EUW 235
ETHNIC RELATIONS IN MALAYSIA &
ITS CHALLENGES
Introduction
• The scenario in Malaysia
• Ethnic Relations: Melaka Era until postIndependence.
• Challenges of inter-intra ethnic in Malaysia
• Integration and National Unity
• Vision 2020 and its challenges
• 1 Malaysia concept
The scenario in Malaysia
• The ups and downs of ethnic relations
Good : Melaka era, Independence era, New
Economic Policy
Uncertainties: Japanese era, 13 May
• 13 May Tragedy (1969)
- communalism exploited by various groups for their
own interests
• The role of every citizen to avoid such 13 May
incidence
Ethnic Relations: Malaccan Era until
post-Independence
• Before colonialism, vibrant inter-cultural
relations in the Malay world.
• Based on the concepts of permeable ethnicity
& canopy ethnicity (Robert Heffner, 2001).
• Different but live under one umbrella of Malay
ethnic & Malay world
(language, culture, religion).
…sambungan
• Economy : shared interesst among economic
elites, active as global players.
• Politics : stable; various ethnics/races shared
power & form government.
• Sosial system : of different groups, but united.
• Opposed to extremism & violence.
…sambungan
• After the arrival of the colonialists
• Banton (1983), ethnicity was categorised
according to race & enclosed racism (blood
relations, superior race & racism).
• Social system rearranged, the Whites on top,
while the Chinese, Indian, Malay & Bumiputra
below them.
…sambungan
• Economic structure changed, with
• Whites – in commerce, tin & rubber.
• Chinese – as labourers in tin industry &
business
• Indian – labourers in the public sector,
building & infrastructure, road & railway,
telecommunication, and as rubber tappers.
• Malay – lower administrative ranks, as farmers
& fishermen in the villages.
…sambungan
• Political system based on divide-and–rule
policy.
• Changed the ethnic relations patterns which
had evolved earlier (in the Malay world).
…sambungan
• Politics : MIC, MCA & UMNO united to
demand for Independence from the British.
• After 10 years of independence, the ethnic
Chinese & Indian had easy access to
citizenship.
• Towards the end of 1960s, there was strained
ethnic relationship which culminated in May
13 1969 ethnic incidence.
• Debates on ideology and national identity
started..
…sambungan
• 2 major policies were introduced after 1969:
– New Economic Policy (NEP)
– Rukunegara (national principles)
• “Social contract” (pakatan murni) was
redeveloped/redesigned through Rukun
Negara & life principles.
• National Cultural Policy was introduced
after 1970
• Rukun Tetangga (a program of
neighbourhood security system) launched
CHALLENGES OF ETHNIC
RELATIONS
• Inter-ethnic relations : the relationship
between one ethnic and the other ethnic(s).
• Became an issue in the process of creating a
Bangsa Malaysia which internalize national
values & identity, love the country, patriotic,
and prepared to defend the nation.
….sambungan
• Intra-ethnic relations: relationship among
people of the same ethnic.
• Intra-ethnic challenges :
– Politics
– Economy
– Social
– Education
– Culture
i. Politics (challenges)
• To create a stable political system
• To develop the country (in various
aspects/fields).
• To develop leadership of integrity
(accountability, dynamic & just) in
administration.
• To develop cooperation between the political
parties.
ii. Economy
• There exists a gap between the ethnic groups,
(e.g. the Malays in agriculture; the Chinese in
commerce & trade)
• New Econ Policy (NEP) launched in 1970
• NEP targeted 30% equity shares for the
Bumiputera (Malays + indigenous people).
• How to develop the economy that is free from
ethnic considerations?
….sambungan
• To create joint ventures & cooperation
between the Bumiputera and nonBumiputeras.
• Restructuring the pattern of labour utilization
between the ethnics.
• The imbalance between urban industrial
sector & rural sector.
iii. Social
• The entry of many Chinese & Indian labour in
the 19th century
• Physical separation – part of policy of “divide
& rule”.
• There were stereotyping, ethnocentrism,
prejudice, discrimination between the ethnics.
• A separate education system for the ethnics.
iv. Education
• The education system left by the British
created polarisation.
• The British provided schooling for all ethnics
under separate systems (vernacular
system/education) partly to deny integration
among the people.
