An Analysis of Malaysian-Chinese Parents' Negotiation of Identities As

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

An Analysis of Malaysian-Chinese Parents' Negotiation of Identities As An Analysis of Malaysian-Chinese Parents’ Negotiation of Identities as their Children Begin Early Childhood Education and Care in Malaysia and Australia Shi Jing Voon Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) (Honours) Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Early Childhood Education) Department of Educational Studies Macquarie University 2016 iii Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ viii List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................... ix Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... x Declaration .................................................................................................................................. xii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... xiii Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 15 Aims ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 Positioning Myself ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Significance ................................................................................................................................................ 20 Thesis Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 2: Literature Review .................................................................................................... 25 The Ethnic Chinese of Malaysia .............................................................................................................. 25 Initial Chinese Settlement in Malaya. .................................................................................................. 25 Today’s Malaysian-Chinese community in Malaysia. ........................................................................ 27 The Malaysian-Chinese in Australia ....................................................................................................... 34 The Early Malaysian-Chinese Immigrants in Australia. ..................................................................... 34 Today’s Malaysian-Chinese Immigrants in Australia. ........................................................................ 35 Identity ....................................................................................................................................................... 39 Cultural and Ethnic Identities. ............................................................................................................. 39 Immigrant Identity. .............................................................................................................................. 42 Parent Identities. .................................................................................................................................. 44 Parenting .................................................................................................................................................... 51 Baumrind’s Parenting Typology. ........................................................................................................ 51 iv Confucianism. ..................................................................................................................................... 55 A Broad Sociocultural Perspective .......................................................................................................... 61 Chapter 3: Theoretical Framework .......................................................................................... 65 Theoretical Conceptualisation of Identity Negotiation ......................................................................... 65 The Integrative Communicative Theory of Cross-Cultural Adaptation. ............................................. 66 The Identity Negotiation Theory. ........................................................................................................ 68 Combined Adapted Theoretical Frame. .............................................................................................. 72 Theoretical Conceptualisation of Parenting ........................................................................................... 75 Typology of Parent-Child Relational Orientations. ............................................................................ 76 Chapter 4: Methodology ............................................................................................................ 81 The Research Approach – Ethnographic Exemplifying Case Study ................................................... 81 Participants and Recruitment .................................................................................................................. 83 Participants. ......................................................................................................................................... 83 Recruitment. ........................................................................................................................................ 86 Data Collection and Analysis ................................................................................................................... 89 Observations. ....................................................................................................................................... 90 Semi-structured Interviews. ................................................................................................................ 91 Trustworthiness ................................................................................................................................... 93 Analysis and Coding. .......................................................................................................................... 94 Positioning Myself .............................................................................................................................. 95 Ethical Considerations .............................................................................................................................. 98 Chapter 5: Results ...................................................................................................................... 