The Chinese community in Kulim Town: a case-study of Chinese social, economic, cultural and political activities in West Malaysia

Abstract

This case-study is to examine the social,economic, political, and cultural aspects of a Chinese community in a rapidly changing Malaysia. Kulim, the town chosen for this case-study, is the administrative centre of South Kedah in the north-western part of the Malay Peninsula. The Chinese community in Kulim is a microcosm of the Chinese community in West Malaysia. Though socially and economically diversified, the Chinese, who account for about 38% of the total population of West Malaysia, often are regarded as one community by other ethnic groups.