The Line In Between National Integration of Malaysia: Architecture and Ethnic Relation. A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Dessau International Architecture Graduate School in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Architecture
by
Leong Chee Chung Malaysia July 2018 Dr. Prof. Jasper Cepl, Thesis Chair Ivan Kuchina, Second Advisor
Conjecture by Prof. Dr. Jasper Cepl
Science, Karl Popper claimed, progresses in a series of conjectures and refutations. Popper held that merely observing phenomena led to nothing. To explore them one needed a theory about them — a hypothesis one could test to see if it actually explained the phenomena. He was convinced that there was “no more rational procedure than
the method of trial and error — of conjecture and refutation: of boldly proposing theories; of trying our best to show that these are erroneous; and of accepting them tentatively if our critical efforts are unsuccessful”. Now, architecture is no science. But it if we look at the history of modern architecture we find that its changes of course occurred when new theories arose — theories about the essence of architecture and its values and goals. For instance,
when the problem of mass housing came to the fore, or more recently when the problem of sustainability became pertinent. Problems like these reset the agenda and led to new approaches to the questions of form and design in architecture. Indeed, one could say that we are constantly producing new conjectures about architecture, and we may have to add that we should criticize them more extensively, if we want architecture to progress.
So, our topic will be “conjecture”. We will have a look at the philosophy of science (Popper, Lakatos, etc.) and at design discourse (Anderson, Landau, Rittel, etc.) to find out how we can understand architecture in the way outlined above. From there we will go into practice — proposing scenarios for city life to see if they are feasible. Trying things out and see if they work.
Abstract
This thesis illustrated the critical situation of inter-ethnic relation in Malaysia on the level of a local's perspectives. It is then demonstrated with an invention of an alternative sollution in supporting a
conjecture.
It begins with a story,
The society is going through a psychology breakdown. Living in a diverse, multi-ethnic environment, increases social tensions of interethnic relationships. With unexpressed emotions, it leads to destructive thoughts and actions.
1969, Malaysia
A mass demonstration violently occurred in the city of Kuala Lumpur. People fight to free themselves from the presence of the diverse other. Identity and social status of the ethnic groups are widely threatened. Every individuals protect their rights in the nation and give no way for intrusion.
The morning after, a wave of propaganda spread out in minutes, an outbreak emerged immediately. Ethnic groups fight against each other, the city became a racial killing ground. The street is not safe to walk on, one's ethnicity is a threat to one's safety. People cover their skin to hide their identity. General riots continue
as buildings are being burned down, the city is at its ruined state, number of casualties increases. Several attempts were used by the government towards the situation. A national emergency was declared, government ordered an immediate curfew throughout the nation.
Behind the story,
"Malaysian As My Nationality" Malaysia, is a place I call home. I was born and raised in this beautiful paradise surrounded by diverse and colourful cultures. Despite living in a multi-ethnic nation, there is an underlying condition in society.
"Malaysia: A Nation United." Malaysia consist of different ethnic groups, with 61.7% Malays and indigenous peoples, Chinese 20.8%, Indian 6.2%, other 0.9%.3 This multicultural nation is well known for its harmony interethnics relationships. This is an image projected to the world, a diverse group of people living together as one. But in fact, behind the scene is much more complicated than you think. 3. Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Feb, 2018
"Stamped" Buatan Malaysia In the name of ethnics’ harmony, we are much more segregated in reality, both of physically and socially. To an outsider, we are known as Malaysians, but in many ways, we are graded on our ethnicity and origin. Living differently together, being taught & be conscious of our difference since the day we are born.
"On Paper" Every legal document, for instance an application form for applying for university or scholarship, we are constantly questioned with our identities and beliefs. Our identity is determined all based on a piece of paper.
A 2011 survey done by respected Malaysian pollster, from the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research, found a decline of public confidence in ethnic relations, with 44% of respondents saying the country's ethnic unity was "superficial." 9 9. Pearl Lee, "At 60, does Malaysia need to re-examine identity?", CNN. Aug 30, 2017.
"Invisible Wall" We are living in a state of invisible division. In Malaysia, racial difference isn't the only difference that contributes to ethnic division, but these differences are aggravated by many other different aspects. Living parallel together with differences is almost impossible. In this case, inter-ethnics division is real, and it's developing.
What Draws the different?
The beginning of separation of ethnic difference This physical separation draws the difference is in the economic aspects of physical separation. between the ethnic groups. This relationship This physical separation is an inherent effect alienates relations and interactions between the of the policy of 'divide and rule' adopted by ethnic groups and strengthens their individual the British colonialists in the past.5 Till today, sense of belonging. This give rise to prejudice, segregation is clear with different ethnic stereotypes and maintain ignorance among groups living in different provinces. Majority members of an ethnic group against another of Malays live in outskirts, while Chinese in ethnic group.5 the city center and Indians in a mix of both.
