malaysian studies chapter 4

8/9/2019 Malaysian Studies CHAPTER 4

1/26

1

CHAPTER FOUR

Multiracial Society


2/26

“ A process of uniting the members of a society and the country as a whole throughnational ideologies so that the members of the society can build up an identity, commonvalues and sense of belonging”.

What is multiracialsociety?

A multiracial society refers to a society that consists of various groups ofraces or ethnicities but under leadership.

J.S. Furnival - the plural society is characterized by ethnicgroups who live under one political unit ( a country) butare not integrated.


3/26

The Malay Community

• Original inhabitants ofMalaya.

• Influx of IndonesianMalays to Malaya due to

political! economic andsocial standards.

• Main economic activity ofthe coastal Malays "astrade! fishing and farming.

• #ot encouraged to

participate in the moderneconomic sector.


4/26

The Chinese Community

• Concentrated at early mining sites, gambier andpepper plantations.

• Came through the $angchu system or Surat Sungai.

• Malaya%s ban&ing and insurance industries "ere run

by the Chinese from the start! and Chinese businessmen usually in partnership "ith 'ondonfirms! soon had a stranglehold on the economy.

• (ince the Malay (ultans tended to spend "ell beyond their incomes! they "ere soon in debt to theChinese ban&ers! and this gave the Chinese politicalas "ell as economic po"er.


5/26

The Indian Community

• (tarted off as "or&ers in coffee and sugarcaneplantations in Seberang Perai.

• Also served in government department! in thepolice force and rail"ay services as "ell assecurity guards.

• Came through Kangani system and Contractsystem.

• They "ere also a less united community! sincethey "ere divided bet"een )indus andMuslims and along lines of language and caste.

• Ma*ority of Indians remained poor anduneducated in rural ghettos in the rubber+gro"ing areas.


6/26

The ,ribumi inhabitants of (ara"a& - (abah.

• (ara"a& population!approximately /0consists of 1umiputras

• In (abah! the maingroups are the $ada2an+3usun! Murut and1a*au ethnicities.


7/26

IMPACTS ON ETHNIC RELATIONS

• 3ifferent 4eligions and Cultures

• 3ivide and 4ule ,olicy

• (eparate (ystems of 5ducation

• 3ifferent 5conomic 4oles and Activities.

• 5thnic Associations

• Communal #e"spapers


8/26

Divide and Rule Policy

• They "ere mixed but not united

• They lived side by side yet divided in the samepolitical system

• 5ach held steadfastly to their o"n culture!religion and language

• There "ere clear divisions of *obs based on their

racial bac&ground.


9/26

Questions for revie

6. 3iscuss racial unity as an importantconstant in determining political!economic and social stability.

7. In your opinion! "hat are the main factorsthat have strained ethnic relations inMalaysia? Is it due to economic! political

or social factors?


10/26

What is 8nity?

8nification inphysical! social!economics and

political.

A process offorming anational identity


11/26

Concept of integration.

(egregation

Acculturation

Assimilation

Accommodation

Amalgamation


12/26

(egregation

• The relation that has the characteristic of a split amongthe ethnic groups in a country.

• Occurs "hether consciously by la" or not base on la".


13/26

Acculturation

• Also &no"n as cultural assi!ilation "hen peoplefrom a minority group accept the norms! values andpatterns of behavior 9culture: of the ma*ority group.


14/26

Assimilation

• The concept of assimilation is about the entry into adominant society through friendship and closeconnection.


15/26

Accommodation

• A process "here the ethnic groups are a"are of eachother norms and values but they continue to safeguardtheir o"n living culture.


16/26

Amalgamation

• Is a process that happens "hen culture or race mixes toform types of ne" culture and race through marriage.


17/26

O"stacles to National Inte#ration

• ,re*udice

•

Communalism• 5thnocentrism


18/26

Pre$udice

• The attitude to"ards other groups on co!!on#enerali%ations! on evidence that is notconcrete.

• Ta&es form of ;bad expectations


19/26

Co!!unalis!

• The attitude of favoring one%s ethnic community.

• (ho"s favoritism "ithin the group.

• Is a modern term that describes a broad range of socialmovements and social theories! "hich are in some "aycentered upon the community.

• Communalism can ta&e the form of communal living orcommunal property! among others. 5g= )ippiemovement! 1lac& Metal! ,un&


20/26


21/26

Et&nocentris!

• The belief that one%s o"n culture is superior compared toothers 9a.&.a. Racism:

• Any cultural elements or manifestation of anotherculture that is different is considered "rong! bad or evendangerous.

• Will lead to racial riots eg= #ative America! slaverysystems etc


22/26

>actors lead to 4acial 4iots 6@

• The excitement of celebrating the success of the election "as not immediately contained until it reached beyondthe limits of democracy

• The imbalances in the distribution of benefits from

economic development

• ,ast animosities se"ed the seed of pre*udice

• 5xploitation of sensitive situations by irresponsiblepeople


23/26

'essons learned .

• The value of democracy

• ,hysical and social distance

• ,ost+"orld "ar animosity

•

5xperiences during colonial administration• ,overty amidst plenty


24/26

Ruunegara

Sensitive issues NOT to be

discussed in public.

The constitutional position of theMalay 4ulers.

The special rights of the Malaysand other indigenous.

The status of the Malay as theofficial language.


25/26

C)A''5#B5( TO #ATIO# 18I'3I#B

• (egregation of living areas of settlements

• 3ifferent focus of economic sectors

• (egregation in education system

• 3iffering political ideologies and influences

• 8se of ethnic based ne"spapers


26/26

)OW TO O54COM5 T)5 C)A''5#B5( O>#ATIO# 18I'3I#B?

• 5ncouraging people to move from one area toanother

• (tandardi2ation of the education system

• 4ole of the mass media• More comprehensive economic integration

malaysian studies chapter 4

Documents