Malaysian Ethnic Policy Evolution

The evolution of Malaysia's ethnic policy has undergone three stages of change. They are tone setting period, full suppression period and the overall tolerant, opened period. Although great changes happened in the three periods, overall the ethnic policy of Malaysia implemented is relatively modest. First of all, Malaysia has been implemented system of parliamentary democracy inherited from the British. It means domestic minority ethnic parties and interest groups could have more space for its operation. The unique ethnic structure, strength of ethnic and needs of political, economic and social development of Malaysia together with other factors have contributed to the formation and development of Malaysia's relatively moderate ethnic policy.Learning from the 1969 "5.13" incident, Malaysia appended more authoritarian colors into their own political system creatively to ensure domestic political stability in times of crisis. In addition Malaysia constantly adjusted its ethnic policy and economic development strategies to adapt to the changing situation at home and abroad. Malaysia aimed to promote the equal rights of domestic groups and economic growth, and create good relations between ethnic groups in order to promote the formation of the Malaysian nation.Overall, based on the current framework the future direction of Malaysia's ethnic policy will be gradually tending towards the targets of truly candid, equal, harmonious, native Malaysia nation. However, history has never been smooth. There are plenty of negative factors to influence the future direction of Malaysia's ethnic policy. In the appropriate historical conditions they even may play a decisive role, and resulting in a significant shift.