How does the Bumiputera Policy enable racism in Malaysia

Preferential treatment and policies are a reoccurring problem in Malaysia, with the Bumiputera policy in effect. The term Bumiputera, meaning “son of soil,” represents Malaysia's Malay population and indigenous people. This policy was implemented in 1957 to balance the economic disparity between different ethnic groups in Malaysia (Andaya, 2001). It can be controversial as it only supports certain people due to their race and not social background of merits.

In 1971, the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) further institutionalized the preference for the Malay population of Malaysia to increase the Bumiputera share in the economy by 30% (Gomex&Jomo, 1999). To reduce economic disparities, some have argued that this policy is responsible for the manifestation of the sense of entitlement among the Bumiputera group (Lee,2015), creating a huge problem whereby Non-Bumiputera communities build up resentment towards ethnic Malay, creating racial tension.

Not only has the Bumiputera policy created racial tension, but it has also impacted the public sector, education, and employment, leading to debates on equality.  This has also contributed to the Brain Drain issue in Malaysia as non-Bumiputera professionals seek work abroad where there is no meritocracy involved(Khadar,2020). This Brain Drain presents a huge problem as the Malaysian economy would lose millions of talented workers/laborers.

Efforts to remove the Bumiputera policy have been made; however, they met with resistance from many of the ethnic Malay groups as well as the Malaysian government, proving that racism runs deep into the race-based culture Malaysia has in its system. Non-Bumiputera can only hope that in the future, Malaysia will be a united country without any racism or biases towards anyone, creating a peaceful and equal economy.

References:

Andaya, B. W., & Andaya, L. Y. (2001). A History of Malaysia. Palgrave.

Gomez, E. T., & Jomo, K. S. (1999). Malaysia's Political Economy: Politics, Patronage and Profits. Cambridge University Press.

Khadar, K. (2020). "Meritocracy and the Malaysian Dream." Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 37(1), 83-97.

Lee, H. A. (2015). "Ethnic Relations in Malaysia: Harmony & Conflict." SIRD.

Munro-Kua, A. (1996). Authoritarian Populism in Malaysia. Macmillan.

Editor: Lau Tze Wei