the thinking for us. I’m actually able to discuss more serious topics with my friends and able to learn a lot more skills. 

But at Malaysia, us students can be quite manja (spoilt/pampered) because for the exams everything is given to us, and I feel like we don’t really do a lot of thinking. I do appreciate the hardwork by my teachers and lecturers back in Malaysia to make sure we don’t fail, but some students are still manja and still ‘malas nak baca nota yang kalau baca confirm lulus exam’ (lazy to read the notes which if you do, you will pass the exams). But here we all have to rely on ourselves. Belajar sendiri itu penting so cari more information sendiri. Kalau tak memang fail. (Learning proactively is important, if not, you will fail).”

– Humans of Kuala Lumpur

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on March 18th 2017)

“Many people see on social media that when you are a Malaysian student overseas its very “seronoknya – boleh jalan2 enjoy bila kat overseas” (its so exciting, you can go travelling)…”

“But it’s actually very challenging because we are exposed to a different culture in a foreign country – its another person’s home so you can’t actually feel at home. One challenge is language. Fortunately, most Malaysians can converse in English well enough. There is also the religious difference, sometimes there will be racism now and then, but thank God I’m in Scotland, where the majority of the people are friendly and helpful.

Most of our time are spent towards our coursework and studies. Once finished, then we go out and explore the country. We get stressed and sad and emotional sometimes and we tend to rely on each other here. If my friend is upset and homesick, it’s our responsibility to be there for them. Its really hard being thousands of miles away from our family, but we keep up a smile, not to make them worry, and a worried parent will add to more stress. 

And alhamdulilah, I am happier here, I’m also no longer in an unhealthy relationship, but I really miss home as well. 

But the main reason I decided to study abroad is because I want to prove to others back home that I can make it out here. For 5 years I was told that I’m “bodoh, bangang, takde akal, macam orang gaji”. Till the day that I flew out from Malaysia, I can only differentiate those who believe in me and those I need to cut off from my life as they all said “Betul ke you pergi? Pandai ke untuk pergi luar negara?” (Are you sure you’re going? Are you smart enough to go abroad?). So the reason that I decided to continue my studies overseas is to broaden my mind and my surroundings, as I’m very sure that there is more for me – a second chance to start all over again”. 

– Humans of Kuala Lumpur

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on March 17th 2017)

“I’ve been a secret intelligence officer for 40 years. When I first joined I was from the Army School, and they put me into the intelligence unit because they saw my thinking and analyzing skills…”

“I’ve been close to all the world leaders, and in London I was working as a car wash man, as a cover for being an intelligence officer. Whenever there was Malaysians hurt or involved, student riots or civil war, we would be there.

I’ve been around the world but Russia was tough. The scariest country I had gone to was in Namibia in 1979, during the Namibian War for Independence from 1966 to 1990. During that time we were looking to recruit informers. I was afraid during that time because, despite Namibia being a less-developed country and having very helpful people, almost everyone had guns and weapons. It was dangerous.

Most people think that being a spy is like being James Bond. We are nothing like him – he had expensive watches, attracted attention and revealed his name everywhere he went. But we did have a watch which had special recording equipment built inside of it.

If you want to be a secret intelligence officer, the first thing you need is patience. Secondly, you need to blend in, not stand out and ‘look stupid’ (unassuming), so people will not suspect you, like when I was a car wash man in London. Number three, ‘biar pecah di perut, jangan pecah di mulut’ (keep secrets to yourself’). In this case, you must not reveal the secrets of the Malaysian government.”

– Humans of Kuala Lumpur

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on October 18th 2016)

“Abang Yee who hails from Kelantan is a burger seller and has been in the business for more than 10 years…”

“His daily business routine starts in the evening from 7pm to 3 am.

Abang Yee sleeps after he sends his children to school. He earns RM300 a day and would get even more if there are big orders from the companies near where his stand is.

He used to have 2 more franchises but has been sold to other people. Amongst the interesting experiences that he has had was when Abang Yee had large orders and at the same time he ran out of gas to cook.

To those who want to start selling burgers, his advice is you have to be honest and trustworthy”.

– Humans of Kuala Lumpur

Story contributed by Ekamil Razali.

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on October 10th 2016)

“Malaysian foods taste good. They have every flavor, however, foods from Oman taste kind of blunt.

“The truth is it never crossed my mind that I would be a chef once I finished SPM. I didn’t do well in the exam so I was reluctant to go back to my foster mom’s house. She told me “Rid, since you’re not excelling with academics, so try to learn practical skills like cooking.” So, since then I have set to become a chef as my goal.

I couldn’t call myself as a chef because I think you’d need at least 10 years of experience in the field. I’ve been a chef for almost 21 years and I still wouldn’t dare to call myself a chef.

About Oman food, most of them are cooked using the ‘boiling technique. However, lamb showa uses bits of spices and they cook it under the Earth for 2 to 3 days. 

Every experience that I have has been interesting. I started from the bottom, I’ve been yelled at, ran errands, made mistakes, came late to work. All that have made me who I am today.

If you want to be a chef you have to be mentally strong. If you’re lazy, undisciplined, and not committed to what you do, you cannot become a chef. If you’re doing just what you like to do, then you won’t cut it. Plus, it is true that chefs earn more but only the Sous Chef, Exec Sous Chef, Chef De Cuisine and Exec Chef earn more. Whereas, Kitchen Helpers, Commis 3,2,1, Demi Chef, Chef de Partie earn more or less like other jobs.

The reason I chose Oman is because my wife has been working for the Oman Air Crew for almost 10 years. I’ve never thought of becoming anything else but a chef. Guess I’m just a Malaysian, living in Oman, hoping to become a chef.”

– Humans of Kuala Lumpur

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on October 10th 2016)