Malaysian Culture Values N Beliefs d6y64

Malaysian culture is the mix of multiple cultures: Malay, Chinese and Indian culture…

Beliefs: -

The animistic base through Hinduism and Buddhism, Islam and Western-style modernization. Muslims Malay, Hindus Indian, and Buddhists Chinese (with more than 60% of population is Muslim)

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According to the 2010 population census: (Sunni) Muslims

61.3%

Buddhists

19.8%

Christians

9.2%

Hindus

6.3%

Other Chinese philosophies, Taoism and Confucianism 1.3% Other beliefs

1.3%

Atheism and agnostic

0.8%

+ Muslims: arriving from Arabia, China and the Indian subcontinent; firmly established in the 15th century and becoming the dominant religion; country's official language and religion; ed by the government; Public schools mostly offering Islamic religious teachings; ruled against ghosts and other supernatural beings,… + Buddhism: the most practiced and is the second largest religion; carring by Indian traders and priests traveling; many Buddhist temples and organisations over the past 20 years; many young and educated Malaysian Chinese are also rediscovering Buddhism rather than relying on traditional customs and beliefs practiced by the older generation => all the major traditions of Buddhism are thriving in happy coexistence in Malaysia. + Christians: The main denominations include Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist; being restricted in the country since Malaysia has become more Islamic; no official school subjects; strictly supervised by state. => The separate religious communities create a generally tolerant relationship. -

The influence of animism is ubiquitous, serving as a basis for traditional Malay culture, its inherent taboos and superstitions such as those connected with the presence of negative influences (kuwong, cending, bala seroka), as well as many of the ritual practices.

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Similarly the contributions of Hinduism and Islam are strong in the Malay’s way of life. Often, as in the case of beliefs related to sacred places and persons (keramat), religious syncretism is evident.

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Death and the Afterlife belief.

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Malaysia is a quite conservative country <= the belief to the majority Islam

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Ancestors’ cultural customs

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Fatalistic worldview.

HOFSTEDE cultural dimensions: Power distance: 100 Individualism: 26 Masculinity: 50 Uncertainty avoidance: 36 Longterm orientation: 41 Indulgence: 57

Values: - Values are the mix of Indian, Chinese, Malays cutural values: 1. Obeydience and loyalty 2. Respects for the elder and high level of self-respect 3. Strong spiritual bond and group orientation. Collectivism. 4. Humility and perseverance 5. Courtesy and friendliness, respect: principal moral values that should take precedence over others. 6. family-oriented people: choosing not to work overseas as much as other ethnicities, living within close proximity of their family networks. 7. Face and Shame: to do something inapproariate brings “ Malu”( shame, shyness and embarassment). Face is the quality embedded in most Asian cultures that indicates a person's reputation, influence, dignity and honour. By complimenting people, showing them respect or doing something to increase their self-esteem, you give them face. Therefore, individuals in Malaysia usually act deliberately and with restraint to protect their self-worth and peer perception. Conservative

conduct is the norm, as people don’t want to stand out and/or risk losing face by doing something inappropriate. + Muslim: encourage tolerance, inclusivity, and a balanced approach towards life. It values a number of qualities such as good istration, honesty, efficiency, hard work and knowledge. + Buddhism: promote ‘self-respect’, giving and sharing, develops one's spiritual qualities, lead people to non-harming or non-violence to all living creatures from the lowest insect to humans, work towards the salvation of all living beings, avoid conflicts. Buddhism seeks to reduce desires and hence Buddhist economics promote a sense of Anti-consumerism and simple living. It values good qualities such as generousity, kindness, endurance, loyalty, cultivation of good will and comion. + Christianity: Above all, Christian values promote love and harmony among all men. They respects God’s believers, equality, humanity, being faithful, hope, righteousness, love, humility, charity, goodness, honesty, integrity, respecting elders and parents.