Topic 1 Introduction to the Malaysian society (2009) 1.

SOCIETY Definitions: - The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community - A particular community of people living in a country or region, and having shared customs, laws, and organizations. (http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/society) - A group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, an a common culture. - Biology: A colony or community of organisms, usually of the same species an insect society (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/society) Plural society Malaysia is made up of ethnic groups who are different not just culturally but also economically, from the point of view of settlement, politically and socially. According to 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. For example, the diversity of culture, the physical separation, identification, identification of ethnic groups by employment, lack of social contact, and the existence of a dominant group politically. (Nazaruddin, et. al., 2003) Indigenous Population of Sabah and Sarawak Background of the Population of Sabah Communit y Kadazan Bajau Murut Sulu Brunei Background - The largest community, also known as the Dusun people - Originally from Kalimantan and most of them live in the hinterland - Concentrated in the areas of the Ranau and Tambunan Valley - Originally from Mindanao and Sulu Island - Concentrated in Semporna, Kota Belud and Timbang Island - Mostly in the interior such as Tenom, Rundu and Pensiangan - Some still live in long houses and are nomads - Originally from the Sulu Archipelago and now concentrated in Sungai Sugut - Muslims - Originally from Brunei and now settled in Beaufort, Kimanis and Papar - Mislims Background of the Population of Sarawak Communit y Malay Background - Originally from Sumatra

Melanau Iban (Sea Dayak) Bidayuh (Land Dayak) Penan Kelabit

- Live mostly along the coastal areas - Muslims - Live mostly along the Igan, Oya and Mukah rivers - Muslims - Assimilated with the Malays and practice the Malay culture - Originally from Kalimantan (River Kapuas) - The largest community - Live in inland areas such as along the Sungai Sekrang, Sungai Batang Lupar and Sungai Rejang - Originated from West Kalimantan - Live in the hill country of Bau and Serian - Peace-loving and easy going but once with headhunting past - Most of them live as nomads in the woods - Live mainly in the areas of rivers Baram and Rejang - The most famous of their villages is Bario - Some of them still live in long houses

Aborigines - Into three racial stocks: Senoi, Negrito and the Orang Asli - Senoi: Found largely Kedah, Perak, Kelantan and Pahang - Negrito: Mainly in Perak, Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang and Trengganu - The Orang Asli: Mainly in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Malacca and Johor - Economy is based on subsistence and agriculture, e.g. farming activities, animal hunting and fishing, collecting of forest products. - Religions: 85 % animism, 10% Islam, 5% Christianity Factors (Push-and-Pull) for migration of foreigners into Malaya (Nazaruddin, 2003) Indonesians (Javanese, Banjar, Bugis, Minangkabau, Boyanese) - Poverty - Political stability and growing economy in Malaya - Indonesian traits - Political instability in Indonesia Chinese - Difficulties of living in China - Political instability in the districts of South China - Growth of the tin and rubber industry - Political stability of Malays - Migration facilities - Chinese population characteristics Indians - Difficulties living in India - Rapid economic development in Malaya

Encouragement from the British government

Impact on the country (Traditional aspects) 1. Economy i) Malays o Mainly involved in the agricultural and traditional industries sectors o Low productivity and low income o Rural community ii) Chinese o Mainly involved in business as merchants, businessmen and craftsmen o Majority could not acquire land for agriculture o Business based on sub-ethnic groups o Urban community Indians o Many started businesses like restaurant, hairdressing and cloth stores o Involved in low-skilled or unskilled occupations o Many remained in the plantation as labourers o Some involved in trading, grocery, medical and legal professions

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2. Politics i) Malays o Strong politically o Strong representation in Parliament o The dominant prime movers in politics since 1946 o UMNO, United Malay National Organization: Led by English-educated leaders o PAS, Pan Malayan/Malaysian Islamic Party, headed by Arabic-educated leaders ii) Chinese o Not allowed to involved in politics during the Japanese occupation o Formed the MCA, Malayan/Malaysian Chinese Association to protect their interests and for self-government after World War Two: Leaders mostly English-educated o Politically divided: MCA, Labour Party, Peoples Progressive Party, Democratic Action Party, DAP, etc o MCA remains the main Chinese party Indians o MIC, Malayan/Malaysian Indian Congress, is the main Indian political party o Name after the Congress Party of India

