Multiculturalism, ethnicity and nation building in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia is a very culturally diverse state with the composition of 50.4 percent Malay, 23.7 percent Chinese, 7 percent Indians and 11 percent indigenous has to a certain extent successfully in managing its multiethnic, multiracial, and multi-religious society only until recently. The inflow of Chinese and Indians immigrant during the colonial period had transformed the social landscape of Malaysia into a multiethnic state. The incorporation of minorities via colonialization had resulted in the transformation of Malaysia's societal set up. Now, after more than fifty years in independence this societal set up is still being challenged and call for recognition is still being heard off. This would lead to the question whether Malaysia has failed in its endeavour to create a multicultural political space for all the communities concerned. If so, how would Malaysia improve itself in order to accommodate the demand for recognition?