The Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

1. The Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

9. Concept of Plural Society • Every group has its own language, culture, religion, values, thinking and way of life.

10. 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

11. The Theory of Racial Relations High integration Low integration

12. 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

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

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

16. 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.

18. Assimilation (Structural Assimilation) • This concept of assimilation is about the entry into a dominant society through friendship and close connection.

19. 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).

20. 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.

23. 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.

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

26. 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.