Help, I need a transfusion. Not of blood, but of understanding. My sense of understanding is just about wilting, and without an immediate and urgent copious dosage of one, I really will not have any sense of understanding left.

So, what's it all about? It is this recent injunction made by the Whatever Ministry prohibiting lyrics in Malay pop songs to be mixed with foreign words. P Ramlee's song Madu Tiga , was singularly exempted from this ruling, even when it contains the English phrase 'love you'.

What could be the reason behind this deft censorship?

Since the ministry did not give any explanation, I have to resort to my sense of understanding, normally quite healthy, to look for one.

The ruling says in effect that the lyrics in Malay pop songs must solely be in Malay, and not interspersed by other words like English. Madu Tiga should be the first song that comes to mind.

But paradoxically, it has been singularly exempted from the ruling. The best and most well-known of the songs in this category escapes the chopping block; all others will have to go.

I find it difficult to accept the reason given for this exemption, that this song has achieved a high level of artistic creativity and achievement. It is a classic, and very much part of Malay pop music history and culture.

For this same reason I would imagine that its example should be emulated. In other words its lyrical composition should be encouraged, and not otherwise.

I find it better to understand the issue by assuming that Madu Tiga is not exempted, but instead suffers from all other songs that tamper with the Malay-only lyrics ruling.

So let me assume that there has been no singular exemption made to this ruling, that Madu Tiga is banned. Why indeed is it banned from the air?

It could not be because it was sung (and probably compiled) by P Ramlee himself. If so, then this would be an insult to his memory and prodigious talent. He has been awarded the Tan Sri-ship posthumously in a belated recognition to his dynamic and often witty contribution to Malay music, cinematography, art and culture.

It could not be because he was humorously chiding polygamy (in effect the song says 'If my first wife does not agree with my second wife, then I will marry a third wife"). But while polygamy is not encouraged it is not discouraged by Malay culture either. Many Malays young and old practice polygamy. Polygamy is not 'immoral'.

Could be the phrase 'I love you' then incite the human lust and lead the pious ones to all sorts of lust and sexual mayhem?

If so, then I am flabbergasted, and it is here that my sense of understanding begins to wear thin. Every single generation of Malays have led their lives (and many have even died) happy with this phrase, and if given the chance would swear it gives them great enjoyment in life.

It is a universal expression of love from one person to another. What is wrong in expressing your feeling of love to your loved one? Many would swear it did not lead them to lust and sexual mayhem. Incest and child molestation, recently apparently prevalent from among the Malays, is a recent phenomenon.

Could it be that this phrase is said in English, rather than in Malay? Would the ministry institute the ban had P Ramlee used the phrase 'Aku sayang pada mu' instead of 'I love you'? It would be consistent with the purity of Malay culture, in a manner of speaking - if you are a Malay, then you must express your emotions in the Malay language.

If so, and if this is really the reason for this ban, then Malays have better watch out. You better speak wholly in Malay in future. (Or, wholly in English, or Tamil, or Mandarin). A mixture of languages in expression and communication is suddenly not allowed.

Do not say 'I nak pergi restoran sana, I belum makan breakfast lagi'. You have to say instead, 'Aku nak pergi sana, aku belum makan pagi lagi.'

My observation is that Malays have a preference to use the first person 'I' instead of 'aku' or 'saya', or even his own name. 'I' is conveniently neutral, while 'aku' and 'saya' have social and hierarchical connotations. In any case, a mix of Malay and English is very much part of the evolution of the Malay language.

As for 'breakfast', well.

Future Malay generations would have to brace themselves for hard times ahead. They go to school where the medium of instruction comes in two languages, Malay and English. They would find it natural to mix Malay and English in their daily communication. They would grow up in two languages.

But they would find it impossible to express themselves simultaneously in bi-lingual terms. They can be bi-lingual, but they will have to draw a line. Malay only at one time or occasion especially when singing Malay pop tunes, and English only at other times. It's all very confusing to me.

I truly do not know the answer to this poser. It could be all of the above, which to me makes no sense, or none of the above, which makes all the more no sense. That Madu Tiga has been singularly exempted from this ruling merely adds more confusion and incomprehension into the matter.

When the edict stated further that this ban is to be effected only on the government-type radio stations, while private stations can still air it, well, that's it. I do need the transfusion.