Kuala lumpur: While Malaysia's racial, cultural, and religious diversity is often highlighted, it is less often recognized that this diversity itself represents the very 'face of Malaysia'.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, it is from this diversity that a unifying strength emerges, with culture serving as a bridge for Malaysians to know, understand, and respect one another's differences, while fostering a sense of belonging as a nation. In Peninsular Malaysia, Malays, Chinese, and Indians, together with the various Orang Asli communities, live side by side, sharing spaces, traditions, and values that form the foundation of harmony.
In Sabah and Sarawak, the face of Malaysia is reflected in the rich diversity of ethnic communities such as the Kadazandusun, Bajau, Murut, Iban, Bidayuh, and Melanau, each with their own customs, languages, and heritage. Despite differences in cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions, all these communities share one identity-they are Malaysians.
Commenting on the issue, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Institute of Social Science Studies (IPSAS) Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dr. Mohd Roslan Rosnon said the diversity was among Malaysia's key strengths. 'This strength is reflected in Malaysians' ability to live with diversity and share the same social space. Through this process of interaction, understanding, tolerance, and a sense of togetherness are gradually developed among the people. Therefore, diversity should not be viewed as a barrier to unity, but rather as social and cultural capital that must continue to be preserved,' he told Bernama.
Mohd Roslan stressed that cultural differences could become divisive when clouded by suspicion and prejudice, particularly when there were limited opportunities for people to know, understand, and appreciate one another. However, when differences are understood and respected, they can become a source of learning and a shared strength in building unity.
Elaborating, Mohd Roslan said that in the Malaysian context, culture played an important role in shaping the national identity of Malaysians. This identity has evolved from the country's historical journey, shared experiences, and the cultural diversity of its people, all of which form part of the nation's development. He said national identity was not expressed solely through national symbols such as the Jalur Gemilang and the Negaraku, but was also strengthened through language, customs, arts, and heritage, as well as shared values embraced by Malaysians.
Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Human Ecology Department of Citizenship and Civilisation Studies senior lecturer Assoc Prof Dr. Ku Hasnita Ku Samsu said from a psychological perspective, culture played an important role in building mutual trust and respect among Malaysians. She said these elements formed an important foundation for stronger social relationships, contributing to lasting unity in a multiracial society.
Ku Hasnita also said cultural practices that crossed racial boundaries were nothing new, with cultural sharing among ethnic groups having developed naturally over the years through a process of acculturation in Malaysia. She said through this process, practices, traditions, or cultural symbols originally associated with a particular group could be accepted, adapted, and voluntarily practiced by people from different ethnic backgrounds without erasing their original identity.
Elaborating, Ku Hasnita said that although cultural sharing was widely practiced among Malaysians, efforts to promote it needed to be sustained rather than seasonal. She said this was because most cultural activities tended to be concentrated around the festive seasons of particular ethnic or cultural communities.
Meanwhile, Ku Hasnita said government policies should also be underpinned by efforts to develop an inclusive national identity, with the unique cultures of every ethnic community celebrated as important elements that complete the face of Malaysia. She said every official government programme should feature a balanced representation of Malaysia's demographic composition, not only in terms of programme content but also in its visual presentation.