Malaysian Studies 2

1. Lesson 4
3. Unity and Society
3.1 Ethnic composition of the population
3.2 Unity and National integration
Malaysian Studies 2
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2. Ethnic Composition
Of
The Population
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3. Introduction
• Malaysia is inhabited by a population of many races and
variety.
• Early inhabitants of this country were the Malays.
• Those early inhabitants are referred as Bumiputeras ( sons of
the soil )
• Then, the Chinese and Indians arrived and referred as non-
Bumiputeras.
• It is this diversity of people that forms the pattern of the
country today.
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4. Ethnic Composition of Malaya’s Population
( 1848 – 1957 )
• Historically, the Chinese and Indian immigrants came in large
number after 1948.
• The Chinese at that time, comprised merchants who settled
in Malacca, Kuala Terengganu and at the estuary of Johor and
Pahang rivers.
• Majority of the Indians consisted of labourers in sugar cane
and coffee plantations in Pahang Island and Province Wellsley.
• In the mid-19th century, British has brought in many more
immigrants to work in the various growing economic sector.
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5. Population in Malaya by race, 1891-
1931 (‘000)
Race 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931
Malay 231.5 312.4 420.8 510.8 593.7
Chinese 163.4 299.7 433.2 494.5 711.5
Indian 20.1 58.2 173.7 305.2 380.0
Others 3.5 8.3 8.3 14.3 27.9
Total 418.5 678.6 1,037.0 1,324.8 1,713.1
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6. Main Inhabitants of Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia Sabah Sarawak
Malay Chinese Indian Indigenous
• Banjar
• Boyan
• Bugis
• Jawa
• Kampar
• Kerinci
• Mendaling
•
Minangkabau
• Rawa
• Johor-Riau
HOKKIEN
• Chuan-Chew
•Chin-Chew
•Eng-Hua
•Eng-Choon
•Hok-Chew
KWANGTUNG
•Kanton
•Teochew
•Hakka
•Hailam
•
Malayali
• Punjabi
•
Ceylonese
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Negrito
• Senoi
• Melayu Asli
(each of the
stocks
consists of a
tribal
community)
• Bajau
• Dusun
• Murut
• Bisaya
• Kadayun
•Orang
Sungai
• Orang laut
• Brunei
• Bidayuh
• Bisaya
• Iban
• Kayan
• Kedayan
• Kelabit
• Kenyah
• Melanau
• Malays
• Murut
• Penan
• Punan
Composition of the Malaysian Communities and Tribal Communities
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7. The Malays
• Most of the Malay people in Peninsular Malaya were originated from the
Indonesia Archipelago.
• Only after the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty – the area was divided into
Indonesia and Malaysia.
• There were several factors that encouraged the migration of Indonesians
to Malaya. Among them are :
i. Poverty – increasing population & tax charges by Dutch
ii. Political stability and growing economy in Malaya- tin ore industry
and plantation agriculture, Malaya was peaceful
iii. Indonesian traits – concept of travelling, sailing & doing business
iv. Political instability in Indonesia – pressure from Dutch colonization
and the hatred towards them causes the migration
• The Javanese form the biggest group of Indonesians to migrate, followed
by Minangkabau, Banjar, Bugis and Boyan.
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8. Economy
• Lived in poverty
• Many of the Malays were involved in the agriculture and traditional
industries.
• Lived in rural areas thus had less physical, social and economic
amenities.
Politics
• Malays were strong with political powers but weak economically.
• Always have the most elected representation in Parliament.
• Malay organization
 UMNO ( United Malay National Organization ) formed by leaders educated in
English.
 PAS ( Malayan Islamic Party ) headed by Arabic-educated leaders PAS is the
opposition party to UMNO.
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9. The Chinese
• In the 18th century, there were Chinese merchants settlements in
Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.
• Early 19th century, many Chinese had arrived in the Straits
Settlements ( Singapore, Malacca and Penang Island )
• Most of them worked as businessmen and craftsmen.
