Malaysian Cultural Profile
PLEASE NOTE: This profile provides an overview of some of the cultural information relating to the diverse groups of Malaysian people who live in the Eastern Region of Melbourne. This description may not apply to all people as individual experiences may vary. However this profile can be used as a guide to some of the issues that may concern your clients.
Introduction:
A number of different ethnic groups live in Malaysia. There are three main ethnic groups of Malaysian-born people living in Australia. The largest group of the Malaysian-born population is the ethnic Chinese; the second largest group is the Malays and third is the Indians.
Migration:
- Malaysians have a long history of migration to Australia. The first migrants were pearl divers in the early 1900s.
- 17,000 overseas students arrived in the 1950s with the introduction of the Colombo plan the majority were Malaysians. Many of these students stayed in Australia, later sponsoring parents and siblings.
- Malaysians have one of the highest rates of intermarriage with Australians.
- In the late 1960s many ethnic Chinese left Malaysia after the government introduced affirmative action policies favouring indigenous Malays. Malaysians left the country during this period,
escaping unfavourable socio-political conditions.
- The Malaysian-born population in Australia doubled between 1986 and 1991.
- Most Malaysia-born migrants are highly educated, young and have a high level of English.