The Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

Concepts of Unity and Integration

National Unity refers to the uniting of various groups that have different social and cultural backgrounds, into one physical entity.

National Unity

The unity that exists in the country is founded upon power sharing, a democratic government, sound economy distribution and cultural tolerance.

Example

Uniting Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula into one country or federation, for example, is the effort at achieving national unity.

Integration

The concept of integration is wider than that. It is a process of uniting groups with different backgrounds into one entity bound by common norms, values and interests.

Integration

Therefore, National integration is more an abstract process, a coming or binding together that is genuine and timeconsuming.

Concept of Plural Society

According J.S Furnival, the plural society is characterized by ethnic groups who live under one political unit ( a country) but are not integrated.

Concept of Plural Society

Every group has its own language, culture, religion, values, thinking and way of life.

Social Characteristics of Plural Society

Diversity of Culture The physical separation Identification of ethnic by employment Lack of social contact The existence of a dominant group politically
J.S Furnival 1948

The Theory of Racial Relations

The process of Integration

Low integration

High integration

Segregation

Accommodation

Acculturation

Assimilation

Amalgamation

Segregation

This is a relation that has the characteristics of a split among the ethnic groups in a country. Splits occurs in residence, school system, transportation For example: The Apartheid Policy that was practiced before in South Africa

Accommodation

This is a process where the ethnic groups are aware of each others norms and values but they continue to safeguard their own living culture. However, they live in harmony and respect one and another.

Accommodation

For example: Ethnic group of Germans, French and Italians living in Switzerland who accommodate one another and live in peaceful co-existence

Acculturation (Cultural Assimilation)

This is a process when people from a minority group accept the norms, values and patterns of behavior (culture) of the majority group without changing their original cultural elements.

Assimilation (Structural Assimilation)

This concept of assimilation is about the entry into a dominant society through friendship and close connection.

Assimilation (Structural Assimilation)

The degree of assimilation of the minority groups varies, that is, based on physical differences (like the colour of the skin and the degree to which the cultural features differ from that of the dominant group).

Amalgamation

This is a process that happens when culture or races mixes to from a type of new culture and races. For example: Inter-marriage between ethnic groups or races.

In Conclude

All of the five process above portray how minority groups become part of the main stream of society. The presence of accommodation in a society reflects that a society is in a situation of merging together.

In Conclude

However a situation of real integration can only be achieved starting with acculturation, assimilation and finally amalgamation.

Integration

Acculturation

Assimilation

Amalgamation

Question
1.The question now is at which stage of the process is the Malaysian society. 2. Is the Malaysian society still at the accommodation stage or at a higher state than that.