Keling

Keling is claimed by certain people as a derogatory slang term for Indians or Hindu in Malaysia [http://www.ipoh-online.com.my/editorial/] and Singapore (more specially, Malaysian Indians and Singaporean Indians. The term was wrongly believed to be originated from the term used to describe migrants from India who came in chains from the Andaman Islands as laborers. Fact|date=May 2008. In truth the word keling was already used by Malays referring to people originating from Indian subcontinent. India was then referred as as "benua keling". Sejarah Melayu(Annals of Malay history) written in 15th century used the term keling and traces origin of Malay sultans to India. There is no sign that this term used in derogatory way then. The origin of this term is rooted in influence of Kalinga kingdom over south east Asian kingdoms culturally and economically in the past.

However over the years the word keling earn disrepute over the years. That Indian ethnic in Malaysia today are worse of economically and have a high crime rate didn't help the situation.

Usages

In the Chinese and Malay communities, "keling" is occasionally augmented into various words of their language to form new phrases that may or may not be considered offensive to either the Indians or non-Indians.

The word "keling kia" can be used in a non-racist context where describing Indians who are from "Kalinga" India. "Keling kia" is also used in a racist context in the Hokkien or Teochew dialects, spoken by Chinese Malaysians and Chinese Singaporeans, when referring to Indians in general.

The phrase "keling kwai" which means "Indian Ghost/Devil/Barbarian", is used by the general Chinese communities of Malaysia and Singapore to identify Indians. The suffix "kwai", "devil" is used to denote anyone who comes outside the Middle Kingdom (Imperial China). (e.g. Westerner are commonly known as red-haired devils).

The phrase "janji keling" ("janji" being "promise" in Malay) is sometimes used by people of Malay-speaking communities (regardless of race) to refer to a liar, someone who gives conflicting statements, or, more commonly, someone who changes their minds and decisions often. Considered derogatory, this slur is often used in moments of dissatisfaction and when the speaker perceives that there is no one of Indian descent around to hear the conversation.

"Keling" was recently used by Members of Parliament in Malaysia, resulting in uproar by the Malaysian community accusing the MPs of racism. [http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2005/10/keling-apim-lodges-police-report.htm] Popular usage in Malaysia also suggests a tone of general disrespect to Indian Malaysians. This derogatory term is uttered in the same way African Americans are called niggers and Indigenous Australians are called abos.

Name of place

Some placed also being named with the word "keling" ie. Tanjong Keling. [ [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0385-2342(1986)45:1%3C67:TMCCWS%3E2.0.CO;2-X The Malay-Tamil Cultural Contacts with Special Reference to the Festival of "Mandi Safar" by S. Singaravelu] ] , Kampong Keling, [ [http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=7483 Kampung Kling Mosque.] ] and Bukit Keling [ [http://www.traveljournals.net/explore/malaysia/map/m3285790/bukit_keling.html Traveljournals.net] ]

External links and references

* [http://www.visvacomplex.com/Keling_English_Version.html Dr. S. Jayabarathi from Malaysia's article on KELING]
* [http://www.indianmalaysian.com/sound/modules.php?name=News&file=categories&op=newindex&catid=3 Some words are not a joke]
* [http://www.ipoh-online.com.my/editorial/ Racism and the Word "Keling"]
* [http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2005/10/keling-apim-lodges-police-report.htm Keling: Apim lodges police report against Jerai MP]
* [http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2004/12/umno-should-stop-claiming-ketuanan.htm UMNO should stop claiming Ketuanan Melayu]