The public display of nationalism by Chinese nationals in Southeast Asian countries – especially regions with histories marked by anti-Chinese incidents — could negatively affect the relations between local ethnic Chinese and non-Chinese populations.
In the case of Malaysia, some analysts say that local politicians have used such incidents as a dog whistle tactic to fan resentment against local Chinese.
China visits politicised
Recently, several incidents of Chinese nationals waving China’s flags in Malaysia were politicised and framed in racial terms by some right-wing Malay politicians. Instead of focusing on the visitors or the Chinese government, these politicians directed their criticisms towards the Chinese Malaysian community, seemingly wanting to stoke the anti-Chinese sentiment for political gain.
These incidents took place in early October when a group of lecturers and students from China’s University of Naval Engineering visited a local Chinese school in Penang. After the visit, photos of students waving China’s flags were posted on social media, causing an uproar, especially among the ethnic Malay community. The choice of school has also been questioned.
Given the diverse demographics of Malaysia, ethnic relations and cultural differences have been primary sources of social conflict and political contention.
In the same month, on a separate occasion in Perak, a China contingent participated in a parade organised by a local Taoist temple to celebrate a religious festival. Members of the contingent were spotted carrying and waving China flags while marching through the city centre. A netizen recorded the scene and posted it on TikTok, where it quickly went viral.
The host of the procession, a Chinese Malaysian, issued an apology statement, clarifying that waving foreign national flags was not part of the programme and China was not the only country carrying its flags.
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In the meantime, a similar incident occurred during another religious procession in the state of Johor, which also went viral on social media. Both incidents are currently under police investigation.
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic nation, with Malays as the largest ethnic group, followed by the ethnic Chinese, who make up about one-fifth of the population. Most Chinese Malaysians trace their ancestry back to southern China, having migrated to the country between the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Today, most are Malaysian citizens.
Stoking anger
Given the diverse demographics of Malaysia, ethnic relations and cultural differences have been primary sources of social conflict and political contention.
Those who assert that Malaysia is a Malay Muslim country tend to frame the Chinese community within racial and religious narratives, such as halal versus non-halal, Muslims versus infidels, and bumiputra or indigenous versus immigrant.
In Malaysia, most Chinese are not Muslims but Buddhists and Taoists. Their consumption of pork and alcoholic beverages, combined with the fact that many do not possess a strong command of the Malay national language, have often led to criticism. Some are even criticised as cultural chauvinists who refuse to assimilate into the Malay community.
Existing inter-ethnic tensions explain why Chinese Malaysians, rather than Chinese nationals, were targeted in the flag-waving incidents.
Greater restraint in expressing national pride and identity abroad would be beneficial for Chinese nationals, as well as citizens of other powerful nations like the US.
On the popular Malay podcast Keluar Sekejap, a host argued that right-wing politicians conflated China and local Chinese communities to gain political mileage, believing that attacking China would resonate with Malay voters harbouring anti-Chinese sentiment.
The host even cautioned that anti-Chinese sentiment might have been one of the factors that brought down the multi-ethnic Pakatan Harapan coalition government in 2020.
In response to the China flag incident, the Islamic party Pas’s politicians held a counter rally in addition to making public criticisms and statements. At the rally, a leader called upon those “whose eyes, skin and blood are like ours” to unite to defend the sovereignty of Malaysia, and falsely accused a Chinese Malaysian cabinet minister as patron of the event.
Politicising ethnicity for political gain is not uncommon. Various actors, both domestically and internationally, have employed such tactics, sometimes fostering unnecessary suspicion between Malay and Chinese communities in Malaysia.
Are Chinese nationals aware of local contexts?
Several Chinese Malaysian politicians made police reports against the Islamic party leader, accusing him of making racist remarks and false accusations.
Given Malaysia’s political climate, and increasing interactions between Malaysians and Chinese nationals, similar incidents may become more frequent.
A key concern is the level of awareness among Chinese nationals regarding the local political sensitivities in Southeast Asia.
Greater restraint in expressing national pride and identity abroad would be beneficial for Chinese nationals, as well as citizens of other powerful nations like the US. Displaying national flags and political symbols can evoke complex reactions in other countries.
As the Chinese classic Book of Rites advises, respecting local customs and sensitivities is crucial when crossing boundaries: “When one is crossing the boundaries (of a state), he should ask what are its prohibitory laws; when he has fairly entered it, he should ask about its customs; before entering the door (of a house), he should ask about the names to be avoided in it.” (English texts derived from https://ctext.org/liji/qu-li-i/ens)
Though some quarters blamed politicians for instigating racial animosity and brushed off the incidents as “trivial matters”, it is crucial to address “trivial matters” and even “absurdity” when others linked them to “dignity” and “sovereignty”.
Dialogue should start here, focusing not on swaying those at the far right or left, but on engaging those who are observing and undecided, seeking the most reasonable stance.
On the Malaysian side, more effort is needed to counter racism and xenophobia.
Closer ties or rising tensions?
In the month following the China flag incidents, a former Malaysian prime minister sparked another round of public debate by criticising the use of “oversized” Chinese characters on shop signages in shopping malls, claiming they undermined the status of the national language.
He added that, among Southeast Asian countries, “Malaysia displays the Chinese characters all over”, subtly suggesting broader cultural or political concerns amid the influx of Chinese tourists.
The above incidents have reignited emotional exchanges among local politicians to the extent that the Malaysian communications minister warned all parties not to escalate those issues, as the Malaysian public deemed them highly sensitive and provocative.
On the flag-waving matter, Chinese Malaysians generally felt disgusted by the actions of right-wing politicians and questioned why waving Palestine flags in Malaysia was permitted if waving foreign country flags was deemed illegal.
Nevertheless, except for the counter rally held by Pas and dozens of police reports lodged by different parties, most exchanges among ordinary Malaysians were kept on social media.
Although having peaceful exchanges of perspectives and fostering awareness of the sensitivities of different ethnic communities is crucial in a divided nation, an increase in the frequency and intensity of debates over ethnic and cultural issues seems unhealthy.
The recent easing of tourist visa restrictions by China and Malaysian governments is expected to encourage more interactions between the people of both countries. It may foster closer ties as well as lead to more tensions.
To avoid unnecessary tensions, Chinese nationals might want to draw upon ancient wisdom from the Book of Rites. On the Malaysian side, more effort is needed to counter racism and xenophobia. – Think China
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
