9-year-old Malay boy said Chinese girl prohibited from playing with him anymore

By Dyn Norahim

Pardon me but I simply needed to get this out of my system. Yesterday was my son’s 9th birthday. He had been excited for quite a while prior, talking animatedly about inviting kids from the neighbourhood he usually plays with.


On the actual day itself, I asked whether he had done so. He replied: “One of them (she's a chinese girl btw) told me her parents did not want her playing with either Malays or Indians anymore.” I was honestly taken aback upon hearing this. Nevertheless, I just smiled and reassured him: “Don't worry, it's all right.”


To those who still remain closet racists, especially in a country as culturally diverse as ours, the year is already 2026, for crying out loud. Our children deserve better than inheriting ethnic prejudices they never created. Do better. For them.


Dear parents, what would you have said to your child in that moment?


This first appeared as a post on the Facebook page of Dyn Norahim on 23 June 2026. Do join in the discussion over there if you have thoughts to share.


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