Malaysia and Its Civilization

Prepared by: Fahd Ali Saleh Al-Kabdhah, Muhammad Dhimas Adianto, Sabrina Naula
Allisha, Thasleema Parveen Malick

Assignment 1: The Interaction of Malay, Chinese, and India to Develop A Civilization

UICI 1012: Islamic and Asian Civilization

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Malaysia is made up of two major regions, Peninsular Malaysia also called West
Malaysia; and Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, East Malaysia. Based on current
static from Department of Statics Malaysia, population of Malaysia residents consist of 31.7
million and more than 178 ethnic group with composition of 68.6% Bumiputera, 23.4%
Chinese, 7% Indians, 1% others.
A unique characteristic of Malaysians society is that it is Multi-racial. Beginnings in the
1870s, the Malay community considered as multi-racial, but the formation of a pluralistic
society (plural society) took place in 1910's. In other words, it refers to a society with
heterogeneous characteristic. The importance of the large-scale Chinese, Indian and
Indonesian migrations into Malaya during 1800s created the plural society today. The term
plural society The term plural society was first introduced by Furnivall (1967) in
Netherlands India, in which he defined as comprising two or more elements or social orders,
which live side by side, yet without mingling, in one political unit[1].
According to Abraham (1997), plural society in Malaysia refers to a society where the
Europeans, Malays, Chinese and Indians were separated by race, institutional and cultural
patterns and differential access to political and economic power, such that these divisions are
mutually reinforcing rather than cross cutting [2]. However, generally, in plural society, the
inter-ethnic interaction has happened but with minimal contacts and usually the nature of
interaction rooted in conflict, rather than close co-operation. The conflict is based on the
dissatisfaction of one another. In this paper, we will discuss the interaction level in Malaysian
society, issues that have challenge the unity of the society, and its possible solutions.

2.0 THE PRINCIPLE OF INTERACTION BETWEEN CIVILIZATION

Superiority and privileges of the civilization had proven the effect of the interaction
between civilization. According to the third edition of the kamus dewan, interaction means an
act or an active relationship with each other. Interaction also means the reaction between two
or more parties. However, it must be recognized when there is interaction, it is either can
bring benefit or sometimes disastrous. This means that interactions can occur peaceful or
violent or conflict that bring bloodshed, war and aggression.
Interaction means relationship between parties (individuals, group, society, nation) that
involves communication, gathering and sharing among them in various aspects. This
interaction between civilizations involves the aspect of;
Knowledge and Thought-sharing
Skills-sharing
Value-sharing
Cultural and custom-sharing
Institutional-sharing
The interaction begins with acculturation process that integrates a multi-racial society and
ethnicity. Through a process of interaction between cultures, thus the interaction between
civilizations formed. Trade plays an important role in the process of interaction between
civilizations.

2.1 4 Main Categories of Characteristics of Civilization

a. Basic needs (Residential areas, Food, Building, Language & Writing, Quality of Life
etc).
b. Organizational System (Politics, economy, social, religious, culture, laws, education
etc).
c. Innovation and Invention in Science & Technology + Social Sciences (focus on
Tangible aspect)
 d. Creativity and Innovative elements in Science & Technology + Social Sciences
(Focus on Intangible aspect).
2.2 Universal Values between Civilizations in the context of
1) Family
is important and basic elements of social system development. Consist of
Parents, Men, Women, Children, Grandparent etc. Most of civilizations inculcate the
value of respect, kindness, affection, and good relationship among parent and siblings,
loyalty, rights & responsibility, accountability, justice etc.
2) Society
is important and basic elements of civilization development. Value, norms,
rules and regulations as a guideline for society members. Values and elements of
Taaruf, Tafahum, Tasamuh, Taawun, Takafu can give moral, psychological, material
support to their members
3) Politics & Governance
is important and basic elements of governance development. Consist of Ruler,
Sultan, emperor, government, citizen, etc
4) Economy
is important and basic elements of civilization development to enhance
economic growth and life status.
5) Environment
is important and basic elements of environmental and ecological balance.
Most of civilizations inculcate the value of balance in life, ethics in handling
environment issues, avoid to destroy the ecological system
6) Education
is important and basic elements of civilization development. To build
physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually dimension of human. Most of
civilizations inculcate the value of education such as the ability to think, act and apply
the knowledge, apply good ethics.

