The Implications of the Provisions for Islam and the Malays in the Federal Constitution on Ethnic Relations in Malaysia

This research examined the level of knowledge, understanding, acceptance and perception among public university students of the implications of the provisions for Islam and the Malays in the Malaysian Constitution on ethnic relations in Malaysia. The research involved 800 respondents from four public universities. The results show that the provisions have far reaching implications on ethnic relations in Malaysia as Malay students, in particular, are still sensitive and responsive to matters pertaining to Islam and the Malays. The reasons for this, among others, are the declining level of tolerance and understanding among the people, the role of the media in sensationalising the special status of Islam and the Malays, and also the lack of historical knowledge. Based on these findings, suggestions are made to address the issue pertaining Islam and the Malays in Federal Constitution. The study contributes towards the area in terms of the quantitative methodology employed that may be replicated in future research.