Netizen claims the Chinese population is growing in Malaysia; DOSM points to a different picture

 

RACISM is an ugly thing. But when it takes root in a multiracial country, it threatens to undo decades of coexistence, understanding and nation-building.

Whether it comes in the form of racial slurs, blanket accusations, discriminatory treatment or demands for people of a particular ethnicity to leave the country, racism should have no place in a society that prides itself on its diversity.

Unfortunately, Boleh Land is no stranger to such behaviour. However, topics revolving around race and religion, do at times, spark some of the most illuminating conversations.

Take for example, a recent post on Threads by netizen rashidismail26 who claimed that the Chinese population in Malaysia is growing. 

According to him, he went to the malls and observed the many Chinese there.

Note that rashidismail26 made no mention about himself stopping by and asking those “Chinese” people if they were from Korea, Thailand, Vietnam or Japan.

In the post, he suggested that the non-Malaysian Chinese should be sent back to where they came.

“It’s not like they like the Malays anyway. They don’t want to speak Malay and are not good at it,” he said.

The post which drew over 266 comments and 128 shares is bound to attract some fiery response from our fellow netizens, and this won’t come as a surprise.

Drawing first blood was netizen johnlee9249 who subscribed to the eye for an eye principle.

“There are a lot of Malays in Malaysia. Please send back the Malays who are not from Malaysia?” he said.

Conspiracy is brewing in the comment section too. Netizen bananachickensamosa claimed that these people were being imported from mainland China.

Apparently, there was an attempt to fill Malaysia up with the Chinese like what happened in Singapore. Another netizen pointed out that this was what happened in Temasek.

“Perhaps the goal is to increase the Chinese vote and seize Malay rights,” said waidieyd.

It is certainly easy to go along the flow of hatred and prejudice, but when the facts are served, will they eat it?

According to llama.9525792, the thread starter probably went to those malls in the big cities, adding that the Chinese are aplenty in such commercial areas.

He said the Chinese population was actually dropping, as stated by the Department Of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Also, rohimminoor said most of these Chinese were international students and that their presence in the country was a good thing.

Jayjoelh further pointed out the 30 days visa exemption enjoyed by the China tourists, hence, they sizable presence in Malaysia.

Readers might want to check out this winning comment from severussuren too:

On another note, netizens who think there are more and more Chinese in Malaysia should note these reports from several reputable media. 

The Asia  News Network said the declining proportion of ethnic Chinese in Malaysia is expected to become more pronounced over the coming decades, with their share of the country’s population projected to fall to 21.1% by 2030 and just 14.8% by 2060.

According to DOSM, Population Projections 2020–2060, released on July 11, the Bumiputera share, meanwhile, is expected to increase from 71.8% in 2030 to 79.4% by 2060.

The changing demographic landscape is also becoming increasingly evident in Penang, where the Bumiputera population has caught up with, and according to the latest figures, overtaken the ethnic Chinese community.

The development has prompted a Malay organisation to suggest that the state consider having its first Malay chief minister, said The New Straits Times.

Rakan Muda Persatuan Melayu Pulau Pinang pointed to DOSM’s 2025 population statistics, which showed Bumiputeras accounting for 46.2% of Penang’s population, compared with 43.7% for the Chinese community.

Its chairman, Mohd Syauqi Ibnihajar, described the figures as a significant demographic turning point for the state, noting that Bumiputeras had emerged as Penang’s largest ethnic grouping for the first time.

That said, the conspiracy of the Chinese out populating the Malays in Malaysia is completely unfounded. In fact, it is the direct opposite.— Focus Malaysia