Indonesian di Negeri Jiran

 

 

 

Writer’s block.

 

I’m having it. 

 

I have tried writing for many days now, but nothing seems to interest me enough. 

 

 

Holidays have been kind, but laziness has hit back. *Explains the lack of update*

 

 

 

I’m in Kuching, Sarawak right now, my second-Jakarta and it has been pleasant.

 

I’m probably one of the very few Indonesians who still reside in this little town. To my surprise, I met another one just a couple of days ago.

 

Being an Indonesian in Malaysia has been quite entertaining, especially if you start visiting the Malay places/people. 

 

I was across the river just yesterday, where these awesome Malay food-places are. 

 

 

While conversing in Indonesian, moments after we sat down, a Malay waitress made a remark on how she loved hearing us talk in Indonesian. I asked her whether she watches the Sinetrons, and she said: “Ya, maka itulah saya Minat”.

 

I thought she was adorable.

 

So, I went to the Unisex toilet at the biggest food stall over there and inside there were two Malay women. I was on the phone with my friend in Singapore while waiting for my turn, and I could hear the two Malay women whispering “Ehh, Indon Indon”. 

 

I turned to them, and they smiled happily.

 

These zoo-like encounters have happened often during my stay in Malaysia over the years. Be it on a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Johor, or Kuching. 

 

I used to speak only in Malay whenever I converse with the Malays in Malaysia, but I realized that they understand my language. 

 

 

 

My parents have the thinking that Indonesian/Malay language have no place in this globalized world. 

 

It is also seen as a growing trend in Indonesia and Malaysia whereby parents teach their kids English first before their national language (which I think is ridiculous by the way). 

 

What no press have told the people is that Indonesian is one of the languages the FBI/CIA look for when recruiting. Indonesian language is also one of the languages listed in many world universities.

 

This does not mean there is something special in our language, but for simple reason, we have huge number of people. 

 

To say that it has no place in the world does not really make sense. Indonesian/Malay language occupy the biggest economies in South East Asia. 

With ASEAN playing a bigger role in the world, it is just a matter of time. 

 

A more important reason to preserve our language is the fact that it is a national treasure. One that identifies us. One that separates us from the mainstream world and one that brings us closer as neighbors. 

 

Prince Jake signs off.