Shah Alam - Stop using the derogatory term "Indon" when referring to Indonesians.
Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said most Malaysians were unaware that the term was not used in Indonesia and that Indonesians were offended by its usage here.
Speaking at the Malaysian-Indonesian (Malindo) Dialogue 2008, he urged Malay-sians to be more sensitive to the feelings of Indonesians.
"The Malaysian media should lead the way by doing away with the term, to avoid causing ill feelings."
Khairy said words and terms which caused anger or hurt a person`s feelings should be avoided as they could be used by irresponsible parties to fan discontentment.
Indonesian delegate Hamkam Noor said the term "Indonesian" denoted the identity of the country`s people and the truncated word was belittling to them.
The representative from Umum Komite Nasional Pemuda Indonesia supported the call to stop using the term.
Khairy said both countries should focus on their commonalities, which is a shared heritage and past, instead of letting differences of opinions spoil the current good relations.
To further enhance ties, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would be conferred with the title Tun, which is the nation`s highest award, by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin during his working visit to Malaysia on Thursday.
Source: www.nst.com.my (11 Januari 2008)
