Activist decries derogatory definition for 'Tambi' in online dictionary
An activist from the Indian community has decried what he claimed was a derogatory definition provided by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) for the word "Tambi".
According to the Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu, the online version of Kamus Dewan managed by DBP, Tambi is defined as: "panggilan utk orang Keling yg lebih muda drpd kita".
The word "Tambi" is derived from Tamil which..
An activist from the Indian community has decried what he claimed was a derogatory definition provided by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) for the word "Tambi".
According to the Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu, the online version of Kamus Dewan managed by DBP, Tambi is defined as: "panggilan utk orang Keling yg lebih muda drpd kita".
The word "Tambi" is derived from Tamil which means "little brother" but is colloquially used by Malaysians to refer to any Indian male who is younger than them.
The Malay dictionary definition which used the word "orang Keling" instead of "orang India" has not sat well with community activist S Shankar Ganesh.
"This is unacceptable. It is an insult," said the 42-year-old former radio jockey after the definition was brought to his attention.
While "Keling" is sometimes used to refer to Indians, particularly among older people and in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, it is generally considered derogatory in this day and age.
Shankar said he will write to DBP to demand an apology.
"DBP should apologise to the public and remove the word 'Keling' from their portal," he told Malaysiakini.
Shankar added that the government should also ensure that all sectors are mindful not to use words that are derogatory to any communities in the country.
DBP is the overseer for the development and standards of the Malay language as the national language.
Malaysiakini has reached out to DBP executive director Abang Sallehuddin Abg Shokeran and is waiting for a response.
A Malay gentleman I know says that no insult is intended by DBP. According to him "orang India" refers to mostly North Indians. Mostly the merchant class and shrewd businessmen. But the term "keling" is restricted to South Indian Hindu Tamils. They were called that because these Indians were the rubber tappers, road construction and municipal workers. They, the older generation, apparently wore bells around their ankles. And worshipped in temples where bells were also rung. No insult was intended. South Indian Tamil speaking Muslim Indians are called "mamaks", not "keling". The Sikhs are called Bengalis or Bhais. I suppose it will be best to refer to ALL Indians as just that ...orang India.
To be honest, I cannot see how the word "Keling" is an offensive term unless the meaning has evolved recently and is now intended or perceived to be derogatory by some. Its origin is probably from the Kalinga kingdom in history. The people from the Kalinga kingdom were well spread throughout southeast Asia in early history that they had come to be known as "Keling people". Given A Hokkien friend of mine told me he has always known Indians as "Kek Leng Nun" (literally translated as "Kek Leng people" which I think is derived from "Keling") with no derogatory slur. I do not know when and how "Keling" has started to become a racial overtone. In the same light, I think the Chinese do not mind being called "Tang people" or "orang Tionghua". I may be wrong here.
DBP is deliberately used the word "keling". They are fully aware that the word is a derogatory towards Indian community. Do not tell me that after 63 years of independence, DBP is not aware and playing ignorance as far as this word is concerned. I repeat, DBP purposely posted that definition. Later they will say they overlooked blah, blah, blah, and apologize (not sure) and withdraw it. But damage is already done because they could avoid it in the first very place. Useless DBP!
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