A video capturing a Malaysian teacher's frustration over her students' use of Indonesian vocabulary in school assignments has sparked widespread attention and lively debate across social media platforms in both Malaysia and Indonesia.
The teacher, known as Cikgu Azizah, was seen in a viral clip expressing her concern about the increasing presence of Bahasa Indonesia words in her students' essays, which she believes undermines the proper use of Bahasa Melayu as taught in Malaysian schools. In the video, Azizah points out specific words such as "berencana," "merencanakan," "teman-teman," and "rumah sakit" that appeared in student work, explaining that while some words like "teman" exist in Malay, the more appropriate term in formal contexts is "kawan." She emphasized this by stating, "Bersama kawan-kawan, bukan teman-teman," underscoring the subtle but important linguistic distinctions between the two closely related languages.
Azizah's concern extends beyond mere vocabulary choices; she attributes this linguistic blending to the pervasive influence of Indonesian digital content consumed by her students. She urged parents to monitor their children's media consumption, advising, "Kurangkan sikit tengok konten Indonesia tu" (reduce watching Indonesian content a little), highlighting how exposure to Indonesian media is shaping the language habits of Malaysian youth.
The video, originally posted by Facebook user Herlina Pandiangan on July 6, 2025, quickly gained traction, amassing over 2,500 views within two hours and subsequently spreading across various social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok. The clip resonated widely, sparking a mixture of amusement, reflection, and cultural pride among viewers on both sides of the border.
Indonesian netizens responded with a lighthearted spirit, many referencing Susanti, a character from the popular Malaysian animated series "Upin & Ipin," who represents an Indonesian child in the show. One user humorously commented, "Misi Susanti telah berhasil" (Mission Susanti has succeeded), playfully suggesting that the character’s influence might explain the Indonesian vocabulary creeping into Malaysian students’ work.
Others took a more thoughtful stance, recognizing Azizah’s efforts as a form of linguistic nationalism. A commenter noted, "Wajar kok, beliau sebagai guru di Malaysia tentu ingin siswanya menggunakan bahasa Melayu yang benar, seperti halnya guru Bahasa Indonesia di sekolah-sekolah kita" (It’s understandable; as a teacher in Malaysia, she naturally wants her students to use proper Malay, just like Indonesian language teachers in our schools). This perspective highlights the shared educational responsibility in both countries to preserve their respective national languages despite their similarities.
Adding to the discussion, another Malaysian teacher, known as Cikgu Gja, shared similar concerns in a separate viral video. She pointed out that students often substitute Malay terms with Indonesian ones, such as writing "rumah sakit" instead of "hospital" and "teman" instead of "kawan." She stressed that while Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Melayu share many words, their usage can differ significantly, and students must adhere to the Malaysian syllabus standards set by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, the national language authority.
Cikgu Gja appealed to parents to help monitor their children’s exposure to Indonesian YouTubers and other online content, explaining, "Apa yang mereka tengok, itulah yang mereka tulis" (What they watch is what they write). She clarified that her remarks were not intended as criticism of Bahasa Indonesia, which she acknowledged as a beautiful language with rich culture, but rather to preserve the integrity of Bahasa Melayu in academic contexts.
The linguistic debate also touched on the usage of "rumah sakit," an older Malay term for hospital. Some netizens questioned why this phrase is no longer standard, while others explained that modern Bahasa Melayu follows updated norms established by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, which prefers "hospital" over "rumah sakit." This shift has left some wondering about the influences shaping language evolution among younger generations.
The phenomenon reflects a broader cultural interplay facilitated by digital media, where cross-border content consumption blurs linguistic boundaries. Malaysian children’s familiarity with Indonesian terms is partly due to popular shows like "Upin & Ipin," which feature Indonesian characters and themes, fostering a shared cultural space but also raising questions about language preservation.
Despite the teacher’s frustration, the public response has been largely reflective and good-natured. Many Malaysians and Indonesians recognize the natural linguistic exchange occurring in an increasingly connected world. Some Malaysians shared anecdotes of children using Indonesian words such as "kelinci" for rabbit instead of the Malay "arnab," or "speda listrik" instead of "basikal elektrik," indicating how digital exposure influences everyday language.
Ultimately, the viral videos underscore the challenges educators face in maintaining linguistic standards amid the pervasive influence of foreign media. They also highlight the delicate balance between embracing cultural exchange and preserving national identity through language. As Azizah and Cikgu Gja advocate for adherence to proper Bahasa Melayu, their messages resonate with broader concerns about how globalization and technology shape the languages and identities of future generations.
In a world where digital content knows no borders, the story of a Malaysian teacher’s plea to keep Bahasa Melayu pure offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving dynamics of language, culture, and education in Southeast Asia.
