Malaysian Chinese Research Articles

Do cultures clash? Evidence from cross-national ultimatum game experiments

Economic globalisation promotes the interaction between individuals of different cultures. While experimental economists have established differences in the way individuals from different nations interact within their own cultures, behavioural differences in cross-cultural interactions have not been sufficiently explored. This paper reports the results of ultimatum game experiments in which Malaysian Chinese and UK subjects played opponents of their own as well as of the other culture. We confirm the existence of cultural difference in subject behaviour in both intra- and inter-national interactions. This evidence is discussed in terms of the possibility of a ‘clash of cultures’.

A comparative study of sertraline dosages, plasma concentrations, efficacy and adverse reactions in Chinese versus Caucasian patients

This prospective 6-week study examined the differences in dosage and steady state plasma concentrations of sertraline in Chinese versus Caucasian depressed patients. Two groups of Chinese patients from different geographical sites and a group of Caucasian patients were evaluated with clinical measures during an initial dose of 50 mg/day, with subsequent doses adjusted clinically. The results of 17 Australian Chinese (ACHI), 13 Malaysian Chinese (MCHI) and 15 Australian Caucasians (AC) were analysed. Despite controlling for weight, the AC subjects received a significantly higher dose than both the ACHI (P = 0.002) and the MCHI groups (P = 0.012). However, the mean sertraline concentration to dose ratios at weeks 1 and 6 were not significantly different between the three groups. Sertraline was effective and well tolerated in both ethnic groups with few adverse events. Although there was a lack of difference between groups in the pharmacokinetic results, Chinese depressed patients appeared to require lower dosages with consequently lower plasma concentrations of sertraline compared to Caucasian patients to achieve clinical efficacy. Further studies of the dosages, kinetics and adverse effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors linked with genotyping are necessary.

Weakening Ties with the Ancestral Homeland in China: The Case Studies of Contemporary Singapore and Malaysian Chinese

In the last two decades there has been much scholarly and journalistic attention given to the issue of how Chinese overseas relate themselves to China. This happened against a backdrop of two major developments in Asia. The first has to do with the fact that many ethnic Chinese outside mainland China have been faring well economically and accumulating considerable wealth in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan in the second half of the twentieth century. The second is the rise of China as an economic superpower attracting foreign capital after it reopened itself and launched economic reform in 1978.

Do Cultures Clash? Evidence from Cross-national Ultimatum Game Experiments

Economic, political and social globalisation entails increasing interaction between individuals of different cultures. While experimental economists have established differences between the behaviour within different cultures, the effect of cultural difference on cross-culture interactions has so far not been sufficiently explored. This paper reports on the results of experiments with ultimatum games designed for this purpose, in which Malaysian Chinese and UK subjects played opponents of their own as well as of the other culture. We find that cultural differences exist between the behaviour of Western and Asians interacting (a) within their own respective national groups, and (b) with members of the other group. This evidence is discussed in terms of the possibility of a 'clash of cultures'.

Inference from the relationships between linkage disequilibrium and allele frequency distributions of 240 candidate SNPs in 109 drug-related genes in four Asian populations.

The extensive nucleotide diversity in drug-related genes predisposes individuals to different drug responses and is a major problem in current clinical practice and drug development. Striking allelic frequency differences exist in these genes between populations. In this study, we genotyped 240 sites known to be polymorphic in the Japanese population in each of 270 unrelated healthy individuals comprising 90 each of Malaysian Malays, Indians, and Chinese. These sites are distributed in 109 genes that are drug related, such as genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. Allele frequency and linkage disequilibrium distributions of these sites were determined and compared. They were also compared with similar data of 752 Japanese. Extensive similarities in allele frequency and linkage disequilibrium distributions were observed among Japanese, Malaysian Chinese, and Malays. However, significant differences were observed between Japanese and Malaysian Chinese with Malaysian Indians. These four populations were grouped into two genetic clusters of different ancestries. However, a higher correlation was found between Malaysian Malays and Indians, indicating the existence of extensive admixture between them. The results also imply the possible and rational use of existing single nucleotide polymorphism databases as references to assist future pharmacogenetic studies involving populations of similar ancestry.

