Some communities do not like to referred in a particular manner, and/or by using certain words. Whether the reasons put forward is reasonable or not to others really should not matter, but as a respect for the aggrieved persons or communities, we should immediately stop using such words.
When I was growing up, the Malays did not like to be called 'sakai' - the meaning then attached to the word was that it meant that they were 'jungle people', illiterate/stupid, backward, etc [Of course, that word meant something else, but it mattered not for what was important was the perceived meaning, and the reasons for its usage then]
For those of Indian origins(not Punjabi), the word that was used was 'Keling' and 'Pariah'
For the Punjabi, it was 'Bayi'...for the Chinese, 'China Kui'...
The Indonesians do not like to be called 'Indon' for similar reasons - and Malaysian government has been informed and they have agreed to change but some media outlets are still doing it.
The Bangladeshis do not want to be called 'Bangla' for similar reasons...
The reasons really matters little - but an initial immediate response from any person/community/government that is respectful of others is to stop using such words...
Kuala Lumpur. The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has protested against the use of the word “Indon” in a Malaysian newspaper, arguing that it carries negative connotations.‘Indon’ Article Prompts Protest
The protest was in response to an article in Berita Harian, titled “Taktik Kotor Indon” (“Indonesian Dirty Tricks”), about Indonesia’s organization of the Southeast Asian Games in November.
“We are disappointed and resent the word ‘Indon’ because the leaders of both countries have agreed not to use the word, including in the mass media,” Embassy spokesman Suryana Sastradireja told state news agency Antara on Wednesday.
The article, which is still available online, features an interview with Malaysian Olympic Assembly vice president WY Chin, who was quoted as saying that Indonesia had listed a number of sporting events that advantaged their athletes.
“We just received the list of sport numbers to be competed [in the Sea Games] and most of them are sports where their [Indonesia] athletes are more likely to win,” Chin was quoted as saying.
Suryana said the newspaper’s choice of the word “Indon” in the headline could jeopardize diplomatic relations between the neighboring countries.
“The word “Indon” is very humiliating and very embarrassing. We are going to send a note of protest to the ‘Berita Harian’ and question their motives for using the word,” Suryana said. “We demand the newspaper avoid using the word in future articles and the article writer must be sanctioned.”
Syamsul, an on-duty editor at Berita Harian, said he was unaware of the controversy and could not comment.
Nafi Nur Rauf from the association of Indonesian students at Malaysia’s Utara University said there were two definitions of “Indon” in Malaysia.
“I asked my Malaysian friends on campus the meaning of “Indon” and they said it is only a short version of Indonesians, it’s not to humiliate Indonesians but there is indeed another meaning which is an insult to associate Indonesians with maids or domestic workers,” Nafi wrote on the association's Web site.
JG, Antara - Jakarta Globe, 4/2/2011,
The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has protested the recent publication in the Malaysian media of the term "Indon" in a news headline, a word often used by Malaysians to describe Indonesians, and regarded by many as derogatory.
Embassy spokesman Suryana Sastradiredja said Malaysia's Berita Harian had published a story titled "Indon's Dirty Tactics" on the appointment of Indonesia as the host for the upcoming Sea Games.
The story featured an interview with Malaysia Olympiad Assembly (MOM) vice president W. Y. Chin, who said Indonesia had selected sporting events that would benefit its athletes.
"We're disappointed and protest against the use of the term 'Indon' because the two heads of state have already agreed against using this term, including in the mass media," Suryana said Wednesday, as quoted by Antara. "We want no more writing of this kind, and a firm action taken against the writer."
Suryana said Berita Harian had often used the term "Indon" in its articles citing Indonesia.
The embassy plans to send an official letter of complaint to the paper, questioning why it frequently used the term. - AsiaOne News, 4/2/2011, RI embassy protests use of 'Indon' in Malaysian headlines
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Chinese tourist Zhu Li, who broke her legs when two Myanmar nationals riding a water scooter rammed into her, has vowed not to visit Malaysia again.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/24/nation/8125623&sec=nation
“ When my daughter and I came here to visit my husband , her laptop was stolen while we were waiting for a bus at the KL International Airport. " I never expected this trip to become my worst nightmare,” she said upon being discharged from Penang Hospital yesterday.
Look like The Tourist Minister is waiting the Penang one ( while the Penang one is waiting the Federal one ) ........ both sides just wanted more tourist only ,
even didn't send any staff to help them to reduce their burden in hospital bill , so pariah ....
just imagine if you are a budget traveller ( limited cash ) , tak payah balik to other countries consider not enough money settle hospital bill ??????
Msia now has consider Medical tourism is big business , either the poor one can
afford is another matter . But in the above case , this also consider as medical tourism ?????
We so far NEVER use the word Keling , but sometimes even the Indian origins use this word against Indian origins .
For the word "Pariah" , as far as we know it is NOT refer to Indian origins .
Chinese use the word "Pariah" means " No quality " sometimes for joke situation with friends or another meanings is " more worst than no quality "
for some bad products , bad service , bad management and so on
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