Introduction

Modernisation and globalisation has led to immigration and at times integration with the host society. In Asia, millions of migrants from less developed countries have left their home countries in search of better job opportunities and an improved lifestyle in foreign lands. A huge number of migrant workers, mainly from Indonesia, contribute extensively to the cultural diversity in Malaysia.

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, with three major ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese and Indians. Besides these three major races, there are also other ethnic groups and other indigenous people. The Javanese migrants from Indonesia constitute a large number in Malaysia and they are now fully assimilated into the society (Sekimoto 1988).

Multiculturalism in Malaysia was established as early as the 15th century ever since Parameswara, a Prince from Palembang, came to Melaka. The term multiculturalism is debatable and has been both championed and maligned. What was once an expression that was supposed to show how progressive, integrated and cosmopolitan a country was – where people from all cultures live side by side without anyone taking notice of what culture the other is from – is now seen to highlight differences between people instead of celebrating the experience that everyone brings to a society. Optimists agree that multiculturalism embraces every human being and is the best way of building a successful community, where there is mutual respect for people of all cultures. Others argue that it draws up divides, as people will automatically be broken up into smaller communities, preventing social cohesion and impeding integration.

Identities – create, construct and contest

Ethnic identities provide social relations across boundaries that can bond countries both economically and politically, as history has proven that one country's diaspora is another country's diversity. The study of identity offers a picture about an individual and his/her community to shed light on the interplay between subjective experiences of the world and the cultural and historical settings in which identity is formed (Gilroy 2000). Globalising markets and media, the flow of people, ideas and values, ethnic revival and the redrawing of political frontiers – these all contribute to identity questions at all levels of sociopolitical integration and differentiation (Driesden & Otto 2002).