Some challenges in managing cultural differences in a multi-ethnic country: Malaysia

Abstract

To develop an united nation of different ethnic groups is hard. It requires the ability of all the people from different ethnic groups to understand, communicate and interact with one another and work together to create a broad-and-inclusive space for new national political discourse to replace the eisting narrow-and-exclusive political interests. This would involve a new cultural competence and cultural literacy which include awareness of one's own cultural worldview and attitude towards the cultural differences, knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews, and cross-cultural skills. As it is, many Malaysians have learnt and developed the skills, but many others have not. This would involve a process to continuously examine biases and prejudices to develop new cross-cultural skills to share a passion for cultural competence. Malaysia has a rich cultural diversity that could be harnessed for the nation's benefit. Sadly, the differences among us form the bases of fear, suspicion, misunderstanding, clashes and conflict. Just consider how dull life would it be if we all look, think and act alike. By learning to recognise our similarities and appreciate our differences, we can overcome prejudice and work towards a more peaceful and productive nation. In this paper the importance of education in the broadest meaning of learning to accept and respect the differences as the right way to everyone from different ethnic groups to grasp the values, norms, and traditions which would affect how we perceive, think, interact and share the nation with one another.