Do As You Would Be Done By

Attention: This entry contains a bit emotional content!

So long as this place is still called the world, thus it’s been occupied by a wide range of humans coming from diverse social backgrounds and dissimilar lifestyles. Not forgetting that some can be so annoying and some can be so generous.

Working as a sales assistant is a bonus for me to meet a variety of people. I feel slightly delighted for meeting new people whom I’ve never even met before. However, personally, my workplace is thoroughly not a fun place to work at. Sorry for having to be too straightforward. I prefer behaving this way to lying. It makes the world better, doesn’t it?

I’ve been insulted by my employer and customers almost daily. Yup, this is a fact you’ve to accept whether you like it or not. It’s been so typical to me already, anyways. Oh God, it’s completely disappointing as my employer whose nationality is a Malay has been doing such bad things toward a Malay like me. 

To get a clearer picture, let me tell you what happened this morning ( actually two days ago). There’s a male customer who’s about 40 asking me to get him something. At first, I heard he said jagung (English: corn ), so I got him a can of Sweet Corn. Then, he insisted he actually wanted ibu jagung. I swear I didn’t even hear the first word ‘ibu’ when he mentioned it, only if did he really do that. The uttered word ‘ibu’ definitely doesn’t signify the mother and surely I knew it. Shortly after a while, I took a bottle of ‘ibu jagung’ yet that one wasn’t still what he really asked for. He once again said it in Terengganuvian dialect, “Hok se gi... hok dalang botol”. (English: “The other one... which is in a bottle”). I whereupon got it to him. Oh finally, yeah I was right. Ironically, the previous one I showed was also in a bottle, you know. OMG!    

It might sound alright whether he kept silent afterwards and went ahead with what he’s gonna do. In contrast, that didn’t happen at all. It annoyed me so much since he said something bad to my employer which went, “Kalu mung masuk mahkamah, menang mung lagi, Mat.” which meant in other words, “If I were to be claimed at the court for choosing the wrong bottle (ibu jagung), they’d forever win!” That only if were the court an idiot like him for arguing such a brainless case. Again, what a waste of time!

My argument is that I didn’t hear the first word ‘ibu’ which he mentioned in the first place and the possible factors could be that I was standing too far from his whereabouts, not to mention the noise pollution around seeing that the shop is located by the roadside. Besides, it is also a main road which is so heavy with non-stop passing vehicles every day. Therefore, pretty sure it wasn’t my fault!

Maybe, I was guilty for forgetting to ask him back when I was supposed to. Hmm... scratch that! It’s not the case either I heard it or not. The point I wanna highlight here is that he’s insulted me! I repeat, HE HAS INSULTED ME! Who the hell am I he’s thinking?! I’m also a human who’s got feelings. And, on what reason should he the asshole do that to me? Presumably he thought I was just an idiot. Yeah, I’m only a sales assistant and might never finish school or an unemployed. I don’t mind if that’s what’s on his mind. Who cares? Plus, I don’t need to introduce him who I am.

I care the shit he’s done to me! Freaking unacceptable! I feel damn wounded on account of his very awful and cruel remarks. I feel like taking revenge on him by saying something like “Pak Cik, you know what? You’re such a fucking asshole” in English. Fortunately, I didn’t, respecting the fasting month probably. Aha, maybe I’d say “Thanks for insulting me. I love it.” (with the tone of sarcasm)

He’s not the only one. In fact, there’s another lady requesting 80 eggs of class B. She approached me and showed her eight-opening fingers. I first thought she wanted 8 bars of eggs which equal 240 eggs altogether. Shortly, she came closer to me and growled that she only requested 80 eggs, not 240. She then said to me, “Cepat sikit dik... dok mayang Asor agi ni” (English: “Hurry up, Kid! Haven’t performed Asar prayer yet.”). You know what? I think I should reply to her this way, “Nak cepat boleh, buat sendiri la...” (English: “Sure can, help yourself to the eggs!) What do you think? Does it sound rude? I think it’s far better than her cruel mouth, isn’t it? LOL.

Moreover, I’ve to face a few more disgusting customers who deliberately want me to be told off by my annoying employer. At times, I’ve already handed the stuff they asked for – yet, they still question whether that’s what they’ve asked for. Mana tak sakit hati kan? Deep in my heart I cursed, “Engkau yang nak beli, aku tunjuk, engkau sendiri pulak yang tak tahu betul ke tak... what an idiot!” Geram betul... it’s good that I still felt patient at that time or you’re dead!