• 1925-1962, Temonggong Ibrahim encouraged arrival of Chinese for
the opening of gambier and black pepper plantation.
• There were big numbers of Chinese in mid-nineteenth century as a
result of the opening of tin mines in Perak, Selangor & Ujong River.
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10. • Most of the Chinese in Malaya originated from
Fukien, Kwangtung and Kwangsi in South China.
• Most of them entered the country through
contract system arranged by agents and others
who migrated individually.
• Main Chinese clusters- Hokkien, Hakka, Teochew
and Hailam.
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11. Factors led the Chinese to migrate to Malaya.
i. Difficulties of living in China – hardship – rapid increase in population,
frequent natural disasters ( flood and drought ) , limited natural resources
ii. Political instability in the districts of South China – Local people were
against Manchu Dynasty, thus they were against the kingdom. Threatened
the lives of the people.
iii. Growth in tin and rubber industry – need for labour increased
iv. Political stability of Malaya - Malay states were stable under the British,
growth in economy industries, acquire a labour police, labourers from
China are encouraged to migrate to Malaya.
v. Migration facilities – facility of transportation systems ( steamships) and
immigration agents
vi. Chinese population characteristics – known as hardworking and like
travelling.
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12. Economy
• Involved in business - Merchants, businessmen, craftsmen.
• There were also professional architects and accountants.
• Some controlled transportation companies, construction & estate.
• Most of the Chinese business activities are small, family businesses.
Politics
• MCA ( Malayan Chinese Association )formed by those educated in
English to protect their interests and also self-government.
• When the Chinese, especially the poor became more political
conscious they voice their feelings to the Labour party, the People’s
Progressive Party and the People’s Action Party.
• MCA still remains as the main Chinese party in the country.
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13. The Indians
• In 1786, during the British occupations, Indian labourers migrated to the
Penang Island to work in sugar cane plantations and as domestic help,
construct buildings and roads.
• Originated from South India ( Tamil Nadu)
• Development in agriculture ( rubber and sugar cane ) brought in large
numbers of Indians into Malaya.
• They were brought in by agents through a 3 years contract system.
• After 1910, the contract system was replaced with Kangany system
• The kangany consist of supervisors of plantations labourers who brought
in workers from their village in India.
• These workers are not tied to contracts but they are required to pay back
the expenses of bringing them to Malaya.
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14. • 20th century - The Sikhs ( Indians from Punjab ) started to
migrate to Malaya.
• 1880s - The Indian immigrants consisted largely of Tamil,
Malayalis, Telugus and Sikhs work in coffee plantations.
• Different Indian communities include Sindhi, Banggali, Gujerati,
Parsis and Marwaris involved in business.
• People from Sri Lanka ( Ceylonese ) migrated in Malaya and
worked in hospitals as doctors and medical help.
• They lived in mining towns of Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh,
Singapore, Penang, Klang, Taiping and in the estate
areas.
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15. Factors that encouraged the migration of Indians into
Malaya.
i. Difficulties living in India – limited land for agriculture and work
opportunities, rapid increase in population, natural disasters,
farmers lost their land and were in debt, the educated ones
couldn’t get employment, low caste’s social mobility were restricted
and more inclined to migrate.
ii. Rapid economic development in Malaya – Commercial agriculture
development - rubber and palm oil, need for labourers increased.
iii. Encouragement from the British government – the British
encouraged the migration of Indians to work in plantations, the civil
service ( clerical and technical ) and construction ( buildings and
roads )
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16. Economy
• The Indians don’t invest in Malaya, they keep their wealth to bring
back to India.
• Later, many started businesses like restaurant business, hairdressing
and cloth stores.
• Low income, involved in low-skilled and unskilled occupations.
• Remained as labourers in plantations, trading, owner of grocery, book
and textile stores, medical and legal professions.
Politics
• MIC ( Malaysian Indian Congress )
• Indian political activity in Malaya were quite similar to the political
activity patterns in India.
• Citizens of India against the British colonialists greatly influenced the
political activities of the Indians in Malaya.