In the economic sector, British policy that divide
and commerce, while the Indians dominated
ethnics on the job cause a huge difference in
the
terms of economic dominance. Most Malays
this creates different income gaps between
dominate the agricultural sector which is
ethnic groups.5 This difference has caused
relatively backward. Chinese people generally
dissatisfaction among ethnic groups. Indirectly,
dominate the developed sectors of businesses
further develop racism.5
farm-based
economy.
Consequently,
5. UK, "Ethnic Relations in Malaysia." Jun, 2017
"Mother Tongue" Malaysia has 134 living languages with 112 being indigenous languages.3 Malay is the national language of Malaysia, it is the most dominated language in the nation, followed by English. Majority of the Chinese speak Mandarin and Majority of Indian speak Tamil. Each ethnic group has its own education system adopted from the country of origin of their race .5 3. Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Feb, 2018
"Freedom of Faith" Muslim 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian 9.2%, Hindu
6.3%,
Confucianism,
Taoism,
other
traditional Chinese religions 1.3%, other 0.4%, unspecified 1%.3 In Malaysia, Malays are default Muslims while other ethnic groups have the freedom of religion and practices. 3. Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Feb, 2018
"Dual Justice System" Malaysia practices a dual justice system which allows for state-level Syariah law (Islamic law) to govern Muslims on matters such as family, conversion and inheritance side-by-side with the Federal Constitution and its corresponding laws.9 The country holds a different political party based on ethnic groups and all political parties to uphold the interests of the ethnic groups represented.5 5. UK, "Ethnic Relations in Malaysia." Jun, 2017 9. Lee, "At 60, identity", CNN. Aug, 2017.
"Stereotypes" The differences gave rise to inside jokes within the ethnic groups. For example: Chinese as greedy individuals who demands to buy and own everything. Malays as lazy, underachievers who rely on government incentives and welfare. Lastly, Indians as drunkards, abusive and unhygienic.
The differences made us an extremely diverse entity which generates less trust within and outside of their ethnic group. 8 8. Moore, "Super-Diversity" 21. Issue 1, pp. 117 - 134
"National Integration" We are constantly challenged by the notion of bringing together the difference and diversity. Indeed, active action programs are constantly broadcasted to promote national integration. Defectively, we are still further apart as compared to yesterday.
"Culture Spectacles" Mixing different races has indeed led to greater tolerance of each other's culture and practices; without necessarily a corresponding to a greater understanding of each other practices. We are surrounded by different cultures but blinded by our own.
"I'm Common" We haven't understood integration right. In order to achieve national integration and unite the ethnically-diverse society, it is necessary to create a set of common values. Nevertheless, what and who defined the "common values" are debatable. Pursuing the "common values", is a disregard to identities and background of the minorities.
"Malaysia’s ethnic groups are distant from each other but not hostile; society has a meaningful level of cohesion and accommodation of diversity, but not integration and appreciation of diversity". 10 10. Sukumaran, "Divide". Aug, 2017.
So why are we still trying to achieve unity? Segregating is simply a greeting, by not offending each other in any terms.
Segregation is not a problem but a choice.
"Segregated Equalities" Could this nation possibly achieve equality despite our differences? If McDonald's were to serve multiethnic groups, should they formulate different set of menus, create various entrances and prepare food in distinct kitchens?
So,
I Propose "a Wall"
"The Wall" Wall is meant to separate. It is certainly a physical element, as for the architect to define space; to construct limits. Undeniably, they are also a thing of the mind. The Berlin Wall may have been torn down long ago, but the society still sees Germany as divided.2 the wall still intact in the people’s minds; affecting how people live. Nonetheless, it is an entity that inhabits our thinking and shape our cultures. 2. "A Nation Divided", Zeit Onilne. Okt, 2014.
Walls have traditionally been built not only for defensive purpose, but also privacy, and to protect the people of a certain region from the influence posed by outsiders.7 Annalee Newitz quoted Peter J. Wilson's book The Domestication of the Human Species; the anthropologist argues that humans first walls were probably a social or cultural development. 7 They allowed people to develop a 7. Joshua J. Mark, "Wall", Ancient History Encyclopedia. Sept, 2009.
sense of individual and group identity in villages and cities that grew far beyond the size of any hunter-gatherer group. It's possible that humans needed walls to deal with the psychological stress of living in bigger groups; they gave people separate spaces where they could cool off from conflicts or share their feelings without social judgments. 1 1. Annalee Newitz, "Why Do We Build Walls Around Our Cities?", io9. Mar, 2014.
