Indulgences

1. Kuih

   Kuih (traditional Malay sweets and snacks)

   Usage

   These divide into moist "kuih basah" (such as kuih talam) and baked "kuih kering". Sold by the piece at morning markets and Ramadan bazaars

   Grammar Note

   The reduplicated form "kuih-muih" means assorted sweets; Malay reduplication marks plurality or variety

2. Rokok

   Cigarette

   Usage

   ⚠ Under Act 852 (2024), sale to and use by anyone under 18 is prohibited, smoking is banned in eateries and most public places, and open display of the products in shops is restricted

   Grammar Note

   The verb is "merokok" (to smoke) and a smoker is "perokok"; no-smoking signs read "Dilarang merokok"

3. Tembakau

   Tobacco

   Usage

   Tobacco as the raw material; the manufactured cigarette is "rokok". Also mixed into betel quid (sirih) for chewing

4. Rokok elektronik

   Electronic cigarette (vape)

   Usage

   ⚠ In everyday speech people just say "vape". Act 852 regulates e-cigarettes on the same footing as cigarettes: no purchase or use under 18, with some states imposing stricter rules

5. Sirih

   Betel leaf

   Usage

   It is a climbing plant whose leaves are chewed with areca nut, gambier and lime. The betel box (tepak sirih) is still exchanged in wedding ceremonies

6. Pinang

   Areca nut (betel nut)

   Usage

   It is the palm (Areca catechu) whose nut is eaten with betel leaf. Penang — Pulau Pinang — is named after this tree

   Grammar Note

   The verb "meminang" means to propose marriage — from the custom of presenting areca nut when asking for a bride

7. Bersirih

   Betel chewing

   Usage

   ⚠ The traditional practice of chewing betel leaf wrapped around areca nut, gambier, lime, cloves and sometimes tobacco; still kept by older Malay and Indian Malaysians. There is a risk of oral cancer and submucous fibrosis, so it is reasonable to decline on health grounds

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "ber-" derives "to have / to do X": sirih (betel leaf) → bersirih (to chew betel)

8. Arak

   Liquor / alcoholic drink

   Usage

   ⚠ It is an intoxicating alcoholic drink ("minuman keras"). Selling or serving alcohol to a Muslim is illegal in Malaysia, and the purchase age is 21. In Kelantan and Terengganu sales are largely confined to non-Muslim outlets. Do not raise the subject with a Muslim host

   Grammar Note

   The same spelling is also a separate verb root meaning to process in a line ("mengarak" = to parade); context distinguishes them

9. Tuak

   Tuak (palm or rice wine)

   Usage

   ⚠ It is liquor made from palm sap (nira). In Sarawak, the rice wine the Iban brew for the Gawai festival is also called tuak. ⚠ In Kelantan and Terengganu "tuak" can instead mean unfermented palm sap (nira) — the same word for a different thing. Never offer it to a Muslim

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