Lesson 4

3. Unity and Society

3.1 Ethnic composition of the population

3.2 Unity and National integration

Malaysian Studies 2

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Ethnic Composition

Of

The Population

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Introduction

• Malaysia is inhabited by a population of many races and variety.

• Early inhabitants of this country were the Malays.

• Those early inhabitants are referred as Bumiputeras ( sons of the soil )

• Then, the Chinese and Indians arrived and referred as non-Bumiputeras.

• It is this diversity of people that forms the pattern of the country today.

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Ethnic Composition of Malaya’s Population ( 1848 – 1957 )

• Historically, the Chinese and Indian immigrants came in large number after 1948.

• The Chinese at that time, comprised merchants who settled in Malacca, Kuala Terengganu and at the estuary of Johor and Pahang rivers.

• Majority of the Indians consisted of labourers in sugar cane and coffee plantations in Pahang Island and Province Wellsley.

• In the mid-19th century, British has brought in many more immigrants to work in the various growing economic sector.

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Population in Malaya by race, 1891-1931 (‘000)

Race 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931

Malay 231.5 312.4 420.8 510.8 593.7

Chinese 163.4 299.7 433.2 494.5 711.5

Indian 20.1 58.2 173.7 305.2 380.0

Others 3.5 8.3 8.3 14.3 27.9

Total 418.5 678.6 1,037.0 1,324.8 1,713.1

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Main Inhabitants of Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia Sabah Sarawak

Malay Chinese Indian Indigenous

• Banjar• Boyan• Bugis• Jawa• Kampar • Kerinci• Mendaling•

Minangkabau• Rawa• Johor-Riau

HOKKIEN• Chuan-Chew•Chin-Chew•Eng-Hua•Eng-Choon•Hok-Chew

KWANGTUNG•Kanton•Teochew•Hakka•Hailam

•

Malayali• Punjabi•

Ceylonese• Tamil• Telugu

• Negrito• Senoi• Melayu Asli(each of the stocks consists of a tribal community)

• Bajau• Dusun• Murut• Bisaya• Kadayun•OrangSungai• Orang laut• Brunei

• Bidayuh• Bisaya• Iban• Kayan• Kedayan• Kelabit• Kenyah• Melanau• Malays• Murut• Penan• Punan

Composition of the Malaysian Communities and Tribal Communities

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The Malays

• Most of the Malay people in Peninsular Malaya were originated from the Indonesia Archipelago.

• Only after the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty – the area was divided into Indonesia and Malaysia.

• There were several factors that encouraged the migration of Indonesians to Malaya. Among them are :

i. Poverty – increasing population & tax charges by Dutchii. Political stability and growing economy in Malaya- tin ore industry

and plantation agriculture, Malaya was peacefuliii. Indonesian traits – concept of travelling, sailing & doing businessiv. Political instability in Indonesia – pressure from Dutch colonization

and the hatred towards them causes the migration

• The Javanese form the biggest group of Indonesians to migrate, followed by Minangkabau, Banjar, Bugis and Boyan.

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Economy• Lived in poverty

• Many of the Malays were involved in the agriculture and traditional industries.

• Lived in rural areas thus had less physical, social and economic amenities.

Politics• Malays were strong with political powers but weak economically.

• Always have the most elected representation in Parliament.

• Malay organization UMNO ( United Malay National Organization ) formed by leaders educated in

English.

PAS ( Malayan Islamic Party ) headed by Arabic-educated leaders PAS is the opposition party to UMNO.

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The Chinese

• In the 18th century, there were Chinese merchants settlements in Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.

• Early 19th century, many Chinese had arrived in the Straits Settlements ( Singapore, Malacca and Penang Island )

• Most of them worked as businessmen and craftsmen.

• 1925-1962, Temonggong Ibrahim encouraged arrival of Chinese for the opening of gambier and black pepper plantation.

• There were big numbers of Chinese in mid-nineteenth century as a result of the opening of tin mines in Perak, Selangor & Ujong River.

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• Most of the Chinese in Malaya originated from Fukien, Kwangtung and Kwangsi in South China.

• Most of them entered the country through contract system arranged by agents and others who migrated individually.

• Main Chinese clusters- Hokkien, Hakka, Teochewand Hailam.

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Factors led the Chinese to migrate to Malaya.

i. Difficulties of living in China – hardship – rapid increase in population, frequent natural disasters ( flood and drought ) , limited natural resources

ii. Political instability in the districts of South China – Local people were against Manchu Dynasty, thus they were against the kingdom. Threatened the lives of the people.

iii. Growth in tin and rubber industry – need for labour increased

iv. Political stability of Malaya - Malay states were stable under the British, growth in economy industries, acquire a labour police, labourers from China are encouraged to migrate to Malaya.

v. Migration facilities – facility of transportation systems ( steamships) and immigration agents

vi. Chinese population characteristics – known as hardworking and like travelling.

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Economy• Involved in business - Merchants, businessmen, craftsmen.

• There were also professional architects and accountants.

• Some controlled transportation companies, construction & estate.

