Diasporic Chinese (Huaqiao 華僑) or Multicultural Malaysian? The Challenges of Being Chinese and Christian in Malaysia Today

Abstract

Malaysian Chinese Christians are confronted with the challenges and implications of hybridities, divided loyalties and multiple belongings, and multiple border crossings in their daily lives as they negotiate a socio-cultural and political landscape that is a minefield of linguistic and religious restrictions, racial and religious tensions. This chapter explores what it means to be Malaysian, Chinese, and Christian today as the Malaysian Chinese community transitions from being a diasporic Chinese (huaqiao) community to a full-fledged Malaysian community.