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ABSTRACT
Malaysia is one of the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious countries in Southeast Asia. Due to the pluralistic nature of Malaysia, it has a political structure based on ethnic politics. The ethnic preferential policies affected most domains of this country. The objective of this article is to examine the origin and background of ethnic politics in Malaysia. Findings of this study indicate that, ethnic politics originated during the British colonial period, it became a tool used by the Barisan Nasional for the legitimacy of regime. Moreover, ethnic politics in Malaysia today is intertwined with religion. Besides, there is the dilemma of the choice between the interest of certain ethnic group and national interests. However, with the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan won the election in 9th May, UMNO-led BN lost power and interrupted its 61 years control, which leaves us an interesting topic to think about the future of Malaysian ethnic politics.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. Haque, ‘The Role of the State in Managing Ethnic Tensions in Malaysia’, 240-266.
2. Segawa, ‘Ethnic politics in Malaysia’, 210-232.
3. See above 1.266.
4. Lee, ‘Changes in Chinese’s political involvement in Malaysia’, 11-21.
5. Kua, ‘Racism & racial discrimination in Malaysia’.
6. Jamil, ‘Historical Overview of Malaysia’s Experience in Enhancing Equity and Quality of Education’.
7. Gullick, ‘Malaysia’.
8. Malaya, ‘Monthly Statistical Bulletin of the Federation of Malaya’.
9. Santhiram, ‘Education of minorities’.
10. See above 4.21.
11. Saw, ‘The population of Malaysia’, Vol. 514.
12. Guan, ‘Ethnic relations in Peninsular Malaysia’, 1–39.
13. Thimm, ‘Education, migration, gender’.
14. See above 5.
15. Jamil, ‘Historical Overview of Malaysia’s Experience in Enhancing Equity and Quality of Education’, 3.
16. Gudeman, ‘Multiculturalism in Malaysia’, 16.
17. Thock, ‘Nation Building and Formation of Civil Society’, 487–514.
18. Means, ‘Ethnic preference policies in Malaysia’, 95–117.
19. See above 5.
20. Jesudason, ‘State legitimacy, minority political participation, and ethnic conflict in Indonesia and Malaysia’, 65–98.
21. See above 1.266.
22. Thock, ‘Political participation and struggle for rights and interests of oversea Chinese’.
23. Thock, ‘Political participation and struggle for rights and interests of oversea Chinese’, 3.
24. Nyce, ‘Chinese new villages in Malaya’.
25. See above 22.
26. Comber, ‘13 May 1969’.
27. Asher, Newman and Snyder, ‘Public Policy in Asia’.
28. See above 18.117.
29. Heng, ‘Chinese politics in Malaysia’.
30. Thock, ‘Impact of language policy and nation-building in ethnic hegemonic state’, 17–44.
31. Cham, ‘The “Racial Bargain” in West Malaysia’, 198–217.
32. See above 22.
33. Hefner, ‘The politics of multiculturalism’.
34. See above 29.
35. See above 22.
36. See above 18.117.
37. Sundaram, ‘Malaysia’.
38. See above 5.
39. See above 30.44.
40. See above 5.
41. See above 4.21.
42. Horowitz, ‘The deadly ethnic riot’, 282-283.
43. Lee, ‘Front Sosialis Rakyat Malaya, Dual Coalition System and Barisan Alternatif’.
44. Abdullah, ‘Neither yesterday, nor tomorrow’.
45. See above 30.44.
46. See above 22.
47. Economic Planning Unit, ‘New Economic Policy’.
48. Chin, ‘The Malaysian Chinese dilemma’, 167–182.
49. See above 4.21.
50. Thock, ‘The Development of Chinese Education in Malaysia in the Context of Post-308 Political Tsunami and Two-party System’, 38.
51. Noor, ‘Religion, the permanent variable?’.
52. See above 44.
53. Nadaraj, ‘Malaysia’s brain drain reaching critical stage’.
54. See above 1.266.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Nan Xia
Nan Xia is a lecturer at the School of International Education, Chengde Medical University, China. He is also a PhD candidate at the Department of Government And Civilization Studies, University of Putra Malaysia. His research interests broadly span ethnic politics and Chinese education in Malaysia.
Yok Fee Lee
Yok Fee Lee is an associate professor at the Department of Government And Civilization Studies, University of Putra Malaysia. He obtained his PhD in UK, Malaysia. His expertise is Anthropology and Sociology, Ethnicity and Identity Studies
Adlina Hj. Ab. Halim
Hj. Ab. Halim Adlina is an associate professor at the Department of Government And Civilization Studies, University of Putra Malaysia. She obtained her PhD in UK. Her expertise is Islamic Civilization Studies.