Most Malay living in rural areas grow rice as their main food crop. Rubber is the major cash crop; nearly every farmer is involved to some extent in the rubber industry. Fishing is also an important occupation. In the cities, Malay are becoming involved in factory work and in governmental jobs. Since much of Negeri Sembilan is covered by jungle, the Malay settle along the coast, rivers, and roads. In sharp contrast to all other Malay, the Negeri Sembilian Malay have a matrilineal kinship system. When a woman has no daughters, her land and property pass to other female relatives after her death. For recreation, the Malay enjoy socializing in coffee shops. They also enjoy celebrating religious festivals and engaging in religious discussions. o­ne of their favorite pastimes is playing Sepak Raga, a game similar to volleyball.

Although the Malay identify strongly with Islam, they continue to practice many aspects of their pre-Islamic religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. For example, they commemorate many important events in life such as birth, marriage, and death with non-Islamic rituals. It is common for Nigeri Sembilian Malay who live in rural areas to believe in ghosts, goblins, and spirits; and if medicine is unavailable, a shaman (witch doctor) will often be brought in to treat an illness. For these reasons, other Muslims see the Malay as poor Muslims who have distorted the doctrines of Islam.

The great majority of Negeri Sembilian Malay are rural farmers and fisherman who struggle to earn a living. Health care, clean water, electricity, education, transportation, and communication are all inadequate. Only a small minority of Malay have become Christians, though tools to reach them are available. The region of Malaysia in which Negeri Sembilan is located forbids Christian witnessing to Muslims; yet the government continuously attempts to convert Christians and other religious minorities to Islam. The government has imposed numerous restrictions o­n churches. The people need laborers to work among them, the entire Bible translated into their language, and much intercession so they may be reached with the Gospel.

PRAYER POINTS

• Ask the Lord to send Christian laborers who understand the culture and religion to work with the Nigeri Sembilian.
• Pray that qualified linguists will translate the entire Bible into the Nigeri Sembilian language.
• Pray that the Jesus film will be shown and that it will bring forth much fruit.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Nigeri Sembilian through dreams and visions.
• Pray that the Malaysian government will give the people the freedom to share the Gospel with their countrymen.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Nigeri Sembilian bound.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will break up the soil through worship and intercession.
• Pray that God will raise up strong local churches among the Nigeri Sembilian.

links to related informaton: www.joshuaproject.net , http://www.bethanynorth.com/profiles/profile1.html