NOW that Bahasa Melayu will be used by our representatives at international forums, all steps must be taken to ensure the quality of translators. Any screw-up can lead to embarrassment, and create negative diplomatic issues. 

During the Malayan Emergency, CT (communist terrorists) raided Kulai New Village (which was guarded by Chinese home guards) and escaped with some shotguns. When news of the incident reached British High Commissioner, General Sir Gerald Templer, at King’s House (now Carcosa Seri Negara) in KL, he was very angry because Kulai New Village was a model village. He ordered his helicopter and immediately left for Kulai.

An angry Templer, who was convinced the CT received inside help, addressed the villagers in English with the aid of a Chinese translator.  

“You’re a lot of bastards,” shouted Templer. The translator said: “His Excellency informs you that he knows that none of your mothers and fathers were married when you were born.”

Templer continued, “You may be bastards, but you’ll find out that I can be a bigger one.”

Missing the point of the threat completely, the translator said politely, “His Excellency does admit, however, that his father was also not married to his mother.”*

Wisma Putra, take heed! – March 7, 2022.

* War of the Running Dogs by Noel Barber (p216).

* Sivaraman S. reads The Malaysian Insight. 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.