One more thing is that I hate my employer, to be more outspoken. He likes underestimating his employees before his so-called ‘loyal’ customers. I most frequently overhear such things many times. Strictly speaking, I’m not such a kind person. I dare to deliver a religious speech before them! I would say, “Insulting others is a sin and you all the unconscious elderly please update your religious knowledge before you kick the bucket or the hell is awaiting you ahead.”

I see my employer’s foolishness at times. He sure is, occasionally. There’s no need to put on a kopiah on his head if his heart is terribly smelly like hell! A small number of customers are idiots too! Now, I don’t know if I should remain silent or fight back their insulting words. Thinking too much about this can drive me crazy and it brings no good after all. Hence, I’d better forget it. This is much better, indeed. What I can simply say here is “Kesian, dah tua pun masih bodoh rupanya... oh well, apa nak buat... mereka sungguh ‘berbudi bahasa’. They’re ever so annoying and that’s that!

My advice is do as you would be done by which is defined ‘Should you demand other people to treat you as polite as you always wish, you MUST do it first to others’. By the way, bear in mind that our age can’t really distinguish how better we are. I couldn’t agree more that people are getting much stupider sometimes by not using their reason accordingly, seriously. 

Look Before You Leap!

My gratitude is to be expressed to Allah the Almighty for still giving me the opportunity to meet Ramadan Al-kareem once again at the grown-up age of 20’s. Praise be to Him. To all Muslims in the world, hope it’s still not too late to wish, happy fasting! Scratch that for a while since I’m not gonna talk about it for this time. Let’s now appreciate what I’d already experienced over the last few weeks, shall we?

  

After several weeks working as a sales assistant, I myself have felt how hard this job is. As you know, absolutely this kind of job doesn’t employ an employee with any higher educational qualification like a bachelor’s degree. More precisely, this job needs not an SPM graduate either. This job is much more suitable for those looking for a job which is enough to classify it amongst the ‘halal’ jobs in Islam. This is far better than ‘working’ as a beggar, burglar or stealer– only if are these allegedly counted as a job, then. Working as a sales assistant at a sundry shop, for instance, requires you to be ever energetic. Yes, I’m talking about energy. A low-paying job most typically entails a lot of your energy over working hours and this job I think isn’t even called a profession. Plus, no interview session is necessary to be conducted for new recruitment. You just need to show up and applying the job using your enzyme will do.

My experience for choosing this job for the time being has kept me wondering. I often see many hard-working workers don’t fast during the holy month. Who cares if you’re a non Muslim? However, people care because you’re a Muslim who’s obliged to fast for a month in Ramadan. Furthermore, you’re a male. I’m feeling so upset when they’re down to drink a bottle of water in the lorry. I can’t deny that their job having to carry and delivering so heavy stuff to each supplier every day is such an exhausting job! I dare to say so because I myself have undergone all this myself! In fact, it’s extremely exhausting and I’m not lying!  

I admit I haven’t much stamina to work very hard daily. It’s alright whether I love that job but I so loathe it, unfortunately. I wish my employer would consider us sales assistants to get some more rest since it’s during the fasting month. Whenever we feel tired, we can’t even drink unless remain patient till it’s time to break fast. Sorry to say so ‘cause I’ve just never seen this happening, really. Oh well, I’m just trying to be outspoken.

I’d been thinking of each of the hard-working workers’ luck who gotta use their whole energy when carrying dozens of heavy things every day. I can’t buy it whether they’re varsity graduates. Yet, I’m pretty sure if they got another choice, they didn’t even want to keep working that way. Who wants to work under the heat of the sunlight for 6 days a week if they’ve got a better choice to work in an air-conditioned office, right?

I’ve realised the truth of this and the rationale is that one has gotta study very hard and perform well at school. I’ve realised how educational qualification has become thoroughly essential for current job market. That’s why I feel pity on school children who’ve yet to be aware of this circumstance. Disciplinary problems at schools such as skipping classes, smoking, getting involved in illegal race, fighting and hanging out are only a waste of time. School students should be more intelligent in decision making. I’ve no idea whether I’m presently the only one who’s thinking this way. Had I got the opportunity, I wanted to share the pain to be ‘accepted’ by low-paying job workers with them so they know how complicated this life can be without having any educational qualifications. Based on my personal experience, being a sales assistant at a sundry shop is such a tiring job! If I were you, I wouldn’t easily choose this job for my future. It’s not even worth it!

