INTRODUCTION TO MALAYSIAN SOCIETY

Pengenalan kepada masyarakat malaysia1.1 The Early History Of MalaysiaAncient (kuno) historyPaleolithicMesolithicNeolithicMetal Age

Paleolithic

The characteristics:Exist 35,000 years agoLived in cavesMain activity- collecting product & huntingStarted using stone toolsThe tools simple & crudeArea- Tampan Estuary, Badak cave (Perak), Niah Cave(sarawak) & Tingkayu (sabah).

Mesolithic

The characteristics:Exist 11,000 years agoLive in caves, along rivers & lakeStarted farmingUsed more refined stone toolsAble to make earthenwareArea- Cha cave (Kelantan), Kecil cave (Pahang), Kepah Cave (Kedah), Jenderam Hilir (Selangor)

Neolithic

The characteristic:Exist 5,000 years agoUsed more sophisticated stone tools.Started rearing livestockStarted communicating with communities in other placesStarted creating object and using accessoriesArea- Cha cave(Kelantan), Madai cave(Sabah), Gamantang cave(Sabah), Tengkorak cave(sarawak)..etc

Metal Age

The characteristic:Exist 2,500 years agoPopulation grewDeveloped residentialAreas in wide open land near riversMore orderly & sedentary lifestylePractices social customsArea- Lang River(Selangor), Muar river(Johor),Tembeling River(Pahang), Terengganu River (Trgnu)

1.2 Protohistory AgeArise on early kingdoms in the Malay ArchipelagoIt proves by founding of archaeological evidence & some record from Yunan, Arab, Persians, China & India. What is Malay Archipelago???Largest group of islands in the worldlocated off the southeastern coast of Asia between the Indian and Pacific oceansIt consists of the more than 13,000 islands of Indonesia and some 7,000 islands of the PhilippinesPrincipal islands include the Greater Sunda Islands (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Celebes), the Lesser Sundas, the Moluccas, New Guinea, Luzon, Mindanao, and the Visayan Islands.Malay kingdoms in Malay ArchipelagoFunan- located in Kampuchea, influence by Old Kedah religion. E.g. Pengkalan Bujang Old Kedah- monarchy system, strategic location, important entreport, influence by Hinduism & Buddhism.Gangga Negara port & trade centreLangkasuka, Patani- trade centre, influence by Hinduism & BuddhismcontdChih-tu, Kelantan- influence by Buddhism, strong relationship with ChinaSrivijaya, Sumatera- well-known trade centre, strong relationship with China & India, centre of Buddhism & Sanskrit language, own several vassal States.Majapahit, Jawa- Owned several vassal states, trade centre, strong relationship with China, India & the Middle East. Majapahit..Is the strongest kingdom in 13 century..but..Its GOLDEN ERA ends after the existence of the Malay Kingdom of Malacca.THE MALAY KINGDOM OF MALACCAThe GOLDEN AGE of Malacca.Known as The Venice of The EastSpread of IslamVast territoryStrong trade relations with China & IndiaEmpire of advance civilizationPROSPERITY OF MALACCA EMPIREGeographic- strategic location midway the trade routes between China & India, its port hidden from south-west & north-west monsoon wind, natural deep port.Economy- centre of maritime, rich with natural resources, cheap price, low & orderly tax collection, lots of facilitiesPolitical Administration- centre of the spread of Islam, diplomatic ties with China, efficient administrative system, Malay is lingua franca, strong militaryDevelop The Early Integration..Existence of plural societyExistence of plurality societyPlurality in nature.. British ColonizationExistence of concept Pecah Perintah(separation between county & religion)-

Effects of ColonizationBritish ColonizationExistence of concept Pecah Perintah(separation between country & religion)Separation of Power ( judiciary, executive & legislative)Education 3M

Fall of the Malacca EmpireFactors decline of Malacca EmpireinternalexternalInternal Sultan Mahmud Syah was a weak rulerWeak administration & lack of efficient leaderFight between Malays and Indian- Muslims.Merchant activities decreasedSea people do not help Malacca against PortugueseExternal Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope in south AfricaBad attitude from outsidersMalacca was taken by PortugueseInternal conflicts

MULTIRACIAL SOCIETY

Ethnic Composition of the Malaysian PopulationChinese and Indian immigrants came to Malaya after the development of the tin ore industry in 1848.Chinese comprised merchants who settled in Malacca, Kuala Terengganu and the estuary of the Johor and Pahang rivers, while Indians were labourers in sugar cane and coffee plantations in Penang Island and Province Wellesley.