99 Acceptors ................................................................................................................................................. 105 It’s About Being Someone’s Child: Case Study of Acceptor Family in Kuala Lumpur. ................. 107 It’s Not About Where, Which Country, It’s About You: Case Study of Acceptor Family in Sydney. ................................................................................................................................. 119 Negotiators ............................................................................................................................................... 131 v They Do Their Job, We Have Our Responsibility: Case Study of Negotiator Family in Kuala Lumpur. ................................................................................................................................ 134 We Are Working Together Like, Maybe In Synergy: Case Study of Negotiator Family in Sydney.155 Challengers .............................................................................................................................................. 186 It Felt Good That I have Pulled Him Out Of This Dangerous Place: Case Study of Challenger Family in Kuala Lumpur. ..................................................................................................... 188 All They Do Here Is Play: Case Study of Challenger Family in Sydney. ......................................... 204 Chapter 6: Discussion ............................................................................................................... 222 Characteristics of Malaysian-Chinese parents’ identities ................................................................... 222 Perception of self. .............................................................................................................................. 223 Education. .......................................................................................................................................... 225 Perceived power structures. ............................................................................................................... 228 How Malaysian-Chinese parents meet, negotiate and overcome challenges to their beliefs, goals and understandings during a likely state of disjuncture ................................................................. 231 Historical considerations. .................................................................................................................. 231
Recommended publications
  • Working Paper Series
    Working Paper Series Chinese Diaspora in Philanthropic Hybridization: Flexible Identities, Multiple Loyalties, Motivations of Heart and Head Marina Tan Harper UC Davis March 2021 Presented at the International Symposium on Global Chinese Philanthropy, co-hosted by the UCLA Asia Pacific Center and the UC Irvine Long US-China Institute, March 19- 20, 2021. Funding provided by the Long Family Foundation and Mr. Xiangli Chen through the UCLA Asia Pacific Center China and Beyond Forum. UCLA Asia Pacific Center · 11387 Bunche Hall · Los Angeles, CA 90095 https://international.ucla.edu/apc The Chinese Diaspora: Fanning Out from China The two Opium Wars of 1839 and 1856 in China brought about internal rebellions, conflicts, lawlessness, and the lack of land, crop, and population management. They in turn brought on floods, famines, unsustainable agriculture, and pauperization of the masses. These eroded local governments and municipalities while rampant corruption, deceit and imperial “politics” strangled the young Emperor Puyi inside the Forbidden City. All these weakened and eventually brought an end to over 5,000 years Chinese Dynastic rule in 1912.1 These were the “push factors” that forced tens of millions of Chinese to migrate into the Nanyang (what is now Southeast Asia). At the same time, there were strong pull factors from British, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Americans colonialists in Southeast Asia. The Industrialization Revolution was at its height in the capitalist countries of Europe, and the desire for a wide variety of raw materials, cheap labor, and shipping networks were acquired with haste through colonization.2 According to historical records, Chinese traders and imperial voyages sailed down to the Nanyang in small numbers sporadically as early as the 13th century.
    [Show full text]
  • The Globalization of Chinese Food ANTHROPOLOGY of ASIA SERIES Series Editor: Grant Evans, University Ofhong Kong
    The Globalization of Chinese Food ANTHROPOLOGY OF ASIA SERIES Series Editor: Grant Evans, University ofHong Kong Asia today is one ofthe most dynamic regions ofthe world. The previously predominant image of 'timeless peasants' has given way to the image of fast-paced business people, mass consumerism and high-rise urban conglomerations. Yet much discourse remains entrenched in the polarities of 'East vs. West', 'Tradition vs. Change'. This series hopes to provide a forum for anthropological studies which break with such polarities. It will publish titles dealing with cosmopolitanism, cultural identity, representa­ tions, arts and performance. The complexities of urban Asia, its elites, its political rituals, and its families will also be explored. Dangerous Blood, Refined Souls Death Rituals among the Chinese in Singapore Tong Chee Kiong Folk Art Potters ofJapan Beyond an Anthropology of Aesthetics Brian Moeran Hong Kong The Anthropology of a Chinese Metropolis Edited by Grant Evans and Maria Tam Anthropology and Colonialism in Asia and Oceania Jan van Bremen and Akitoshi Shimizu Japanese Bosses, Chinese Workers Power and Control in a Hong Kong Megastore WOng Heung wah The Legend ofthe Golden Boat Regulation, Trade and Traders in the Borderlands of Laos, Thailand, China and Burma Andrew walker Cultural Crisis and Social Memory Politics of the Past in the Thai World Edited by Shigeharu Tanabe and Charles R Keyes The Globalization of Chinese Food Edited by David Y. H. Wu and Sidney C. H. Cheung The Globalization of Chinese Food Edited by David Y. H. Wu and Sidney C. H. Cheung UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I PRESS HONOLULU Editorial Matter © 2002 David Y.