…sambungan
• Education – an important mechanism in
developing human capital with the moral,
ethical, tolerant, and accomodating
characteristics.
• Polarisation is also reflected in secondary
schools & institutions of higher learning
(among the students)
v. Culture
• The way of thinking, behaviour, and lifestyles
emulating the West..
• A pattern of liberal and free living developing
especially among the youngsters
• The influence of ideology, hedonistic culture,
and negative values...
vi. Religion
• Different religions among the ethnics.
• Freedom for the individuals to practice own
religion is guaranteed under the Constitution
(Perkara 3(1)).
INTEGRATION & UNITY
• To form an integrated society based on the
principle of unity in diversity.
• Unity : a process of uniting the people in all
aspects of life.
• National Integration : a dynamic process to
form one Bangsa Malaysia with own identity
based on the Constitution and Rukun Negara.
…sambungan
• Understanding national identity
- strengthening integration bridge
- sowing the spirit of integration among the ethnics
- social interaction & long-term inter-ethnic
relationship.
Are the majority of Malaysian people understand
the identities of the ethnics?
…sambungan
• Vision School
- a strategy to harmonise the multi-ethnic society.
- to close the gaps, and to have an open mind (as opposed to a
“closed mindset”).
- sharing school facilities.
• Spirit of Patriotism
love the people & country
- proud to be citizens of Malaysia
- spirit of togetherness
- contribute & be productive
- aware and sensitive to current issues and development
-
TOWARDS ETHNIC UNITY
•
•
•
•
•
PLKN (National Service Training Program)
Rukun Negara
Formation of National Front (BN)
Setting up of Pakatan Rakyat (PR)
1 Malaysia concept
Objectives of Rukun Negara
• To develop a just society – the resources ofe the country to be
shared justly by the people, and every member has the same
opportunity to benefit from the richness of the country
• To protect the democratic way of life, the Constitution
guarantees freedom of basic rights of the people and freedom
of political activities as long as they do not violate the laws
• To achieve stronger unity all people should uphold the spirit
to develop one people and one nation where everyone
regards him/herself as citizen of Malaysia irrespective of
ethnicity and religion/system of belief
• To develop a liberal attitude toward the rich cultural traditions of
the people , free to practice own religion, custom and culture in
accordance with the objective of national unity.
• To build a society that is progressive that uses science and modern
technology. To create a society that achieves progress in science &
technology in line with the current technological development in
the world in this era of glabalisation.
Challenges to improve
Ethnic Relations
• The uniting of political parties (which are
based on ethnic).
• Inculcate the spirit of patriotism.
• Increase the level of ethnic awareness &
sensitivity.
• Rational attitude & fairness in ethnic
demands.
• Readiness to cooperate sincerely.
VISION 2020
• OBJECTIVE:
to create a bangsa Malaysia that is united,
progressive, prosperous, and increase the people’s
resilience and competitiveness.
9 CHALLENGES OF VISION 2020
1. To create a united country.
2. To create a society of free spirit, peaceful and
advanced with self-confidence.
3. To create a mature democracy that is examplary.
4. To create a moral and ethical society.
…sambungan
6. To create a mature society which is liberal and
tolerant. The people are free to practice own
culture and religion.
7. To develop a scientific & progressive society, a
society which is also creative and visionary.
8. To develop a caring society.
9. To develop a prosperous society whose economy is
competitive, resilient and dynamic.
1 MALAYSIA CONCEPT
• Introduced by Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abd Razak,
6th PM.
• ‘1 Malaysia, Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian
Diutamakan’ (the people first, achievement
prioritised).
• Main principles: Unity, harmony, equality.
• 4 aspects underlined : Integrity, ability, loyalty,
commitment.
1 MALAYSIA APPROACH
ASPECT 1
UNITY THRUSTS
ASPECT 2
ASPIRATION
VALUES
…sambungan
Thrusts of Unity
Acceptance
Principles of Nationhood
Social Justice
Respectful
Virtues
Humbleness (Tawadhuk)
Moderation
Etiquette
Berbudi-bahasa
High performance
culture
Innovative culture
Time conscious
Wisdom
Knowledge culture
Loyalty
Integrity
Strong willpower