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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Malay saying - dignity and challenge

Pantang Melayu di cabar.

It is taboo for a Malay to be challenged.

Malays value dignity (maruah) very highly. Malays do not like to be challenged. In Malaysia where there is a practically eternal affirmative program (NEP or New Economics Policy) through which Malays are given special preference for admission to universities and colleges, jobs, special discount for buying houses, etc. When this special position is challenged, there is a tendency for some Malays to bristle with rage. In fact, they may even threaten to run amok (amok originated from the Malays where a person run wild and usually violent.

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