Bidal is a form of proverb that has an explicit meaning told in a rhyming and poetic format; it is therefore categorized in poetry. The bidal that contains of metaphor, allusion and specific meaning is considered as one of the old Malay literatures. However, the variety of the bidal can be found today within the Malay society. Theoretically, the meaning provided by the bidal is usually seen has similarity with that of the proverb. In the Malays daily life, the bidal has many functions as mentioned below:  

1. As a means of communication whether in formal event like traditional ceremony, or in informal moments like daily chatting whereby one may deliver some critics or allusions to another person.
2. As a means of both educating and teaching the members of the society.
3. As a polite method of giving a warning to be well-accepted by other people.
4. As a control of both morality and attitude of the members of the society.
5. As an evidence of the wisdom and intelligence of the deliverer.
6. As a measure of recognizing the status of a person in his society.

The following bidals develop broadly in the Malay society:  

1. bagai kerakap di atas batu, hidup segan mati tak mau
2. ada ubi ada talas, ada budi ada balas
3. sekali merengkuh dayung, dua tiga pulau terlampaui
4. dalam laut dapat diduga, dalam hati siapa yang tahu
5. tua tua keladi, makin tua makin jadi
6. biar bersimpuh peluh di muka, jangan tersingkap kain basahan
7. bongkok kail penyangkut insang, bongkok fiil penyangkut hutang
8. di dalam manis ada pahitnya, di dalam pahit ada manisnya
9. kalau puntung masih berapi, janganlah dihembus-hembus juga
10. lulus tangan dilakukan, lulus kaki dilangkahkan

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