Kita Semua Rakyat Malaysia kan?

A friend of mine, who has his own company, is working on a project to train fresh graduates. The course is intensive, they have to attend it for a few months, at the end of which they'll be rewarded with a certificate and job placement.

The package includes free training, allowance and lodgings, which, in my opinion, is awesome. Lately, this friend has been consulting my husband and I, regarding some issues he has been facing in his attempt to provide lodgings for these soon-to-be trainees.

In one conundrum, he asked us whether Malays minded rooming with other Malays. Being open-minded about this kinda thing, we replied that personally, we wouldn't. It shouldn't be a problem, as long as the roomies respect each other's religions and practices. Upon enquiring why the question came up, he told us that a girl, who he had attempted to place in a room with a non-malay, requested to change rooms, quoting "prayers" as a reason. Either the non-malay will drop dead as soon as she starts praying or she is incapable of performing her prayers on her own.

Another time, he asked us if it was ok to put a malay girl in a guy filled apartment, claiming that she was open-minded and that she would have her own room. We were horrified, because we assumed that everyone knew the rule that an unmarried muslim woman and a man are not allowed to live in the same house, unless she was married to him. Of course, he apologized and quickly withdrew his intent to do such a thing.

He told us about these few girls, who refused to let another girl (last minute entry) into their apartment because they claimed it was too full. Each room had 3 people, and although the master bedroom was big enough to actually house 4, they didn't want to accept someone else into the house.

Hello? Banyak demand pulak. It's only for a few months for goodness' sake, and you're getting this free! AND you're getting money for it AND a job placement! If you don't want it, there are hundreds more out there, hoping for this valuable chance. Get your cerewet ass out and make room for those who would appreciate it more lah. Lempang nanti baru tau.

And then there was the case about some family members coming down from god-knows-where to visit their child who was part of the programme. They apparently inquired what race was living with their child, to which my friend replied 'Why?', as in, 'Why do you want to KNOW, arses? Does it even freaking matter who the heck this person lives with for a few months, as long as they're not robbers, rapists or murderers?'. My friend admitted that the question had very negative racial connotations to it, and I absolutely agree.

I think he was really shocked with the fact that these people cared so much about 'who lives with who', simply because our group of friends are a pretty laidback, interracial bunch. He's even thinking about having some kind of gathering to promote harmony between the group. I say put them in one room and get someone to slap the silly out of them. What ungrateful little wretches.