Ethnic Composition of the Malaysian Population (Contd)

According to 1870 statistics, the total population in Malaya was less than half a millionIn 1921, the figure increase to 3.3 million.In 1931, the total population of non-Malays exceeded the total population of Malays; Malays was 44.7%, non-Malays were 53.2% where 39.0% was Chinese. By the time independence, Malays was 49.8%, Chinese was 37.2%, and Indians was 11.3% and others, 1.8%.

Main inhabitants of Malaysia

Peninsular MalaysiaMalay BanjarBoyanBugisJawaKamparKerinciMendalingMinangkabauRawaJohor-RiauChineseHokkienChuan-ChewChin-ChewEng-HuaEng-ChoonHok-ChewKwantungKantonTeochewHakkaHailam

Main inhabitants of Malaysia (contd)IndianMalayaliPunjabiCeyloneseTamilTelegu

IndigenousNegritoSenoiMelayu Asli (each of the stocks consists of a tribal community)

Sabah & SarawakSabahBajauDusunMurutBisayaKadayunOrang SungaiOrang LautBruneiSarawakBidayuhBisayaIbanKayanKedayanKelabitKenyahMelanauMalaysMurutPenanPunanThe Malays

History of the Malays in Malaya

Most of the Malay people in Peninsular Malaya today were the descendants of people who originated from the Indonesian Archipelago.

The factors of the Indonesian migration to Malaya.

After the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty, the area was divided into Indonesia and MalaysiaJavanese

The great migration resulting from the Dutch transmigration policy, that is, the moving of people from the Island of Jawa.The majority of them consisted of coffee and rubber plantation workers and labourers in newly opened land. It was estimated that i1930, there were 170,000 Jawa people in Singapore.In Malaya, most of the Jawa people were concentrated in Johor (Muar, Batu Pahat and Pontian), Selangor (Kelang, Kuala Selangor, Kuala Langat) and Perak (Hilir Perak, Krian, Parit Buntar)

Banjar

The Banjar people originated from the district of Banjarmasin, KalimantanMost of them were involved in paddy plantingIn 1931, the Banjar population in Malaya totalled 45,382 peopleMost Banjar people lived along the coast and in river valleys such as Kerian, Parit Buntar (Perak), Sabak Bernam (Selangor) and Batu Pahat (Johor)BugisThe Bugis people originated from the Sulawesi IslandsThey were the business groups and in Malaya, many of them lived in Perak, Selangor, Pahang, and JohorIn Johor, the Bugis people were mostly found in the Benut, Kukup and Rengit (Batu Pahat district) areas, while in Selangor, they were mostly found in the Langat Valley, In Perak, the Bugis people were mainly merchants.BoyaneseThe Boyan people originated from Boyan IslandThe majority of them migrated to Singapore, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang Island.They concentrated in cities because they were experts in horse-rearing.MinangkabauThe Minangkabau people originated from SumatraIn Malaya, they were found mainly in Negeri Sembilan and Malacca, where they were known as followers of Adat Perpatih.They were mostly involved in business and agriculture.Economy

Malays were the poorest compared to Chinese and Indians.Many of the Malays were involved in the agricultural and traditional industries sectors that were said to have low productivity.Most Malays live in the rural areas where the standard of living is low.Malays are not exposed to similar opportunities as other communities living in urban areas.The British policies had ultimately left the Malays in the rural areas and involved in traditional economic activities.The British denied the Malays an involvement in modern economic activities largely participated by the non-Malays.

Politics

Malays were strong in the political sense but weak economically.Malay and pro-Malay parties always have the most elected representation in Parliament.Malay organization the United Malay National Organization (UMNO).

Sosiocultural

Majority of Malays live in villages which the community has strong ties and strict social control.The Malays like and have a high regard for consensus and family is the important institution fro social security.All Malays are Muslims, but not all Muslims are Malays.

The ChineseThe majority of the Chinese in the country today are descendants of the Chinese immigrants who came in the nineteenth century.Most of the Chinese in Malaya originated from Fukien, Kwangtung and Kwangsi in South China.