    [Show full text]
  • Language Use and Attitudes As Indicators of Subjective Vitality: the Iban of Sarawak, Malaysia
    Vol. 15 (2021), pp. 190–218 http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/ldc http://hdl.handle.net/10125/24973 Revised Version Received: 1 Dec 2020 Language use and attitudes as indicators of subjective vitality: The Iban of Sarawak, Malaysia Su-Hie Ting Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Andyson Tinggang Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Lilly Metom Universiti Teknologi of MARA The study examined the subjective ethnolinguistic vitality of an Iban community in Sarawak, Malaysia based on their language use and attitudes. A survey of 200 respondents in the Song district was conducted. To determine the objective eth- nolinguistic vitality, a structural analysis was performed on their sociolinguistic backgrounds. The results show the Iban language dominates in family, friend- ship, transactions, religious, employment, and education domains. The language use patterns show functional differentiation into the Iban language as the “low language” and Malay as the “high language”. The respondents have positive at- titudes towards the Iban language. The dimensions of language attitudes that are strongly positive are use of the Iban language, Iban identity, and intergenera- tional transmission of the Iban language. The marginally positive dimensions are instrumental use of the Iban language, social status of Iban speakers, and prestige value of the Iban language. Inferential statistical tests show that language atti- tudes are influenced by education level. However, language attitudes and useof the Iban language are not significantly correlated. By viewing language use and attitudes from the perspective of ethnolinguistic vitality, this study has revealed that a numerically dominant group assumed to be safe from language shift has only medium vitality, based on both objective and subjective evaluation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Study of Xi Jinping Malaysia Overseas Chinese Affairs Policy
    The Study of Xi JinPing Malaysia Overseas Chinese Affairs Policy Toh, Jin-Xuan Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China adopted the ideology of “Chinese Dream” as the highest guiding principle in his reign. He also developed the “One Belt One Road” economic strategy as one of his global initiatives. Xi’s aggressive style of ruling means that he has abandoned Deng Xiaoping’s strategy in keeping China in a low profile. His government is getting more active and vocal in the fields of foreign and Overseas Chinese affairs. In this paper, systematic theories are applied to study Xi’s Overseas Chinese policies. With a background research of the history of Overseas Chinese affairs, this paper includes studies on Xi’s “Chinese Dream”, on the assignments of personnel in the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and on Xi’s strategies of foreign trade and diplomacy. This paper also explores China’s soft power and its influences upon Malaysian political parties and the Chinese community throughout the implementation of Overseas Chinese policies. This study shows that Xi’s Overseas Chinese policies towards Malaysia are full of challenges. First, China’s active participation in the Overseas Chinese affairs imposes high risks on the fragile relationships among ethnic groups in Malaysia. It might also affect the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. Second, China might have to face pressure from the Malaysian government and the Malays when they are working on Overseas Chinese policies towards Malaysia. Third, the Malaysian Chinese community generally upholds “One China policy”, and the business and political leaders of the community have stood up to support the ideology of “Chinese Dream”.
    [Show full text]
  • Chinese Cuisine from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia "Chinese Food
    Chinese cuisine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Chinese food" redirects here. For Chinese food in America, see American Chinese cuisine. For other uses, see Chinese food (disambiguation). Chao fan or Chinese fried rice ChineseDishLogo.png This article is part of the series Chinese cuisine Regional cuisines[show] Overseas cuisine[show] Religious cuisines[show] Ingredients and types of food[show] Preparation and cooking[show] See also[show] Portal icon China portal v t e Part of a series on the Culture of China Red disc centered on a white rectangle History People Languages Traditions[show] Mythology and folklore[show] Cuisine Festivals Religion[show] Art[show] Literature[show] Music and performing arts[show] Media[show] Sport[show] Monuments[show] Symbols[show] Organisations[show] Portal icon China portal v t e Chinese cuisine includes styles originating from the diverse regions of China, as well as from Chinese people in other parts of the world including most Asia nations. The history of Chinese cuisine in China stretches back for thousands of years and has changed from period to period and in each region according to climate, imperial fashions, and local preferences. Over time, techniques and ingredients from the cuisines of other cultures were integrated into the cuisine of the Chinese people due both to imperial expansion and from the trade with nearby regions in pre-modern times, and from Europe and the New World in the modern period. In addition, dairy is rarely—if ever—used in any recipes in the style. The "Eight Culinary Cuisines" of China[1] are Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang cuisines.[2] The staple foods of Chinese cooking include rice, noodles, vegetables, and sauces and seasonings.
