Harmonization of Multicultural Awareness and Intercultural Relations among Multiracial Society in Malaysia

Interracial issues are critical to sustain a harmonious interethnic relationship among diversified ethnic population especially in the South East Asian region. Interethnic conflicts, difficulties, anxiety and uncertainties occurred due to people’s lack of awareness or insensitivity to the cultural clues of different cultural frame of references (values, norms, beliefs, attitudes and customs), and expectations. Symbolic multicultural environments have significant influences to the people’s ways of life. Notably, intercultural awareness was found to be insufficiently measured. Hence, the present study was initiated to establish a feasible measure to assess the cognitive influence of multicultural awareness, guided by the Social Learning Theory. A psychometric contains was assessed and a principle components analysis procedure was undertaken to obtain the reliability of the construct. A key finding from the present study indicated that the scale is valid and reliable in assessing cultural awareness among the multiethnic society in Malaysia. The result signal sufficiency of cultural knowledge assists people to eliminate a psychological discomfort and interracial conflicts.