The factors that led the Chinese to migrate to MalayaCluster &Population number in 1921

- Hokkien380,656Consist of businessmen and shopkeepers- Cantonese332,307Consist of miners and craftsmen (carpenter, cobbler and iron smith)-Hakka218,139Consist of miners

Cluster &Population number in 1921(contd)-Teochew130,231Consist of shopkeepers and farmers who started sugar cane plantations in Wellesley Province and Penang Islands, and Gambier plantation and black pepper in Johor-Hailam68,393Consist of restaurant owners and suppliers of household needs

Economy

Many of them were involved in business as merchants, businessmen, and craftsmen.They are based on sub-ethnic groups; the Hokkiens controlled the rubber estates, while the Hainanese concentrated more on the coffee shop business.

PoliticsMCA-the Malayan Chinese Association to protect their interests and also for self-government.The poor Chinese began to voice their feelings through Labour Party, the People Progressive Party and the Peoples Action Party.

Sociocultural

In Malaysia, most of the Chinese are Buddhists.They celebrate festivals based on their roots in the history and culture of society in China such as The New Year is celebrated based on the rotation of days related to planting activities.

The IndiansThere was an Indian settlement in Malacca known as Kampung Kling. The Indians were also recognized as propagators of Islam. The Indian population in Malaya consisted of those originating from South India (Tamil Nadu). They Indian labourers migrated to Malaya to work in rubber and sugar cane plantations, constructing building and roads, and as a domestic helper.

The factors that encouraged the migration of Indians to MalayaTamil

Originated from Tamil NaduThe largest ethnic group in Malaya (80% of the whole Indian population in Malaya)Mostly worked in the rubber and oil palm plantations. Others worked in government offices.

Malayali

Originated from the Malabar Coast. Also known as Malabari.Formed 7% of the total Indian population in Malaya consisting of the working and middle class.The working class is mostly found in the plantations and the middle class, in clerical and professional employment, they are also famous for their restaurants.

TeleguOriginated from Andhra PradeshFormed 4% of the total Indian population in MalayaMostly worked as labourers in plantations

Sikh

Originated from PunjabMostly worked as police and railway station officers, security guards. Also involved in the rearing of cows. It was said that the Sikhs bullock cart service was an important form of transport in the tin mines.Starting from the 1920s, there were many Sikhs involved in business and the professionals fields.

Economy

The Chettiar groups came to Malaysia as loan providers and were not involved in other businesses. However, many of them started businesses like restaurants, hairdressing and cloth stores.The majority of the Indians in Malaysia had low income, and was involved in low-skilled or unskilled occupations.

Politics

The main Indian political party in Malaysia is the MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress).The opposition by the citizens of India against the British colonialists greatly influenced the political activities of the Indians in Malaya before World War One.

Sociocultural

Majority of the Indians in Malaysia from South Indian descent speak Tamil.Every group has its own dialect, societies and religion. Most of the temples in Malaysia are Saivite temples.The religious festivals celebrated are Thaipusam in Penang and Kuala Lumpur and Sithraparuvam in Teluk Intan and punggal or New Year festival.

INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF SABAH AND SARAWAK

KadazanThe 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.

BajauThis community was originally from Mindanao and Sulu Island and was known as the sea people and Samal people.Concentrated in Semporna, Kota Belud and Timbang Island in Sandakan Bay. MurutLive mostly in the interior such as Tenom, Rundu, and PensianganA small number among them still live in long houses and are nomads SuluOriginally from the Sulu Archipelago and now concentrated in Sungai Sugut Muslims- BruneiOriginally from Brunei and now settled in Sabah, in Beaufort, Kimanis and PaparMuslims

Malay Originally from Sumatra, they have been there since the 15th centuryLive mostly along the coastal areaMuslimsMelanauLive mostly along the Igan, Oya and Mukah rivers.MuslimsAssimilated with the Malays and practice the Malay culture.IbanOriginally from Kalimantan (River Kapuas)Also known as the Sea DayaksThe largest community and live in inland areas such as along the Sungai Sekrang, Sungai Batang Lupar and Sungai Rejang PenanMost of them live as nomads in the woods.Kelabit Settled mainly in the area of the rivers Baram and RejangThe most famous of their villages is BarioSome of them still live in long houses

ABORIGINES

Negrito

-Kensiu , Kintak , Jahai , Lanoh , Mendriq , Bateq Found in Kedah, Perak, Kelantan and Pahang.Small body Frame, Dark colored skin, Large nose,Curly hairActivities: Cultivation and collecting forest productsLive near the edge of the jungle, along the banks of rivers

Senoi

Semai, Temiar, Jahut, Che Wong , Mahmeri, Semoq Beri Found in Perak, Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, TerengganuTaller than Negritos, Dark colored skinActivities: Shifting cultivationSettlement areas: Hills, away from the coast.

