Celebrity preacher, Firdaus Wong, took to his YouTube channel to share a video telling local Malays not to get easily attracted by non-Muslim influencers who create content in Bahasa Malaysia (BM).
He wrote, “Why do a lot of non-Muslims create Bahasa Melayu content?”
In his video, Firdaus Wong’s co-host said that, on social media, many non-Malays have started creating content in BM, to which Firdaus Wong clarified that he, himself, is non-Malay (Firdaus Wong is a Chinese Malaysian who converted to Islam).
“No, most of the non-Muslims, who are not yet Muslims. It’s like they want to become one with our community,” his co-host explained.
It all comes down to intentions
Firdaus Wong said that it should all come down to the influencers’ intentions, and his co-host responded that he was praising them. The former then differentiated non-Muslim influencers who use BM for their content against another influencer, specifically Ulasan Apek Cina.
“They are different from Apek Cina. This Apek Cina makes BM content not because he wants to gain the support of Malays, but because he wants to promote BM as the main language and allow us to speak BM among our fellow Chinese (people),”
“Even when I met with Apek Cina, what language did we speak when we met? We spoke in BM. If those who make content in BM because they don’t speak any other languages, it’s okay. But some are doing this because there’s a bigger market. In terms of economy, it makes economic sense,” he explained.
Firdaus Wong then used the example of people rejecting Jawi from being taught in schools but the same people use Jawi in the labels of their products.
“So, economically, it is okay to use Jawi but education-wise, it’s not okay. So, we can see what their intentions are. So, it’s the same for influencers. Good, we need to support them but remember, do not be easily attracted. That’s it. Don’t be easily charmed,” he said.
“Our people, Malay people, are easily charmed. When they see Chinese Amois selling things (online), they buy because (the girl) is speaking in BM,” his co-host joked.
You can check out his video here:
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