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If Hong Kong wins the battle,
it would be a good role model for us

(Malaysians).

Bong, a Malaysian student who is currently studying at the Chinese Uni-
versity of Hong Kong (CUHK) keeps posting about the movement on her
Instagram every day and hopes that her Malaysian friends can understand
what is happening before judging or accusing the protesters. Bong says
many Malaysians, including her parents, stand against the protesters after
reading news stories by Malaysian media outlets.
She has been following news about the movement closely since June by
reading posts shared by her Hong Kong friends on Facebook and Instagram.
She also participated in several major protests herself.
Bong says that Malaysians, including her friends and family, do not un-
derstand the anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong due to the failure of their
local media in reporting how the movement comes into being. “When they Bong joining anti-ELAB protests.
report, they do not explain the ins and outs of the whole issue. They only (Photo courtesy of Bong)
say the airport was congested with 5,000 protestors or conflicts between the
police and civilians… because it’s not local news,” she says.
Witnessing numerous protests in Hong Kong with her own eyes, Bong
can tell that civil awareness in her home country is low, as people rarely
speak up or take to the street regarding social issues. "I hope the core values
of Hong Kong, like democracy and freedom can be granted completely by
the end of the movement,’ she says. ‘If Hong Kong wins the battle, it will be
a good role model for us (Malaysians)."

Connecting the West
The anti-ELAB movement does not only concern people living in Hong
Kong or its neighbouring countries, but also many ethnic Chinese living
around the world. In London, Toronto, Vancouver and other major cities

Bong reading promotional leaflets at CUHK.