Quite certain that students have their own determinations, however how far they’ve done to make their determination come true every time is always the question. Only will many school graduates regret when it’s already too late ‘to turn over a new leaf’. Time for sure can never be rewound. Well, it’s good to look before you leap, sometimes.

My advice to all SPM candidates this year, please and please study hard for your own future or you’ll regret it forever.

Misinterpreting

“Aku tak dapat pergi kerja la hari ni... tak cukup rehat...”

When a Malay really thought they were allegedly able to comprehend the Malay sentence and verb phrase above pretty well, this was what had actually happened. What was said may seem as brief as meaning – yet, there’re a throng of people out there who’ve still misunderstood the meaning quite umpteen times. What a shame! That’s why I guess Semantics is to be studied. Aha. But, is that relevant? Hmm...

It’s their weakness that I’ve noticed after several days. Hence, using my so-called intelligence, I’d tried out coming up with a simple sentence together with a verb phrase. My expectation was that they could see what I meant. Obviously the Malays failed to get the meaning as expected. One question has come across my mind: Are you sure you’re truly a Malay? Should you be very good at Bahasa, you oughtn’t to have found any complexity interpreting the understandable sentence this easy!

I’m positive that if you think I’d have cheated all of them... I’d strongly deny, “Na, I didn’t!”

Even though I didn’t go to work the other day, I didn’t lie, frankly. I didn’t even tell I was feeling unwell or something. I just said I hadn’t yet got enough rest. Hoped they got it right. Working at a private sector like at a sundry shop only gives me one day off FYI. Thinking of that I felt idle like hell that morning to get up for work, I then decided to be absent. I used the reason above. I texted my colleague that I didn’t get enough rest. In other words, I meant I demanded one more day off! Got it?

What else can I say? They misinterpreted it so badly. It’s not me who cheated, seriously. It’s they who misinterpreted the sms. I recalled once upon a time, Prophet Muhammad used his intellect to give a reason and in the meantime to avoid telling a white lie. He didn’t lie but he came up with another reason instead even if the disbelievers during that time thought they’re so smart and believed that Prophet could never lie. Yeah, Prophet didn’t lie! The disbelievers were idiots for interpreting his word wrongly.

Back to what happened to me on that day, the situation was quite similar. I’d like to advise, “Please never take language for granted or this what’ll happen to you too!” I didn’t intend to lie but they’ve felt cheated by themselves.  

Strictly speaking, I dislike nagging at anybody here. Nabil says, “Lu Pikirlah Sendiri”. So, I leave you to think alone. In this case, do you think I’m real guilty? Cos I think not. 

The Colonial Language

None of the Malaysian citizens at present can deny the fact that English is a colonial language. Just ask the elderly who used to live over the era of British occupation for instance, of course they’ve long instilled the attitude of hating the colonizers. After Portuguese and Japanese, historically, British was also one of Malaya’s colonisers. Therefore, I guess it makes sense if the English language is categorised in the column of ‘Colonial Language’. 

In spite of the fact that it’s a colonial language, Malaysia is one of the countries in the world that puts high belief that English is significant. The ‘faith’ has led to a big consequence towards the country after independence in 1957 whereby English has been officially declared as the second language. It is evident that English has been long taught and is a compulsory subject to study at schools, be it primary or secondary schools.

Recently, the Ministry of Education has suggested that it be passed in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam or else students won’t be qualified to acquire a piece of the SPM exam certificate later. Is it the government’s urge in order to ensure students primarily the Malays will be concentrating on the colonial language in earnest? Or this action will only cause the Malay students fail to procure the SPM exam certificate and finally fail to get a job neither at the government nor private sector. Have a think!

A lot of educated parents have been aware of the importance of English nowadays. In addition, there are some parents who make English as their daily communication language at home. Consequently, their children whose nationality is Malay aren’t fluent and proficient in their mother tongue. This shouldn’t be happening! In the book ‘An Introduction to Sociolinguistics’ written by Janet Holmes, it is believed that the demand of a worker to use English much more is among the biggest contributor to language shift. Yet, speaking in a foreign language 100% and ignoring our own native language constitutes a foolish step which may lead to language loss.

Speaking about language loss, the habit of speaking in a foreign language is a main factor that contributes language death. Would you be happy when your own mother tongue dies? Of course, not!

