Malaysian Studies 3 Week 5 THE MALAYSIAN CULTURAL

Malaysian Studies 3 Week 5 THE MALAYSIAN CULTURAL CONTEXT

Outline • • Making Sense Influence of Culture Cross Cultural Exchanges Multicultural Malaysia Religious Composition Vision 2020 Contrasting Practices

Making Sense • Every culture has its own way of doing things which may not make sense to others. More Western • Linear • What you see is what you get • Focus on what is being said • Direct and to the point More Malaysian • Non linear, non sequential • What you see/hear may not be what it is • Focus on how it is being said • Indirect, circuitous

Influence of Culture • Significant influence on communication style: – Norms of interaction – What can be said – How – By whom

Influence of Culture • Polite system according to the values & norms of each ethnic group: – Respect for elders – Shame – Face – Sensitivity to subtleties

Influence of Culture • To promote multicultural understanding among people of diverse origins, behaviour has to be put into a context and understood in the realm of the person’s cultural programming

Cross Cultural Exchanges • Perception of another culture from own lens can be distorted • (Empathy + Knowledge) – Assumption = Multicultural harmony

Multicultural Malaysia • Harmonious M’sia = common set of core values ØHarmonious living ØRespect for elders ØA “we” orientation ØR/ship building

Multicultural Malaysia • Bahasa Malaysia – National language – Medium of instruction in national and national type schools + tertiary institutions

Multicultural Malaysia • Multiethnic composition in M’sia 1. Bumiputra Groups 2. Non Bumiputra Groups

1. Bumiputra Groups • “sons/daughters of the soil” • 65% • 3 categories: 1. Orang Asli 2. The Malays 3. Other Bumiputra

1. Bumiputra Grps 1. Orang Asli (Aboriginals/Original Ppl) – – a. b. c. Small in no. (<1% national pop) Historically imp indigenous minority ppl of 19 distinct ethnic grps 3 broad grps: Nomadic Negritos Semi-nomadic Senoi Jakuns

1. Bumiputra Grps 2. The Malays – Predominant ethnic group in Peninsular Malaysia – Distinction between Malays settled long ago and those who crossed the straits/sea

1. Bumiputra Grps 2. The Malays – Predominant ethnic grp in Peninsular M’sia – Distinction bet Malays settled long ago and those who crossed the straits/sea East coast of Pen. M + Sabah + Sarawak

1. Bumiputra Grps 2. The Malays – Predominant ethnic grp in Peninsular M’sia – Distinction bet Malays settled long ago and those who crossed the straits/sea Sumatra + Java + Makasar + Borneo

1. Bumiputra Grps 3. Other Bumiputra (Anak Negeri) – Malay-related ethnic groups in Sabah & Sarawak – 39 ethnic grps – 4 major groups: a. Kadazan-dusun b. Murut c. Bajaus d. Dayaks

1. Bumiputra Grps 3. Other Bumiputra (Anak Negeri) – Malay-related ethnic grps in Sabah & Sarawak – 39 ethnic grps – 4 major grps: a. Kadazandusun b. Murut Sabah c. Bajaus d. Dayaks

1. Bumiputra Grps 3. Other Bumiputra (Anak Negeri) – Malay-related ethnic grps in Sabah & Sarawak – 39 ethnic grps – 4 major grps: a. Kadazandusun b. Murut Sabah c. Bajaus d. Dayaks Sarawak

2. Non-Bumiputra Groups • Mainly Chinese + Indians • Settlement starting 19 th century until Japanese occupation • Economic policies by the British – Chinese • Investment and labour in tin mining industry – Indians • Agricultural labour for coffee & rubber estates

2. Non-Bumiputra Groups • Chinese – – 26% M’sians Mainly from South China Found in the urban centres Dominated the economic power • Tin mining + rubber industries • Confucian + Taoist + Buddhist elements – Work + profits = highest virtues – Capital accumulation fulfill one’s obligation to ancestors + family prestige & name

2. Non-Bumiputra Grps • Indians – 8% M’sians – Tamilians, Pakistanis, Malayalis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Punjabis, Bengalis and Gujeratis in descent – Estate labour, public works and labour unions – Preserve their Hindu, Christian or Islamic traditions – Prominent Civil Service staff and professionals because of English prof

Religious Composition • Religious diversity – to a large extent highly correlated to its ethnic composition

Vision 2020 • Formulated in 1990 • Aims to transform political discussion concerning economic prosperity, by focusing on a M’sian style of development and emphasizing both spiritual as well as physical dimensions to achieve prosperity, societal stability and racial harmony.

Vision 2020 • Bangsa Malaysia – Greatest post independence challenge – Common national id + level of ethnic tolerance

Vision 2020 • 9 challenges (in brief): 1. A united Malaysian nation 2. A psychologically liberated secure and developed M’sian society 3. A mature and democratic society 4. A moral and ethnic society 5. A mature, liberal and tolerant society 6. A scientific and progressive society 7. A caring society and culture 8. An economically just society 9. A economically prosperous society

Vision 2020 • 9 challenges (in brief): 1. A united Malaysian nation 2. A psychologically liberated secure and developed M’sian society 3. A mature and democratic society 4. A moral and ethnic society 5. A mature, liberal and tolerant society 6. A scientific and progressive society 7. A caring society and culture 8. An economically just society 9. A economically prosperous society

Contrasting Practices • • • Pace of life The family culture Traditional mixed with modern The corporate culture The language issue in M’sia Foreign influence

Contrasting Practices • Pace of life – Slower and more leisurely pace of life – 2 sets of M’sian execs: 1. Overseas educ + > liberal values + Westerneducated outlook 2. Local businesspersons + > conservative + maybe < comfortable interacting with colleagues from different culture

Contrasting Practices • The family culture – Core of the M’sian culture – Values: • Respect for elders, grp & religious orientation, loyalty, face saving, etc. – Extended vs. Nuclear family

Contrasting Practices • Traditional mixed with modern – Cultural beliefs and practices in the supernatural superstitions are still evident – Deeply-rooted in religious practices + ceremonies and revered festivals – Day-to-day behaviour regulated by adat traditions and religious mores – IT = satellite/cable TV + Internet

Contrasting Practices • The corporate culture – Different in terms of: • Structure of the corporation + consideration towards stakeholders’ and customers’ interest • International outlooks + global perspectives • Culture of the parent org/home country • Newness of age of the corporation in operating locally and overseas • No. of local employees holding top key positions • Type of educ + training offered to local employees

Contrasting Practices • Use of clichés – Some phrases and idioms used by Anglo. Saxon friends may cause discomfort to M’sians – Own colloquaial sayings in English • So so, OK, No problem lah, can, can also, boleh lah • To facilitate interpersonal r/ship

Contrasting Practices • The language issue in M’sia – Functional tool for accurate comm. + passing on cultural traditions – Malay lang = major lang – M’sian English contains distinct local expressions + other expressions (British English) – Mandarin + Tamil also spoken – Many Malay + Chinese words and idioms do not retain their meaning when translated literally into English (and vice versa)

Contrasting Practices • Foreign influence – Important to gauge each M’sian’s level of exposure to foreign influence – IT influenced the life style of the average M’sian • Consumers • Expressing ideas • Presenting t/selves to others

Questions? Thank You.