Kelantan - An unwilling bride.

The Serambi Mekah state of Malaysia, also known as negeri cik Siti Wan Kembang - two names for two different personalities. The former relates to the states reputation as being more Islamic than others in Malaysia - where 4-D outlets are not permitted to operate legally, massage parlors are banned but massage are not and stout and Heineken are served hideously in coffee mugs.
The later of course refers to the beauty of ladies there, and more generally the artistic and kesenian Kelantanese - after all 'orang luar' who come to kelantan are feared by their wives or moms that they will marry a Cik Siti Wan Kembang.

But the above two are not the only two personalities of Kelantan. Kelantanese men are also known to be the Casanova’s of the Malay race - reputed to be able to sweet talk an ustazah of lesser resolve out of their purdah. As a Kelantanese myself, I'll say that reputation as overly being generalized. Not all Kelantan men are born with sugar-factories on their lips. It is not the sweet talk which wins the heart of most women, but rather chivalry and charm which seems to come more naturally to a man from kelantan than his peers from other states.
MyW *My Wife* whom I met during college days declared openly and firmly when she sensed that I was trying to be more than a good friend with her, "I will not marry a man from Kelantan, they are Romeos".
But she was not adequately informed about other characteristics of a Kelantan man - and that is
they are enterprising, funny, good natured, cool, and warm with people especially of opposite gender. Without realizing, she fell in love with these traits and still is much in love with the man she epitomizes as 'a perfect example of someone she'll not marry'.

When I was in boarding school where boys *the clever ones* from all states came together, the Kelantan boys tend to be more into each other, kept together and known to others as 'gedebe'.
Gedebe is a trait of Kelantan men I am kind of proud of. It is a combination of pride, daring, come-what-may kind of attitude. If you ask me what makes Kelantan people enterprising, I'll say it is because they are 'gedebe'. That is of course if you agree that there are high percentage of Kelantan people who have made good in the corporate and business world.

Females in Kelantan play major roles in family matters - emotionally and financially. The Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah *corrected, tq Ray - smile -* in Kota Baru is made up of 80 percent female traders, unique with their polite banters and smiling assertiveness. At home, the women folks play major roles as the family planners cum organizers, decision makers *although they are smart enough to let the dads think they decide*, and social net workers. I am generalizing of course, but try to observe any Kelantan neighbors or relatives you have - the wives rule!

There is also a popular belief that if a man from other states were to go to work in Kelantan, he will ends up marrying a local girl. This is true, and there are reasons. For one, Kelantanese woman are more open to polygamy, as long as they are the ones who win someone else's husbands. Teasing, flirting, and winning a man's heart is considered victorious and appeal to the Juliets in Kelantan. And 'orang luar' is looked at with awe and admiration, and immediately assumed to be wealthy.
For another, 'orang luar' fall for the sweet, gentle, shy demeanor of most Kelantan girls. In talking, a Kelantan girl will talk ever so sweetly almost in whispers and will never use vulgar words. They are experts at flirting, having watched how their daddies, uncles and aunties practice those banters at Kenduri and social gathering.
And, yes - they are beautiful too.

'Family ties' are considered very important by most Kelantanese. They treat their parents with full respect, love and admiration. Make a mistake of showing disrespect to your Kelantan in-laws, and you will get very quick reaction and retaliation from your spouse.

The roads, rails and flights are extremely busy during Hari Raya breaks - anak2 Kelantan balek kampung in a huge way! In front of every houses, even in kampung it is common to see one or two cars with *number plate luar* parked. It is not uncommon to see TV antenna on almost every houses nowadays - "anak bui" would be a modest but proud answer from parents when complimented about the nice and big TV in the ruang tamu - The center piece during hari raya gatherings.

Kelantan is an unwilling bride.
This Serambi Mekah state is under the ruling of PAS....and in my view will continue to be for a while. To win, UMNO need to change their approach : From confronting to courting, from putting PAS down to praising, from with-holding funds and development to be even more proactive in developing the state. Play to their 'gedebe' personality rather than against it.