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By Mihar Dias December 2024
In a world that gave us "gaslighting" and "quiet quitting," perhaps it’s time for Malaysia to offer the global lexicon its own cultural gem: adab.
Once a term steeped in Malay values of politeness and decorum, adab is now primed for reinvention, thanks to none other than Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself.
During his ongoing 1MDB trial, Najib masterfully elevated adab from a mere behavioral standard to a courtroom defense strategy. Accused of showing Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong the door during a meeting about 1MDB’s shenanigans, Najib calmly explained that escorting Tong to the door wasn’t a dismissal—it was adab.
Not an eviction, just an embodiment of cultural values. How beautifully ambiguous.
This reinterpretation of adab offers endless possibilities. In 2024, why not make it the official buzzword of the year?
After all, who wouldn’t want a word that can turn awkward moments into diplomatic triumphs?
Fired? No, your boss was merely practicing adab.
Dumped? No, your ex was exercising cultural sensitivity.
Politely shoved out of a room after suggesting prosecuting Jho Low? Nope, just a touch of good ol’ Malaysian hospitality.
Najib's argument might just revolutionise how we Malaysians handle uncomfortable situations. Imagine the societal benefits of this new adab-powered approach:
1. Corporate Culture Redefined
CEOs no longer fire employees—they just walk them to the door, a gesture now dripping with cultural significance. Severance packages are passé when you have adab.
2. Diplomatic Genius
International disputes? Resolved with a strategic display of adab. Ambassadors could show entire delegations to the door and call it a lesson in cross-cultural politeness.
3. Personal Relationships Made Easier
Forget ghosting. Simply escort your date to the door after dinner and let adab handle the rest. If questioned later, you can earnestly say, “It was my cultural duty.”
But why stop there? Let’s teach adab as a life skill. Workshops, online courses, TED Talks—Malaysia could corner the market on global etiquette. Imagine adab as our greatest cultural export, right up there with nasi lemak and Musang King durians.
Of course, Najib's embrace of adab raises some questions. For example, how many people have been “politely escorted” out of his life without realising they were being shown the figurative door? And why does adab seem to apply most conveniently when accountability is on the line?
In a year when people worldwide are searching for more palatable ways to say hard truths, adab may just be the perfect antidote to bluntness. It’s soft, it’s culturally rich, and, most importantly, it’s flexible enough to mean whatever you need it to.
So here’s to adab, the word of 2024. Let it serve as a reminder that sometimes, even in the politest of cultures, a door is never just a door—it’s an exit strategy with a smile.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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