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Strengthening Ethnic Relationship

1.0. INTRODUCTION

Malaysia is a multicultural society, with Malays, Chinese and Indians living side by side. The Malays are the largest community, numbering 60% of the population, follows Muslim religion, speak Malay (Bahasa Melayu) and are largely responsible for the political fortunes of the country. The Chinese comprise of about a quarter of the population, are mostly Buddhists, Taoists or Christian and speak Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka and Teochew dialects and have been historically dominant in the business community. The Indians account for about 10% of the population, are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India, speaking Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi dialects and live in the larger towns on the west coast of the peninsula. There is also a sizeable Sikh community. Eurasians Kampucheans, Vietnamese and indigenous tribes make up the remaining population. Malay is the official language of the country but English is widely spoken.

Although Malaysia¡¦s ethnic mix is generally harmonious, the various communities remain largely separated and things have not always been so peaceful. Chinese and Malays fought each other during the Japanese occupation and in 1969 hundreds of Chinese were killed in riots. This violence grew out of Malays discontent about Chinese dominance in business. The government¡¦s solution was the new Economic Policy which emphasized the unity of all people.

Malaysia has adopted many Chinese customs. The entire country celebrates Chinese New Year when streets are lined with banners and lion dancers weave through excited crowds.

Indians were among the first traders to arrive on Peninsular Malaysia, their numbers growing in the 1800s. Unlike Malays and Chinese, Indians are clustered in a handful of areas, notably Penang, Perak and Selangor but Hindu Tamils are from southern India. Their culture with it¡¦s exquisite Hindu...