"Ethnics Planter Box" A wall induces dual effect. On one side, a wall covers one within, on the other, it discloses oneself totally; A wall lays above all the admission of an elemental vulnerability. Behind these walls, society live freely with their culture, religion and beliefs. They have equal treatment and rights. And behind these walls, city build with identity and culture.
What a wall satisfies is not so much a material need as a mental one. Walls protect people not from danger, but from anxieties and fears of intrusion. In a way, they are built not for those who live outside them, but for those who lives within. In a sense, what is built is not a wall, but a state of mind. 4
In this world of uncertainty and confusion, a wall is something to rely on; something massive, firm, confronting. With the existent of wall, there is order and discipline in the world. Walls make things clear and distinct. Once the wall is erected, it achieves a life of its own and frame people’s lives according to its own rules. It gives them definition and order. 4 4. Costica Bradatan, "Scaling the ‘Wall in the Head’.". The Stone. 27 Nov. 2011
Walls are built for several reasons to serve different
purposes,
but
their
fundamental
function is always the same; to create divisions, to stop people from moving freely, and to justify differences. In the end, wall is not the one that had kept one’s walled out, it is the psychological effects that created in one’s minds, that defines a "wall".
‘super-diversity’ – a mode of diversity in which ethnic groups are imbued with multiple internal divisions but share a common ethnicity or country of origin. This is called the ‘diversification of diversity’ on the basis of ‘additional variables’ that cut across ethnicity.8 8. Moore, "Super-Diversity", Theory 21.
In a super diverse society, how do we draw the line?
It continues with a story of a city,
The Story of a City
Once, there was a city dwelt of a multi-ethnic society. The society satisfies with constant division of the city. They fought against each other, so then they divide... they divide... so then they found themselves. Just so, the city begins with its division.
1971, Barcode City
The city holds a new set of currency, with each identity group having their very own currency. The citizens were categorised and biologically "barcoded" with an ethnic code. A complex ID scanning system connects all buildings and places of the same registered ID. The movement of the city are controlled.
The citizens are hired for the operation of the entire economic chain in the city. These economic chains are assigned in a way that each economic relation revolves within the same identity group. Serving the foreign chain is impossible or it will be treated as an illegal conduct and will be withdraw from the entire system.
The city became more complicated as everything is distributed. The rapid growth of the city is running out of its capability to accommodate the vast diversity. The society is pleased with the system. But very soon, someone begged for another division when the contrasting traditions between the ethnic groups were no longer be tolerated.
2001, Festive City
The city is built with a pool of islands attached on a sky grid. Each of them enclaves the traditions of an ethnicity. Occasionally, the islands dismount from the grid; to the culture-less city. People fight for their admittance to the island. The chosen one are named as the generic species of its ethnic, are sent up in a capsule through a passage ducting connected to the living cells structure below that supports thousands.
The city enclaves itself with a membrane to prevent any contamination from going through either side of the wall. Internally it is structured with a multi-tiered concave wall that shelves a collective of traditional elements. The people celebrates the long-suppressed traditions within its architectural confinement.
At the end of its service, the island remount on the sky grid. Before its departure, religious building detaches from it and lands on earth for religious purpose. These drop-outs gather the divergent, it is then followed by a sense of diversity arises within the society. Immediately, these structures are sealed by the authority for further order.
2010, Prison City
The city imposed a new law; practice of religion is a crime. Disobeyer will be prosecuted publicly; religious buildings face the faith of demolishing. People build walls to protect the building. Neither anyone should enter or leave. The city became a collective architecture of monuments. Religious buildings of the past are now nothing but an architecture in prison.
The wall embodies a form of a honeycomb structure. Five meters above ground, visitors are transported up by an elevator into a special cell. The recreation of the religious building is only achieved through virtual reality. One's senses are infused with artificial stimulation. Religions practices are performed in a form of game, points collected as comfort of one's faithfulness.
At the other side of the wall, visitors recover their faith and spirit through two-centimeter holes looking into the prison, but at the same moment witnessing the deterioration process of the architecture. Dissatisfactory towards the situation surpresses internal emotions, the religion of the leader was questioned with certainty.
2015, City of Crown
The city is rebuilt by the society who decided to not rule by a leader who doesn't belongs to the belief. Multiple towers erected on top of the old city, ruling by beliefs. Four walls enclose the towers from its surrounding; holds up the structure of the city with it's assertive appearance. Society from the other side of the wall irresistibly enters through a one-way access.