Do you know that the group of immigrants often face this kind of problem? This includes immigrants to the United States, Japan, Australia and so forth. Mostly their children are bilingual for being able to speak more than one language. However, should the mother tongue be never spoken at all, the coming generations will turn to be monolingual and more disappointingly, these future generations only know English. Even worse, they’ll get confused with their own identity. What a shame!

Were I a parent, making Bahasa Melayu and English as the main languages in my family institution is really awesome. At least, my children wouldn’t undergo any difficulty in mastering both languages. Recalling a friend of mine who was born in the United Kingdom, her mother usually speaks Malay at home while his father speaks English. That has made him bilingual. Living in a foreign country like the United Kingdom, of course at school, he has no choice and has to study fully in English. This is because English is the language used when speaking to his classmates and teachers.

I feel amazed and impressed because their parents have strong identity as a Malay. They too speak Malay although their children study in English at school.

What makes me astonished and surprised is when some Malaysian parents who are too obsessive about the coloniser’s language by prioritizing the language at home. This sounds really risky for the children as they tend to lose their identity as a Malay and will probably be facing the problem of identity later. What’s the point of being a Malay if being unable to speak Malay fluently?

It isn’t wrong to converse with children in English. Plus, they should foster it. Anyhow, don’t forget the national language which is supposed to be proud of. Also, make sure that the mastery of both languages lies on a very satisfactory level.

Thus, parents are encouraged to speak English to their children but mother tongue can never be left behind. By using both languages, this will help children master both languages fluently and the problem of English mastery among Malaysians will no longer happen. So disadvantageous if there’re people who’re too fanatic toward Bahasa Melayu who totally ignore the significance of English in today’s world.

Are You A Creative Thinker?

The excellence in academic is highly respected. It’s become the utmost measurement for somebody to ‘have a better life’. Think! How many people in the world really use their creative thinking frequently? Through my random observation, many Malays with poor academic performance prefer choosing to work after the SPM exam. Despite the failure in the past, only have few chosen to further studies. The normally excuse given is financial problem. Yes, but it doesn’t mean a student studying at a private university can’t apply for PTPTN loan or others. To be or not to be – that’s the question.

I’m convinced that creative thinking is crucial for helping someone succeed in his life. Just imagine a Malay working at a sundry shop and he considers the job is the only one he can do. His mindset has been ‘frozen’ for thinking that he can’t. In reality, the Malaysians have seen and the world has proven that many successful people aren’t necessarily varsity graduates or something. Think of the biggest gambling centre in Malaysia like Genting Highlands, well known as the City of Entertainment in the state of Pahang, the founder who’s a Chinese was said that he didn’t even pass the UPSR exam. In contrast, he managed to be listed amongst Malaysia’s millionaires. So great! This was one of the creative thinkers whom I’m talking about.

I used to hear when an Add Maths teacher growled at me that choosing teaching as a career wouldn’t make you richer! One more thing which sounds more inspiring is that 9/10 rezeki is from business. I believe it. However, it doesn’t even mean I aspire to be a businessman someday. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also did business during his lifetime. Why I don’t choose businessman to be my job isn’t important here.

In my opinion, one can do many more things whether they’re creative. To illustrate my point, just think of a teacher at school who also teaches at a tuition centre or does some business to earn extra income. Besides, I’ve seen tons of people today grow more creative. Many Uni students have published novels at market. Brilliant idea! I wish I wanted to be like them as well, Insha-Allah.

I think someone’s got to be more ‘dynamic’ and creative so they’re able to ‘wear different hats in a day’. Having more than 1 job is just awesome. Again, the demand of discipline in terms of time management is essential enough or they’ll get nothing. 

Staff are like stuff?

I feel as if I’m called to question a circumstance which has been a phenomenon in our today’s society. I’m quite unsure whether it’s been happening for a long time. What’s on my mind is that it’s thoroughly a truth and a reality. I got this from my observation and little experience.

I don’t think that some employers do CARE about his or her staff. Let me narrow the scope of my perception.  To illustrate my point, it’s just like a father doesn’t care about his wife and children. Neither does he bother thinking what’s going on nor asking them after.

I dare to say that these employers are selfish and they’re best called the irresponsible. What’s on their mind is, “…profits oh…a lot more profits… please come to Papa… I’m gonna be rich! Aku kaya! Aku kaya!”. Shit! This would be even much trickier when the poor have changed to be amongst the rich. Kami dah lupa diri. They totally forget their accountability towards their staff whom have helped them a lot making him well-to-do. They might simply say, “Ada aku kesah?” Even worse when the employers most regularly ignore their staff’s health condition and tiredness ‘cause to them, these are none of their business!

