The Inequality of Ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia: On Malaysian Chinese Under Ketuanan Melayu

Qifeng Zhang

doi:10.54097/94mzyz52

Authors

Qifeng Zhang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/94mzyz52

Keywords:

Asian studies; inequality; Malaysia; ethnic Chinese; migration studies.

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the inequality faced by Malaysian Chinese by analyzing the root causes of this phenomenon and giving practical suggestions for improvement. It emphasizes that the root cause of inequality in Malaysia lies in the residual Ketuanan Melayu (“Malay Overlordship” or “Malay Supremacy”) ideology within the Malaysian government. National policies based on this ideology have enabled Malays to enjoy a series of unfair privileges in the country, while non-Malay ethnic groups such as Chinese have been discriminated against unfairly for a very long time. By analysing the existence of Ketuanan Melayu and how it works in the fields of politics, economy and education in Malaysia, the paper reveals that Malaysian Chinese are suffering from multi-dimensional institutional discrimination. Finally, the paper provides five suggestions for the Malaysian government to eliminate racial discrimination. These proposals seek to promote racial equality in Malaysia and harmony, prosperity, and unity in this multi-ethnic country.

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