Melayu Asli

Temuan , Semelai, Jakun, Kanaq People, Kuala People, Seletar People Found in Selangor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johore.Larger and taller than Negritos, Dark colored skin, Straight and black hairFarming,FishermanSettlements areas: Close to Malay villages

UNITY AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Concepts of Unity and Integration

National unity generally refers to the uniting of various groups that have different social and cultural backgrounds, into one physical entity.

Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

The country is a multi-racial society that has successfully created peace and become a model of a calm and peaceful plural society for other countries.

The Theory of Racial Relations

The relation between races can be seen from the degree of nearness beginning with relations that are apart to relations that are close.The processes portray how minority groups become part of the main stream of a society.

The Theory of Racial Relations (Contd)

Segregation Split the area of the residence, the school system, transportation, public facilities and others among the ethnic groups in a country by law (de jure) or not based on law (de facto).Accomodation The ethnic groups aware of each others norms and values but they continue to safeguard their own living culture. Each ethnic group sends a representative who represents his own group and sometimes they are mutually dependent on one another.Acculturation Known as cultural assimilation. Process of borrowing or accepting the cultural elements of the majority group, without changing the original cultural elements.

The Theory of Racial Relations (Contd)

Assimilation Known as structural assimilation. The concept of assimilation is about the entry into a dominant society through friendship and close connection.Amalgamation Happens when culture or race mixes to form types of new culture and race. e.g.: inter-marriage between ethnic groups or races.

History of Ethnic RelationsBefore a society achieves the stage of integration, it usually goes through five stages of change.- Stage of co-existence:The people in same area rarely communicate and contact between them is limited to matters of necessity only. -Stage of frequent external contact:Gradually frequent contact among the communities occurred, but the contact was still unable to establish an understanding among them.

History of Ethnic Relations- Stage of compromise:Communities conscious of their common interest and usually compromise takes place in the economic and political area.- Stage of unity:The communities in the society compromise and cooperate as much as possible, there is the tendency for them to live unite in many ways- Stage of integration:Cooperation among races and they share the same values create a sense of belonging and strong ties among them.

National Integration Problems

PrejudicePre-judgment action or attitude towards other groups or races.CommunalismAttitude of favouring ones own ethnic community. Lead to social gaps between ethnic.EthnocentrismBelief that ones own culture is superior to that of others.

Causes and Reinforcing Obstacles to IntegrationIgnorance of other ethnic groupsLimited or lack of understanding of the way of life, the living conditions and the problems of other races.Socialization only within ethnic groupsProcess of socialization of one ethnic group cannot be exposing to other cultural elements.Communal PoliticsEach community still has their own racial political party to voice the feelings and demands of their community.

Causes and Reinforcing Obstacles to Integration( Contd)Socio-economic differenceThe socio-economic differences among the ethnic groups still obvious and led to jealousy and suspicious.Cultural DifferencesDifferent cultures could spark off feelings of prejudice, racism, and ethnocentricism.Segregation or Physical SeparationPhysical segregation results in an ethnic group not knowing another ethnic group.

THE STRIFE TOWARDS UNITY AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Political EffortsActions through the legislative system laws and acts are made by Parliament to settle the problem related to unity.The Constitution contains a number of clauses oriented towards racial equality, such as allocations that provide protection to certain communities.

Political Efforts (Contd)

The Seditions Act aimed at preventing an individual from raising sensitive issues in public.The Internal Security Act (ISA) is aimed at protecting the countrys interests and internal security.The Alliance, the Barisan Nasional unites all the parties into one bigger multi-racial organization.

Economic Efforts

Government took some measures and recorded in the five-year plan and government development policies to have economic equity among the races and to reduce the identification of race by economic activity.Creating Malay entrepreneurs by giving loans, license and work contracts.

Economic Efforts (Contd)Government encourages the bumiputra community to buy government shares and property like MARA.Creating industrial zones to give employment opportunities to the bumiputra community.Government encourages foreign investors to invest in the country.

Social and Cultural Efforts

The government encourages the sharing of values among the races.In 1971, the government introduces the concept of National Culture to create a national identity for the plural society of Malaysia.The Malay language was used as the official language and also the national system of education.The government sets up agencies and organizations such as KEMAS to develop racial unity.

THE BASIS OF RACIAL UNITY IN MALAYSIA

METHOD TO ACHIEVE NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Methods for Socio-psychological Development

Methods for Socio-economic DevelopmentThe End