    [Show full text]
  • Irresistible Chinese Cuisine
    1 Irresistible Chinese Cuisine By: Yidi Wang Online: <https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col29267/1.4> This selection and arrangement of content as a collection is copyrighted by Yidi Wang. Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Collection structure revised: 2019/05/21 PDF Generated: 2019/05/21 21:33:04 For copyright and attribution information for the modules contained in this collection, see the "Attributions" section at the end of the collection. 2 This OpenStax book is available for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col29267/1.4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Brief introduction 5 1.1 Introduction 5 1.2 Eight Regional Cuisine 6 1.3 Culinary Culture 13 Index 19 This OpenStax book is available for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col29267/1.4 1.1 Introduction 1 Brief introduction Exhibit 1.1 Chinese Eight Regional Cuisines. Introduction to Chinese Cuisinology If I need to choose what kind of food I will be fed for the rest of my life, I will choose Chinese cuisine without any hesitation. - Yidi Wang Learning Objectives: • Capacity to integrate knowledge and to analyse and evaluate a Chinese cuisine at a local and global levels, even when limited information is available. • Capacity to identify the general type of a Chinese dish. • Capacity to appreciate the differences between Western and Chinese culinary cultures. • Capacity to comprehend basic principles of Anhui Cuisine. • Capacity to recognize some unorthodox Chinese dishes. Links and contents 1.1 Eight Regional Cuisines 1.2 Culinary Culture 6 Chapter 1 Brief introduction Introduction Chinese cuisine is an important part of Chinese culture, which includes cuisine originating from the diverse regions of China, as well as from Chinese people in other parts of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding the Passion
    Cutting Edge FEEDING TRADITIONAL Putien has constantly refreshed profit between 2014 and WITH A its operations in accordance to 2016,” says Mr Xiao. “2016 industry standards. In early 2010, was the most glorious year MODERN TWIST THE PASSION its founder Fong Chi Chung spent for Putien. Our Causeway Qi Ji has an eye on using new technology and about S$10,000 on each Putien Bay outlet in Hong Kong outlet in Singapore to implement the was recommended by Michelin HOME-GROWN food and beverage (F&B) brand Qi Ji prides methods to prepare traditional dishes while 5S, a structured programme introduced by the Guide Hong Kong and Macau, and itself on bringing local comfort food to the average Singaporean. Putien is firmly focused on authenticity and fresh, Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS). our Kitchener Road outlet in Singapore was Just don’t be too surprised when you walk into one of its stores The 5S system, which is still in place at crowned as a Michelin one-star restaurant.” and find that the otah in your nasi lemak is coin shaped and seasonal ingredients. Both are doing something Putien outlets today, is designed to systematically Mr Fong told IE Singapore last year that comes sans coconut leaf. right to succeed in a nation of foodies. achieve cleanliness and standardisation in a he hopes to take Putien to other major Chinese Qi Ji’s recent coin-shaped otah (grilled fish cake) is workplace in order to drive productivity. It refers cities, as well as Japan, South Korea, the Middle yet another example of innovation in an industry that is to: sort, systemise, sanitise, standardise and East and Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethnic Chinese Remigration from Southeast Asian Countries Since 1960S: a Case Study of Malaysian Chinese Outflows
    Contemporary Chinese Political Economy and Strategic Relations: An International Journal Vol. 1, No. 2, August 2015, pp. 303-329 __________________________________________________________ Ethnic Chinese Remigration from Southeast Asian Countries since 1960s: A Case Study of Malaysian Chinese Outflows Kang Xiaoli* Xiamen Administration Institute Abstract Total outflows of Chinese from Southeast Asian countries since the Second World War reached around 3 million. They headed to the developed countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France and Singapore. As for the case of Malaysia, large number of Malaysian Chinese remigrated to Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia for new residence since the end of the Second World War. They left Malaysia because of political discrimination, economic restrictions, and unequal educational and cultural treatment. According to Malaysia census data and natural population growth rate, this paper made estimation that by 2010 a total of 1.13 million ethnic Chinese had migrated out of Malaysia. After deducting the number of ethnic Chinese moving to Malaysia, the