Why are so many people in Malaysia (the malay/muslim population) so hostile towards westerners?

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FoxHound

can you give us more detail. I mean how did Malaysian become hostile?

Robert Abuse

Well I am a westerner, British and I have been to Malaysia many times, indeed I am there now, typing this, in lovely Penang.

I get treated with respect and good humour always and there have been many nice surprises. The other week there was a Malay wedding celebration happening down at the local kampung and my wife and I walked past on the way to the bus stop. We were looking at the delicious food being prepared and were immediately called in to join the fun by the groom`s brother! Great, really touching and delightful thing to happen, we will never forget it.

At the market in Baling I was teased with great humour by the old ladies selling the food, delicious as always, because I tried to speak a little Malay. It was lovely.

No one has ever been hostile to me at all. I feel safe and comfortable here at all times. I have travelled from Kedah and Perak, through The Camerons and down to K.L. and will travel further as time allows.

I have visited Mosques and Temples, supermarkets and stores and never have I felt the slightest intimidation. I haggle with the traders and eat my cendol at the side of the road. We live a normal life here and mix with normal people. It is nice.

People here are polite and witty, humourous and helpful. So I really do not know where you have met with hostility.

Bean

HA!
Your statement/rant/question is completely inaccurate and so un-true

Mana ada

chesney c

I don't think its fair for you to stereotype all Malays to be like that. In normal circumstances, Malaysians of all races are generally very friendly towards foreign visitors and in the case of Malay (Muslims) they are more sensitive than other races when it comes to religion/culture. If you do not respect their religion/culture or have done something which is deemed disrespectful by their race / religion then they may turn hostile towards you and among these Muslims, some are less conservative like those in cities / towns than their folks in small towns or villages. Example, if a woman ( foreigner / local ) wear mini short to a village, the Muslims there will feel offended and may be a little hostile towards her. Basically it is "i respect you and you respect me and we are all in harmony" Of course this holds not only for the Malay Muslims but for all the races in Malaysia.

Abu Ahmad

I don't think this statement is true. I know many Malaysians and have been to Malaysia. I've always wondered how can these people be so nice and tolerant to everybody!! OK I am a Muslim but the rule was that I have NEVER seen a Malaysian person act aggressively with anybody. I might be wrong, but this is my personal experience. The only "hostile" thing that I saw there was the spicy food that was too difficult for me! :)

Please do not generalize. You or someone you know might have had a negative experience, but most probably it was because something that was said or done by you guys!

Take care, and have a good day!

Peace/salaam.

Lynn

Are you serious? My friend's been to the West numerous times and she said she's badly treated. There was even this one time, her father got arrested because he LOOKED like a terrorist, I think. Not sure. [My friend and her mum don't look at all like Muslims, her father is, on the other hand, half-Arabian or something.] All they did was walking. I wonder how that's considered as 'terrorism'. I don't recall anything like this has ever happened in M'sia, though. Anyway, what are you proofs for the statement? Please, please don't spread this kind of rumours here.

Dellilah Patchouly

This is such an inaccurate question, you might wan to rephrase it to get a better answer.

And if you really are a victim of such hostility, you also might want to mingle with the real people of Malaysia (regardless of their race or religion), because as far as I know, the only 'hostility towards westerners' is in your question, pal.

ViRg()

Not in this country surely as I see a lot of Western guys dating/ marrying into Muslim religion/ a girl of ethnic M'sian Malay background.
Mostly it's all a big misunderstanding especially since 9/11.
Although the term "hostile" is a tad harsh=P

Square Pants

really???

JingleBells

Because they associate almost all white caucasians as americans who don't like muslims.

â™¦Chimera Meerkatâ™¦

I don't think so.
Did you know there are many westerns living in Malaysia?
In Malacca itself there's a whole section of the town populated by Portugese, while in Penang many areas have British descendants.
In KL, there are many Eurasians.
While closer to my home, I've German, American, Eurasians neighbors and we all talk to each other e.g greetings and share fruits & food with each other.

