Healing words, not disrespectful barbs

AS 2023 draws to a close, many of us are no doubt reflecting on what happened this year in our lives, perhaps seeing some resolution, maybe even making plans for 2024.

I have to say that I sleep much easier these days then in the last 23 years during the tumultuous times of our nation. Nevertheless, I am always alert for things that might upset my peaceful slumber and am still quick to turn to my YouTube channel and this column to play my part as a responsible Muslim and citizen.

As a Muslim, I will be judged in the hereafter by what I can do but neglect to do, like explaining issues of Islam to my fellow Malaysians, both Muslims and non-Muslims, so they can distinguish between the beautiful Islam of the Prophet Muhammad and the Islam twisted by those attempting to win votes through toxic narratives.

As a Malaysian, I also take careful note of impatience and insolence by brethren citizens who think that democracy is a licence to abuse individuals – I know that if these individuals were to answer questions, they would be on the defensive and at a sure loss. To me, this is pure bullying and nothing to do with “freedom” and “principles” of morality.

As an individual, I have resolved to buy the latest, thickest Kamus Dewan Bahasa that contains all known modern Malay words. Why? Well, I have decided that before I die, I would like to know every single word and its meaning to Malay culture.

I feel that Malays have a rich culture of words expressing the best of itself and if we Malays do not learn them then we become the worst of this nation, as can be seen by the vulgar and indecent words used by a certain Chief Minister claiming to be a member of an Islamic party. That this leader is a master of being a Melayu buruk adab (bad-mannered Malay) does not frighten me – but the fact that Malays gave him a landslide endorsement does.

Furthermore, there is a deafening silence from the so-called Malay intelligentsia. Do they not realise that the minister’s use of such words reflects on a culture that they share with this rude person?

So, I have resolved to understand every single word in Malay vocabulary and note those I can use in my speeches and writing to transform myself from a Western-educated individual, from an Islamic reformist-trained Muslim, to a Malay that champions the best of my culture within this melting pot called Malaysia.

If Malcolm X could read and memorise all the words in a small dictionary of the English language, I can do the same. I read the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad as compiled by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Imam Malik and the Sirah Ibnu Hisham within a year to learn to be a good person, so I think reading a single volume of the Kamus is certainly possible.

In this past year, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim struggled to keep the peace and maintain a professional working relationship with traditional “enemies” to keep the unity government functioning, I read with despair terrible comments made by both Malays and non-Malays anonymously as well as openly.

As a nation, I feel that we have been conditioned to be a competent labour force but lousy human beings, and certainly the worst Malaysians. The words, phrases and derogatory names used, mostly in English, were beyond my comprehension of a nation I have fought to help rebuild since the Reformasi days in the 1990s.

They demonstrate to me that our secular education has made us into machines, our religious education turned us into bigots, and our social education taught us to be kurang ajar (rude). To add insult to injury, the Internet has facilitated the creation of a cesspool of human beings hiding behind computer screens to give in to the basest instincts.

These words are not only hurtful to individuals, they also destroy the very soul and the dignity of this nation. “Kesopanan dan kesusilaan” from our Rukun Negara feature two of what I deem are the most powerful words in Malay. They are not words that are commonly used by those without Malay upbringing.

What does “kesopanan” mean? Why must “kesusilaan” follow the word “sopan”? Does “sopan” mean an expression of respect to the other and an accordance of dignity to the one addressed? Does “kesusilaan” denote the words, mannerism and expression of that respect which follows? Did we ever think about the two words over our constant worry of economic well-being or so called “principles of good governance”?

Recently, someone online referred to a minister as a “moron”. I take offence at any Malaysian calling anyone who holds an office that should be respected (the office, even if not the individual holding that office) being so disrespectful. And, no, this has nothing to do with freedom of expression – or “freedom of social media”. Remember, social media was invented by the West which holds far different values from us. Just because they can call their president a moron does not mean we should do the same.

Thus, in 2024, I suggest that we make a resolution to understand Bahasa Malaysia as a language of our “jiwa-bangsa”, our nation- spirituality.

After 23 years I have discovered the simple truth that no policy made by any political party can change this nation for the better. I have learnt that it is us, as citizens, who will ultimately destroy our own country with the use of words we do not know how to wield, using a free-for-all technology.

The Malays, have a wise saying that “bahasa jiwa bangsa” (language is the soul of the nation) and “terlajak bahasa badan binasa” (overwrought words lead to destruction). Let us search our intelligence as well as our spirituality for the true meaning of “kesopanan” and “kesusilaan” before we post our next thought so that it could be a healing moment instead of a poisoned one.

Prof Dr Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is Professor of Architecture at the Tan Sri Omar Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Studies at UCSI University. You can follow him at youtube.com/@proftajuddin5176. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.