Malay Stereotypes: Acceptance and Rejection in the Malay Community

Abstract

Challenges faced by communities on the peripheries have been much dealt with and the Malays in Singapore are no exception. Due to their relatively slower socio-economic progress, there is an enduring interest in the study of Malays. Of particular significance to this study are allegations of Malay `cultural deficiencies? made by the significant few. This study revisits some of the more prominent works pertaining to this claim and embarks on field research to enquire into the extent the claims of Malay `cultural deficiencies? have infiltrated the common Malay. It found that the Malays have internalized allegations of their `deficient culture? and that the damaging impact of such a belief on the community?s self-esteem has already led to sentiments of self-hate and a desire to abandon their culture for a supposedly `more progressive? one.