Education and national integration in Malaysia: Stocktaking thirty years after independence*1

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Abstract
More than three decades after gaining independence from the British in 1957, relations among the three principal ethnic groups in Malaysia Malays, Chinese and Indians remain difficult. On the assumption that education would be a unifying force, a national curriculum was implemented characterised by a common curriculum, a common language of instruction (Malay), and common public examinations. Affirmative action policies favouring Malays, seen as historically disadvantaged, ensured higher education opportunities which provided them with increased access to high-level occupations. Although policies lacing emphasis on measures, firstly, to reduce poverty and, secondly, to reduce identification of race with occupation were aimed at minimising social and economic disparities among the races, implementation processes have resulted not only in intensifying inter-ethnic tensions but also in highlighting intra-ethnic inequities.

Article Outline
References *1 This paper was prepared for an ethnic relations project undertaken by the Human Development Studies group at the Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya.

Post-independence Malaysian Malay and English Short Stories: Conflicts and Race Relation in Perspective Nor Hashimah Isa English Language Department, Faculty of Languages, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak Abstract: This paper addresses the conflicts and race relations in post-independence Malaysian Malay and English short stories written from 1957 to 1969. During pre-independence, the races were subjected to the British `divide and rule policy that segregated the three races. After independence in 1957, the races were forced to stay together in a young country that was constantly in turmoils of racial dissatisfactions and prejudice. Every race carried with them racial baggage that clouded efforts of togetherness and identity. In 1969, the diversified Malaysians bear witness to the bloody May 13 racial riot that took many lives and scarred the nation. The issue of race relations between the plural societies of post-independence Malaysia is addressed in terms of instances of conflicts identified in the short stories. The contemporary diverse populace in Malaysia is brought to the turmoils and problems faced by the races in the post-independence era to evoke tolerance, respect and empathy for each other. This effort will help intensify the compelling need of Malaysians awareness and positive attitude towards establishing good race relations amongst them in making nationhood and racial harmony a reality.

Keywords: Conflicts, race relations, racial gaps, post-independence INTRODUCTION After years of independence, Malaysia has not truly witnessed its people today assimilated as one. The races relationship with one another is still questionable, despite the government s efforts to encourage racial harmony and national identity. Rehman (1993:57) says there was simply too much historical baggage between the races English Language Journal Vol 3, (2009) 57-66 ISSN 1823 6820 English Language Journal Vol 3, (2009) 57-66 ISSN 1823 6820 58 59 to blithely set aside. During the years of early independence, there were divergent interests amongst the races in Malaysia. The races experienced conflicts which are consequences of inter-racial issues in their interaction with one another. These dissatisfactions and race-related problems persisted over the years of independence. It is crucial that the present generation is exposed to the reality of the pre and post-independence Malaysian race relation scenario, to evoke awareness and positive race relations amongst them. Malaysians must be geared towards a better understanding of their multicultural people and not be lured into blind hatred and racial prejudice. Hence, the post-independence Malaysian Malay and English short stories are best suited to enlighten the people about the socio-cultural issues of that time.