Netizens saying M’sia is no different from other countries for classifying individuals by race

A VIRAL post on X that has since been deleted asked about the importance of race in Malaysia.

The original poster claims to have been overseas, and the individual would identify as just Malaysian.

But in Malaysia, there are separate racial classifications among the people. However, X users state that this is how it is done all over the world.

Just last year, reports of Tun Dr Ismail’s passing had a message in them showing the importance of racial unity.

Dr Ismail’s role in shaping the Rukun Negara, a post-1969 racial tragedy, underscores the importance of racial harmony.

Upholding its principles fosters national unity. Malaysians, regardless of their ethnicity, must prioritise mutual respect and reject extremism.

Preserving our multicultural heritage ensures Malaysia remains a harmonious nation, built on the principles of unity and respect.

Some users asked about official documents overseas. They asked if these documents would require individuals to list their race. However, this may vary between western countries.

An X user claims that a person of European descent said they were peculiar in that the forms they filled in here requested them to place down their race.

Following that, users showed a post that says some countries, like the US are even more particular about their citizens’s racial backgrounds.

There are an abundance of categories for their people to choose from. Furthermore, it is mentioned that Singapore too requires its people to mention their race in documents.

Another user stated that this is done in order for the country to receive data on a national scale.

They claim that these statistics may help with research regarding the people living in Malaysia. This is probably one of the reasons why official documents may require someone to state their racial background. – May 5, 2024