A point can feel like an accusation
A straight index finger makes a person or object the unmistakable target of attention. In Malaysia and Indonesia, that can read as sharp or scolding in situations where a softer gesture would feel more courteous. The motion may be practical, but its social effect depends on how directly it singles someone out.
Use the hand’s softer side
To indicate a direction or object, some people use the thumb, with the other fingers folded inward. The thumb still shows where to look, but the gesture is less like an emphatic finger aimed at someone. In conversation, pointing with an open hand can also avoid the same pointed, accusatory impression.
Follow the setting
Etiquette varies among communities and situations, so the gesture is not a universal rule about every person in either country. Watch how people around you indicate things, especially when addressing someone directly. A small adjustment can keep a useful gesture from sounding harsher than you intend.
