Racial_Discrimination_in_Malaysia

Racial Discrimination in Malaysia Executive Summary The following paper is written to discuss about prejudice and discrimination that is ongoing in Malaysia. The practice of racial discrimination towards the minorities, which were the non bumi putras’ mainly the Chinese and the Indians since the 1950’s following the commission of the Constitution of Malaysia under Article 153. This paper will highlight the reality of such practices of legalized discrimination , the effects of discrimination as well as theoretical solutions to address it. Legalized Discrimination An unjust practice or simply known as discrimination has plagued the human race since the beginning of mankind. Discrimination is merely a judgment or a perceived opinion of a person towards another without rightful justification and proof about differences that one sees in another as compared to them. Intentional or not, some has just grown into discriminating others due to the fact of their upbringing and the ethnicity they belong to. One may deem that discrimination is harmless, the fact is, the word discrimination as compared to stereotyping or even prejudice, leads to violence , provocation and negative effects to individuals and communities. ‘Legalized discrimination'’ No one in their right mind would ever think that discrimination is legal in any society , but in reality countries for example, Malaysia has been operating in this manner for the past 54 years. The oppression against races whom are the minorities mainly the Chinese (23% of the population) and Indians (7% of the population) are practically ongoing whether is it in school (education), at work (job opportunities), buying a home (financing) and more. People in the country are not judge based on their ability to work, their ability to pay bills, their ability to be scholars, they are judged based on the colour of their skin and their religion. No matter how far non-malays progresses or even how good they are, when your second class, you’ll always remain second class and nothing more. I have choose to highlight racial discrimination of non-bumiputra’s in Malaysia, in favor of the potential for economic growth and stability of the country. The potential of a vast growing nation to be able to produce its own products and to provide optimal service is a reality. Malaysia is a rich country filled with natural resources, blessed with the beauty of nature, the country is known to be one of the world’s top exporting countries of oil and rubber. Furthermore, Malaysia’s rich culture and ethnicity revolutionized the tourism sector in Asia accommodating races of abundant values and interest. Nevertheless, due to racial discrimination, this country will never find outs its true potential. Common examples of stereotypes are that the Chinese people are considered cheats and liars or beneficiaries that resides in Malaysia at the expense of the Malays. Malays are deemed lazy, a word normally associated with acting like a “pig” as the Government supports the rate of child birth for the Malay communities and having paid them while many lived under Government support and not resolving to work. The Indian community is portrait as being poor and shabby and staying in a plantation estate. A common misconception is that Indians are the main culprits associated with robbery and theft and violence. Why is it important to talk about it' The world that we live in now conceptualizes the idea of equality among gender, races and religion. We talk about being one for all and all for one, but in fact that is not what the world is today, merely just an illusion. Non-Bumiputra’s living in Malaysia with a sense of insecurity and belittlement due to the fact of discrimination and prejudice. By highlighting and understanding the form or racism and prejudice towards a particular individual, will prevent social cohesion and heated debates providing a situation whereby creating a stepping stone for harmonious living in Malasia. The Malaysian analogy of the Aryan race, the Bumiputra. Under Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia (a “social contract”), people who were originally the natives of the country are given the right to be govern with special interest as compared to that whom were not. Mainly Malays and the Orang Asli community of Sabah and Sarawak has these rights. Bumiputra is the term given to these two ethnic community. Rights associated with bumi’s ranges from benefits to lower priced home ownership, a higher quota in the education system in Malaysia which is relatively one-sided of 80% admission for Bumiputra’s. Additionally, the opportunity to work with the government or even working for the government are segmented to hierarchy and quota. Specific government projects for instance “Iskandar Malaysia” an economic corridor to boast Johor’s economy, were only given tenders to class ‘A’ and class ‘B’ contractors. Of which to obtain a class ‘A’ or even a class ‘C’ contractor’s license is unheard of for non-bumiputras. Thus, most government projects were given to known associates and even family members. As above mentioned, prejudice and discrimination creates inequality in society as people are judged and perceived to behave or act in a particular manner without rightful justification. Having in mind of being prejudice, one would behave differently towards these particular group of people. A different attitude and a different treatment solemnly based on the colour of their skin. People of different skin colour are still humans, they are no less of a breathing and living mammal that functions the same way as everyone else. “Doesn’t everyone deserve to have the right to earn their way up the corporate ladder'” Racism has prevented non-Bumiputra’s high ranking and high pay roles within the government administrations and companies. It is not because that the non’s are no less qualified but just left unnoticed. In my opinion, prejudice and discrimination should be dealt with since young. The older generation has experienced too much to have complete forgiveness and change the way they perceive the current world. Where the younger and future generations are not, giving early education to prevent fear and ignorance towards the subject of prejudice and discrimination aids the younger generation by being more aware of their surroundings and promote racial integration. Changes in law, aids to promote better equality by giving voting rights and the abolishment of Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia. The main factor for racial disputes in Malaysia boils down to the special rights which is granted to Bumiputra’s. Discrimination will only be minimized if there were to be a change to reduce the special rights given while total abolishment would create equality. By bringing different members of the ethnicity together to better understand each another needs tends to reduce prejudice and discrimination.