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17. Indigenous population of Sabah and
Sarawak
• The communities are varied according to the area they
live in, economy, society and culture.
SABAH
• There are 23 tribal communities, the largest tribes are
Kadazans, Bajau, Murut, Sulu and Brunei people.
SARAWAK
• The well-known tribes are Malay, Melanau, Iban,
Bidayuh, Penan and Kelabit.
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18. Aborigines
Definition
A person, animal, or plant that has been in a country or region
from earliest times.
• The aborigines in Malaysia can be divided into three racial
stocks, Senoi, Negrito and the Orang Asli.
• Amongst them 12 different language are spoken :
– E.g. Melayu Asli resembles the Malay language
– Senoi community speaks a variety of language such as
Temiar, Semai, Mahmeri, Che Wong, Jahut and Semaq Beri.
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19. Negrito Tribe
• Found largely in Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang
• A small body frame, dark-coloured skin, large nose, curly hair
• Main economic activities consist of cultivation and collecting
forest products
• They live near the edge of the jungle and along the bank rivers.
Senoi Community
• Found in Perak, Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu
• Taller than the Negritos, dark-coloured skin
• Shifting cultivation- main activity
• They live in the hills, away from the coast.
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20. Indigenous Malay
• Found in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Malacca
and Johor.
• Larger and taller than Negritos, dark coloured skin,
straight and black hair.
• Fishermen ( those who live near the seashore) , works
in farm (those who are in domestic areas)
• Live in Malay villages
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21. • Generally, the economy of majority of the aborigines is based on
subsistence and agriculture.
• They carried out, farming activities, growing paddy, millet, corn, tapioca,
banana, yam, sweet potato and various kind of vegetables, animal hunting,
fishing & collecting forest products.
• Now they are factory, plantation & construction worker.
• Economically, they are far behind all the other ethnics groups in Malaysia.
• Religion- practice original religion, animism
– Muslims around 1.0 %, Christians almost 5.0 %, Bahai and others, 1.0%
• Education – extremely low, lagging far behind
• The government still provides them with development facilities
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22. Unity
And
National Integration
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23. Introduction
• Malaysia is a country that is made up of various communities
or ethnic groups living in harmony.
• Malaysian ethnic diversity is a strength and it makes the
country colourful.
• National unity is important for national stability.
• Nation’s stability – Society’s prosperity – National integration.
• The country has placed great importance on national
integration particularly through the implementation of the
New Economic Policy.
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24. 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.
• Uniting Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula into one
country or federation – is an effort to achieve
national unity.
• National integration is a process of uniting groups
with different backgrounds into one entity bound
by common norms, values and interest.
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25. Concept Of Plural Society
Definition
The concept of plural society is defined by J.S.
Furnival as a society in which there are several
ethnic communities living in a country, but are
separated by economic, settlement, social and
cultural traits.
Every group has its own language, culture, religion,
values, thinking and way of life.
The basis of their contact is economic
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26. Ethnic Relations in Malaysia
The process of integration
Amalgamation
Segregation Accommodation
Acculturation Assimilation
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27. Segregation
• Has the characteristics of a split among the ethnic
groups in a country.
• The split occurs in various situations such as the
area of residence, the school system, transportation
and public facilities.
Accommodation
• Ethnic groups are aware of each other’s norms and
values – they still continue to safeguard their own
living culture.
• They live in harmony and respect one and another.
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28. Acculturation
• This process is known as cultural assimilation.
• A minority group accepts the norms, values and patterns of
behaviour ( culture ) of a majority group.
• Process of borrowing or accepting the cultural elements of the
majority group, without changing the original cultural elements.
Pluralism
• Allows every involved group to maintain their own cultures,
as well as that of forming unity.
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29. Assimilation
• Entry into a dominant society through friendship and close
connection.
• One-way process of unity which will generate one culture, one
language and one religion.
Amalgamation
• Process that happens when culture or race mixes to form types of
new culture and race.
