Malaysian Malay Ketuanan Melayu

ethnic malays make majority population of malaysia @ 50.4%, ethnic group of austronesian people predominantly inhabiting malay peninsula, including southernmost parts of thailand, east coast of sumatra, coast of borneo, , smaller islands lie between these locations. true origin of ethnic malays still subject of studies among historians, anthropologists , linguists. popular theory suggested people spoke austronesian languages first arrived in maritime southeast asia between 2,500bce , 1,500bce, part of austronesian expansion taiwan south east asia.

however, recent genetic studies carried out hugo (human genome organization) involving 2000 people across asia, points theory of asian migration pattern. hugo findings support hypothesis asia populated through single migration event south , south east asian region populated first contained diversity, continuing north diversity being lost.

hindu , buddhist influences arrived through trade contacts indian subcontinent. beginning of first millennium saw rise of ancient malay states in coastal areas of malay peninsular, notably red earth kingdom (1st century), gangga negara (2nd century), langkasuka (2nd century), kedah (2nd century) , pahang (5th century). between 7th , 13th centuries, many of these small, prosperous peninsular maritime trading states became part of srivijaya empire, malay kingdom centred in palembang , kadaram.

by 15th century, malacca sultanate, hegemony reached on of western malay archipelago, had become centre of islamization in east. malaccan tradition transmitted onwards , fostered vigorous ethos of malay identity. since era, islamic faith became closely identified malay society , played significant role in defining malay identity. close identification of malays islam continued until 20th century , entrenched in article 160 of constitution of malaysia in national philosophy of brunei known malay islamic monarchy.

the present day malaysian malays divided broadly malays proper or peninsular malays (melayu anak jati or melayu semenanjung) , foreign malays or islander malay (melayu anak dagang or melayu kepulauan ). malays proper consist of individuals adhere malay culture has developed in malay peninsula. among notable groups kedahan malays, kelantanese malays , terengganuan malays. foreign malays consist of descendants of immigrants other part of malay archipelago became citizens of malay sultanates , absorbed , assimilated malay culture @ different times, aided similarity in lifestyle , common religion (islam). among notable groups javanese, minangkabau , bugis malays.

article 160 of constitution of malaysia defines malay malaysian citizen born malaysian citizen professes muslim, habitually speaks malay language, adheres malay customs, , domiciled in malaysia or singapore. though definition not according ancestry lineage, correct in sense of social behaviours. culture, controls great proportion of general mentality , social behaviour, succeeded through mother tongue , religion. article 160 unites malays different ethnic groups prevailing race , embraces them political prowess dominate , rule on other races: chinese, indians, kadazan, iban, orang asli etc. apparent name of umno (united malays national organisation), staunch political proponent of role.