[size=14pt]Multi-racial Malaysia caught at economic crossroads[/size]
By Jennifer Pak
BBC News, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia is a complex country where race and religion are inextricably linked.

More than half of its 28 million people are Malay and, according to the constitution, must be Muslim.


Ethnic Chinese and Indians have freedom of religion and are mainly Christian, Hindu or Buddhist.

Despite boasts about the country's diversity, there is little interaction between the different races, leading to an escalation of tensions in recent years.

Young Muslims in Malaysia are suffering from an identity crisis, says Amin Rahman from the Young Muslims Project.The 29-year-old says he grew up bombarded with the message from the government that Malay-Muslims need to protect their own interests from the Chinese and Indians.



Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers have become a symbol of rapid development - but can Malaysia's rise to prosperity overcome cultural, religious and economic challenges?

That view is now being challenged by a stronger opposition party and easier access to alternative news sources.

"Suddenly we realize that Islam can be more inclusive of other races," Amin tells me.

"It is a lot of re-learning and re-understanding of our principles and our beliefs."




As an ethnic Chinese, Tony Pua was not allowed into the same elite schools as his Malay friends




But many scholars say the ethnic divide is entrenched by an affirmative action policy favouring Malay

Ethnic exodus
Ethnic minorities showed their discontent in the 2008 election by largely turning away from the governing Barisan Nasional coalition, denying it a two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time in four decades.

Since then the prime minister has campaigned for unity under the slogan of 1Malaysia.


Many ethnic Chinese and Indian Malaysians are voting with their feet to seek fairer policies abroad



The message has suffered some setbacks within his party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), and among his core Malay-Muslim supporters.

Senior Malay civil servants and teachers have been accused of making derogatory comments about other races, calling ethnic Chinese and Indians "immigrants" despite the fact that many have been settled in the country for generations.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-radio-and-tv-14629587