National Integration Problems

1. National Integration Problems Obstacles To National Integration

2. Prejudice • Prejudice is a pre-judgment action. • To cause (someone) to judge prematurely and irrationally. • The problem with this country is, it usually takes the form of ‘bad impression’ of other races.

3. Communalism • This is the attitude of favoring one’s ethnic community. • In Malaysia, this phenomena is quite obvious in the economic, political, social and cultural whereby an ethnic group shows favoritism towards those from within the group.

4. Communalism • Such communal behaviour can easily lead to tension in relationship and social gaps between individuals or groups of different ethnic origin.

5. Ethnocentrism • This refers to the belief that one’s culture is superior to that of others. • Because this belief, any cultural element or manifestation of another culture that is different I considered wrong, bad or even dangerous.

6. In Conclusion • Prejudice, communalism and ethnocentrism are ‘feelings inside’ that can give rise to actions of partiality or injustice towards other groups. • Such behaviour is described as discrimination.

7. Causes and Reinforcing Obstacles to Integration

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

14. 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.

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

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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

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