What actually makes someone a good employer? Aha, nice question, isn’t it?

Personally, a good employer is somebody who:

ü  Knows their staff well and origins.

ü  Treats staff like friends but is still firm at times.

ü  Cares his staff’s health, predicament and problems.

ü  Has a very good friendship with the staff.

ü  Never nags and scolds staff but advices them more.

ü  Never makes up stories which ‘smells’ like a slander.

ü  Dislikes insulting and cursing at staff.

ü  Is always supportive.

ü  Is considerable with staff whenever possible.

I don’t know. But, I don’t think my employers, be it at the hotel or at the sundry shop, possess those characteristics listed above. It’s too impolite to say so but I’m just being outspoken anyways which is much better. And, MAYBE many employers just assume their staff like S-T-U-F-F… hmm, what if it’s true? Have a think, then.

3rd Class Economy Sector

This is my personal blog so I can ‘scribble’ anything I please, forever. This statement is freshly stuck in my head. After quite some time, I’ve got to see eye to eye that this in fact makes sense too. This constitutes the ownership of the blog. In addition, the way one writes best symbolizes one’s characteristics and manners, be it good or bad. The reader is always free to judge and evaluate. Alright, not gonna talk about this.

I wondered the other week on how my bosom buddy had been spending his lifetime working at a sundry shop which is where I’m currently working at for almost a couple of years. Wow! The unstoppable curiosity made me think of giving it a try. At first, I thought it was as easy as ABC. But, my previous assumption was totally false! Now I’ve got it!

~ WHEN WE NEED MORE ENERGY OF YOURS THAN YOUR INTELLIGENCE ~

I was just fortunate because working at the sundry shop which needs not be mentioned here is a lot more different than at ‘the’ hotel (Just hope that you’ve known which hotel I’m referring to). It looks merely a small shop but nevertheless working there seems as if you’re a full-time gardener or farmer. Anyhow, we don’t even call a worker at a sundry shop like that, they’re probably called a sales assistant. Dunno whether this term has been chosen precisely. I’m just guessing.

Being a sales assistant, personally, is much trickier and much more exhausting than a front office assistant. It entails and demands a very energetic worker at all times. As an ordinary human, one can never escape of feeling exhausted and tired, mainly after having carried a lot of stuff. I’ve experienced this kinda situation which turns to be a nightmare to me. Yeah, I mean it!

On the first day of working, I felt I wanted to quit the job immediately, seriously. Plus, it’s during the fasting month of Ramadhan whereby Malaysian Muslims are obliged to fast for 8 hours or so ever since the call of Subuh prayer gets started until Maghrib. It may be a little OK if it’s not a fasting month cos I could drink a gallon of water anytime.

Hearing my fellow colleague’s fasting month working experience that he had to break fast occasionally, I was dramatically overwhelmed by the feeling of fright. Wish it wouldn’t happen to me till the end of Ramadhan… Ameen. According to the Islamic teaching, I know that a hard-working man may break fast according to the Islamic teaching and has to replace it in any other months. However, I don’t think I need to do so. I ought to be even stronger and forever remember Allah.

Quite certain that you wanna know how the work looks like, don’t you? How’s it different if compared to working at ‘the’ hotel? Let me explain to you my working ‘routine’ in the bulleted points as follows:

IN THE MORNING

Ø  Once the sundry shop is open, my first task is sweep the floor.

Ø  Then, arrange stuff available in the shop and make sure all are in the right order.

Ø  Refill any insufficient amount of stuff that has varied.

I tend to get sweaty most quickly by this time although I’ve just started doing it for less than an hour.

LATE IN THE MORNING

Ø  Gotta treat any customers and fulfill their needs.

Ø Be patient with the customer’s annoying and disgusting behavior.

Ø  Carry heavy things such as a few sacks of rice, gas etc.

Ø  Complete the task assigned as quickly as possible or the customer will growl at me.

Ø  Keep all stuff clean.

The big challenge is when I don’t have the time to take five. My boss will assign me to do so many things like hell. But what to do, that’s my BOSS and I’ve no choice even though I wish I could.

The most awaited part is at 1 o’clock sharp as I may go home and should’ve come back after 1 hour. Since my home isn’t that far so I most frequently decide to go back home. Generally I’d much rather spend the one-hour duration by taking my shower and chilling out for the little time left. Then, get back to the world of working!

