Before mankind discover electricity, the Chinese brought me into existence by compiling a Chinese-Malay word list in the fifth century.



Dutch, French, English and, finally in the nineteenth century, Malay scholars made me into the indispensable tool for learning Malay language.

With the advent of electricity in Malaysia, I also become available in electronic forms. Young school children enjoy using portable battery-operated electronic kamus. From the silicon valley of Malaysia, the Multimedia Super Corridor, a company sells sophisticated kamus software to clients worldwide.

Why make a fuss of a language that is relatively easy to learn? With a total of more than 80,000 entries in the most authoritative version of me, I think I am lighter in electronic form. If you prefer to get my

software, you can add in more word data such as engineering, mathematical, scientific and computer terms in Malaysian language. Imagine the weight of all these information in printed pages!

I must thank the Malaysian education system for making me a hot item. First and foremost, the schools can never seem to teach children to be

completely literate in Malay. Then, the examination board meticulously produce some of the most difficult examination papers in the world and demand a compulsory pass, or else, your academic prospects will be bleak.

This implies the quantity and quality of school work challenge the ability of average children and also adults who try to help them. Flipping through pages of a printed kamus to do a school assignment often end up in mental exhaustion. I must not forget to mention the pampered generation born in the era of prosperous Malaysia, who find it heavy to lift their fingers to consult a book. No wonder I am so

welcomed, just click the mouse or press a button to find what you want instantaneously!

If you are looking for free internet kamus, you will find plenty...in Bahasa Indonesia. Sure, there are a few in Bahasa Malaysia to cater for

beginners and sometimes, with a disclaimer. But you are smart enough to read about me here, so you are obviously not an elementary learner.

You might have used the most authentic kamus online in the official website of the Malaysian Institute of Language and Literature, if their

system is not down for 'maintenance'...again.

Internet is the free information super highway...but not for meatier Malaysian language. At least, not in 2007. Bottom line? You have to fork out money to get great electronic information out of me.

Just in case you are calling me names by now. Allow me to give you an illustration: In the past, there was only one way to seek hid treasure underground--you have to dig manually. Nowadays you can also use the electric drill.

The point is mastering a language requires effort. I do not refute the value of printed pages, I am only trying to say:"I am the electric drill and you have a choice."