2.3 Worldview of Malay Civilization

Before Islam (Budhism and Hinduism)
Belief system is Primitive (Animism & Dynamism).
 Believe in ancestor spirit (roh nenek moyang).
They believe every matter/things have the spirit that brings good or bad effect
towards their life.
Shaman/healer (Pawang@Bomoh) aand Tok Dalang as mediator in the ritual in
connecting with the spirit.
They use charm, spell (jampi, mentera) and sacrificial rites (upacara sembelihan)
After Islam
Religion: Islam as a way of life. Islamic principle is vital in Malay society. (e.g.
consider the Islamic Aqidah, Syariah and Akhlak in Wedding traditions
Culture & Language (Budaya & Bahasa): Status and position of king/sultan,
Loyalty to King and Sultan, Custom & Tradition, superstitious, Malay language as
Lingua franca
Values: Respect the elders, Focus on family relationship, Give special title to
family members such as Tuan (Sir), Encik (Mr), Puan (Madam), Pak Long, Pak
Ngah, Tok Wan etc). Respect and humble, Respect guests and believe they bring
blessing and gift from Allah. Conduct meeting to inculcate cooperation. E.g.
Communal work (Gotong-royong).

3.0 HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION IN MALAYSIA

The Malays are the race where they inhabit the Malay Peninsula and some of the islands
of Southeast Asia. Which including the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and
smaller islands that lie between these areas.
Malay Civilization in Malaysia started from the 14th century when srivijaya was losing its
influence and faced threats from the Majapahit Empire. Majapahit attacked the Srivijaya, as a
result srivijaya was forced to leave Palembang. Parameswara was the leader of Srivijaya and
finally reach a small fishing village around Malacca River. He was resting under an Indian
gooseberry tree (Malacca tree) and saw his hunting dog overcome by a small white mouse
deer. He took it as a good omen and decide to name the place as Malacca, he was the founder
of Malacca kingdom, because of the strategic location of Malacca straits which is the main
shipping channel between western and eastern empire Malacca gone through superior
development and become one of the most important trading area at that time. Malacca also
the earliest Malay sultanates and has Islam as its main religious as Parameswara became a
Muslim when he married a Princess of Pasai.
Later on, Malacca was taken over by many foreign forces such as Portuguese, France,
British and Japan. The civilization of Malacca is one of the most important civilizations in
formation of Malaysia. After the invasion of Japan, Japanese invasion during World War
II ended British domination in Malaysia. The subsequent occupation from 1942 to 1945
unleashed nationalism in Malaya. Malayan union was form and bring about the establishment
of independent of Malaya. Singapore were granted independence and formed Malaysia with
the peninsular states on 16 September 1963.
Malaysia has become a country in South East Asia where foreign influences
fundamentally influenced its history. Malay has become the nation for Malaysia and the main
religion for Malaysia is Islam. Malaysia has continue Malay civilization until today.
Malay civilization has done many contributions to the world civilization, it include the
development of the law, Malacca had a well-defined government with a set of laws The
formal legal text of traditional Melaka consisted of the Undang-Undang Melaka (Laws of
Malacca), variously called the Hukum Kanun Melaka and Risalat Hukum Kanun, and
the Undang-Undang Laut Melaka (the Maritime Laws of Malacca). Islam religion also
greatly developed through the civilization of Malay. Language and culture also developed
under the civilization of Malay.
Modern Malaysia is a growing country that has great potential because of the sources
(petroleum) and no natural disaster. Science and technology has developed and Malaysia has
become one of the advance countries in the world. Malaysia also consist of a multi-races
society. Malaysia will continue grow and make new contribution to the civilization of the
world.

3.1 Negrito Aborigines :

The geographical position of the Malay Peninsula has been the passage of choice for
people moving south from very ancient times. It is likely that the Negrito (or rather their
ancestors) were among the first modern humans to use and settle along that route, followed
possibly a bit later by the ancestors of the Veddoids. Most data available on the Semang at
present is unfortunately still of the type acquired by "looking" and "measuring". Some DNA
tests have been reported from a number of SE Asian remnant Veddoid and proto-Malay
remnant populations but the results show such an enormously complicated picture that it is
still very far from being sorted out. This is hardly surprising in the "migratory highway" that
is SEAsia and the Malay Peninsula. Malaysia is split geographically into a continental
peninsular and an insular part occupying the eastern coast of Borneo with the states Sarawak
and Sabah. Both parts of the country have a remarkably deep prehistory of modern humans
but there are no living Negritoid or Veddoid tribes living in Borneo.

