Essentialising Ethnic and State Identities: Strategic Adaptations of Ethnic Chinese in Kelantan, Malaysia

摘要: Abstract:This paper looks at how a heterogeneous minority group sustains its multiple identities in politically challenging context. Focusing on the Chinese (3.4 per cent) residing Kelantan, highlights strategies used by to retain rights and identity as separate cultural community. The peculiarity of this is attributed entity non-Muslim under orthodox Islamic rule, secondly, citizens state led opposition party. fact that they are born Kelantan possess fluency Kelantanese Malay dialect has strengthened their orghe (dialect referring people who were grew up state). These factors create sense “oneness” between other beyond ethnic, religious class boundaries. This demonstrates seek be accepted through behaviours appropriate majority simultaneously build in-group solidarity. underl...