In Malaysia, all Golok are consider to be Parang (but not vice versa; follow the link for more info on Malaysian blade types). Golok are found also in Indonesia, especially the island of Java.
Initially, the golok (bedog) was developed as a multi-purpose chopper for agricultural use while the golok was developed as a multi-purpose chopper for martial use. Through time, there has developed an overlap, such that the defining boundaries between bedog and golok are no longer apparent. As a result, there is quite an array of variants, both for multi-purpose as well as for special- purpose use.
See also: Blades of the Sumedang Regency 1888 - 1912
Is it a Parang or a Golok?
These terms are sometimes confused. The information below, also from the Malaysian collector, may or may not make things more clear for you:
All golok are parang but not all parang are golok.
Only certain types of bladed tools in the parang family are called as golok.
Example 1: Golok Perak is a golok and it is also a parang.
Example 2: Golok Rembau is a golok and it is also a parang.
Example 3: Parang Lading is a parang but it IS NOT a golok.
Example 4: Parang Jenguk is a parang but it IS NOT a golok.
Parang is a generic name for the traditional South East Asian bladed tools with a single primary cutting edge larger (i.e. longer and wider) than pisau (i.e. knife).
A certain type of parang with a "straighter" blade profile is called a Golok.
See also "Synoptic of Dayak Parang"
See also "PARANG_NJABOER-NABUR _Recognition_Chart" (pdf)