Malays by nature are a jovial people and have a good sense of humour. It is part of their psyche.
They are not easily intimidated by adverse humorous comments and reprimands, even those bordering on insults. They take everything in their stride because they are an accommodating people, proud, and not defensive.
Humour is an integral part of Malay culture. It is especially reflected in Malay traditional theatres such as Mak Yong, wayang kulit, menora, the Johor Ketoprak and Wayang Wong.
Comic characters are an integral part of the dramatic plot structure. In Mak Yong, the two clowns, Peran Tua and Peran Muda, whose antics and comic scenes feature prominently in the performance, pass comments on the common folks, royalty, and at times, even with humorous sexual innuendoes. The Malay audience never felt slighted.
In wayang kulit, Pak Dogol and Wak Long are the comic characters, as well as advisors to Sri Rama. They take liberty in commenting on various facets of ordinary and courtly life.
In Wayang Purwa, there are the Panakawan comic characters, who touch on both the frivolity and seriousness of communal existence.
Of course, these comic characters have the theatrical licence to make fun of people and incidents. For example, in Mak Yong, in the scene between the two Perans (comic characters) and Pak Yong (the king), the Perans take liberty in passing lewd and obtuse physical comments on the appearance of the king.
P. Ramlee films are the epitome of farcical and high comedy. His Bujang Lapok series, Do Re Mi, Madu Tiga, Labu Labi, and others, poke fun on the common man. His commentary on royalty is sharp in the films Antara Dua Darjat, Musang Berjangut, and Hang Tuah.
His films reflect the humour and the serious side of Malay life. Likewise, the television series Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu and Raja Lawak portray the humorous aspects of Malay society.
The Malays laugh at themselves more than they make fun of other races, but it is all done in good faith. There have also been commentaries on religion. But none felt slighted, and they did not regard them as blasphemous. The Malays then were liberal-minded, not hampered by religious or racial schisms.
Why have the Malays become so defensive and closed-minded that they feel threatened by even the slightest harmless jibe? What are the underlying causes of this behavioural change that makes them paranoid?
One of the major factors contributing to this parochial and introverted mentality of the Malays is the propaganda from the political parties. Some of these organisations have constantly created fear and apprehension among the Malays – that their race and religion are being threatened by the non-Malays.
They have been told repeatedly that they must defend their rights, lest they lose their political and economic power. They have been indoctrinated to be suspicious of anything, however trivial or nonsensical, that seemingly challenges their status quo.
Pas continually harps on the kafir (infidel) issue and their ‘agenda’ to undermine the Malay race and religion.
The negative, and politicised reaction to Hannah Yeoh’s book is part of their SOP to create fear and apprehension. It is a classic example of bigotry and false narrative, that the book is her (and by extension, DAP’s) effort to proselytise the Malays.
Over the years, trivial incidents have been blown out of proportion to serve their political agenda and put the Malays in a constant state of fear and agitation.
Umno has all along arrogated unto itself as the protector of the Malays, Islam, and the royalty (3R). Their strategy is to tell the Malays that they must be vigilant against all external threats to the 3Rs (the same stance taken by the current unity government). The Malays must not let their guard down, and that Umno is their only saviour to ensure their survival.
Bersatu has adopted both Pas’ and Umno’s ruse, creating imaginary enemies threatening the Malay race whom they have sworn to support and defend. Thus, the Malays have become paranoid in their thinking and perception and live in constant fear of being challenged and overwhelmed by the kafirs.
Another important factor that has conditioned the Malays to be defensive and bigoted is the segregation of the races through the educational system. They are separated from Day One. Many Chinese and Indians go to vernacular schools, and the Malays, to national schools. Such division that calcified chauvinistic imperatives within each ethnic group tends to create fear and apprehension among the other races.
There are no common denominators to bring the races together and understand each other’s culture, religion, sentiments, and behaviour. A common language would help, but it has not happened in Malaysia. Many non-Malays still cannot speak, much less write in Malay.
There is a trust deficit between the races because of the divisive politics that has existed since Merdeka, which has engendered suspicion and mistrust.
As a consequence, the Malays have lost their open-mindedness and their sense of humour and have become fearful of the slightest, and sometimes, imagined provocation.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
