THE MALAYSIAN NATION
By: Hamly Hadi
(History Observer)
The Malaysian nation consists of various ethnicities, such as the Malays, Chinese, Tamils, Acehnese, Javanese, Banjarese, Minangkabau, Mandailing, Bugis, Makassarese, Baweanese, Kerinci, indigenous peoples consisting of 18 ethnicities, Mon, Khmer, Champ people from Vietnam, and others.
Although they are fundamentally different, they can be united by Malay, the official language of Malaysia.
The term “nation Malaysia” is more appropriate than “nation Melayu,” because Malay is not a nation; it is an ethnicity or tribe. A nation must have a system of government and territory and be registered with the United Nations. There is no Malay nation on the UN membership list; the only member of the United Nations is Malaysia.**
Banjarmasin, January 19, 2026
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