I think I just touched a raw nerve. It’s one of those things that has been lurking in the shadows, waiting to reveal itself. Well, I suppose now’s as good a time as any…
Isnt it fascinatingly disturbing how people in Melayusia seem so preoccupied with race? So what if my mom’s a Chinese or my grandfather’s an Indian? Isn’t what we learn from them more important than the color of their skin, or the language that they speak?
Melayu’s especially are guilty of this. For them, saying that they are descendants from India for example, is a big insult. But saying they are descendants of Arabs, that’s different, that’s a big compliment. Perhaps it makes them feel more holy.
But seriously., what the hell is wrong if we come from the same lineage as Sharukh Khan? Does it make me any worse? I remember the whole commotion that erupted when someone mentioned that Hang Tuah was probably Chinese. So what if he is? Does it make him any less heroic? And why would he race affect who we are?
What our ancestors are, don’t define who we are. We do.
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Another proverbial Melayu pastime. The adat.
I hate the word adat. I hate the whole concept of adat. Why should I do something in a certain way, just because generations before me did it that way?
And notice how there is always this tendency to link adat to religion. Its an age old, tried and tested trick. Sure work punya. A guaranteed way to gain credibility for what you are advocating is and has always been: -
1. Say it comes from God – No one would dare question you.
2. Ensure that the ritual includes reciting verses from the Quran – Yes, this step is essential in convincing people, because most Muslims have never read (not recite) the Quran before.
3. Make up evidences to support 1). They most surely won’t find that in the Quran, so what they do is use hearsay. Yes, say that Mr X who was son of Mr Y who was the cousin of Mr Z, who in turn studied under the great teacher Mr S.
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And if they commit evil acts, they say: “We found our fathers doing such, and God ordered us to it.” Say: “God does not order evil! Do you say about God what you do not know?” (7:28)
Creating rituals and attributing it to God, is nothing new. That’s why to the melayus, adat is sacrosanct. Because it is seen to come from God. To the melayus, even your own children is not as important as adat. Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat. Most would defend their adat to their last dying breath.
And ever wonder where does adat Melayu originate from?
The sub continent, folks. Yes. I’ll say it again. The sub continent i.e. India. Think of marhaba, merenjis, etc. The very people most Melayus hate to associate themselves with. And since all adat really is, is the practice of rituals handed on to us by our forefathers, doesn’t that make Melayus, really Indians??
Of cos, no one can prove that. But the evidence is very very compelling.
Ironic, isn’t it? I call it karmasutra ..:)
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And We have sent down to you the Scripture with truth, authenticating what is present of the Scripture and superseding it. So judge between them by what God has sent down, and do not follow their desires from what has come to you of the truth. For each of you We have made laws, and a structure; and had God willed, He would have made you all one nation, but He tests you with what He has given you; so strive to do good. To God you will return all of you, and He will inform you regarding that in which you dispute.
So really, we were ALL previously ONE nation. The fact that we are different, is a test to us. I think we are failing this test badly.
Disclaimer / disclosure:
1. Sorry, it didn’t start off as a Melayu bashing post, it just evolved into one.
2. Ive made a lot of generalizations above. I know it doesn’t apply to some people.
3. Max is a melayu too according to his kad pengenalan, (though someone once called max melayu murtad..haha…), which gives him the right to buy houses at discounts in Melayusia. Yipppee…
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