Malaysia 50 years: road toward ethnic cleavage or unity?

Abstract

This paper identifies and provides the impact of development policies on inter ethnic relations in multicultural society in Malaysia. Analysis will focus on the issues such as unequal distribution of wealth; human security, nation building process and also the indirect impact of government policies on inter ethnic relations in Malaysia. It focuses on the issues that lead to incidents of ethnic tension prior to and after the celebration of Malaysian's 50th independence. So the main argument of this paper will be the impact of all the issues mentioned above as factors that will determine whether Malaysia will achieve ethnic unity or rather cleavage after 50 years. The analysis of this paper will also focus on effects of these issues is believed to be the major determinant factors in analyzing inter ethnic relations. Government policies that try to reduce the inequality in Malaysia multicultural ethnic have significant impact on the ethnic relation today. It also raises the most common question whether Malaysia's multicultural society is a "melting port" C:r rather a "salad bowl". Besides the nation building process will also be look upon as an important factor in characterizing inters ethnic relation polarity in 50 years. The paper is expected to analyze the relations between government policies and level of human security in developing nations and how it effect ethnic relations which could adversely influence and threaten the national unity and security.