• Most of the Chinese business activities are small, family businesses.

Politics• MCA ( Malayan Chinese Association )formed by those educated in

English to protect their interests and also self-government.

• When the Chinese, especially the poor became more political conscious they voice their feelings to the Labour party, the People’s Progressive Party and the People’s Action Party.

• MCA still remains as the main Chinese party in the country.

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The Indians• In 1786, during the British occupations, Indian labourers migrated to the

Penang Island to work in sugar cane plantations and as domestic help, construct buildings and roads.

• Originated from South India ( Tamil Nadu)

• Development in agriculture ( rubber and sugar cane ) brought in large numbers of Indians into Malaya.

• They were brought in by agents through a 3 years contract system.

• After 1910, the contract system was replaced with Kangany system

• The kangany consist of supervisors of plantations labourers who brought in workers from their village in India.

• These workers are not tied to contracts but they are required to pay back the expenses of bringing them to Malaya.

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• 20th century - The Sikhs ( Indians from Punjab ) started to migrate to Malaya.

• 1880s - The Indian immigrants consisted largely of Tamil, Malayalis, Telugus and Sikhs work in coffee plantations.

• Different Indian communities include Sindhi, Banggali, Gujerati, Parsis and Marwaris involved in business.

• People from Sri Lanka ( Ceylonese ) migrated in Malaya and worked in hospitals as doctors and medical help.

• They lived in mining towns of Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Singapore, Penang, Klang, Taiping and in the estate areas.

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Factors that encouraged the migration of Indians into Malaya.

i. Difficulties living in India – limited land for agriculture and work opportunities, rapid increase in population, natural disasters, farmers lost their land and were in debt, the educated ones couldn’t get employment, low caste’s social mobility were restricted and more inclined to migrate.

ii. Rapid economic development in Malaya – Commercial agriculture development - rubber and palm oil, need for labourers increased.

iii. Encouragement from the British government – the British encouraged the migration of Indians to work in plantations, the civil service ( clerical and technical ) and construction ( buildings and roads )

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Economy• The Indians don’t invest in Malaya, they keep their wealth to bring

back to India.

• Later, many started businesses like restaurant business, hairdressing and cloth stores.

• Low income, involved in low-skilled and unskilled occupations.

• Remained as labourers in plantations, trading, owner of grocery, book and textile stores, medical and legal professions.

Politics• MIC ( Malaysian Indian Congress )

• Indian political activity in Malaya were quite similar to the political activity patterns in India.

• Citizens of India against the British colonialists greatly influenced the political activities of the Indians in Malaya.

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Indigenous population of Sabah and Sarawak

• The communities are varied according to the area they live in, economy, society and culture.

SABAH• There are 23 tribal communities, the largest tribes are

Kadazans, Bajau, Murut, Sulu and Brunei people.

SARAWAK• The well-known tribes are Malay, Melanau, Iban,

Bidayuh, Penan and Kelabit.

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Aborigines

Definition

A person, animal, or plant that has been in a country or region from earliest times.

• The aborigines in Malaysia can be divided into three racial stocks, Senoi, Negrito and the Orang Asli.

• Amongst them 12 different language are spoken :

– E.g. Melayu Asli resembles the Malay language

– Senoi community speaks a variety of language such as Temiar, Semai, Mahmeri, Che Wong, Jahut and Semaq Beri.

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Negrito Tribe• Found largely in Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang

• A small body frame, dark-coloured skin, large nose, curly hair

• Main economic activities consist of cultivation and collecting forest products

• They live near the edge of the jungle and along the bank rivers.

Senoi Community• Found in Perak, Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu

• Taller than the Negritos, dark-coloured skin

• Shifting cultivation- main activity

• They live in the hills, away from the coast.

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Indigenous Malay

• Found in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Malacca and Johor.

• Larger and taller than Negritos, dark coloured skin, straight and black hair.

• Fishermen ( those who live near the seashore) , works in farm (those who are in domestic areas)

• Live in Malay villages

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• Generally, the economy of majority of the aborigines is based on subsistence and agriculture.

• They carried out, farming activities, growing paddy, millet, corn, tapioca, banana, yam, sweet potato and various kind of vegetables, animal hunting, fishing & collecting forest products.

• Now they are factory, plantation & construction worker.

• Economically, they are far behind all the other ethnics groups in Malaysia.

• Religion- practice original religion, animism

– Muslims around 1.0 %, Christians almost 5.0 %, Bahai and others, 1.0%

• Education – extremely low, lagging far behind

• The government still provides them with development facilities 21

Unity

And

National Integration

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Introduction

• Malaysia is a country that is made up of various communities or ethnic groups living in harmony.

• Malaysian ethnic diversity is a strength and it makes the country colourful.

• National unity is important for national stability.

• Nation’s stability – Society’s prosperity – National integration.

• The country has placed great importance on national integration particularly through the implementation of the New Economic Policy.

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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.

• Uniting Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula into one country or federation – is an effort to achieve national unity.

• National integration is a process of uniting groups with different backgrounds into one entity bound by common norms, values and interest.

