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Posted June 12th. 2009
Chinese, Pinoys, Malays, Indians, Poruguese, Eurasians, English, Kadazans, Dayaks ...............
The list goes on , for these are among some of the citizens of Malaysia that made us unique.
It has often been mentioned and said in numerous articles around the globe about Malaysia's cultural heritage and its multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society. To the world at large, this potpourri of culture, races, festivities and social blending is usually not well understood. While being a Malaysian myself, I have had my own experiences in the social behaviour of other countries. England being my second home, has had it's own acute social problem in tackling the sudden influx of numerous ethnic minorities from other former Commonwealth countries. I enjoy living in the UK, enjoyed being a Londoner, but that does not mean my life of 12 years there did not has its "downside". I find tolerance towards other races rather low amongst the Brits.
Travelling has been a great interest of mine. I have been to Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, France, Canada, USA and many other countries. I dare to say I feel racial tolerance is an issue in most countries. Ethnic minorities are not particularly well understood with regards to their culture and believes. The "new immigrants" thus resort to keeping their lives to themselves and seldom socialise. This in return, creates more misunderstandings towards their cultural believes.
Malaysia is not perfect but major races namely Malays, Chinese and Indians which made up of the majority of the population have lived together since before independence from the United Kingdom in 1957. The fight for independence and the eventual "marching" by the 3 major races (Malays, Chinese, Indians) represented by their respective leaders to ask Queen Elizabeth II to grant full independence to Malaysia indicates the tolerance and cooperation among the major races. This creates an atmosphere conducive enough to extend to the other minorities in the country. These minorities many of whom are the indigenous people here are gracefully accepted as fellow Malaysian without any questions asked.
So why is Malaysia so different and tolerant towards other races? Why many other countries find race relation an issue? The reason is simple enough. Malaysians grew up together with their multi-racial friends. They were all born in Malaysia and not "new immigrants". Racial disharmony becomes an issue if fellow citizens were not naturally born in their country of residence. The culture, believes and religion "imported" into the new home usually bring about curiosity and caution to the host country.
We are lucky, we are Malaysians.
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