The existence of an ethnic divide is a common problem in multiethnic societies, more so when these societies are straddled with contradictions reflected in their socioeconomic and political composition and configuration. The existence of an ethnic divide in the educational sector is most unfortunate since one of the fundamental purposes of schooling in multiethnic societies is to achieve a common process of socialisation and enculturation among the different ethnic group to achieve a strong sense of social cohesion. While Malaysia has aspired to provide a common or uniform system of schooling for the different ethnic groups since Independence, such an aspiration was however compromised by the co-existence of alternative pathways of education that are divided along ethnic lines. There are four dimensions underpinning these ethnic divisions, namely linguistic, preferential, religious and class. This monograph explores the emergence and subsequent developments of these alternative pathways of education and their impact on Malaysia’s nation-building process.

This book is an exploration of the desirability and feasibility of English Medium Instruction (EMI) in specific university settings in South East Asia. There is an increasing trend in many universities in Asia, as elsewhere in the world, to introduce ‘international’ academic programmes taught through the medium of English. Despite the rapidity of this development, there is a dearth of empirical research that investigates the opportunities and challenges across a range of specific contexts. This volume intends to occupy this research space, firstly by reviewing historical and contemporary trends and changes to EMI, and by eliciting the perceptions of a number of applied linguists in a range of Asian universities. These introductory chapters are followed by three case studies exploring the beliefs and practices of EMI lecturers in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, and a survey of Malaysian students’ attitudes to key issues relating to medium of instruction. Based on these empirical studies, implications will be drawn with regard to policy, curricula, pedagogical practice, professional development and further research. This book will provide guidance for decision-makers and practitioners for the effective planning and implementation of EMI programmes where English is an additional language for lecturers and students.

Cina Peranakan merupakan sekumpulan subetnik Cina di negara ini. Mereka memperlihatkan identiti yang amat berbeza daripada orang Cina jati. Identiti mereka terdiri daripada identiti Cina yang diwarisi daripada generasi awal dan identiti yang dipupuk menerusi akulturasi oleh penduduk tempatan. Kebanyakan kajian tentang Cina Peranakan di negara ini tertumpu kepada Cina Peranakan yang menetap di pantai barat Semenanjung Malaysia, terutamanya Baba dan Nyonya dari negeri Melaka dan Pulau Pinang. Padahal, terdapat juga sekumpulan Cina Peranakan yang besar yang menetap di pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia, terutamanya negeri Kelantan. Malangnya, Cina Peranakan Kelantan tidak banyak dikaji oleh sarjana sedangkan amalan budaya mereka agak berbeza daripada Cina Peranakan yang menetap di pantai barat dan wajar diberikan perhatian yang setimpal. Lagipun, kehidupan sosiobudaya mereka menyumbang kepada pengkayaan sosiobudaya negeri Kelantan. Monograf ini mengkaji Cina Peranakan Kelantan dengan memilih Cina Peranakan Kampung Pasir Parit sebagai satu kajian kes atas dua sebab utama. Pertama, mereka merupakan kumpulan Cina Peranakan yang terbesar di negeri Kelantan. Kedua, mereka tidak diserap oleh masyarakat Cina jati dan masih mengekalkan kebanyakan identiti Peranakan mereka.

The Asian continent is comprised of many political systems, populations, religions, and cultures. Yet, the undercurrents of politics and political affairs and how societies function in this vast region are not well known and are often misunderstood. The role of music and its impact on political affairs is just one of the unknown or misunderstood factors about this region. Music and Engagement in the Asian Political Space considers scholarly work specifically on music and political engagement in the Asian political space. Covering key topics such as culture, engagement, national anthems, and political communication, this premier reference source is ideal for government officials, policymakers, industry professionals, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.

span, SPAN { background-color:inherit; text-decoration:inherit; white-space:pre-wrap }Prior to the era of globalization, education in Southeast Asia was viewed in the context of the national state and it was deployed in the service of state and nation-building and national economic development. States monopolized education, and public-funded centralized education systems were established to teach literacy, transmit national cultures and promote social cohesion, and to produce literate workers. Globalization forces, however, dramatically impacted in varying ways and degrees the national education systems across the region. As states begun to see their citizens as resources to enhance the countries’ competitiveness in the global market, it, among other things, led to the increasing demand for highly skilled and qualified human capital. The accompanying neoliberal ideology led to varying degrees of decentralization, privatization and internationalization of education, especially of higher education, in Southeast Asia. The chapters in this volume focus on a number of issues and challenges confronting the education sector in Southeast Asia, including: (i) the contrasting language in education policy in Singapore and Malaysia; (ii) the introduction of an English-medium private education sector in Malaysia; (iii) the internationalization of Thai higher education; (iv) access and quality issues in the massification of Malaysian higher education; (v) secondary school quality and higher education participation in Indonesia; (vi) equity, access and retention in primary school education in Malaysia; and (vii) reforms in the primary and secondary education in Myanmar.

This collection of papers examines a variety of topics on the Chinese in Malaysia: the nature of Malaysian multi-ethnic society and the position of the ethnic Chinese, the conflation between ethnicity and religion, the 8 March 2008 election and its impact on the community, the similarities and dissimilarities of the Chinese positions in East and West Malaysia, the new developments in the economy, and the media and education in the past few decades under the New Economic Policy which have major bearings on the 8 March 2008 election and the post-election Malaysian Chinese community.