In every tower, each level serves different political parties of the same ethnic in a hierarchical system. At the center of the highest level, a core hoist an authority crown. The system is fair, these levels cycle through a conveyer belt every five years. One has the power and authority over the tower once ascended to the top level, while the bottom obeys.
Every day, the society is constantly anxious for the next authority cycle to take place only to regain their supremacy at the top of the tower. Temporary satisfaction is obtained within the city, some who are discontented tries to escape the city to another to find justice. Sooner or later, the realization of a multi-language environment forces another execution of division.
2022, Talking City
Language became the master of the city. Segmented cities serve an individual language. At the center of the most city, the birth of the newborn takes place in an incubator; his or her mother tongue spoken, decides his or her future in the city.
The city speaks the language like the mother of the society, and the society learns the language from it. One became proficient in the language while experiencing the city. Other forms of foreign languages are prohibited and only be buried under the city.
The child of the city stands in an individual capsule, sliding on top of a magnetize surface of the city. Within the capsule, it restrains one's body language behind it, considering only an opening on the capsule dedicated for interchange of information only by speaking the language of the mother tongue. Citizens live fully to embrace the Mother City.
2026, Pipe City
A set of pipes runs across the city grid through the open spaces, it connects into every house just as how utilities was distributed. The pipe is an advanced conducting system operates with electromagnetic waves. These pipes are divided a framework; hence the ethnic groups from a different culture don't share the same pipe.
All living space are cap within an architecture confinement conditioned with culture sensitive air. Pipes attached from the framework supports the life of the inhabitants. All possible item including food, walls or sometimes human and etc. are acquired through these pipes within the framework, as well as traveling from space to space within the ethnic framework.
Half of the population lived under these pipes for years. Being in a territorial space, some discovered different biological needs. The city is again in demand of dividing based on gender...
The city continues with an untold story...
The "walls" are a blessing. Not only to impress but to keep the city alive and in motion. It is an action of stimulation, and the life of the city is possible only as a response to those action, the city should not stop building "walls" or it would soon become meaningless. Without it, the city will eventually be dead. If one doesn’t find the difference to divide anymore, it should be invented.
After all, the city itself are nothing but an endless exercise of defining lines in between the differences. The better the former become at defining the lines, the better the latter get to refine. The enrichment of these lines is what we call progress. And the division of this super-diverse society is only possible through this progressive action of line drawings.
The Architecture was used as an instrument to illustrate a rather decent way of executing a perfect solution to the problem. The architecture preformed does not encourage the recurrent intention but to an absolute impropriate alternative.
2050,
The city will stop when humanity is born in a dream, until it ends with its long-awaited desire...
KEY EVENTS
1957,
Federation
of
Malaya
becomes
2010, Religious tensions increase following a
independent from Britain.
court decision allowing non-Muslims to use
1969, Violent race riots, particularly in Kuala
the word Allah to refer to God.
Lumpur, leave hundreds dead.
2015, Opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic
1971, New Economic Policy, Government
Party (PAS) seeks parliament's approval to
introduces minimum quotas for Malays in
expand hudud laws, a strict Islamic penal
business, education and the civil service.
code.
2001, Dozens arrested during worst ethnic
2022,
clashes in decades between Malays and
2026,
ethnic Indians.
2050,
BIBLIOGRAPHy
Annalee Newitz, "Why Do We Build Walls Around Our
Crossroads of Diversity in Southeast Asia 12. Article 16.
Cities?", io9. 14 Mar, 2014. https://io9.gizmodo.com/
(2002): (138-160)
why-do-we-build-walls-around-our-cities-1630142347 Joshua J. Mark, "Wall", Ancient History Encyclopedia. 2 A Nation Divided", Zeit Onilne. 29 Okt, 2014. https://
Sept, 2009. https://www.ancient.eu/wall/
www.zeit.de/feature/german-unification-a-nationdivided
Nikolay Mintchev and Henrietta L Moore, "SuperDiversity and the Prosperous Society.", European Journal
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Last
of Social Theory 21. Issue 1, pp. 117 - 134
modified 2018. Accessed Feb 5, 2018. https://www.cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Pearl Lee, "At 60, does Malaysia need to re-examine identity?", CNN. Aug 30, 2017. https://edition.cnn.
Costica Bradatan, "Scaling the ‘Wall in the Head’.".
com/2017/08/30/asia/independence-malaysia-race-
The Stone. 27 Nov. https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.
religion/index.html
com/2011/11/27/scaling-the-wall-in-the-head/ Tashny Sukumaran, "Religion, Race, Politics: What's Essays,UK, "Ethnic Relations in Malaysia.". Last
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