IN THE AFTERNOON

This is my favourite moment because:

• I can take five a bit longer. I let my body be touched by the cold wind from a cooler fan, as if I were somewhere at the beach. How restful it is!
• The number of customers is getting lesser and is no longer as many as in the morning.
• My energy isn’t that necessary during this time.
• I am to do something lighter such as measuring something such as salt and packing rubber band.

IN THE EVENING

This is when my energy is required back because the boss is now there! So no more rest!

Ø  Prior to the boss’ attendance, I’ve always ‘escaped’ for performing Asar prayer. What a greater way to escape, huh?

Ø  Customers are increasing.

Ø  I must entertain the customers and don’t ever let them ‘attack’ the cashier a.k.a the boss or otherwise I’ll be scolded.

Ø  This is when I’m damn sick since I’m not that familiar with cooking stuff. Fascinatingly, I get to learn to know ‘new’ things which aren’t so new for the cook in Malaysia.

Ø  My colleague advised that I be more ‘active’ in entertaining customers when it’s a quarter to 6 or I’ll be going back home much later as this is the time when customers are accustomed to coming and getting things.

When it’s come to an end: at 6:00 p.m.

You must be pretty good at guessing how delighted I’d be feeling. Be quick! Be quick! I wanna go home! When I may leave, that’s when I feel FREAKING relieved! Happily I’m going home.

THE STATE OF EMOTION

Now, I myself have put myself in my bosom friend’s shoes… it’s totally far exhausting to be a sales assistant than a teacher. But the distinction is that:

You use your ENERGY to work at a sundry shop, but…

You use your INTELLIGENCE to work as a teacher at school or tuition centre.

Bilingualism

Relating your reading ‘input’ to the real world is a great output. Just like a student always tries to relate what they’ve learnt at school to something more realistic. Your world is certainly getting much better. Even your profound understanding makes the educational process more enjoyable and pleasing. Aha, this is such a key point because I’m gonna share with you shortly my previous reading that’s closely connected to the world I live in.

Before that, I’ve got a question here: Have you ever heard the adjective ‘bilingual’? If never, please go look up the word in dictionary. Oxford dictionary is an excellent choice. By the way, you would’ve less time and hope me for help. Alright, then. I’d looked it up FYI. The definition given in my Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary (International Student’s Edition) is ‘being able to speak two languages equally well because you’ve used them since you’re young’. Aha, you’ve got it? I hope so.  

Now, let’s take your mind off the definition for a while. If not, this could possibly be irrelevant to the main focus of my writing (in fact, typing). Speaking about the issue bilingualism, it does occur in most countries all over the globe either in the continents of Asia, Africa, the US etc. Guess what? MALAYSIA is inclusive. Ah, excuse me? Yeah, you can be thinking about the Malays who occupy 65% of Malaysia’s entire population. Do accept my apology in that I’m not the least bit thinking so.

Frankly speaking, I’m talking about other nationalities that exist in Malaysia besides the Malays. Some of these nations initially came as immigrants on this land and the rest are Bumiputras such as the Melanaus, the Orang Aslis, the Ibans, the Kadazans and many others. As Bahasa Melayu has become the national language in this region, in other words, the non-Malays are required to study the subject Bahasa Melayu at school and compulsorily pass it. The need to pass the language subject is vital for a job seeker within the country whether they aspire to work in the government sector particularly.

Of my observation, what’s so unique is that the non-Malays seem just lucky for being bilingual indirectly. Not only can they speak in their mother tongue so well, but are also fluent in Bahasa Melayu. At present, there’s no big deal when a Chinese Malaysian is able to speak both Mandarin (or other Chinese dialects) and Bahasa Melayu properly. Seeing that the English language is officially the second language here, the non-Malay citizens have one more specialty with their proficiency in speaking English. That makes them multilingual. How amazing! It’s undeniable that such a circumstance is mostly undergone by immigrants.

Hang on a second! Are there any bilingual Malays too? What about a multilingual Malay? Absolutely, there surely are. Taking Malaysians living in a foreign country like the United Kindgom, Australia and whatnot for instance, they’re among the bilingual and multilingual – but nevertheless on one condition, namely they must be able to speak two diverse languages to be a bilingual and more than two languages to belong to the multilingual.

Well…what if we can speak Bahasa Melayu and English pretty well? Do we belong to the bilingual as well? Hmm… sounds good, doesn’t it? I guess why not? We definitely are!