3.2 Negrito Semang :

Peninsular Malaysia has the Negrito Semang and some Veddoid groups with
Negritoid admixtures as well as remnant proto-Malay tribes. It also has some very ancient
archaeological sites. At least one site at Bukit Jawa in Kelantan State goes back more than
50,000 years. At that time, sea levels were much lower and much of what is now sea between
the Sunda Islands was dry land. Beach and other prehistoric sites, therefore are now deep
under water and next to impossible to find and excavate. The stone tool technology called
Hoabinhian (so known from its North Vietnamese site) is known from all over mainland
Southeast Asia. It has tentatively been linked to Negritos but this has not been definitively
confirmed and remains an open question.
The Semang tribes live (or used to live) in the mountainous interior of peninsular
Malaysia where they have lived in close association with a variety of Veddoid and tribal
Malay groups. They are, however, physically and culturally much more closely related to the
Andamanese Negrito than to their long-term Veddoid neighbours. Although they do not seem
to have mixed much, their contact was still close enough for them to acquire cultural traits
that differentiate them somewhat from the Andamanese. In view of the long separation from
each other, it is remarkable how well they have kept their common "Negrito heritage".
Among Negrito, the Andamanese remain unique for having preserved their original
languages. The Semang have adopted the language of the Mon-Khmer wave of migrants
surrounding them perhaps since before 7,000 years ago. Some vocabulary suspected of going
back to their original language has been recovered. Around 4,500 years ago, the Mon-Khmer-
speakers were themselves pushed aside by Malay newcomers who today dominate the
peninsula south of the Thai border. Oddly enough, the Semang and some Veddoid tribal
groups have retained their Mon-Khmer languages until recently despite the social and cultural
pressures to adopt Malay.
3.3 Proto-Malays
The term Proto-Malay, which translates to Melayu asli (aboriginal Malay) or Melayu
purba (ancient Malay), refers to the Mongoloids and Austronesia speakers from mainland
Asia who moved to the Malay peninsula and Malay archipelago in a long series of migrations
between 2500 and 1500 BC.
The Proto-Malays are believed to be seafarers knowledgeable in oceanography and
possessing advanced fishing as well as basic agricultural skills. They moved around from
island to island in great distances between New Zealand and Madagascar, and they served as
navigation guides, crew and labour to Indian, Arab, Persian and Chinese traders for nearly
2000 years. Over the years, they settled at various places and adopted various cultures and
religions as a result of acculturation and interracial and inter-tribal marriages with most of the
people they come in contact with including with other Orang Asli tribes such as
the Semang and Senoi peoples.

3.4 Deutero-Malays
The earlier Proto Malay groups were later pushed inland by the Deutero Malay settlers in
the second wave of migration around 300 BC. The Deutero Malays are Iron Age people
descended partly from the Chams of Mainland Southeast Asia who came equipped with more
advanced farming techniques and new knowledge of metals . They are kindred but more
Mongolized and greatly distinguished from the Proto Malays which have shorter stature,
darker skin, slightly higher frequency of wavy hair, much higher percentage of
dolichocephalism and a markedly lower frequency of the epicanthic fold. The Deutero Malay
settlers were not nomadic compared to their predecessors, instead they settled and
established kampungs which serve as the main units in the society. These kampungs were
normally situated on the riverbanks or coastal areas and generally self-sufficient in food and
other necessities. By the end of the last century BC, these kampungs beginning to engage in
some trade with the outside world.
The Deutero Malays are considered as the direct ancestors of present day's Malay
people. Their series of migration had indirectly forced some groups of Proto Malays and
aboriginal people to retreat into the hill areas of the interior further upriver. Notable Proto
Malays of today are Moken, Jakun, Orang Kuala, Temuan and Orang Kanaq.
4.0 LEVEL OF INTERACTION AMONG CHINESE, MALAY, AND INDIA IN
MALAYSIA

In order to analyze the level of interaction in the context of the reality of a plural
society in Malaysia, Mazrui (1971) model can be applied. There are four stages before the
integration process to achieve actual unity level;

1) The first stage is the bare-coexistence

This is a minimum degree of interaction between the different groups. These

groups need not even know of each others existence. Their co-existence with a
number of other groups in the same national entity is not always a conscious
coexistence. In Malaysia context, this level of integration between the mid-
nineteenth century to the early nineteenth century 19M-20M which is before the
Second World War. The first stage is referred to the meaning of the plural society
espoused by Furnivall.

2) The second stage is a relationship of contact

The second degree saw the open conflicts between communities in the social
system. This means that the groups have at least some minimal dealings with each
other or communication between each other. The groups need not be on friendly
terms. This level can be seen in the era of Japanese occupation in Malaya until a
few years after independence.

3) The third stage is a relationship of compromise

The third level is a relationship based on compromise between the races. By this
time the dealings between the groups have become sufficiently complex, diverse
and interdependent to require a climate of peaceful reconciliation between the
conflicting interests. The groups still have clearly distinct identities of their own,
as well as distinct interest. In Malaysia context, the leaders of each ethnic make
collaboration to increase the level of understanding with the adoption of
 government policies aimed at building a united Malaysian race aside parochialism
and racist.

