Urbanisation and Urban Life in Peninsular Malaysia

This article argues that with about 70 percent of Malaysia’s population already living in towns and cities and the urbanisation process is still ongoing, urban living and urbanism have become a way of life and a key element in Malaysia’s civilization. However, urban living for the Malays and other Bumiputera communitities is relatively new although it is not new for most of the Chinese and Indians. The existence of new urban social relations, however, does not necessarily replace family and community relations. This article shows that while Loius Wirth’s criticism of urban culture in respect of the spread of individualism, and the importance of formal social control is correct, the role of human agency should not be overlooked. Human beings as agencies are able to create and recreate social relations and organisations to suit their social needs and guided by their cultural and religious values. This is supported by evidence of efforts to build communities and the existence of relatively sustainable communities in the urban milieu. This article also demonstrates that among urbanites in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, a substantial number perceive the city as their permanent home because life in big cities has already become part of them, and also for practical reasons; however, there are also sections of those of regard such cities mainly as venues in building their career and not as places for permanent living. The situation is quite different in smaller cities especially Kota Bharu and Melaka where there is a sense of permanency, with cities being perceived not just as places to earn a living but also as places for retirement. However, the rising cost of living has become the greatest challenge for urbanites especially those from the lower classes residing in big cities.