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M’sian Woman Says She Was Treated Like A Foreigner At Kelantan Govt Clinic For Speaking Standard Malay
They didn’t care where she was from, after 2 years, they just expected her to speak Kelate.
Cover image via CanvaWikipedia
Ever found yourself nodding and smiling awkwardly just to hide the fact that you had no idea what the other person just said?
For one Malaysian woman living in Kelantan, that has been her reality for two whole years.
What started as a simple post on Threads about a frustrating experience has now gone viral. It sparked a broader discussion among Malaysians about language, respect, and the expectations of professionalism.
‘I had no idea what that was’
The woman recalled an incident at a government clinic where she was met with confusion, not because of the medical issue, but because of the language barrier.
Ever found yourself nodding and smiling awkwardly just to hide the fact that you had no idea what the other person just said?
For one Malaysian woman living in Kelantan, that has been her reality for two whole years.
What started as a simple post on Threads about a frustrating experience has now gone viral. It sparked a broader discussion among Malaysians about language, respect, and the expectations of professionalism.
‘I had no idea what that was’
The woman recalled an incident at a government clinic where she was met with confusion, not because of the medical issue, but because of the language barrier.
For illustration purposes only. Photo via Internet
Should I have just guessed what she meant? She said ‘ubak comor’. I had no idea what that was.”
Even after asking the pharmacist to repeat herself, the same word, “comor” was repeated with no further clarification.
When she guessed and asked, “Do you mean sapu (apply)?” the pharmacist finally responded with a dismissive “Hoo laaahhh! (yes!!!)”
It wasn’t just the word itself that left a bad taste but also the attitude that came with it.
Should I have just guessed what she meant? She said ‘ubak comor’. I had no idea what that was.”
Even after asking the pharmacist to repeat herself, the same word, “comor” was repeated with no further clarification.
When she guessed and asked, “Do you mean sapu (apply)?” the pharmacist finally responded with a dismissive “Hoo laaahhh! (yes!!!)”
It wasn’t just the word itself that left a bad taste but also the attitude that came with it.
‘Use standard Malay in professional settings’
Her post wasn’t just about being left out of a conversation. It raised a larger concern about communication in professional spaces.
Photo via Canva
According to her, it wasn’t wrong for people to speak dialect casually. But in formal settings like hospitals, government offices, or schools, standard Bahasa Malaysia should be the default to ensure everyone is on the same page, especially those who aren’t from the area.
Dialect is fine when it’s just a few words here and there. But when the whole conversation is in a different ‘language’, it becomes a problem,” she explained.
This point resonated with many Malaysians, who began sharing their own experiences with dialect-related miscommunication.
According to her, it wasn’t wrong for people to speak dialect casually. But in formal settings like hospitals, government offices, or schools, standard Bahasa Malaysia should be the default to ensure everyone is on the same page, especially those who aren’t from the area.
Dialect is fine when it’s just a few words here and there. But when the whole conversation is in a different ‘language’, it becomes a problem,” she explained.
This point resonated with many Malaysians, who began sharing their own experiences with dialect-related miscommunication.
‘Professionalism comes first’
As the post gained traction, the comments section filled up quickly. Some were supportive, some frustrated, and others outright angry.
Many agreed that it can be isolating when people insist on using heavy dialect in places where clear communication is important.
“I get annoyed when Kelantanese speak thick dialect even though they’re living in Johor. Do they think everyone understands them?” one user wrote.
Some even took it a step further, arguing that refusal to use standard Malay in professional roles should disqualify someone from those positions altogether.
‘Don’t want to use proper Malay? Go sell fish at the market. Know the difference between the pasar and the office.’
Clearly, the issue hit a nerve and sparked broader reflections on what it means to be “professional” in Malaysia.
Not all the responses were critical. In fact, several Kelantanese netizens came forward to defend the original poster and distance themselves from the behaviour she described.
“I’m Kelantanese, living in Kedah for over a decade. Still can’t speak Kedah dialect but people here are nice. Those who treat outsiders that way, no manners lah,” said one user.
Others even shared their own stories of being judged, ironically, by their own people for not conforming to dialect or food preferences.
‘I once ordered nasi kerabu without budu. The makcik shouted, ‘Darat lah mu dok make budu!’ (So fussy of you for not eating budu!). Like chill, aunty, it’s just food.’
While dialects are a rich and beautiful part of Malaysia’s diverse identity, most netizens agreed that they should be used with care, especially in situations where understanding and clarity are crucial.
‘It’s not like she asked them to speak English or German. It’s just standard Malay, every Malaysian should know that.‘
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