Dr Konrad Ng is amused that his Malaysian roots got noticed halfway round the world, thanks to his link to US President Elect Barack Obama.
An assistant professor at the University of Hawaii in Manoa (UHM), Ng, whose family originally comes from Sabah, is married to Obama’s half-sister Maya Soetoro.Maya and Obama have the same mother.
An assistant professor at the University of Hawaii in Manoa (UHM), Ng, whose family originally comes from Sabah, is married to Obama’s half-sister Maya Soetoro.Maya and Obama have the same mother.
Not too long ago: Watching an Independence Day parade in the US four years ago were (from left) Michelle Obama, her daughter Sasha, Obama, Malia, Maya, Ng, and their daughter Suhalia.
According to Ng, 34, his father, Howard, was born in Sandakan and his mother, Joan, in Kudat. “I have many relatives who live throughout Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and the two towns where my parents came from,” he said. His parents subsequently settled in Canada and Ng was born there.
Maya was born to Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian businessman, and Ann Dunham, a white American cultural anthropologist, who is also Obama’s mother.
Maya was born to Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian businessman, and Ann Dunham, a white American cultural anthropologist, who is also Obama’s mother.
Ng said his parents return to Malaysia once every one to two years. “It remains an important place of origin to them. In addition to a large, extended family, they have many good friends in Malaysia. I try to visit Malaysia every few years; it is a special country and feels familiar to me,” said Ng.
Maya, who was born in Jakarta, also cherishes her Indonesian roots. According to Ng, she is active in the local Indonesian community and continues to speak Indonesian when she can. She visits Indonesia every few years. Ng described Obama as exceptionally brilliant.
“He has a thorough understanding of the challenges we face and sound judgment on how we should address these challenges.
“Barack is a dedicated family man and cares deeply about transforming the world into a better place so that all families will have the same opportunities to do better. “South-East Asia is a place of connection for him and a region that he understands well. It gave him numerous examples of alternative modes of communication and perspective.
“Maya, Barack and I have talked about the beauty of South-East Asia and our mutual desire to visit again,” he said.
Maya, who was born in Jakarta, also cherishes her Indonesian roots. According to Ng, she is active in the local Indonesian community and continues to speak Indonesian when she can. She visits Indonesia every few years. Ng described Obama as exceptionally brilliant.
“He has a thorough understanding of the challenges we face and sound judgment on how we should address these challenges.
“Barack is a dedicated family man and cares deeply about transforming the world into a better place so that all families will have the same opportunities to do better. “South-East Asia is a place of connection for him and a region that he understands well. It gave him numerous examples of alternative modes of communication and perspective.
“Maya, Barack and I have talked about the beauty of South-East Asia and our mutual desire to visit again,” he said.
courtesy to thestar online
What a great news ha. In that case, that would be easier for us to get a Green Card if our Malaysian govt doesn't performs well, especially; the politics instability in Sabah. What do you think...?
ReplyDeleteFirst and for most thanks for the response bro.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the news is great. However, any thing could happen once the President Elect Obama is in place.
Green card ? I guess Obama don't have time for this. Unless our kids were born in USA, like mine or yours, then there is great possibility.
Thanks again