This is a call to all the Malay, Muslim rights groups in Malaysia to please stand up and protect our sacred and honourable integrity. This is Malaysia’s hour of need. It is time for all you heroes to step up to the plate now and make sure that your loud voices are heard.
How can you allow the United States President Barack Obama, that obviously non-Muslim individual from that obviously non-Muslim country, use smatterings of Malay while in our obviously Muslim country with some of our obviously Muslim people?
The first time I heard him utter our sacred language was during the state banquet that our Yang DiPertuan Agong had hosted for him. He proposed a toast that our two countries should work together. How dare he, that obviously non-Muslim person from that obviously non-Muslim country, use the word ‘bekerjasama’?
It happened again the next day when the he visited our National Mosque (gasp!). Tan Sri Datuk Syaikh Ismail, the imam, urged him to use his influence to stop the oppression of Muslims. And that obviously non-Muslim person from that obviously non-Muslim country said ‘insyallah’! (Yeah, it’s an Arab word. But hey! If we act like we own it, we own it, okay!)
It did not stop there. President Obama was in Malaysia for three days, so there were many opportunities for us to feel insulted. He then had a bilateral meeting with our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. In a joint press conference later, Obama uttered the words ‘terima kasih banyak’!
As a Malay and as a Muslim, I am appalled that our Malay, Muslim rights groups that are suppose to be so heroic and brave, have not made any fuss about this obvious insult to Malaysia by such an obviously non-Muslim individual from an obviously non-Muslim country in our homeland Malaysia.
Do our Malay, Muslim rights groups do not care that our Malay language is for the exclusive use of our Malay and Muslim people only? Do they not care that our identity and our faith are now being threatened because someone else knows how to speak our language?
If these Malay, Muslim rights groups do not now come out and make a strong statement condemning the use of the these words by Obama, the obviously non-Muslim person from the obviously non-Muslim country, I am afraid for the future of my young daughter as it will cause her to grow up confuse with her identity and unsure of her religion.
Not only am I afraid for my daughter, I am afraid for the entire nation of Malaysia. Now that they have seen and heard Obama, the obviously non-Muslim person from the obviously non-Muslim country, speak their language, they will obviously lose all sense of their Malaysianness and Muslimness that they will start going to church.
And so, all your Malay, Muslim rights group in Malaysia. Please do not allow this to happen. Stand up for our rights. Do not allow the spread of our sacred language to creep around the world. It is ours and ours alone. In fact, it is so ours that some of our own people in our own country are also not allowed to use it.
And one more thing. Did you know that President Obama’s middle name is ‘Hussein’? Yes! His full name is Barack Hussein Obama! Hussein! How dare such an obviously non-Muslim person from an obviously non-Muslim country have the name ‘Hussein’! This is blasphemy!
And for those who are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with satire, this is my own personal and humourous dig at all the ultra-Malay rights group that I don't agree with. This is, after all, an opinion column.
Zan Azlee
Thu May 01 2014


Govt to ensure establishment of SEGiM aligns with introduction of Gig Workers Bill
The government intends to ensure that the establishment of the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) is in line with the introduction of the Gig Workers Bill.

UK steel industry warns of damage as Trump tariffs come into force
US President Donald Trump's tariffs on UK steel "couldn't come at a worse time," the industry has warned as the levy on US imports is introduced, reported PA Media/dpa news.

Penang allocates RM49.45 million for Phase 1 of i-Sejahtera Programme
The Penang government has allocated RM49.45 million for 274,151 recipients under Phase 1 of the i-Sejahtera Programme this year.

PM Anwar calls on all parties to be agents of unity, help unite people of different races
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all Malaysians to join hands to become agents of unity and assist the MADANI Government in its efforts to unite all Malaysians

Women representation in senior management fall to 36.2 pct in 2025
The Grant Thornton Women in Business Report reveals a concerning decline in the representation of women in senior management positions in Malaysia.

Singapore Airlines prohibits usage, charging of power banks from April 1
Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers will not be allowed to use power banks or charge them throughout their flight effective April 1.

Captain of cargo ship arrested over fatal collision in North Sea
The cargo ship captain involved in the North Sea's deadly collision has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

No plans to follow us in repatriating illegal immigrants - KDN
For the period up to March 9 this year, the total number of deportations from Immigration depots was 9,199 people.

Air pollution responsible for nearly 7 million deaths annually worldwide
A report by the World Air Quality Index indicated that only 17 per cent of cities worldwide meet the recommended air quality standards.

At least 137 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since ceasefire
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor , Israel has been killing an average of seven Palestinians every two days.

Malaysia strengthens semiconductor supply chain with ASEAN member countries - Liew
Malaysia does not intend to compete with neighbouring countries or other ASEAN member states in its efforts to strengthen supply chains.

Six men arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil in Semenyih
Six men, including five foreigners in their 30s, were arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil.

Hamas says new round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun
expressing optimism that the talks could lead to "tangible progress"

Ukraine says ready to accept 30-day ceasefire with Russia
Ukraine conveyed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as delegations from Kyiv and Washington met in Saudi Arabia.

Musk's SpaceX agrees Starlink cooperation with Airtel in India
Tech billionaire Elon Musk plans to enter the Indian internet market with his Starlink satellite system, reported German news agency dpa.

Trump announces higher steel and aluminium tariffs for Canada
US President Donald Trump plans to impose additional high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada.
![[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress [COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-03/81741686561_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress
Promoting Malay language doesn't mean disparaging or undermining other languages, we can uplift it without diminishing others.

What is driving the bloodshed in Syria?
The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority.

Only seven countries met WHO air quality standards in 2024, data shows
Only Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia and Iceland made the grade, according to IQAir.

Gaza hunger crisis could return if Israeli blockade continues, UN relief agency chief says
UNRWA warns the situation in Gaza is quickly deteriorating.