ETHNIC RELATION:

TOWARDS THE INTEGRATED

SOCIETY

MALAYSIAN PLURAL SOCIETY: A

BRIEF OUTLOOK
2007 STATISTIC

Population
: 27.17 million
Malays
: 13.77 million
Other Bumiputeras
: 2.9 million
Chinese
: 6.3 million
Indian
: 1.88 million
Others
: 326,000 thousands
Non citizen/foreign workers : 1.91 million

Plural society of many ethnic groups

Peninsular: largest groups: Malay, Chinese, Indian
Sabah/Sarawak: bigger ethnic groups such as
Kadazan,Bajau, Bidayuh, Iban, Kenyah, Murut
Ethnic group further broken into sub-ethnic groups
Malays: Banjar,Bugis, Jawa, Boyan etc.
Chinese: Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Hailam
Indian: Tamil, Malayali, Telegu, Sikh,Punjabi
Orang Asli:Negrito, Senoi, indigenous Malay (in
each of these tribes are six sub-groups)
Diversity in belief system, physical appearances,
custom, culture, place of settlement, economic
activities etc.

 Ethnic composition of the countrys

population: heterogeneity but live in

peaceful atmosphere
Diversity is not an excuse for conflict
rather its a strength
Give and take among the races that
ensure the countrys unity

DEFINITION OF CONCEPT
NATIONAL UNITY
1) A process of uniting the members of a

society and the country as a whole through

national ideologies so that the members of
the society can build up an identity, common
values and sense of belonging
2) Uniting of various groups that have different
social and cultural backgrounds to live
peacefully as one united nation with full
commitment to national identity based on
The Constitution of Malaysia and The
National Ideology

 NATIONAL INTEGRATION
1) A process of uniting groups with different

backgrounds into one entity bound by

common norms, values, interests
2) A dynamic process in bringing together
people from all Malaysian states as a
Malaysian nation with its own identity based
on The Constitution of Malaysia and The
National Ideology

ETHNIC RELATION: ISSUES AND

CHALLENGES
1)The settlement segregation/physical separation:
lives in different area/job, difficulty in physical contacts
Differ in religion,education, social
clubs,newspaper,political influence
2) Socio-economic difference/gap based on divide
and rule policy
The Malays on premier sector, Chinese into modern
economic sector
inequality in economic income led to dissatisfaction,
enmity and conflicts
felt suspicious, neglected, deprived of the chance to
share the nations wealth

3) Variation in Educational System

no national schools, only Malays, Chinese,
Indian, English vernacular schools
Different educational philosophy and objective,
syllabus, textbooks, teachers and curriculum
etc. Malay schools: basic knowledge such as
reading, writing, calculating,gardening,carpentry
(no fund from the British)
Chinese schools: education system imported from

the China mainland, knowledge about their country

only

TOWARDS INTEGRATED SOCIETY:

ROLE OF ORGANISATIONS
GOVERNMENT
Many policies, plans, campaigns towards
national integration
For example, National Development Plan and
Vision, Malaysias Main Policies such as
National Integration Policy, National Cultural
Policy, National Unity Policy, National
Agricultural Policy

 Upholding laws and constitution to check

against negative influences that may threaten

unity and peace in the country and to
safeguard public interest such as Article 149Internal Security Act, Sedition Act, The
Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984
Set up Ministry of Arts, Culture, Heritage &
National Unity, National Unity and Integrity
Department

 Agencies in federal and state levels,

such as Tadika KEMAS (Kindergarten)

Resident Association/neighbourhood
watch (Rukun Tetangga) in which the
residents can strengthen the spirit of
neighborliness and indirectly ensure
safety and security within each
community or housing area. Besides
community development and welfare,
Rukun Tetangga also covered
cleanliness and health.

OTHER STEPS TAKEN..

Sharing of power and compromise among

different ethnic groups

Democratic process in accommodating
ethnicity, with effective regulations and control
of harmful elements
Economic growth through equitable
redistribution and taking into account the
aspirations of the different races

EDUCATION
Vision schools : primary schools with the concept of

children learning together within an area without

regard for race or religion to foster solidarity,
integration and respect among the students by
sharing of school facilities and implementation of
other activities in school.
Under this concept, two or three primary schools of
different streams are placed in the same area. Each
school will have its own building which can be joined
to the other schools by a link-way.

VISION SCHOOL
Primary School with different discipline in the

same area
Strategy to create really integrated society.
Comprise of number of primary schools.
The concept is learning together in same
location regardless of ethnic and religion
different.
Encouraging maximum interaction between
all members through facilities sharing and
conducting activity together.

ROLE OF PEOPLE/ CITIZEN

Foster further understanding and close ties

etc. participating in festive get-togethers

among the communities
Readiness to accept cultural and religious
diversity as a source of strength
Commitment to adjust ones own attitude to
that of the other races
Ready to give and take (compromise) for the
common good

 Strong patriotism spirits among the people

Support the governments plans, programs,

campaigns towards building a strong

integrated Malaysian nation
Etc: open house festivals, waving flag
campaign (mostly during independence
months celebration, i.e August and
September)patriotism film festival,NEP

MASS MEDIA
A means for bringing different ethnic groups

and territories in the country, physically and

spiritually into closer contact with one another
Etc: newspaper do coverage wherever
appropriate, with no racial or territorial priority
Agent to foster ties between the government
and people, or among ethnic groups
Promoting unity, integration and avoiding
sensitive issues through publications, news
coverage, films, documentaries,
advertisements, unity campaigns