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o Indians remain loyal to MIC in each and every general elections since independence 3. Sociocultural i) Malays o Majority live in villages o Characterised by strong social ties and strict social control o Adaptation to the values and norms of the community o High regard for consensus o Family is considered an important institution for social security o All Malays are Muslims but not all Muslims are Malays o Humble and dont impose their values on others o Festivals: Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Aidiladha, Awal Muharam, etc. ii) Chinese o Comprised various dialectal communities o Culture greatly influenced by Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism o Acceptance of Mandarin as the official language of the community o Most Chinese in Malaysia are Buddhists o Festivals celebrated taken roots in the history and culture of the society o Festivals: The Chinese New Year, the Moon Cake Festival, etc Indians o Not a homogeneous group: differentiated in terms of origin, language/dialects, caste and religions o Religions ranging from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity and Islam o 90% of Indians are Hindus and speak Tamil o Festivals: Thaipusam, Deepavali, the punggal or New Year Festival, etc

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2. CULTURE Definitions: - Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. (Edward Taylor, 1871) - What really binds men together is their culture the ideas and the standards they have in common. (Ruth Benedict, 1934) - Learned set of shared perceptions about beliefs, values and norms which impact the behaviours of a relatively large group of people. (Lustig & Koester, 1996) - Culture refers to the complex group of symbols created by society to shape behaviour that is passed on from one generation to the next. (http://mccoy.lib.siu.edu/bruner/culture/tsld002.htm) - The learned patterns of behaviour and thought that help a group adapt to its surroundings. (http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/anth370/gloss.html)

A total way of life held in common by a group of people, including such learned features as speech, ideology, behaviour, livelihood, technology, and government. (http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/sanders/GRG305/glossary.htm)

Characteristics of Culture - Each culture has its own history, ideology, traditions, values, lifestyles and languages that determine how individuals interact with one another. - Culture provides individuals with both implicit and explicit guidelines on how to view the world and behave in relation to others and the environment. - Beliefs make up the truths of a culture. - Truth for one culture may be radically different from truths of another culture. - Cultures differ on beliefs regarding family dynamics, gender roles, sexual behaviour, diet, personal hygiene, body alterations, dress, drug use, leisure, medicine, etc (http://unr.edu/homepage/dballard/sld009.htm) - Culture is learned. - Culture is inculcated. - Culture is a social phenomenon. - Culture is gratifying. - Culture is adaptive. (http://mccoy.lib.siu.edu/bruner/culture/tsld003.htm) Definitions Cultural convergence: The tendency for cultures to become more alike as they increasingly use technology and organizational structures in the modern world united by improved transportation and communication. Cultural divergence: The likelihood or tendency for cultures to become increasingly dissimilar with the passage of time. Cultural relativism: Understanding the ways of other cultures and not judging these practices according to ones own cultural ways. Cultural assimilation: The process of integration into a common cultural life through acquisition of the sentiments, attitudes, and experiences of other groups. (http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/sanders/GRG305/glossary.htm) Tradition values and culture The Malays - Easy-going, warm and accommodating - Respect and obedience towards parents and elders, neighbourliness, and community self-help or gotong-royong - Strong belief in Islam: Rukun Islam - Social norms: good manners, family ties, tolerance and goodwill - Adat Temmenggung patrilineal, Adat Perpatih Matrilineal

Adat Resam, Adat Istiadat Diraja Holidays: Mass exodus called Balik Kampung or Return to the Kampung, Rumah Terbuka Do not eat pork and only eat Halal food Tradition garments: Baju Melayu, Sarung, Songkok, Batik, Baju Kebaya, Tudung Joget, Gasing, Wau, Congkak, Silat, Sepak Takraw, Bird Singing Contest for merbuk and tekukur, etc

