Introduction
The study of culture is one area of scholarly work that has captured the attention of several studies around the globe. Culture is an integral part of the social life of different groups of the human beings the world over. The elements that make one culture to be distinct from another include the belief systems and traditions which define and support those cultures. Therefore, culture is the make-up of a set of norms, beliefs and values that members of a given community hold (Awang, Maros and Ibrahim 201). Different people and communities subscribe to different belief systems and the people and groups in Malaysia are thus not an exception. Apart from beliefs, values, and norms, other elements that define culture around the world include language, customs, rituals, and religion (Awang, Maros and Ibrahim 201). According to the beliefs of Rijamampianina, culture can be created or acquired probably through leaning, developed over time and is transferred from one generation to another or from one group of persons to another (Zawawi 410). Different cultures in different countries of the world affect the day-to-day political, social, and economic frameworks of those countries whether directly or indirectly. This study explores the different cultures of the people of Malaysia and the impacts these cultures have on the general socio-economic and political landscape of the sovereign state of Malaysia.
Perspectives
Awang, Maros, and Ibrahim (210) introduces Malaysia as a multicultural country comprising of the Malays, the Indians, and the Chinese. The Malays comprises the majority of the total population with the Chinese in the second and the Indians in the third place respectively (Awang, Maros and Ibrahim 201). Different studies have attempted to review the general occurrence of different cultures in Malaysia including some of the direct and indirect impacts these culture types have had on the social, economic, and political relationships in the country over the years. For example, Awang, Maros, and Ibrahim explores the possible impacts the values of Malay culture manifest during interviews for admission to universities (201). They also examine if there is an out-right exhibition of Malay cultural values by the Malays during their conversations and interactions with non-Malays (201). Chiok, Low and Ang notes that perspectives of culture such as ethnicity, nationality and the effects of globalization contribute towards the ultimate Malaysia identity (1). In Malaysia, culture has had an impact on the political environment especially on the angle of policy development. For example, the racial riots of May 13th, 1969 in Malaysia led to the development, enactment, and implementation of the National Culture Policy to help in curbing the propagation of future hostilities because of cultural differences (Chiok, Low and Ang 1). Even yet, as it is, there is still an identification of a contest of cultural supremacy where the Chinese Malaysians admit that they feel that they are still facing unfair treatment from their Malay counterparts who happen to be the majority because of the differences in culture (Chiok, Low and Ang 4). Zawawi’ scholarly work has also attempted to bring out the differences in the cultural values of the Malaysian communities, which are the Malays, Chinese, and the Indians (409). In her study, she exposes the cultural differences that the Malaysian groups of Malays, Chinese, and the Indians manifest at the place of work (409). Culture is transferrable from one group to another (Zawawi 410). For example, in a work environment, the manifestation of similarities of the values the Malays and the Chinese subscribe to is obvious compared to the wide differences in the values of their Indian counterparts (Zawawi 414). Through continuous engagement and interaction in a similar workplace, it is possible that the Indians have adopted helpful values from both the Malays and the Chinese and the reverse is also true. Lai, Chong and Sia study of the impact of culture on consumer behavior with emphasis on the Malays and the Chinese in Malaysia reveal a sharp contrast in the consumer choices that the two groups make despite the fact that these groups have lived together for so many years (184). It is notable that, because of religion and specifically Islam, believers are restricted from the consumption and consequently the purchase of certain products or services that are considered unappealing with regard to the Islamic teachings (Lai, Chong and Sia 184). Differences in culture between the Malays and the Chinese plays a significant role in the way individuals from these communities react on businesses processes such as advertisement (Lai, Chong and Sia 184). The religion of Islam also contributes to the political and economic face of the country because of the vocal advocacy of democracy and development from the Islam believers (Pramanik 39).
