1 December, 2010
I’m the owner and head cook of Jackie M Malaysian Cuisine and the author of the cookbook Jackie M Truly Malaysian: Street Food at Home.
Born in Malaysia, I migrated to Australia with my family when I was 17 years old. My mom died of cancer when I was six; now, as I start this blog at 43, I am her age when she passed away. This blog, my Memories of Malaysia (MOM) is dedicated to her and includes my earliest childhood memories of mom and how the short time I had with her has impacted everything in my life to date.
Nb. The picture below (what used to be the header image until I changed the WordPress theme of this site) was taken on Chinese New Year in 1973; as it turned out, it would be the last time my mom celebrated the new year, as she would succumb to illness shortly thereafter. My brother on the right would be killed in a bike accident two years later.
Jackie M
Memories of Malaysia 
Thought ill just leave a comment saying I enjoyed your writings, especially those about Seremban. I was born & raised in Seremban, left for SG when I was 15. Been living and working here since. Would love you visit your restaurant in Sydney if I’m ever in town.
Thanks very much 🙂
Hi there, thanks for sharing the story of your childhood,
i was born in 1976 , still remember the ODEON cinema….
i really enjoy your childhood story…. although you are 10 years older but i still can smell the ambiance when you telling some of the story….
Cool; sad that the Odeon is no more but thanks for reading 🙂
Dear Jackey,
Thank you very much for your great blog. I am new to Seremban but my life has several parallels with yours. I, too, left Malaysia for Melbourne at eighteen to further my studies at university. I, too, went through racism as you did but, unlike you, I did not have the opportunity to give the racists what they deserved. You are now living my dream of owning and running a restaurant. You look absolutely gorgeous, especially with your hair. Your command of English is impecable; your writing style and content makes the most pleasurable reading. I pray for Beautiful Baby Noah. God bless
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and thanks for the kind words! I’m kind of living my dream but the whole restaurant thing (which is now behind me btw – I sold it and moved on a few weeks ago) – yeah, somewhat over-rated, though necessary to get out of my system 🙂
wow! iam so touched,what a touching story it is;interesting and also inspiring. I would love to stay close with people like you to impact some sense, knowlege, abilities and wisdom.since I’m young… you empower me to do more meaningful things with my life so in the future, when I get to this ur age now, I will be able to write my own beautiful story about my life and beautiful things I have done too.
Thank you very much for commenting Clara; would love to keep in touch so do message or connect with me anytime 🙂 facebook.com/jackiem.sydney
My grandparents are from your hometown, Seremban. I was born in Port Dickson a year before you and live in Perth. I saw you on sbs and I want to say more power to you Jackie – thanks for taking the courage to make a stand! The world needs more people like you.
Hi Paul, what a small world! Thanks for the kind words and do keep in touch 🙂
Hey Jackie, just discovered your blog. I really think that you are amazing as a mom first of all and then as a food blogger (love your recipes) and finally as a defiant warrior against adversity in life. You go girl. Behind you all the way.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate this 🙂
You are a bloody tough lady! As a guy, I don’t know if I can survive what you went thrrough (similar difficult times).I would have proabably folded.