Bumiputera Agenda

Presented by :

Definition of Bumiputera
constitution does not use the term "bumiputera it defines only "Malay" and "indigenous peoples." Guidebook for entry into public higher learning institutions for SPM/equivalent graduates for academic year 2007/2008), bumiputra was defined as follows:

 Peninsular Malaysia "If one of the parents is Muslim Malay/Orang Asli as stated in Article 160 (2) Federal Constitution of Malaysia; thus the child is considered as a Bumiputra"
Sabah "If one of the parents is a Muslim Malay or indigenous native of Sabah as stated in Article 160A (6)(a) Federal Constitution of Malaysia; thus his child is considered as a Bumiputra Sarawak "If both of the parent are indigenous natives of Sarawak as stated in Article 160A (6)(b) Federal Constitution of Malaysia; thus their child is considered as a Bumiputra"

 broader definition of bumiputera include groups such as the Indonesian

Pribumis, Malaysian Siamese, Muslim Indian Malaysians, Straits Chinese or Peranakan, Khmer people and the Kristang people of Portuguese-Eurasian descent.

These tribes have been established in southeast Asia prior the arrival of the British colonist that have forever altered the demographic of Malaysia.

Historical Setting
The divide and rule policy by British lead to economic identity based on ethnics : Malays : stayed in rural areas, worked as fishermen and farmers. Chinese : stayed in urban areas, worked in mining and business sector. Indians : stayed in estate, worked as estate labor.

Sosioeconomic of Malays Before 1945

The sosioeconomic level of Malays is very low and unsatisfied :

Traditional sosioeconomic inherited by Malays before colonialization.
Arrival of Britain with the capitalist economy system. Impact : - Malays continuously in poor. - Malays lost their land.

Sosioeconomic of Malays discussed in :

Al Imam (1906) Neraca (1911-1915) Utusan Melayu (1907-1922) Lembaga Melayu (1914-1931)

Awareness to improve Malays socioeconomics

Warta Malaya Majlis Lembaga Malaya Criticize the sosioeconomics of Malays

 1913- Abdul Majid Zainudin, suggest the necessary for the Malays company and handicraft. 1920- Abdullah Haji Dahan, establish Syarikat Perbaikan Hidup Negeri Sembilan. 1925 Maharani Company established in Muar.

Table 1 : Income Distribution by Ethnic Groups in Peninsular Malaysia 1957/58 Malay Mean Income, RM per month in 1959 prices Median Income, RM per month in 1959 prices Gini Coefficient Percentage share of top 20% Percentage share of middle 40% Percentage share of bottom 40% Chinese Mean Income, RM per month in 1959 prices Median Income, RM per month in 1959 prices Gini Coefficient Percentage share of top 20% Percentage share of middle 40% Percentage share of bottom 40% Indian Mean Income, RM per month in 1959 prices Median Income, RM per month in 1959 prices Gini Coefficient Percentage share of top 20% Percentage share of middle 40% Percentage share of bottom 40% Source: Perumal (1989) and Snodgrass (1980) 134 108 0.342 43.5 38.0 19.5 1967/68 154 113 0.400 48.2 34.8 17.2 1970 170 119 0.466 52.5 34.8 12.7

288 214 0.374 45.8 36.2 18.0

329 246 0.391 46.7 36.3 17.0

390 265 0.455 52.6 33.5 13.9

228 228 0.347 43.7 36.6 19.7

245 180 0.403 48.1 35.6 16.3

300 192 0.463 54.2 31.5 14.3