Malays are lazy? Oh!really?

I am a Malay and I am not lazy. Please do not make such a sweeping statement  in a Malay dominated country like Malaysia. The population of Malaysia in 2018 is more than 32million and more than 50 percent are Malays.

It is an insult, derogatory, hurtful and offensive to the Malays. Of course there are lazy people everywhere. Laziness is not only confined to the Malays. Other races are lazy too. Laziness is not genetically link. It is brought about by certain conditions, namely politic, culture and to some extent religious beliefs.

Malays are noted for their diligent and creativity. They are brave and many of them join the army to protect this country from outside aggression and colonisations. This country has been colonised by foreigners many time since the first world war. By the Dutch 1600, British 1930's and Japanese in 1940's.

Traditionally the Malays are friendly, tolerant, peace-loving people, and would not start a war unless provoked. There were instances when they become aggressive and would turn against those who tried to impose certain rules that may threaten their livelihood. In the old days, we have brave warriors like Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Dato Maharaja Lela, and Tok Janggut.  The Malays can get really aggressive, when threatened or disturbed. So please, be careful when uttering certain derogatory remarks about us.

The Malays are by nature very creative, friendly, humble, but easily agitated. They would not compete with the Chinese in business, because money to them is not as important, as it is to the Chinese. What is more important to them is, to stay in the villages and work on their own land, fortunately or unfortunately, left behind by their ancestors. Family bonding is very important to the Malays. They are not greedy like the Chinese who had to leave their mainland China to find riches elsewhere and they can survive in any  weather condition The Malays are happy where they are, as long as they are able to keep their families together and would only work when necessary. Those who live by the sea will become fishermen when the sea is calm and become rice or vegetable farmers when the sea is rough. They are self sufficient and rely on their landed properties to survive.

In my opinion, most Malays, like me, want to stay quietly in our own home and  take care of our families. We believe in certain values and would not dare to  change our comfortable existence or comfort zones.

Our land is very fertile, rich in nourishment and full of nutrients. Our people are so contented, that there is no need to work hard. Things happens naturally. There is almost, no need for fertilisers for plants or trees to grow and survive in this naturally fertile land. What ever fruits we eat, the seeds  are thrown back on the land out side the house. Our naturally hot weather will enable trees to grow as natural as the weather. The sun, water and good nutrient will allow plants to survive. What ever left over food are thrown where ever  we like. In time will turn into compose or fertilisers.

A papaya seed carelessly thrown on the ground in our back yards and in a week's time, that seed will germinated on its own and produced new healthy plants. In about  3  or  4 months that one black shiny little seed can produce a dozen new fruits, and we can harvest the fruits just as easily as we threw the seeds, which then will be thrown away again. The process will continue forever and produced thousands more new seeds again. Similarly with other trees too.

The Coconut trees is another good  example of easily grown trees  that make the Malays take things easy. It is so simple to grow but can supply all the ingredient for survival. Every parts of the trees are useful. The Malays are naturally creative too. As an example, the leaves of the coconut trees are used for making all sorts of by-products: The roof of their houses, food casings for various food preparations, skirts, head gears, mats, brooms, pot holders, vases etc.etc .

The only difference is the maturity time it will take to up to 2 or 3 years to bear fruits. In those days without the new clones, it may take up t o 7 year before it can be harvested.