IT beats me why some Malaysians would want to diminish the celebration of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh for winning the Oscar. We have been asked why the hype over the award.
It shouldn’t even arise because she has achieved what many of us will never be able to do.
The Ipoh-born star has become the first Asian – not just Malaysian – to win the coveted award for Best Actress in the Academy Awards’ 95-year history, and that’s reason enough for us to celebrate this historic achievement.
Arguably, there are only two Malaysians who have attained international recognition. They are international shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo and Yeoh.
Not even badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei because it is a sport with an appeal that’s confined mostly to Asia.
It is mind-boggling to ask what Yeoh has done for Malaysia when she has won an Oscar and she tells her audience that she is taking that home to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Will there be another Malaysian who will get to say that, and be heard around the globe as the show was watched by over 18.7 million people? I don’t think so, probably not in my lifetime.
The Oscars was rated as the most watched of any awards shows in the last three years. Her victory was given top coverage by international media including CNN and BBC, and in Asia.
Even a report of a fake image announcing a public holiday for Yeoh’s win made it to CNN.
As advertising guru Tan Sri Vincent Lee has rightly, in his rebuttal to a viral critique, pointed out, Yeoh has been the best tourism ambassador for Malaysia and “she was paid zero cent”.
”I was the one that requested her to help the country then. Without hesitation, she said yes. No payment. As a Malaysian, we all must help the country, she said. It’s all national service.”
Lee, who founded the Naga DDB agency, is credited with coming up with the famous and catchy “Malaysia Truly Asia” campaign to promote Malaysian tourism.
There is also no reason to nitpick over her decision to hone her acting skills in Hong Kong. It has made her famous and noticed by Hollywood. Hong Kong is also the gateway to China, Taiwan and the Asian markets.
Hollywood has given her the biggest break and it makes sense for her to use the United States and Europe as her base.
Malaysia is just too small a market for her to bloom, that’s the harsh reality. She would go nowhere here.
Yeoh has made regular visits to Malaysia despite her hectic schedule. She has understandably kept a low profile as she wants to spend time with her family and friends.
But she has often posted pictures of her arrival at KLIA on her Instagram expressing her joy to be home. Just check her IG timeline. She was here a few months ago.
Yesterday, Yeoh shared with friends of hers in the Tzu Chi charity group chat that she was grateful for all the best wishes and celebration but wanted to redirect her mission as the United Nations Development Programme goodwill ambassador.
She narrated how her life was changed eight years ago when “one moment shook my outlook on the world”.
It was April 25, 2015, when she and her partner Jean Todt visited local organisations in Nepal but suddenly a deadly earthquake broke out and the earth trembled violently.
”I never felt the type of fear and panic I felt that day, when the ground beneath me shook so powerfully, I couldn’t stand on my feet.
”I had to crawl to try to make it to the door to escape.”
Her hotel was damaged, and they made their way to the airport and waited for two nights for evacuation.
But she returned to Nepal three weeks later with relief efforts and again a year later, as a goodwill envoy.
She shared her thoughts on Nepal, Syria and Turkey in her lengthy post and the role and recognition for women, ending with “let’s make sure they are not missing from the room where decisions are being made that affect them the most”.
It’s not just a win for Yeoh, Malaysia and Asia but a victory for women in general and women who are past 60 years old. Let no one tell you that you are past your prime, as she reminded you.
Her choice of politics and politicians, even if it was wrong, is her right and that has nothing to do with her acting skills and the accolades that she has brought to Malaysia. Leave her alone on that one.
And if you are worthy of being a good journalist, and worthy of being called one, always check your facts as unsubstantiated allegations and hearsay are just not acceptable.
Before we ask what Yeoh has done, in a condescending tone, perhaps we should also ask ourselves humbly what we have done for Malaysia.
