Week 3 Ethnic Relations

8/3/2019 Week 3 Ethnic Relations

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ETHNIC RELATIONS



Introduction Concepts of Unity and Integration

Concept of Plural Society

Ethnic Relations in Malaysia Theory of Racial Relations

History of Ethnic Relations

Forms of Ethnic Relations

National Integration Problems Obstacles to National Integration

Causes and Reinforcing Obstacles to Integration

The strive towards Unity and National Integration Political Efforts

Economic Effort

Social and Cultural Effort

The Basis of Racial Unity in M¶sia Sharing of Political Power

Democratic Govt

Sound Economic Growth

Cultural Compromise

Method to Achieve National Integration



Concepts of Unity and Integration

Unity generally to the uniting of various groups that have

different social and cultural backgrounds, into one

physical entity

Union that is external in form Done through regulations

Integration is a process of uniting groups with different

backgrounds into one entity bound by common norms,

values and interests

A sense of belonging, a process that takes place as a result of inner ties, that is, ties of feelings between people themselves

A sharing of heart and mind that goes beyond cultural and ethnic

difference



Furnival¶s Concept of Plural Society

Different culturally, politically and economically

Furnival quote (pg. 163)

³«they mix, but they are not integrated«´



Ethnic Relations in M¶sia

Degrees of µnearness¶

Segregation (Low integration)

Accommodation

Acculturation

Assimilation

Amalgamation (High integration)



Segregation



Accommodation



Acculturation



Assimilation



Amalgamation



History of Ethnic Relations

Five stages of change

1. Co-existence

2. Frequent External Contact

3. Compromise

4. Unity

5. Integration



Two possibilities

1. Plurality should be protected

Unity in a plural society

³Malaysian Malaysia´

2. Assimilate or die. Same language, values and way of life, education

Intermarriage

³If ethnic consciousness is strong, then national

consciousness will be weak.´



Forms of Ethnic Relations

Conflict

May 13, 1969

World War 2

Competition In education (student quotas), employment

Cooperation

Political arena (BN, PKR)

Struggle for Independence

Fight against Communists

µGanyang Malaysia¶



National Integration Problems

1. Prejudice

Based on generalizations, evidence that is not concrete

³Bad Expectations´ of other races

2. Communalism Favouring one¶s own ethnic community

Tension in relationships w other ethnic groups

3. Ethnocentrism

One¶s own belief that one¶s own culture is superior

Eg. Hitler Clip



All these ³feelings inside´ add up to: DISCRIMINATION.



Causes of Discrimination

Ignorance of other ethnic groups

Process of socialization limited to within ethnic groups

Communal Politics

Socio-economic difference Cultural Difference

Segregation Or Physical Separation



Striving Towards Unity and Integration

Political Efforts

Special Rights

Assistance

Sedition Act aimed at ³preventing an individual from raising

sensitive issues in public´

Position of Malay as the official language

Position of the Malay rulers

Status of Islam as the official relgiion

Special rights of the Bumiputra

Citizen rights of the non-Bumiputras




Economic Efforts

Govt. ³Five Year Plans´

Aim: Economic Equity among the races and reduce ³identification of

race by economic activity´

Creating Malay entrepreneurs to help them control at least 30% of thecountry¶s economy (+ quotas, contracts, loans, employment options,

etc)

Development agencies (ie. Land Development): FELDA, FELCRA,

RISDA.

Aim: Uplift the community¶s social and economic standing




Social and Cultural Efforts

Education curriculum

1971, µNational Culture¶ introduced- founded upon the Malay

culture with incorporation of elements from other cultures

Use of Malay language as the official language and also the national

system of education

KEMAS, Rukun Tetangga set up. A National Unity Dept was set up

by the Minsitry of N¶tional Unity and Social Development



Historical Foundations for Unity

Sharing of political power

A Democratic Government

Free, but cannot question certain issues

Sound economic growth« Transformation in 1 generation (agricultural to industry based

economy)

Free-market economy

Cultural compromise

Other languages used widely

Accommodating attitude among some Malay leaders



Underlying principles for integration

1. Unity of one¶s own race

2. Reducing of economic difference btwn races

3. Allowing all ethnic groups to develop as much as

possible4. Principle of compromise



Categories of Integration

1. Self-development

2. Physical and Social Development



1. Self Development

Stimulating right THINKING

Socialisation and re-socialization (mix everyone up)

Reducing group identification (becoming more open to other races)

Reducing group demands (groups make claims that can cause

tension. Reduce these claims.)

Creating cohesive relations (housing and business policies to

encourage mixing)



2. Physical and Socio-economic

Development Strategies Stress on social structural changes thru physical and socio-economic development (produce an external unity thatgradually grows into more sustaining integration) Updating and increasing socio-economic strategies

NEP (encompassing agriculture, education, industry, enterprise, housing) Changing concepts of a divisive nature

Concepts such as West Malaysia and East Malaysia/ Bumiputra and non-Bumiputra. Now ³Peninsula M¶sia, Sabah & Sarawak´ used

Inter-regional transfer of officers

Administrative expertise distributed fairly

Exposure to other communities Visits to other communities, usage of media

Enhancing role of social institutions

Encouraging activities like µGotong Royong¶ that increase physical proximityof races



The Methods on Physical Proximity

For item Physical Proximity use the following:

Formal education (curriculum that talk abt ethnice groups)

Co-curriculum activities (help to foster interaction)

Continuous education (diff aspects and values are given

importance)

Social groups (Socio-political groups, involve all ethnic groups)

Social activities (games, sports, art, business activities)

Tourism within the country (efforts to improve quality of tourist

destinations)

Mass Media (bring together ethnic groups. Newspapers do

coverage and lessen µracial¶ and µsensitive¶ issues)



Methods on Socio-economic Dev

Improving educational infrastructure

Create Bumiputra entrepreneurs and professionals

Development in the small enterprise sector

Development of rural infrastructure Development of the rural folk



Create a NATIONAL IDEOLOGY

Rukun Negara

³National Ideology´

Vision 2020

Generasi Gemilang, Terbilang, Terhilang 1Malaysia

Week 3 Ethnic Relations

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