Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia/Series 1/Volume 3/Malay Amoks
MALAY AMOKS.[1]
The character of the unsophisticated Malay is remarkable for its simplicity and honesty; having no artificial wants they are satisfied and content with what would be considered positive destitution by a Chinese, they are consequently apathetic and inactive, and will not for any amount offered to them, labour beyond their usual habits, or customary routine; they have little if any speculative turn; they have a regard for truth and may generally be depended upon in their statements. What has so often been written of their revengeful spirit is much exaggerated; polite in the extreme according to their own ideas, they never indulge in abuse one towards the other, the only reply to any deviation from this rule is the Kriss, for which they will watch their oppertunity and most certainly not afford their adversary any advantage it is in their power to deprive him of. This is their code of honor, and being fully aware of it amongst themselves, provocation is seldom given, and satisfaction as seldom required. When goaded however to the necessity they become perfectly reckless, and should discovery attend the deed they attempt no refutaion but sell their lives at the utmost cost they can to the captors. Too often have I known the Officers of Police compelled to shoot them on these occasions. Such is one species of "Amok" and how offenders of this description are to be dealt with, can admit of but little doubt, but there is another variety of the "Orang Beramok” vastly different, and by no means the least frequent, which requires discrimination on the part of the Medical Jurist, to prevent irresponsible persons suffering the penalty of the injured Law. For instance a man sitting quietly amongst his freinds and relatives will, without provocation, suddenly start up weapon in hand and slay all within his reach. I have known so many as 8 killed and wounded by a very feeble individual in this manner. Next day when interrogated whether he was not sorry for the act he had committed, no one could be more contrite; when asked why then did you do it, the answer has invariably been "the Devil entered into me, my eyes were darkened, I did not know what I was about." I have received this same reply on at least twenty different occasions ; on examination of these monomaniacs, I have generally found them laboring under some gastric disease, or troublesome ulcer, and these fearful ebullitions break out upon some ex- acerbation of the disorder. Those about them have generally told me that they appeared moping and melancholy a few days before the outbreak. It is certainly much to be deplored that Monomania amongst the Malays, almost invariably takes this terrible form. The Bugis, whether from revenge or disease, are by far the most addicted to the "Amok." I should think 3/4ths of all the cases I have seen have been by persons of this nation.
- ↑ With reference to our notice of amoks in the last number of the Journal we insert the following remarks, extracted from an official Medical Report on Singapore by Dr Oxley. They are of very great practical value, and we hope some of the other medical gentlemen in the Straits will favour us with the results of their observations on this deeply interesting subject. The importance of the diffusion of correct views respecting it cannot be overrated.