Ethnic Diversity in Malaysia-Lessons Learned from Bio-Diversity Research

Biology and Anthropology/Sociology have dealt with issues of diversity for a long time,developing different concepts, theories and methods. In recent years there has been, if not a convergence, but at least a recognition that problems in nature and in society are interrelated. This paper attempts to use methods of biodiversity research and test their applicability for a study of ethnic relations. It is noted that the preservation of biodiversity ranks high on the agenda of researchers and politicians, whereas ethnic diversity is often associated with unrest, conflict and economic decline. We try to reverse this tendency by emphasizing social cohesion and the social and economic value of ethnic diversity. An “ethnic diversity index” is developed and proposed for further analysis of Malaysia’s plural society. This index is based on Simpson’s diversity index, commonly used in biodiversity research. Furthermore research on the interrelation of bio- and ethnic diversity is advocated.Malaysia; ethnic diversity;bio-diversity;economic value of diversity; economic development

Ethnic Diversity in Malaysia-Lessons Learned from Bio-Diversity Research

Biology and Anthropology/Sociology have dealt with issues of diversity for a long time,developing different concepts, theories and methods. In recent years there has been, if not a convergence, but at least a recognition that problems in nature and in society are interrelated. This paper attempts to use methods of biodiversity research and test their applicability for a study of ethnic relations. It is noted that the preservation of biodiversity ranks high on the agenda of researchers and politicians, whereas ethnic diversity is often associated with unrest, conflict and economic decline. We try to reverse this tendency by emphasizing social cohesion and the social and economic value of ethnic diversity. An “ethnic diversity index” is developed and proposed for further analysis of Malaysia’s plural society. This index is based on Simpson’s diversity index, commonly used in biodiversity research. Furthermore research on the interrelation of bio- and ethnic diversity is advocated

Development and Change in Rural Malaysia: The Role of the Village Development Committee(<Special Issue>Socio-Economic Change and Cultural Transformation in Rural Malaysia : A Preliminary Research Report)

この論文は国立情報学研究所の学術雑誌公開支援事業により電子化されました

The role of ICT in a globalised knowledge production

This essay intends to explore and describe the relationship between knowledge production and globalization mediated through information and communication technology (ICT). The first part deals with the current trend and development in knowledge production around the world by examining how globalisation has affected patterns of knowledge production in three key aspects of knowledge system, namely, epistemology, ontology and methodology. The second part of the essay examines the nature of contradictions generated by the presence of ICT and globalization in knowledge production such as the ‘dividedness’ that has been generated by the existence of “nation-states”. The experience of the Southeast Asian region is presented as a case study. The final part of the essay touches on the issue of access and equity as well as democratization of knowledge in the context of ICT, globalization and knowledge productio

Making sense of Malay sexuality: An exploration

This article is a three-part exploratory study of Malay sexuality. Part one provides an insight into the epistemological and ontological aspects of sexuality and gender; part two looks at the case of Anwar Ibrahim as one that illuminates the ways in which Malay society grapples with issues of sex and morality; and part three interprets the Anwar Ibrahim’s case from the epistemological and ontological perspective of gender and sexuality. The case received much attention locally and abroad because it involved a political leader who had been seen by many as a probable Prime Minister. However, Anwar Ibrahim was alleged to have indulged in unnatural sex with a few men, forbidden in Islam, and shocking to many because of his image as a pious Muslim leader. His case, however, provides an opportunity to analyze relevant wider issues about the construction of Malay sexuality and moralit

Editors' Introduction(<Special Issue>Socio-Economic Change and Cultural Transformation in Rural Malaysia : A Preliminary Research Report)

この論文は国立情報学研究所の学術雑誌公開支援事業により電子化されました

Globalisasi, teknologi maklumat dan ilmu: Menyuluh pengalaman Malaysia

Information Technology (IT) is said to have played a crucial role in empowering globalization as a social phenomenon. It is also argued that the existence of globalization and IT has enabled the ‘democratization of knowledge’. To examine the validity of these arguments, Malaysia is presented as a case study. It is quite clear that Malaysia’s IT forward push is located in the bigger, longterm and all-encompassing planned change efforts of the government. But, the success has been limited. Indeed, it is dependent, as a pre-requisite, on the ability of the government to raise the quality of the life of the population. However, in the field of education, special projects, such as the Portal www.malaycivilization.com Project, has not only fulfilled the need of those interested in Malay World Studies, but also served a group of unintended global audience of tertiary students from various parts of the worl

Identity contestation in Malaysia: a comparative commentary on ‘Malayness’ and ‘Chineseness’

The discourse on ethnic identity is a modern phenomenon. It came along with colonialism, in particular the construction of ‘colonial knowledge’ necessary for purposes of colonial ru,e. The creation of a ‘plural society’ in British Malaya provided the ‘epistemological basis and space’ not only for discourse on ethnic identities but also the assification of ethnic categories into lived reality, be it in the ‘authority-defined’ context as well as the ‘everyday defined’ context. This essay traces the historical trajectory of the construction of Malaysia’s two major ethnic groups, namely, Malay and Chinese, as well as what constitutes “Malayness’ and ‘Chineseness’. It also offers a brief comparative commentary on the latter

Ethnicity, class, culture or identity? competing paradigms in Malaysian studies

`Malaysian studies' as a field of social scientific study has its roots in `colonial knowledge' which in turn has had European social theory and classificatory schema as its epistemological basis. Hence social analysis of Malaysian society; be it based on the `ethnicity' or `class' or `culture' or `identity' paradigm, has been framed in the same epistemological framework. This essay discusses critically the origin of each of the said paradigms, especially its development from the sphere of `public advocacy' to the realm of `academic analyses', in a historical and longitudinal perspectie from the colonial era to the contemporary period, and in due process highlights not only the co-existence and competing nature of these paradigms but also the major contributors and their contributons within each paradigm