Of Malaysia’s approximately 26 million people, over 5 million live in East Malaysia, while Peninsular Malaysia is home to about 21 million. Malaysia comprises three main racial groups: Malays (50.4 per cent), Chinese (23.7 per cent) and Indians (7.1 per cent), as well as numerous indigenous groups (11 per cent). The remaining 7.8 per cent comprises those that do not fit into the aforementioned categories.

Malays
Malays, by constitutional definition are denoted “bumiputra” status, as are a number of indigenous groups. The Malays actually originated in Yunnan, Southern China, from where they later migrated to South East Asia and converted to Islam, as did the neighbouring Indonesians.

Indigenous Peoples
There are a number of non-Malay indigenous groups also accorded “bumiputra” status, such as the Kadazandusun, Iban, Dayak, and Melanau. These groups comprise more than half of Sarawak’s population and approximately 66 per cent of Sabah’s, and are mainly concentrated in these two states. Many practice traditional beliefs and share common ways of living, although some have since become Christian or Muslim. The Sarawak Cultural Village is an excellent place to see how the various indigenous groups live.

Chinese and Indians
Chinese make up the second largest ethnic group and have historically played an important role in trade and commerce. Indians are the third largest group, mostly comprising Hindu Tamils. Neither of these groups, irrespective of their Malaysian citizenship holds “bumiputra” status. Those of mixed Chinese and Indian parentage are often referred to as Chindians, although this is not an official category.
The “others” category primarily refers to Malaysians of European and Middle Eastern descent, however there lacks a general consensus regarding the classification of children of mixed parentage. Some identify themselves according to paternal ethnicity, while others consider themselves to fit into the “others” category rather than pick the ethnicity of either parent. A large number choose to identify themselves as Malays if they have a Malay parent, due to the benefits accorded to those with “bumiputra” status.

Orang Asli
Literally meaning “original man”, the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia are known as Orang Asli, and make up about 60,000 of Malaysia’s 26 million people. Approximately 60 per cent are jungle dwellers, while 40 per cent are village dwellers. The Orang Asli were the first inhabitants of Malaysia, some having descended upon these shores as long as 40,000 years ago.