Maybe you've done/said something that offended them else they wouldn't do that. Are you IN Malaysia and which area?
Did you know that majority of the Malaysians especially those not in towns doesn't even know how to converse in proper English thus they usually just look at strangers because they are strangers, but they keep their distance. Anyone from any race would do that especially since you're foreign to them.

Misviv

Are you a "westerner"? Your question isn't so much of a question as it is a false accusation. The contrary is true. The Malaysians always gripe about foreigners being treated better than locals.

HRH Shim

Ever heard of Ku Klux Klan, Skinheads, white supremacy, Bush administration...?

I guess you're the one who's having problem fitting in and maybe you're one of those rude westerners who comes to other people's country and thinks that you own the place.

yunasiah m

When i was in UK, one of my friend's car being burned. Westerner are more hostile n racist too.

Dark Knight

the only westerners we are hostile to is Americans.

Because America can't seem to mind their own business. Keep your military in your own country and stop starting wars.

If there is a problem that is so serious that military force is needed, let the UN handle it next time.

Living a life

Since you asked such a stereotype question and generalising it, I will answer you the same way.

We (Malaysian) do not have any hostility against Westerners.... just AMERICANS from the US. One of the contributors on this question is correct. I live here in the US. And the main reason why I am in the US, is because the US government could not find anyone american trash smart or intelligent enough to do the job in international development.

While I am here, the hostility towards me because, as americans would put it, a "Chink" is overwhelming. The hostility in the US is worst than any other country that I have ever received before. I have been to 160 countries, just for the record.

So if you are done generalising and making selective assumption, I will answer you in a proper manner. Rephrase your question.

xxSangoxx really love L and Kiba

no!not true..how can you get this information..i don't believe at all..

hushpuppy

lol don't know. i love westerners.

*kill me*

Perfect_Human

Hi There!!!!!
Come on...Be logical & serious.....

We can't judge any person or a population or a group of people based on few number only....(in case) what you are saying is true.

People should be open minded to not believe any issue or generalize it...

Before asking us why? think twice if it is at least right.....

Let me simplify it for u, by this example:
If I come to your country & some body or some people were hostile toward me, I won't say all or so many of u or ur population or those particular relgion people are bad because I'm sure that was that one person only not the whole country or few of them still not every person there & everybody!!!!

Remeber one thing, bad people present in every where (east & west). And in every religion & country:)

They might be more in ur country even. U never know!!

By the way u just can say this (generalization) once u met the whole country of Malaysia or at least all Muslims there & they were all bad with not only u but, all westerners so, bring all westerners & let us see & judge accuratley :)

I know u can't..so, it is not true unless being proven!!!!!!!!
So, U are WRONG!!!!

Actually, u are the one being hostile coz what about those u never met? u can never judge them! this is just unfair!

They are innocents!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I will not judge ur religion or country by ur action now coz I know there is the possibility that they don't think the same way u are thinking:)

My advice: Next time be sure u are right before asking any question other wise, people here will laugh at u instead of answering u......

Hope peace will hit this world one day!

amy

i love western food.

Trustee

Because you flirt too much & cheat them!

Legendary Frog!!

thank you...

William

They seemed to act as such,but this happens when they act out of bounds.At least to a certain extent,they hostile towards those that have done what they(and may be even you)consider whatever asgainst their values.

cent_kulit

Maybe because westerners discriminate muslim looking folks. that's why muslim folks tend to act hostile around westerners as well.

venomous

go china also they all hostile, they all buddha right? kekekekeke..

Sabrina

I think it is the way religious teaching is done. All the religions are for betterment of human race, not against.

A recent survey showed pakistanis want more dose of religion that they already have; same is applicable to Malaysia as well.

It is the promise of Heaven that makes people not to worry about the consequences of their current action

ME_LuRvE_eVeRyOnE>>