ETHNIC RELATIONS
8/3/2019 Week 3 Ethnic Relations
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ETHNIC RELATIONS
8/3/2019 Week 3 Ethnic Relations
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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
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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
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Furnival¶s Concept of Plural Society
Different culturally, politically and economically
Furnival quote (pg. 163)
³«they mix, but they are not integrated«´
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Ethnic Relations in M¶sia
Degrees of µnearness¶
Segregation (Low integration)
Accommodation
Acculturation
Assimilation
Amalgamation (High integration)
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Segregation
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Accommodation
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Acculturation
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Assimilation
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Amalgamation
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History of Ethnic Relations
Five stages of change
1. Co-existence
2. Frequent External Contact
3. Compromise
4. Unity
5. Integration
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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.´
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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¶
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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
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All these ³feelings inside´ add up to: DISCRIMINATION.
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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
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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
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Striving Towards Unity and Integration
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
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Striving Towards Unity and Integration
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
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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
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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
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Categories of Integration
1. Self-development
2. Physical and Social Development
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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)
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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
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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)
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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