Malaysian Chinese migrating abroad reached 1.05 million. Malaysian Chinese left Malaysia in the manner of permanent residents and short- term migrants. Permanent residents include those in the skill stream, 303 304 Kang Xiaoli family stream and those with special eligibility. Short-term migrants refer to visiting scholars, foreign students, guest labor, business expatriates and expatriate professionals. As a matter of fact, there has been a serious brain drain through Chinese remigration from Malaysia. Keywords: Malaysia, ethnic Chinese, remigration JEL classification: F22, J15, J61, O15 1. Introduction Ethnic Chinese studies among Chinese academics have been focusing much on outflows from Mainland China and these migrants’ descendants for quite some time, while ethnic Chinese remigration from other parts of the world were not given enough attention.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chinese Communist Party and the Diaspora Beijing’S Extraterritorial Authoritarian Rule
    The Chinese Communist Party and the Diaspora Beijing’s extraterritorial authoritarian rule Oscar Almén FOI-R--4933--SE March 2020 Oscar Almén The Chinese Communist Party and the Diaspora Beijing’s extraterritorial authoritarian rule FOI-R--4933--SE Title The Chinese Communist Party and the Diaspora– Beijing’s extraterritorial authoritarian rule Titel Kinas kommunistparti och diasporan: Pekings extraterritoriella styre Rapportnr/Report no FOI-R--4933--SE Månad/Month March Utgivningsår/Year 2020 Antal sidor/Pages 65 ISSN 1650-1942 Kund/Customer Försvarsdepartementet Forskningsområde Säkerhetspolitik FoT-område Projektnr/Project no A 112003 Godkänd av/Approved by Lars Höstbeck Ansvarig avdelning Försvarsanalys Cover: Vancouver, British Columbia / Canada - August 18 2019: Hong Kong Protest and Counter-Protest in Vancouver. (Photo by Eric Kukulowicz, Shutterstock) Detta verk är skyddat enligt lagen (1960:729) om upphovsrätt till litterära och konstnärliga verk, vilket bl.a. innebär att citering är tillåten i enlighet med vad som anges i 22 § i nämnd lag. För att använda verket på ett sätt som inte medges direkt av svensk lag krävs särskild överenskommelse. This work is protected by the Swedish Act on Copyright in Literary and Artistic Works (1960:729). Citation is permitted in accordance with article 22 in said act. Any form of use that goes beyond what is permitted by Swedish copyright law, requires the written permission of FOI. 2 (65) FOI-R--4933--SE Sammanfattning Denna rapport undersöker det kinesiska kommunistpartiets politik för den kine- siska diasporan samt säkerhetskonsekvenser för diasporan och för de stater där de är bosatta. Eftersom Kina inte accepterar dubbelt medborgarskap är en stor andel av den kinesiska diasporan inte kinesiska medborgare.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Asian Cuisines
    List of Asian cuisines PDF generated using the open source mwlib toolkit. See http://code.pediapress.com/ for more information. PDF generated at: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:07:10 UTC Contents Articles Asian cuisine 1 List of Asian cuisines 7 References Article Sources and Contributors 21 Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 22 Article Licenses License 25 Asian cuisine 1 Asian cuisine Asian cuisine styles can be broken down into several tiny regional styles that have rooted the peoples and cultures of those regions. The major types can be roughly defined as: East Asian with its origins in Imperial China and now encompassing modern Japan and the Korean peninsula; Southeast Asian which encompasses Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines; South Asian states that are made up of India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as several other countries in this region of the Vietnamese meal, in Asian culture food often serves as the centerpiece of social continent; Central Asian and Middle gatherings Eastern. Terminology "Asian cuisine" most often refers to East Asian cuisine (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), Southeast Asian cuisine and South Asian cuisine. In much of Asia, the term does not include the area's native cuisines. For example, in Hong Kong and mainland China, Asian cuisine is a general umbrella term for Japanese cuisine, Korean cuisine, Filipino cuisine, Thai cuisine, Vietnamese cuisine, Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine, and Indonesian cuisine; but Chinese cuisine and Indian cuisine are excluded. The term Asian cuisine might also be used to Indonesian cuisine address the eating establishments that offer a wide array of Asian dishes without rigid cuisine boundaries; such as selling satay, gyoza or lumpia for an appetizer, som tam, rojak or gado-gado for salad, offering chicken teriyaki, nasi goreng or beef rendang as the main course, tom yam and laksa as soup, and cendol or ogura ice for dessert.
