So Who's Not a Pendatang?

The word "pendatang" in Malay means an immigrant so let us look at how Malaysia's history has been affected by immigration.

Great nations like the USA and Australia have benefitted from waves of immigration as they promised great potential and prosperity and millions risked all to seek a better land.

Even Malaysia is a land of immigrants and some scholars have claimed that the orang asli actually originated from China many thousands of years ago.

You can read the history of the Malay states from this site

Briefly these are the details from the site:

Johore - origin Acheh, trace back to Southern Arabia, about 1699, also ruled over Terrangganu and Pahang.

Kelantan - origin Majapahit Empire between 13th and 14th century. Fell under Malacca rule in 1499. By 1812 accepted by Siam as a separate state.

Negri Sembilan - origin Minangkabau 17th and 18th century migration, system established middle of 19th century.

Perak - established 1528, origin from Malacca

Malacca - ancient hindu state of Tamasak in Singapore, sacked by the ruler of Palembang in 1377.Raja Parameswara of Malacca embraced Islam in the early years of the fourteenth century. Later descendants became the Sultan of Johor.

Selangor - from Riau, Sultan installed in 1766.

Kedah - founded by a Prince from Sri Lanka, converted to Islam in 1136.

Pahang - conquered by Malacca from a Siamese local ruler in the early 15th century.

Perlis - founded in 1803, Sultan's daughter married a Syed of Arabic descent and the lineage form the present ruling house.

Sarawak - domain of Brunei but little control until James Brooke. Was made Governor by the Sultan of Brunei but in 1842 secured independence and was recognised by the British as Raja Brooke of Sarawak.


As Malaysia is located on the great sea lines of the world, its harbours have sheltered many ships of the trading world - China, India, the British, the Dutch and the Portuguese.

Many of our citizens, if subject to DNA tests, will be surprised that they are a mixture of this, that and the other.

Even our first PM, Tunku Abdul Rahman was half-Siamese.
In fact many Bumiputeras are half-Chinese as many Chinese women marry Malays and convert their religion.

Perhaps all the aggravation over "pendatang" and the NEP will be removed if the authorities treat all its citizens fairly and equally and any program to eradicate poverty is based on needs and not race.

If we are to harness all the vitality and the energy of our nation, there must be a place for everyone, and no one should be left behind if he or she will willing to contribute. For the takers, we should say, "Sorry, you have to start working too."

Let us work together to achieve Vision2020.