ABSTRACT
Chindians, individuals of mixed Chinese and Indian parentage, are not officially recognized in Malaysia due to official and social structures that closely resemble British colonial practices. These structures have a direct impact on the dynamic processes of ethnic identity development and portrayal of Malaysian Chindians, as they impede the acceptance and recognition of more complex identities. Analysis of qualitative data obtained from in-depth interviews conducted with 31 Chindians reveals that the Malaysian Chindians utilize different strategies of identity work in their everyday lives. It also highlights that acceptance of Chindians by reference group members is confounded by a range of prerequisites that members are expected to comply with. The findings of this chapter suggest that a structural level paradigm shift in how Malaysian Chindians are formally categorized could improve social acceptance, and have positive implications at the personal, political and national levels.
