02/06/2026

TUESDAY | JUNE 2, 2026

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Welcome to the short-name club S O apparently, 1,575 people have marched themselves to the National Registration Department since 2024

conversations challenging stereotypes. Participating in cultural exchanges, whether physically or virtually, can help youths gain firsthand experience of different ways of life. Even simple actions, such as making friends from other countries through social media or school programmes, can broaden their perspectives. Another practical way to become global citizens is through active participation in community and global initiatives. Youths can volunteer for causes such as environmental conservation, poverty alleviation or education. By contributing their time and effort, they will not only make a positive impact but also develop a sense of responsibility towards others. Involvement in campaigns, awareness programmes and NGOs can further strengthen their commitment to global issues. In addition, responsible use of technology is essential. The internet provides access to vast amounts of information and connects people across the globe. However, it also spreads misinformation and negative influences. Youths must learn to use digital platforms wisely by verifying information, promoting positive messages and engaging in constructive discussions. Digital citizenship is an integral part of the modern era. Finally, youths should cultivate values such as responsibility, respect and sustainability in their daily lives. Simple habits like reducing waste, conserving energy and supporting fair trade can contribute to global well being. By making conscious choices, young individuals can demonstrate that global citizenship is not just an abstract idea but a practical way of living. Today’s youths have a vital role to play in shaping the future of our world. By becoming global citizens, they can address shared challenges, promote and you even uncap your pen. And suddenly – I saw the light. My short name is not a consolation prize. It is not something to be mourned over with a warm Milo and a Marie biscuit. My short name is a SUPERPOWER. A nikmat , even. One that I was too young and too foolish to recognise. While my long-named friends are still hunched over box 14, carefully transferring the fourteenth letter of their name into that tiny, unforgiving square, I am already done – pen capped, form submitted. Sitting back with the quiet, dignified satisfaction of someone who has just won something without making a scene about it. And travel documents! Passports, boarding passes, hotel check-ins – every single one a fresh obstacle course for those blessed with lengthy names. Their names get cut off, truncated, hyphenated into something completely unrecognisable. They spend 10 minutes at every counter explaining that yes, that is indeed their name, and no, the missing portion is not a clerical error. Meanwhile, this Makcik sails through like she has absolutely nothing to declare and nowhere to

spell it out – again. From the beginning. Slowly please. So off they went to the National Registration Department, applications in hand, tired wrists and absolute determination to finally, FINALLY fit neatly into the allotted space. And this Makcik – who once stood in primary school burning with jealousy over those grand, sweeping, magnificent names – now watches all of this unfold with nothing but warmth, understanding and a small, knowing smile. Welcome, darlings. Welcome to the short-name club. We have kuih . We finish our borang first. And our signatures may be humble but they are done in under three seconds and nobody has ever asked us to spell them out. No offence to those with long names – this Makcik wishes you strength, good lighting and a pen that does not run out halfway through Box seven. You are brave and resilient. You are everything this Makcik never had the stamina to be. Kudos to you all. Azura Abas is the executive editor of theSun. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

me started on that. Those with long names had these magnificent, sweeping, telenovela worthy signatures – all loops and flourishes and dramatic curves, as though personally commissioned by the royal house. Mine M A K C I

be except the departure lounge. I used to envy the long names. I truly did. There is something undeniably grand about a name that takes up half a line. Something that says: this person arrived. This person has lineage, history and probably a kampung named after their great-grandfather. I respect it. Seriously, I do. But I no longer covet it. Here is what nobody tells you when you are young, silly and busy wishing for more letters: a long name is not just a name; it is a whole commitment. It is a lifestyle. Every borang , every registration, every kedai mamak loyalty card sign-up becomes a minor ordeal. You develop a dramatic signature not out of elegance but out of pure survival – because writing your full name 40 times a day would finish you off completely. And now, 1,575 of them have had enough. They looked at their names – long, beautiful, lovingly chosen names that their parents bestowed with full ceremony and doa – and thought: you know what, I cannot be doing this anymore. Not for another borang . Not for another tiny box. Not for another bank officer who squints at the screen, looks up slowly and asks them to

