COMMENT | Imagine a Chinese guy realises that Penang prawn mee deserves global heritage status.

So he submits it to, oh say, the World Gourmet Council for recognition. All Malaysians cheer as the country gains yet another international award, right?

Wrong. It becomes yet another racial issue.

“Hey, why didn't you propose mee bandung Muar (Malay soupy prawn noodles) for this?” cries out one politician.

“No, no, no….” shouts another fellow. “Penang prawn mee shouldn't be world heritage. It should be Chinese temples. We know what's best for your culture.”

Best of all, one joker claims: “World recognition for Penang prawn mee means recognising the Chinese as bumiputera. It will undermine Malay rights!”...