Like many other Malaysians, I too was all excited waiting for the arrival of the two giant pandas. Aside from children, there is something about furry creatures that has captured the softest spot in my heart, like cats, dogs, bears etc. (except furry men)
I was lucky enough to have the kind of job that allows me to get up close and personal with the Feng Yi and Fu Wa the moment they landed on the land of truly Asia. I was amongst over 50 members of the media whom waited since 5.30am at the MASKargo Complex in KLIA to catch the first glimpse of this beautiful magnificent bamboo eating bear.
I only got to see Feng Yi, the female panda for about 3 minutes. She looked so adorable yet exquisite. Just like her name – Feng Yi which means cheerful mythical bird.
Feng means Phoenix and Yi means cheerful. Feng Yi is indeed a cheerful big bird. Even after travelling thousands of miles, non-sedated, in a steel box, Feng Yi remained bubbly greeting us greeting her.
I did not get to see Fu Wa though, apparently according to an officer with NRE, Fu Wa is a little stressed out with the whole meet and greet event. The pressure of travelling to a new land, adapting to a new environment, new climate, all adds to the stress especially when their flight had been delayed. They were supposed to land at 6.30am when the air is still cool and breezy but they only arrived at 8.00am, when the sun was already up. For this high profile, celeb bear, it is not at all a fun experience.
Fu Wa, the male panda too has a cute and very apt name. Fu Wa means lucky doll or good luck doll - just like how and why he had been loaned to us, to bring us more luck, prosperity and kindness to the ties we have with China - to celebrate 40 years of healthy ties and to 40 more years to come.
So why do we see the need to change their names? So they can be Malaysian?
I remember when my parents adopted two cats with French names – Monsieur Martin and Michelle Suvont. For the obvious reason, which is difficulty in pronouncing these feline friends’ French names that my parents renamed them to Awang and Mek. And after a series of challenging and agonizing times training and communicating with these cats with their new names, after three years, these cats felt a sense of belonging in their new name.
But unlike Awang and Mek, pandas Feng Yi and Fu Wa do not belong to us. Malaysia is just their second home. They will be brought back to their place of birth in ten years time and they need to stay true to their identity.
Can a name be just an artificial and meaningless convention?
We have spent truckloads of money to bring them in, invested millions to imitate and stay closest to their natural habitat. If we want so much for the pandas to feel at home here in a land so foreign to them, then is it not at all ironic that we would want to give them a foreign name?
“Today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present.” - Kung Fu Panda
Linawati Adnan
Fri May 23 2014
Pandas to adopt new names
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.