    [Show full text]
  • The History of Chinese Muslims' Migration Into Malaysia
    27 Dirasat The History of Chinese Muslims’ Migration into Malaysia Dhul 1438 - September Hijjah, 2017 Ma Hailong School of Ethnology and Sociology, Qinghai Nationalities University The History of Chinese Muslims’ Migration into Malaysia Ma Hailong School of Ethnology and Sociology, Qinghai Nationalities University 4 Dirasat No. 27 Dhul Hijjah, 1438 - September 2017 © King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, 2017 King Fahd National Library Cataloging-In-Publication Data Hailong, Ma The history of Chinese Muslims migration into Malaysia, / Ma Hailong - Riyadh, 2018 36 p ; 16.5 x 23 cm ISBN: 978-603-8206-48-0 1 - Islam - China - History I - Title 210.9151 dc 1439/4588 L.D. no. 1439/4588 ISBN: 978-603-8206-48-5 Table of Content Abstract 6 Introduction 7 The History of Chinese Muslim in Malaysia before the Twentieth Century 9 The History of Chinese Muslims in Malaysia in the Mid-Twentieth Century 12 The History of Chinese Muslims Who Migrated into Malaysia after the 1980s 13 • Studying Abroad and Migration 13 • Exploring Business and Migration 19 • Job Search and Migration 23 The General Situation of Chinese Muslims in Malaysia 25 Conclusion 27 References 31 5 6 Dirasat No. 27 Dhul Hijjah, 1438 - September 2017 Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of the Chinese Muslims who moved to Malaysia and explain the different factors that have influenced this migration at different historical stages. I separate this history mainly into two parts, namely, before the twentieth century and from the twentieth century onward. Before the twentieth century, the majority of Chinese Muslims who streamed into Malaysia were Chinese immigrants who became Chinese Muslims by converting to Islam.
    [Show full text]
  • Malaysia's Indian Muslims, Chitties, Portuguese Eurasians, Peranakan
    Book Reviews 149 Gde Dwitya Arief Metera Department of Political Science, Northwestern University References Erb, Maribeth; and Sulistyanto Priyambudi, eds. 2009. Deepening Democracy in Indonesia? Direct Elec- tions for Local Leaders (Pilkada). Singapore: ISEAS. Hadiz, Vedi; and Robison, Richard. 2004. Reorganizing Power in Indonesia: The Politics of Oligarchy in the Age of Market. London and New York: RoutledgeCurzon. Pepinsky, Thomas; and Ford, Michele, eds. 2014. Beyond Oligarchy: Wealth, Power, and Contemporary Indonesian Politics. Ithaca: Southeast Asia Program Publication, Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University. Winters, Jeffrey Alan. 2011. Oligarchy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Yearning to Belong: Malaysia’s Indian Muslims, Chitties, Portuguese Eurasians, Peranakan Chinese and Baweanese PATRICK PILLAI Singapore: ISEAS Publishing, 2015. What are the experiences of ethnic minority communities in present-day Malaysia? How do they negotiate their often multiple and fluid identities with national policies and politics that are based primarily on ethnicity? Patrick Pillai, drawing on years of fieldwork in different locations in Peninsular Malaysia and long-term interactions with ethnic communities, provides valuable obser- vations on not one, but five cases of less-studied minority communities in Yearning to Belong: Malaysia’s Indian Muslims, Chitties, Portuguese Eurasians, Peranakan Chinese and Baweanese. This book investigates Indian Muslims in Penang, Chitties and Portuguese Eurasians in Malacca, Peranakan-type Chinese in Terengganu, and Indonesians from Bawean Island, all in one volume. This itself is an admirable achievement as such a variety often comes from an edited volume by multiple contributors, yet Pillai manages to pull them all together, assembling historical back- grounds, second literatures, and firsthand data to create a panoramic picture of ethnic relationships in Malaysia today.
    [Show full text]