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Concept Of Plural Society

Definition

The concept of plural society is defined by J.S. Furnival as a society in which there are several ethnic communities living in a country, but are separated by economic, settlement, social and cultural traits.

Every group has its own language, culture, religion, values, thinking and way of life.

The basis of their contact is economic

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Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

The process of integration

Amalgamation

Segregation Accommodation

Acculturation Assimilation

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Segregation

• Has the characteristics of a split among the ethnic groups in a country.

• The split occurs in various situations such as the area of residence, the school system, transportation and public facilities.

Accommodation

• Ethnic groups are aware of each other’s norms and values – they still continue to safeguard their own living culture.

• They live in harmony and respect one and another.27

Acculturation• This process is known as cultural assimilation.

• A minority group accepts the norms, values and patterns of behaviour ( culture ) of a majority group.

• Process of borrowing or accepting the cultural elements of the majority group, without changing the original cultural elements.

Pluralism • Allows every involved group to maintain their own cultures,

as well as that of forming unity.

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Assimilation• Entry into a dominant society through friendship and close

connection.

• One-way process of unity which will generate one culture, one language and one religion.

Amalgamation• Process that happens when culture or race mixes to form types of

new culture and race.

• Happens through inter-marriage between ethnic groups or races.

• Involve biological combination (mixed marriages) this process will produce a new group with a new culture.

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• Ministry of National Unity and Community Development – proves to be significant to help materialize the objectives towards unity and integration.

Objectives of the ministryi. Encourage the unity of the community of various

races and promote national integrity.ii. Provide assistance in terms of community welfare

services.iii. Develop and integrate the native communities.iv. Enhance the significance and involvement of women

in the development of the country.v. Standardize the demographic programmes and

family development.

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• A few departments have been set up within the Ministry

Malaysia Community Welfare Department, the National Unity Department, the Aboriginal Affairs Department, the Women Affair’s Department and the National Welfare Foundation.

• A few activities have been planned in favour of Vision 2020 for producing an unified Malaysian race. a. Publication – producing several publications such as Muhibah

magazine, Jiran (newspaper), Permata Hatiku (collection of short stories of unifying teenagers), Warisan (short stories’ Anthology) and others.

b. Unity Day – celebrated on 16th September c. Waving of the Malaysian Flag campaign d. Patriotic Songs’ Choir Competitione. Short-Story Writing and Unity-related Photography Competitionf. Unity-related Colouring Competition

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• Malaysia has clearly become a multiracial county especially after the arrival of British.

• British brought in Chinese, Indian, Punjab and Indonesian labourers to work in certain economic sectors.

• British had used the ‘divide and rule’ system.

Discussion Where did the Malays, Chinese and Indians lived and

worked under the segregation of British? 32

Malays

• Lived in the rural areas

• Working on agriculture, fishing and other village sectors.

*only a small portion lived in town, they were working in the administrative sector, especially clerks.

Chinese

• Most of them lived in town areas and mining area

• Worked as traders and miners

Indians

• Lived in estates- rubber & palm oil estates/ plantations

• Worked as labourers – rubber tappers 33

1. Segregation of Residential Areas / Accommodation

2. Racial segregation in the Economic Sector

3. The separation of the Education Systems

4. Differences in beliefs or religions

5. The use of vernacular newspapers.

6. The Japanese rule in Malaya

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1. Motivating citizens to migrate from one place to another.

i. Settling citizens in one particular area may propel socialization and encourage more productive encounters.

ii. Government officers and their families are ordered to migrate and serve in territories

iii. Traders in undeveloped areas move to a more developed areas in expanding their economic activities.

iv. security forces – military and police force are brought to certain territories from other territories.

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2. Uniformity of education system i. Segregation in the education system is abolished and

replaces with a more unified and comprehensive educational system.

3. The role of the mass media i. Malaysian Radio and Television (RTM) and newspapers

were used to expose various news, reports and government policies reduced the information gap that existed. It also played a significant role in ensuring that there wouldn’t be an domination from foreign media.

4. Economic Integration i. Development policies such as 5-Year Development

Programme, the New Economic Policy, the National Development Policy and others to ensure economy that existed since colonization would not remain after independence.

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5. Uniting the political principlesi. The mixed government system was one way to

combine the different principles between races - the Alliance Party was a result of UMNO, MCA and MIC merger.

What does UMNO,MCA,MIC represent?

6. Other social aspectsi. The measures to instill unity had been achieved to a

certain extent, with the introduction and assimilations of social policies such as Rukun Negara ( Pillars of Principles), National Youth Policy, National Cultural Policy and others.

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1. The Rukun Negara ( Pillars of Principles) are a national ideology created after the racial riot on 13th May 1969.

2. There are a few objective of the Rukun Negara.

i. Achieve a strong sense of unity amongst the community.

ii. Preserve the democratic way of life.

iii. Form a fair community so that prosperity is enjoyed together

equally and fairly.

iv. Form a liberal community especially towards respective

cultures.

v. Build a progressive community equipped with science and

technology. 38