• Happens through inter-marriage between ethnic groups or races.
• Involve biological combination (mixed marriages) this process will
produce a new group with a new culture. 29

30. • Ministry of National Unity and Community
Development – proves to be significant to help
materialize the objectives towards unity and
integration.
Objectives of the ministry
i. Encourage the unity of the community of various
races and promote national integrity.
ii. Provide assistance in terms of community welfare
services.
iii. Develop and integrate the native communities.
iv. Enhance the significance and involvement of women
in the development of the country.
v. Standardize the demographic programmes and
family development.
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31. • A few departments have been set up within the Ministry
 Malaysia Community Welfare Department, the National Unity
Department, the Aboriginal Affairs Department, the Women Affair’s
Department and the National Welfare Foundation.
• A few activities have been planned in favour of Vision 2020 for
producing an unified Malaysian race.
a. Publication – producing several publications such as Muhibah
magazine, Jiran (newspaper), Permata Hatiku (collection of short
stories of unifying teenagers), Warisan (short stories’ Anthology) and
others.
b. Unity Day – celebrated on 16th September
c. Waving of the Malaysian Flag campaign
d. Patriotic Songs’ Choir Competition
e. Short-Story Writing and Unity-related Photography Competition
f. Unity-related Colouring Competition
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32. • Malaysia has clearly become a multiracial county
especially after the arrival of British.
• British brought in Chinese, Indian, Punjab and
Indonesian labourers to work in certain economic
sectors.
• British had used the ‘divide and rule’ system.
Discussion
Where did the Malays, Chinese and Indians lived and
worked under the segregation of British?
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33. Malays
• Lived in the rural areas
• Working on agriculture, fishing and other village
sectors.
*only a small portion lived in town, they were working
in the administrative sector, especially clerks.
Chinese
• Most of them lived in town areas and mining area
• Worked as traders and miners
Indians
• Lived in estates- rubber & palm oil estates/
plantations
• Worked as labourers – rubber tappers
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34. 1. Segregation of Residential Areas / Accommodation
2. Racial segregation in the Economic Sector
3. The separation of the Education Systems
4. Differences in beliefs or religions
5. The use of vernacular newspapers.
6. The Japanese rule in Malaya
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35. 1. Motivating citizens to migrate from one place to
another.
i. Settling citizens in one particular area may propel
socialization and encourage more productive encounters.
ii. Government officers and their families are ordered to
migrate and serve in territories
iii. Traders in undeveloped areas move to a more developed
areas in expanding their economic activities.
iv. security forces – military and police force are brought to
certain territories from other territories.
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36. 2. Uniformity of education system
i. Segregation in the education system is abolished and
replaces with a more unified and comprehensive
educational system.
3. The role of the mass media
i. Malaysian Radio and Television (RTM) and newspapers
were used to expose various news, reports and
government policies reduced the information gap that
existed. It also played a significant role in ensuring that
there wouldn’t be an domination from foreign media.
4. Economic Integration
i. Development policies such as 5-Year Development
Programme, the New Economic Policy, the National
Development Policy and others to ensure economy that
existed since colonization would not remain after
independence.
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37. 5. Uniting the political principles
i. The mixed government system was one way to
combine the different principles between races - the
Alliance Party was a result of UMNO, MCA and MIC
merger.
What does UMNO,MCA,MIC represent?
6. Other social aspects
i. The measures to instill unity had been achieved to a
certain extent, with the introduction and assimilations
of social policies such as Rukun Negara ( Pillars of
Principles), National Youth Policy, National Cultural
Policy and others.
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38. 1. The Rukun Negara ( Pillars of Principles) are a national ideology
created after the racial riot on 13th May 1969.
2. There are a few objective of the Rukun Negara.
i. Achieve a strong sense of unity amongst the community.
ii. Preserve the democratic way of life.
iii. Form a fair community so that prosperity is enjoyed together
equally and fairly.
iv. Form a liberal community especially towards respective
cultures.
v. Build a progressive community equipped with science and
technology.
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