ABSTRACT
Malaysia is a multicultural society with an estimated population of 18.2 million in 1995. The racial composition is 55 per cent Malays and other indigenous people, 34 per cent Chinese, 10 per cent Indians, and 1 per cent ‘others’ (which include Sri Lankans, Eurasians, and other communities) (Ministry of Education, 1986).1 Malaysia is an exBritish colony which gained its political independence in 1957. During colonial rule, Chinese labour was imported to work in the tin mines, while Indian labour was deployed on the railways and estates. Today, Malaysia has a democratic political system, ruled by a coalition Government under the banner of the National Front which comprises various political parties representing the three major races in the country. The Malaysian Government is very much dominated by the Malay élites, although there are some elements of power-sharing with the minority groups. Malay is the national language and Islam is the official religion of the country.
