Pendatang asing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Pendatang asing" or "orang pendatang" is a common Malay phrase used to refer to foreigners or immigrants; "pendatang asing" literally means "foreign comer" or "foreign immigrant". Although most frequently used to refer to foreign immigrants, especially illegal immigrants, pendatang asing has been used by some politicians in Malaysia as pejorative way of addressing non-Malays.
Contents |
[edit] Offensiveness of the phrase
In a Malaysian political context, it is commonly used as a pejorative way of addressing non-Malays; this usage is especially predominant among UMNO politicians. The phrase is often used in conjunction with phrases like "balik tongsan" ("go home Chinese") to imply non-Malays do not belong in Malaysia under the ketuanan Melayu philosophy. [1] [2] "Pendatang asing" is especially offensive because when not used politically, it is almost always used to refer to illegal immigrants.
[edit] Historical usage in politics
The phrase therefore has strong connotations, and is often used in heated political situations. One such example was the May 13 Incident, where racial rioting in 1969 was triggered by a trading of political insults. Another example is the prelude to the 1988 Malaysian constitutional crisis and Ops Lallang. During this period, UMNO and pro-Chinese organisations frequently traded insults, with future Deputy Prime Minister and then UMNO Youth Chief Najib Razak threatening to bathe a keris (dagger) with Chinese blood. [3] At the same rally, banners were hoisted carrying phrases such as "revoke the citizenship of those who oppose the Malay rulers", "May 13 has begun" (referring to the May 13 racial riots in 1969), and "soak it (the keris) with Chinese blood". [4] The tensions eased after Ops Lallang, when several political dissidents — most of them Chinese — were detained without trial under the Internal Security Act.
Tensions flared in 2004 when it was proposed to open the currently Bumiputra-only Universiti Teknologi MARA to all Malaysians. Malay media made comments about the "pendatang" making a "daring challenge to Malay rights". [5]
[edit] Debate over its appropriateness
Some non-Malay members of the opposition media have contended that the common use of phrases like "pendatang asing" validates their belief that non-Malay Malaysians are second-class citizens. It has also been argued that the derogatory use of "pendatang asing" is inappropriate, as almost all of Malaysia's Prime Ministers have had foreign blood. [6] [7]
[edit] Illegal immigrants
Since the 1980s when Malaysia first experienced economic boom, the country has seen massive influx of immigrants and foreigners from many neighboring countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar. Recently, Malaysia has been the destination for many Bangladeshis, Indians and Pakistanis that are looking for employment. While many entered Malaysia legally, labor shortage in Malaysia has encouraged many employers to employ illegal immigrants. Of late, the Malaysian government has tried to repatriate many of these illegal immigrants back to their countries of origin. Such effort however has annoyed several governments such as Indonesia and India.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Liu, Ronnie (2000). "Ucapan Ronnie Liu". Retrieved November 18, 2004.
- ^ Means, Gordon P. (1991). Malaysian Politics: The Second Generation, p. 189. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-588988-6.
- ^ Kamarudin, Raja Petra (Aug. 1, 2005). "Umno's relevance lies in Ketuanan Melayu". Malaysia Today.
- ^ Lim, Kit Siang (2000). "GPMS' extremist demands - a prelude to escalation of ethnic tensions to justify another Operation Lalang mass crackdown to shore up Mahathir and UMNO’s tottering position?". Retrieved Dec. 21, 2005.
- ^ Ooi, Jeff (2004). "UiTM and 'Malay Agenda'". Retrieved Jan. 29, 2006.
- ^ Pillai, M.G.G. (2005). "The Japanese won us our Merdeka". Retrieved Feb. 8, 2006.
- ^ Pillai, M.G.G. (2005). "The vigilante bigots". Malaysiakini.
[edit] External links
- Example of usage (in Malay)
