I refer to the letter on Let's ban Sanskrit words, too . I think Verghis's point is clear that we Malaysians look inordinately confused, silly, and in active denial.

Today, modern scholars are increasingly looking at Sanskrit with awe and respect. Not just for the spiritual scope and depth of ancient India but also for its far reach into East Asia shaping cultures and philosophy in China, Japan, and South East Asia.

It also being suggested by American scholars that Sanskrit is the closest language to numerical analysis because of non-arbitrariness (of tight name and form coupling or nama and rupa ) which is the basis of modern computer languages (maybe this partially explains Indian IT prowess).

I would add more Sanskrit originated words to Verghis's eminent list:

They are bahasa, pustaka, sastra, Malay, bumiputra, raja, mentri, perdana, ishwara, waja, satria, wira, surya, upacara, agama, puasa, shurga, neraka, sutra, sri, maha, wisma, ashrama, samskara, utara, barat, Singapura, Kalimantan, Bali, putri, bahkti, mahameru, budi, upaya, angkasa, purnima, kedai, Kedah, rasa, manas, manusya, raksasa, saksi, Sumatra, nama, rupa, sempurna, hari, waktu, kali, dunia, dewa, dewi , and much, much more!

Now, if we removed these at worst, or failed to acknowledge them on the part of the esteemed Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (itself already Sanskrit in name) wouldn't we look rather silly?

Even Singapore hosted a Suvarnabumi festival this month to celebrate the ancient history and richness of the Malay archipelago.

It's a shame that Sanskrit and English are not recognised in Malaysia along with the powerful idea of a Bahasa Malaysia that is indeed truly enriched with the best of the ancient and modern, plus our own unique Malaysian identity.

It's an asset of our multicultural nation that we certainly shouldn't want to shoot ourselves in both feet for!