Analysis
It is thus very clearly that the culture of the people of Malaysia revolves around the elements of ethnicity and religion. The difference in values, beliefs, and norms of the three-ethnic groups that comprises the Malaysian population greatly defines the identity of the Malaysian people at a national and global perspective. For instance, what appeals to one community may not necessarily appeal to another. The value systems of each of the three communities are not completely even through certain values may appear to be common between either two of the groups or either of them. It is also notable that as much as the Chinese and the Malays are different, their value systems do not show a huge contrast as compared to the Indians. The role of religion cannot also be understated because it has a huge impact on the belief systems and the motivation it instills in individuals. For example, certain consumer choices are made purely on a religious basis. That is to say consumer will purchase and consume certain products or services as part of their normal religious indications. On the other hand, they may never purchase certain products because the teachings of their religion forbid the consumption or use of such products. On governance and politics, religion also plays a pushing role towards a just society and member of certain religions that advocates for democracy and development may also be found to be more vocal than others.
Evaluation
Culture being a very important component of human livelihood has to be approached with a lot of caution to avoid a sense of discrimination or oppression. The study of culture is thus important in facilitating the exposure of people to the different cultures of other people and to explain vividly why certain communities hold on to their sets of belief systems. This way, people will learn to appreciate other people from a point of understanding rather than discriminate or oppress them from a point of ignorance. Again, the richness of cultural diversity is supposed to be a platform for integration rather than a platform of disintegration and enmity. There are numerous benefits that can be derived from the differences thus of culture. For example, preservation of cultural heritage can be a point of attracting tourists, which can contribute to national development through the increase of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) because of tourism activities.
Self-Response
In my view, I believe that difference in culture is supposed to contribute to the betterment of communities rather than be an element of retrogression and division. For example, different countries are always in need of a workforce with different skills and expertise. The ideal is that, some of these expertise and skilled workers and women may not be available in such countries and may force these countries to import labor from other countries and regions. In this way, a workforce with skills and expertise that are not native to such a country is realized. Of importance to note is the fact that as these people comes from their various homelands and countries, they carry with themselves their native cultures and belief systems as well (Routamaa and Hautala 129). Therefore, a country in which other peoples’ cultures are appreciated will acquire a variety of workers with various skills and expertise from as many origins as possible. As a result, a country that provides a conducive environment for the importation of labor, migration, and movement of people such as tourist without discriminating against them on the sheer basis of culture is thus able to experience rapid economic growth compared to countries that have been associated with such discriminations (Routamaa and Hautala 129). It is also noted that expatriate who are not able to complete their assignments in foreign countries because they are discriminated against and oppressed causes the host country or the employment agency to undertake very expensive losses (Routamaa and Hautala 129).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth summarizing that culture greatly defines the way of life of different people all around the world. Of more importance is the need to understand those different cultures through cultural anthropology, which is the study of the different and unique cultures exhibited by different populations of the world. It is only through this understanding that we can be able to understand why other people’s belief systems are different from ours and be able to appreciate them rather than shy away from them. As indicated by the Malaysian case Indians working together with the Malays and the Chinese under the same environments are able to enrich themselves with positive values from the Malays and the Chinese. It is possible to acquire and gain positive values that are propagated in a culture that is different from ours to improve our value system. It would not be necessary to learn, acquire, and gain from such positive values if we out-rightly shunned such people away because of the fact that their beliefs are different from ours. So much development is possible from cultural integration compared to the damage cultural discrimination can bring.
Works Cited
Awang, S., M. Maros and N. Ibrahim. "Malay Values in Intercultural Communication." International Journal of Social Science and Humanity 2.3 (2012): 201-205.
Chiok, P. F., C. C. Low and S. M. Ang. "Malaysian Culture: Views of Educated Youths about Our Way Forward." International Proceedings of Economics Development and Research 48.1 (2012): 1-5.
Lai, Fatt Sian, et al. "Culture and Consumer Behaviour: Comparisons between Malays and Chinese in Malaysia." International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology 1.2 (2010): 180-185.
Pramanik, Ataul Huq. "Islam and Development Revisited With Evidences from Malaysia." Islamic Economic Studies 10.1 (2002): 39-74.
Routamaa, Vesa and Tiina M. Hautala. "Understanding Cultural Differences The Values in a Cross-Cultural Context." International Review of Business Research Papers 4.5 (2008): 129-137.
Zawawi, Dahlia. "Cultural Dimensions Among Malaysian Employees." International Journal of Economics and Management 2.2 (2008): 409 – 426.
