Ter impresses with use of Malay proverbs in speech

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was bowled over by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) president Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap’s fluency in Bahasa Malaysia.

The Prime Minister attended ACCCIM’s 72nd annual general meeting at a hotel here, and Ter, in his speech which he delivered in Bahasa Malaysia and English, slotted in two Malay sayings or proverbs (peribahasa).

In expressing ACCCIM’s gratitude at having the statesman at its event yesterday, Ter told the audience: “Kecil tapak tangan, nyiru saya tadahkan (If my palms are not big enough, I present a rattan tray to accept).”

Ter then continued by saying: “Lagi terang lagi bersuluh (As clear as the light shines),

“Berguru biar dengan yang mahir (In seeking knowledge, let it be from a teacher who is skilled).”

Dr Mahathir, who then took to the podium to deliver his speech before launching the AGM, paid tribute to Ter’s mastery of not just Bahasa Malaysia, but English and Chinese as well.

“I am impressed with his ability to speak in Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and English.

“I wish I could speak Chinese as fluently as he speaks Malay,” Dr Mahathir said, drawing applause from the audience.

Later in his speech, Dr Mahathir also welcomed and encouraged efforts by the ACCCIM to cooperate with other business chambers representing the Malays, Indians and also the international business community.

The Prime Minister then offered a Malay saying, in response to the ones Ter had mentioned earlier.

“Cooperation is always very good,” said Dr Mahathir. “There is a Malay saying – though I’m not so good (in Malay sayings) as your president – which says, ‘ bulat air kerana pembetung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat.’

“This saying means that the ‘roundness’ of water is due to its container, and the success of human beings is when we work together.”