Independence day
Photos and words by Salina Christmas

Cuttlefish on sale at a local co-op. Still rooted in agriculture and maritime, people here prefer to buy fresh local produce at government-backed mini-markets.

As it is not a drinking culture, matters are often discussed by families and friends over a meal.

Every time I return 'home', I have plenty of heated discussions with my loved ones and my friends over food. You can say that our revolution starts from the roadside stalls, not cafes or bars.

Funnily enough, to this day, a meeting of more than three people in Malaysia is illegal unless a permit is given out. Introduced by the British, it originated from the good old days of communist insurgency. We have no communist rebellions anymore.