13 October 2007

Is there really a race called 'Malays'?

This guest piece by Michael from Malaysia looks at the inconsistent use of the term 'Malay', and how it is contested by the very people often classified as 'Malay'. Guest essay.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"race" is not a scientific concept; "chinese" and "indians" in singapore both include large varieties of people too

on the other hand, once such groups are identified for administrative and other reasons, whether done by colonial or democratically elected governments, they tend to stick; over time the internal differences become less important while members become more aware of distinctions from the other groups

sgsociety.com

Anonymous said...

i am not sure what this piece of loaded information does for cleaners.

Anonymous said...

The 'comment' was already published in MAY...
Google is a wonderful tool. Use it.
http://mindacergas.wordpress.com/2007/05/21/contesting-malayness/

Anonymous said...

its depressing that Malays are not a race? from day one?

why dont u just come out and state your agenda behind this piece, Michael.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting and a crabby conclusion by the writer. If 1500 years ago the Indian had recognised and accepted the Malay race as 'Malai' and the Chinese has as 'Malai Ren' and 'Malai Yun' which sounded like 'Malay' by the indian and 'Melayu' by the Chinese, how come the conclusion defy the existence of a Malay Race. This is the problem with half learned writers trying to be too smart but proving themselves as Melicious Liar to distort history for their own melicious intent. Anyway the world is full of them. Why bother. This article is not worth a pinch of salt.

Anonymous said...

Bullshit. 1500 years ago the Indian recognise Malays as 'Malai' and the Chinese recognise Malays as "Malai Yun' i.e malay or melayu why distort history.

Anonymous said...

It clearly shows that the writer's knowledge is limited. Malay is the generic race made up of 'malays' who moves around the territorial land and waters of the Malay Archipilago. Similarly, Chinese being generic name for 'chinese' irrespective of origin moving within the Chinese Territory. Needless to mention the Indian as well as others such as European, German, Normadic, Africans etc etc etc. Read more and open your mind to be more accurate.

Anonymous said...

Am worried of misrepresentation of historical facts by naive writer such as Micheal. I'm not good either but i thought it was something like this. Abraham is a Sabian and decendent of Noah. His offspring with Sarah (An Isrealite) produces Moses and Jesus linage. His offspring with Hagar/Hajar (An Arab) produces the Ismail and Mohammad lineage. Micheal's conclusion that Mohammad is an Isrealite is rubbish. What an idiot this Micheal is ? Micheal the Lucifer.