Bangla in Pilihanraya

This is an old one, posted on 05 May 2013 in my other blog KTemoc Konsiders.

The date 05 May 2013 was the day when Malaysia held its 13th general elections. Then there were accusations by one party of another party bringing in tens of thousands of Bangladeshis to (illegally) vote for the latter party, with suggestions that such Bangladeshi voters would be rewarded with Malaysian citizenships.

True or false, the accusations inspired me on that election day to pen the following lines though more in jest, wakakaka. Then I had written only 3 stanzas. Today I take the opportunity to add in one more to make it a 4-stanza piece.

By the by, it's worthwhile reading The Star Online article Bringing back passion in Penang food (by Dorairaj Nadasan) which is related to some aspects of what I have written, wakakaka.

Hello, my name is Mr Farooq Majumdar
I was born in Kampung Paya Terubong
Which by the way, Sahib, is not very far
Just the distance for a Bangladeshi song

Yes Sahib, indeed I am very very Malaysian
Which is why today I have come to vote
‘Coz there is also lucrative compensation
And I really don’t mind coins or bank note

Come to think of it, I've a Malaysian mien

I work goreng-ing at a char koay teow stall

And pahkok with Ah Peh Ah Ee in Hokkien

While my towkay sits behind doing f*-all

* Malaysian and Penang Hokkien words (italicized) explained below

Best of all I don’t have to go home, I mean

Kampung Paya Terubong is now my address,
And that’s what makes me really super keen
To vote as told, for a citizenship to possess

"Farooq you naughty rascal, come home immediately"

wakakaka (with sincere apologies to Madame Sheik Hasina)

* Malaysian

i. goreng = fry or frying (as in koay teow noodles)

** Penang Hokkien words
i. char koay teow = fried rice noodles

ii. pahkok = engaged in casual conversation

iii. Ah Peh Ah Ee = honorifics (uncle & auntie) for seniors of parents' age

iv. towkay = boss