4) The fourth level is the stage of coalescence.

This is the final stage of national integration. This is a coalescence of identities,

rather than a merger of interests. Diversity of interests would continue. Although
society has been in the third level, the integration process does not show
continuous transformation leading to the fourth level. Consolidation of multi-
ethnic society forms the basis of completion of a new society (the stage of
coalescence). Immigrant communities will lose much of its original identity.

Therefore, Malaysian societies have been through two levels and now are at the third level.
The actual unity does not exist yet and is still a long way.

5.0 THE CAUSES OF POOR INTERACTION BETWEEN THREE DIFFERENT

ETHNIC GROUP OF MALAYSIA

5.1 Different religion, believes and culture

There are three major ethnic groups namely Malays, Indians and Chinese all which
practising different religion and ideologies. Each group with unique cultural and
communication systems, there are some conflicts existing due to misunderstanding and
misinterpretation of other groups culture.
Malays are the indigenous people of Malaysia, where they constitute about 60% of the
population and practising the religion of Islam and speaking Malay language. Most of the
policies is depending on the culture of Malay and the religion of Islam. These policies results
in the establishment of Malay as the national language. This increases the position of Malays
as the original inhabitants of the land. This was not quite acceptable by the other ethnic
groups because they are trying to maintain their cultural identity and to preserve their own
community core values. The homogeneous society of Malaya who shares the same cultural
values and speaking the same language has been changed to a heterogeneous society where
Indians and Chinese were accepted as the citizens after the independence in 1957. The non-
Malays struggled for the space and competing with the native Malays due to the practice of
varied sets of civilizational values and culture.
 Chinese are the people who have migrated from China with a rich of cultural
diversity and well known for hardworking and trades. There was some issues where before
the independence the immigrants from China during the British rule, overwhelmed the
number of native people. At that time there were almost no interaction between Chinese and
Malays. After the Chinese settled down and localised in Malaya, they expressed their
dissatisfaction of the special privileges given to Malays.
Indians migrated into Malaysia during the middle of 19th century to work in plantations.

5.2 Discrimination
The Malays are given the most preferences in public sectors, educational and
economical bodies and loans and scholarships for the students. These privileges also lead to
the discrimination of non-Malays in the business sector and also reduces the space for the
cultural rights of the other ethnic groups.
According to Dilip Lahiri(2008), Indians are categorically denied basic and
elementary needs and necessities, fundamental rights and equal opportunities of progress.
They have to face racial discrimination in many fields, including: the allotment of business
licenses, the awarding of government scholarships, the closure of Tamil primary schools,
citizenship applications, granting of permits for taxis, allotment of land, admission to
universities, appointment of lecturers or teachers, etc.

5.3 Ethnic Superiority

In Malaysia, the Malays are the people who are being dominated in terms of politics,
administration, educational offers and in governmental bodies. Adding to that, the concept of
Bumiputeras which was termed by the first prime minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak
to recognise and give a special position and offers to the Malays and the indigeneous people
of the country.

6.0 CONCLUSION
Malaysia devided by two major regions peninsular and east malaysia, consists of
malays, chinese, and indians. There are a few aspects of interaction between the ethnic groups
in malaysia, like sharing knowledge, thought, skills, value, cultural, and institutional. Time
after time the worldview of malay keep changing, we can see it by compare it malay before
islam and after islam.

Before the presents malays people, there are a few tribes that lived in Malaysia like
Negrito Abrorigines, Negrito Semang, Proto-Malays, and also Deutro-Malays. The
interaction between Malay, Chinese, and Indians in Malaysia have 4 stages. But, they have
problem of poor interaction between the ethnic group that happened because of different in
religion, believes, culture, and many more.

7.0 REFERENCES
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/107006796/Malay-Civilization
https://prezi.com/wtfgbgbh98lr/titas-malay-civilization/
http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/cultures.html
https://present.me/download/presentation/97898-week-6
http://reportpresentationtitas.blogspot.my/2012/05/presentation-kumpulan-1
http://www.itc.gov.my/tourists/discover-the-muslim-friendly-malaysia/islam-in-malaysia/
https://wanhasni.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/a-very-brief-history-of-the-malays-and-malaysia
Mazrui,A.,1971.Pluralism and National Integration. In Pluralism in Africa
Kuper, eds. Leo and Smith, M.G., Berkeley: University of California Press.

www.ipedr.com/vol34/001-ICHHS2012-H00001.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumiputera_(Malaysia)
http://www.e-ir.info/2013/02/06/challenges-to-the-rights-of-malaysians-of-indian-
descent/