IN an increasingly interconnected world, the concept of global citizenship has become more important than ever. Advances in technology, transportation and communication have brought people, cultures and economies closer together. Issues such as climate change, pandemics, economic inequality and conflicts transcend national borders and require collective action. In this context, today’s youths must be prepared not only to live in their own countries but also to function as responsible and active members of a global community. Becoming global citizens is no longer optional; it is essential for building a sustainable and peaceful future. One key reason why youths should strive to be global citizens is the shared nature of global challenges. Problems like environmental degradation and climate change affect all nations regardless of their level of development. For instance, rising sea levels threaten coastal communities worldwide while pollution impacts both developed and developing countries. If young people limit their perspectives to local or national concerns, they may fail to understand the broader implications of their actions. By adopting a global mindset, youths can recognise their role in addressing these challenges and contribute to solutions that benefit humanity as a whole. Another important reason is the need for cultural understanding and harmony. In diverse societies, misunderstandings and prejudice can easily arise when people are unfamiliar with different cultures, beliefs and traditions. Global citizenship encourages to officially shorten their names. One thousand, five hundred and seventy-five. That is not a statistic, that is a confession. And this Makcik ? She stood in primary school absolutely seething with envy at her friends with their long, elaborate, rolling-off-the-tongue names. Meanwhile, my name – bless it – could fit on a post-it note with room left over for a grocery list. Less than 10 letters – short, sweet and sudah . Did I appreciate this gift? Absolutely not. I wanted a LONG name – I wanted drama. I wanted people to pause, collect themselves and take a proper breath before calling me. I wanted my name announced at assembly and have it echo down the corridor like a royal proclamation. I grieved my short name quietly, the way you grieve the last piece of kuih that someone else took before you could get to it. Sedih tau . And signatures! Don’t even get M A R I N A T B Y A Z

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looked like I sneezed on the paper, shrugged and called it a day. There was simply not enough name to work with. So yes, I sulked – with full

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youths to appreciate diversity and practise empathy. When young individuals learn to respect others regardless of race, religion or nationality, they can help foster peace and cooperation. This is particularly important in a world where migration and globalisation bring people of different backgrounds into closer contact. A global citizen values inclusivity and seeks to build bridges rather than barriers. Furthermore, being a global citizen enhances personal growth and opportunities. Employers today increasingly value individuals who are adaptable, culturally aware and able to work in international environments. Youths who develop a global outlook are better equipped to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. In addition, exposure to global issues broadens their knowledge and critical thinking skills, enabling them to become informed decision-makers and responsible leaders in the future. Having understood why global citizenship is important, the question remains: How can today’s youths become global citizens of tomorrow? The first step is education. Young people should actively seek knowledge about global issues, cultures and histories. This can be achieved through formal education, reading, watching documentaries and online resources. Schools also can play a crucial role by incorporating global perspectives into their curricula, encouraging students to think beyond their immediate surroundings. Secondly, youths should develop empathy and open-mindedness. This involves listening to different viewpoints, engaging in meaningful commitment. Grudgingly – very grudgingly – I accepted my short name, tucked my wounded pride away somewhere near the back of my heart alongside other unresolved childhood grievances and got on with life. But then... I got older, wiser and more sabar . And I started filling in forms – government forms, bank forms, insurance forms. Borang after borang – the absolute joy stealing, soul-crushing kind with tiny individual boxes, one letter per box, staring at you like a personal challenge issued by the universe. The kind where the font is so small you need reading glasses, a torch and possibly a brief motivational speech from your spouse before

Working together for the common good

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

Youths can volunteer for causes such as environmental conservation, poverty alleviation or education. By contributing their time and effort, they will not only make a positive impact but also develop a sense of responsibility towards others.

of tomorrow. The future of our interconnected world depends on their willingness to think beyond borders and act for the common good. Liong Kam Chong Seremban

cultural understanding and seize greater opportunities for personal and professional growth. Through education, empathy, active participation, responsible use of technology and sustainable practices, youths can be effective global citizens