Letters from the Equator

Boon’s view from here

Malaysia outlaws unsuitable names

I don’t know what to say.

article: link

Malaysia outlaws unsuitable names
By Jonathan Kent

Malaysian authorities have published a list of undesirable titles to prevent parents giving their children names such as Hitler, smelly dog or 007.

Some restrictions spelled out in the article:

- “Ah Chwar”, snake in Hokkien
- “Khiow Khoo”, hunchback in Hokkien
- “Chow Tow”, smelly head in Cantonese
- “Sam Seng”, gangster in Cantonese
- “Sor Chai”, insane in Cantonese
- “Karrupusamy”, black god in Tamil
- “Woti”, sexual intercourse in Malay
- “Zani”, male adulterer in Malay

Also,

- no names after animals, insects, fruit, vegetables or colours
- Numbers are also not allowed, so 007 is not allowed
- royal or honorary titles are not allowed
- names after Japanese cars are also not allowed

Another news article: link


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