In an interview with Malaysiakini, Jocelyn Yow said she also appreciates the diversity and unique culture in Malaysia.

“I have fond memories of travelling across the country with my family and going jungle trekking and camping with Girl Guides and Scouts while in Malaysia.”

Yow, who has not been back to Malaysia for two years, said she was surprised that her achievement had made waves here.

Yow was elected mayor of Eastvale, a city in California, where she had also served as a city councillor for two years prior to the mayoral elections last month.

The 25-year-old Yow, who has a Malaysian father and Vietnamese mother, spent most of her childhood in Malaysia.

Her then US-based family had moved to Alor Setar in 1996 when her paternal grandfather was diagnosed with cancer.

“I ended up spending over 10 years there, allowing me to learn more about our family history, heritage and culture,” she said in an Instagram post.

In the interview, she said she is also an advocate for policies that help advance gender equality.

“It is a shame that the US is the only advanced country that still does not offer paid maternity leave.

“I am glad to see that Malaysia offers a more comprehensive maternity leave policy,” she said.