The Chinese - Baba and Nyonya community - Based on family ties, the community and entrepreneurship - Adopted a prosper thy neighbour approach - Urban lifestyle, ambitious and dynamic - Dress: Western styles of dressing, samfoo a jacket and trousers combination, Cheongsam - Reunion dinner, Ang Pow, Chap Goh Mei, Ching Ming, Hungry Ghosts Festival - Social norms: Respect for elders, exchanging of pleasantries, Moon Yuet ceremony - Lion and dragon dances, Chingay flag parade, Dragon Boat Festival eating of chung, lantern parade, (Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival), Tai-chi, etc The Indians - Strong family ties and community awareness - Filial piety, religious - Industrious and entrepreneurial - Deepavali, Thaipusam, Thai Ponggal - Dress: Western clothes, Dhotis short version of sarung in white, vestis or kurtas thin white cotton shirt, saree/sari, coli short, tight blouse) - Food: Hot and spicy, capati, no beef for Hindus - Strong cultural acceptance and adaptability 3. ETHNIC RELATIONS IN MALAYSIA History of Ethnic Relations a) Stage of co-existence: in the era of the British colonists b) Stage of frequent external contact: during the British rule up to the time of independence c) Stage of compromise: at the time of the early independence era until now d) Stage of unity: at the present stage e) Stage of integration: an ongoing process The Theory of Racial Relations (Nazaruddin, 2003)

1. Segregation: This is a relation that has the characteristic of a split among the ethnic groups in a country. For example: The Apartheid Policy that was practiced before in South Africa. 2. Accommodation: This is a process where the ethnic groups are aware of each others norms and values but they continue to safeguard their own living culture. For example: Ethnic groups of Germans, French and Italians living in Switzerland 3. Acculturation (Cultural Assimilation): This is a process when people from a minority group accept the norms, values and patterns of behaviour (culture) of the majority group without changing their original cultural elements. 4. Assimilation (Structural Assimilation): This concept of assimilation is about the entry into a dominant society through friendship and close connection. 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). 5. Amalgamation: This is a process that happens when culture or race mixes to form a type of new culture and race. For example: Inter-marriage between ethnic groups or races. 6. Unity: The concept of unity is external in nature and refers more to solidarity that is physical. 7. Integration: The concept of integration refers to the process of unification of groups with different backgrounds to become one entity tied by norms and values as well as common interest. This is portrayed by a sense of belonging among members of a society based on deeper ties and feelings. 8. Plural society: The concept of a plural society as put forward by J.S. Furnival shows a society that is characterized by physical, social, cultural and economic separation among ethic groups. 9. Polarisation: It means the splitting into definite groups because of differences in practices and outlook until there exists a number of clusters of the society who are in opposition to other clusters. 10. Diffusion: The spread of a cultural pattern from one culture to another, and where no directed change agent is apparent. Obstacles to National Integration 1. Prejudice (preconceived judgment or opinion) 2. Communalism (loyalty to a sociopolitical grouping based on religious or ethnic affiliation)

3. Ethnocentrism (judging other cultures by the standards of your own, which you believe to be superior) Causes and Reinforcing Obstacles to Integration 1. Ignorance of other ethnic groups 2. Process of socialization limited to within ethnic groups 3. Communal politics 4. Socio-economic difference 5. Cultural differences 6. Segregation or Physical separation The Strife towards Unity and National Integration - Political efforts - Economic efforts - Social and Cultural efforts THE BASIS OF RACIAL UNITY IN MALAYSIA - Sharing of political power among different ethnic groups - Democratic process in accommodating ethnicity, with effective regulations and control of harmful elements - Economic growth through equitable redistribution and taking into account the aspirations of the different races - Readiness to accept cultural and religious diversity as a source of strength - Commitment to adjust ones own attitude to that of the other races National Integration Strategies 1. It is generally accepted that efforts to unite the members of an ethnic group need to be carried out before trying to create national unity (among the ethnic groups). 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. 4. To make sure that policies made and implemented should be based on principles of compromise among the leaders of the ethnic groups. Strategy and the Measures for Self Edification 1. Socialisation and re-socialisation 2. Reducing group identification 3. Reducing group demand 4. Creating cohesive relations Physical and Social Development Strategies 1. Updating and increasing socio-economic strategies 2. Changing concepts of a divisive nature 3. Inter-regional transfer of officers

4. Exposure to other communities 5. Enhancing the role of social institutions METHOD TO ACHIEVE NATIONAL INTEGRATION 1. Formal education 2. Co-curriculum activities 3. Continuous education 4. Social groups 5. Social activities 6. Tourism within the country 7. Mass media Methods for Socio-economic Development 1. Improving educational infrastructure 2. Create bumiputra entrepreneurs and professionals 3. Development of rural infrastructure 4. Development of rural folks 5. Development in the small enterprise sector