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RIAU OF MALAYSIA

Location: All districts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. 
Other names : BAHASA MALAYSIA, BAHASA MALAYU, MALAYU, MELAJU, MELAYU, STANDARD MALAY
Dialects : TRENGGANU, KELANTAN, KEDAH, PERAK (SOUTHERN MALAY), SARAWAK MALAY, BAZAAR MALAY (LOW MALAY, PASAR MALAY, PASIR MALAY, TRADE MALAY).

'Bazaar Malay' is used to refer to many regional nonstandard dialects. Over 80% cognate with Indonesian. Bilingualism in English, Chinese, Tamil. National language. Grammar. SVO. Roman and Arabic (Jawi) scripts. Agriculturalists: wet and dry rice, rubber, fruits, vegetables; fishermen. Bible 1733-1993.

The language spoken varies but is basically known as Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia, each with quite a number of dialects. The Malaysian and Indonesian languages are very similar with 80% of each language found in the other. They are fairly easy for a foreigner to learn. The Bible is available in Bahasa Indonesia while the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia is under revision.

Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957 and has grown in prominence since then. Though Southeast Asia is often associated with Buddhism and Animism, 99.9% of the ethnic Malay are Muslim. The Malaysian government has imposed strong restrictions against evangelism to Muslims. Significant persecution is a reality for the handful of Malays who have entrusted their lives to Christ and for those few Christians who would dare to share their faith with the Malay.

Courage for Malay believers and especially pastors.

Malaysia is actively recruiting English teachers; pray that many Christian English teachers will be called by the Lord to live with and love the Malay. Pray that God would raise up many new missionaries of all types to work with the Malay.

Wisdom for the few Christian organizations working with Malay.