Coming to Malaysia has made me realise many issues about reality in this world. Before coming, I was looking forward to meeting Malays and learning more about the culture. I knew it was different from my interactions with diplomats at the High Commission. During the early years in Malaysia, I used to introduce myself as a Sri Lankan Malay. A sizeable number were surprised to learn that there were Malays in Sri Lanka and wanted to know more, and thus I told them. Others just raised an eye, after which they said how much I resemble an “Indian.” Last year, I was asked by some Sri Lankan Malays -when escorting the Malaysian delegation- why the Malays over here looked “Chinese.” Like they say- what goes around comes around. There were also a minority who had no clue as to where Sri Lanka was located; that tells abundance of their intellect in geography. Now, I introduce myself as a Sri Lankan Muslim.
What really irks me exponentially when someone uses the words “pure Malay.” I see no clear avenue as how a person can distinguish that quality. I’ve heard this two times so far, and at both instances, the words were clearly articulated and gave emphasis to reinforce an identity. The first time, it occurred during a routine introduction with a person whom I like to call a hybrid: offspring of a couple belonging to two races. His father was Pakistani, while his mother Malay, but he worded and strengthened his maternal lineage by using “pure Malay.” The second time was yesterday, when I went to dinner at a family friends’ house- all of whom are Sri Lankan Malays. During a conversation about my university, a certain chap became the focal point and I was asked about him. He too is a hybrid, father a Sri Lankan Moor, and mother Malay. After mentioning this fact, the gentleman asked me a second time if the mother was “pure Malay” to which I replied in the affirmative. It’s like the man wanted to reassure some notion easing the anxiety in his heart.
I hope all of you reading this can see behind the lines. Malays discriminate against their kind. If it was not the case, then why do people need to state, or inquire the “purity” of a persons’ race? It’s all hogwash. If this yardstick is applied in its literal sense, then many of whom with lineage to other races cannot be called “Malay.” My maternal great-grandmother was Tamil, then my maternal grandmother Sinhalese, and I’m now Malay- according to my birth certificate. Physical characteristics apart, there is no consistent manner of justifying this claim. Don’t even get me started about eating Durian, a true signature of being Malay. I can’t stand that bloody fruit and it gives me an allergic reaction, so to hell with it.
Sri Lanka is divided along religious lines- a commonality in many countries. Malaysia is divided along racial lines, which is very bad. Then we see India split according to castes, an even worse plight altogether because tensions are always simmering and ending with violence. The truth is hard to swallow, but its high time people learn to live with it. Muslims in Sri Lanka comprise of many races, the majority being Moors (origin from the Arabia), then Malays, Memons (origin from Pakistan), Borahs (origin from India who are Shiites). In spite of this diverse makeup, the community is non-racist to a great extent, which can be proven by the many inter-marriages between Moors and Malays.
But when race is used like a marker to identify people, then it affects their behaviour greatly. In Malaysia, there is an immediate need to conform and be accepted as part of a certain race. I see non-Malays wearing the songkok over here, which to me is highly puzzling. It’s equivalent to I wearing a Moor’s cap in Sri Lanka, while a Moor doing it vice versa, or I dressing up like a Sinhalese. The songkok over here is a symbol of belonging, that is, and being utilised for economical and social agendas. It has the magical ability to make matters work out smoother than otherwise. Another mind boggling connotation is the term “Indian Malay.” I seriously doubt the practicality in a person laying claim to more than one race. In the end you have got to choose one over the other. I realise the sensitivity of this topic, and I’ve already ruffled a few feathers as a result of my post.
I have little concern for haggling and professing extreme views about my race. I’m proud to be Malay in my own way, but being a Muslim comes first. Malays are a delusional lot ingrained with the idea that being “Malay” takes higher precedence than being a Muslim. To those kinds of people, I spurn them like I would a dog with rabies. I can’t recall ever hearing of “Malay” blood because there is no such type- only A, B, AB and O. What more talking about being “pure Malay!!!!” It’s such an outrageous and baseless notion that will only lead more dissention, and not integration. Here is another titbit; being Malay does not necessarily mean that he/she has to be Muslim. People of a race can and do profess to more than one religion, and it’s not mutually exclusive. Sadly a lot of narrow minded people cannot grasp this idea. What a pity. In order to illustrate, the Sinhalese are mostly Buddhists’, then Christians, and lastly Muslims; there you have it.
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