INTRODUCTION TO MALAYSIAN

SOCIETY

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.

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

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

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

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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

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The Theory of Racial Relations

The process
of Integration

High integration

Low integration

Segregation

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Accommodation

Acculturation

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Assimilation

Amalgamation

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

Acculturation

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Assimilation

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Amalgamation

Obstacles To National Integration

Communalism
Prejudice
Ethnocentrism

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Ignorance of other ethnic groups

This means limited or lack of
understanding of the way of life, the living
conditions and the problems of the other
races.

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Causes and Reinforcing Obstacles

to Integration

Ignorance of other ethnic groups

Ignorance about other races is usually
because of the physical separation such
as territories and urban-rural separation
that limit social contacts.

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Process of socialization limited to

within ethnic groups
The process of socialization among
members of one ethnic group is not
conducive to a wide exposure to other
cultural elements.
Different races have different ways of
bringing up children especial at home.

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Communal Politics
The ruling party in the country displays
integration of various political parties
within it, generally racial politics remains
an important feature of politics in the
country.

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Communal Politics
Opposition parties, for example, continue
to voice, loud and clear, the feelings and
demands of only a certain community.
This easily brings up reinforces racial
feelings.

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Communal Politics
In this context, formation of Barisan
Nasional is most meaningful and practical
because it joins together various political
parties

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Socio-economic difference
Socio-economic differences among the
many ethnic groups in the country, linked
for a long time to the history of colonialism
And today to structural factors, indeed
constitute an important cause of
dissatisfaction among some of the people.

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Socio-economic difference
They feel deprived of the chance to share
in enjoying the nations wealth.
Programmes implemented to reduce the
socio-economic gap too, fail to make
certain groups happy.
They become jealous, suspicious,
frightened and feel neglected.

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Cultural differences
Cultural differences of course easily spark
off feelings of prejudice, racism, and
ethnocentrism, all of which pose threat to
national integration.

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Cultural differences
Different culture mean different style,
different pattern of life and different
problems ultimately giving rise to conflict.
This differences are frequently revealed in
all kinds of social and cultural activities.

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Segregation or Physical separation

Physical segregation indeed gives rise to
difficulty in physical contact and results in
an ethnic group not knowing another
ethnic group, especially on that lives in a
different area.

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Segregation or Physical separation

For instance, the tribal communities in
Sabah and Sarawak; the opportunity for
then to interact with one another is limited,
what more to come into contact with
people who live in Peninsula Malaysia.

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Segregation or Physical separation

Physical separation such as this makes it
easier for prejudice, self interest and
ethnocentricity to thrive.

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The Strives Towards Unity and

National Integration

National Integration Strategies in

Malaysia

Unity of the people can exist if there is

already unity within each ethnic group
1. Therefore efforts to unite the members of
an ethnic group need to be carried out
before trying to create national unity
(among the ethnic groups).

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2. National unity can be achieved when

economic differences among ethnic
groups are reduced and subsequently
eliminated.
3. The implementation of all policies,
economic, social, cultural and so on,
should not stop certain ethnic groups from
carrying out any rightful activity in the
areas concerned.
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National Integration Strategies

in Malaysia
4. To make sure that policies made and
implemented should be based on
principles of compromise among the
leaders of the ethnic groups.

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Method to Achieve National

Integration
Methods For Socio-psychological
Development

Formal Education
Socialization process at school and
tertiary level, the curriculum is complete
with elements that furnish in-depth
knowledge of the ethnic groups to
inculcate the spirit of unity

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Methods For Sociopsychological Development

Co-curriculum activities
Continuous education
Social groups
Social activities
Tourism within the country
Mass media

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Methods for Socio-economic

Development

Improving educational infrastructure

Create bumiputra entrepreneurs and
professionals
Development of rural infrastructure
Development of rural folks
Development in the small enterprise
sector

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