Genetic polymorphism of CYP2D6 in Chinese subjects in Malaysia

Although Malaysian Chinese share an origin with the mainland Chinese, their evolution has been influenced by intermarriages. With a gene such as CYP2D6, which is highly polymorphic, it is expected that the Malaysian Chinese would exhibit a polymorphism profile different from those of the Chinese populations in other geographical locations. To study the genotype distribution of CYP2D6 among the Chinese people in Malaysia. We obtained DNA from 236 Chinese individuals in Malaysia and used PCR-based methods to identify any common CYP2D6 alleles. A total of 236 subjects were enrolled and were successfully genotyped. Malaysian Chinese were relatively heterogeneous in terms of their CYP2D6 genotypes with nine genotypes recorded. CYP2D6*4, *5, *9, *10 and *17 were detected with the most common genotype being *1/*10. No subject had genotypes that predicted poor metabolic activity. However, 40% showed genotypes (e.g. CYP2D6*10/*10, *17, *4 and *9 and *9/*9) that predicted an intermediate metabolizer phenotype. Another subject carried the defective CYP2D6*17 allele and six carried the defective CYP2D6*9 allele. Both these alleles have not been reported in other earlier Chinese studies. This study revealed that, in terms of CYP2D6 polymorphism, Malaysian Chinese were a heterogeneous group of people. Although sharing some similarities with other Orientals, they also seemed to have some notable differences. The alleles CYP2D6*4, *5, *9, *10 and *17 were all detected. CYP2D6*3 was however absent.

A nonsense mutation in exon 8 of the APC gene (Arg283Ter) causes clinically variable FAP in a Malaysian Chinese family.

The present study was carried out to characterize the causative genetic mutation in a medium-sized Malaysian Chinese pedigree of three generations affected with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Clinical data and genetic studies revealed considerable phenotypic variability in affected individuals in this family. Blood was obtained from members of the FAP-01 family and genomic DNA was extracted. Mutation screening of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene was carried out using the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique. The possibility of exon skipping was predicted by splicing motif recognition software (ESEfinder release2.0). SSCP results showed mobility shifts in exon 8 of the APC gene which segregated with affected members of the family. Sequence analysis revealed that the affected individuals are heterozygous for a C847T transition, whilst all the unaffected family members and control individuals are homozygous C at the same position. This nucleotide substitution generates a stop codon at amino acid position 283, in place of the usual arginine (Arg283Ter). We conclude that an Arg283Ter mutation in the APC gene is causative of the FAP phenotype in this family, although there is considerable variation in the presentation of this disease among affected individuals. Computational analysis predicts that this mutation occurs within sequences that may function as splicing signals, so that the sequence change may affect normal splicing.

Constructing transnational identities? Mass media and the Malaysian Chinese audience

This article examines the influence of Chinese transnational mass media, in particular television, videos, and films, on the creation of transnational Chinese identities among Malaysian Chinese. Drawing on ethnographic research and surveys of adults and high school students in four Malaysian cities, it argues that local audiences distinguish clearly between the various forms of transnational Chinese media produced in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. Although preferences for different types of transnational media vary among viewers in terms of age, gender, educational background, and place of residence in Malaysia, Hong Kong productions are clearly the most popular. Similarities between the experiences and perspectives of Hong Kong and Malaysian Chinese are examined as possible explanations for this preference.

Work-Related Values of Malays and Chinese Malaysians

This exploratory study has two objectives. First, it tests the hypothesis that the Malays and the Chinese share similar work-related values. Second, it examines whether Hofstede's Malaysian work-related values are replicated. Results for the first hypothesis suggest that there is no significant difference between the Malays and the Chinese in work-related values. However, results could only offer partial support for the second hypothesis. The evidence appears to suggest that power distance in Malaysia is still high, and masculinity is still moderate. At the same time, the evidence suggests that the levels of uncertainty avoidance and individualism in Malaysia have increased over the past decades. These results are discussed with respect to organizational behavior in Malaysia.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysian Chinese: occupational exposures to particles, formaldehyde and heat.

During 1990-1992, 282 Chinese residents of Selangor and the Federal Territory, Malaysia with histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were interviewed about occupational history, diet, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use, as were an equal number of Malaysian Chinese population controls, pair-matched to cases by age and sex. Exposures to 20 kinds of workplace substances, solar and industrial heat, and cigarette smoke, were analysed by univariate and multivariate methods. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was associated with occupational exposures to construction, metal and wood dusts; motor fuel and oil; paints and varnishes; certain other chemicals; industrial heat; solar heat from outdoor occupations; certain smokes; cigarette smoking; and childhood exposure to parental smoking. After adjustment for risk from diet and cigarette smoke, only wood dust (OR = 2.36; 95% CI : 1.33- 4.19), and industrial heat (OR = 2.21; 95% CI : 1.12-4.33) remained clearly associated. Wood dust remained statistically significant after further adjustment for social class. No significant crude or adjusted association was found between NPC and formaldehyde (adjusted OR = 0.71; 95% CI : 0.34-1.43). This study supports previous findings that some occupational inhalants are risk factors for NPC. The statistical effect of wood dust remained substantial after adjustment for diet, cigarette smoke, and social class. Intense industrial heat emerged as a previously unreported risk factor, statistically significant even after adjustment for diet and cigarette smoke. No association was found between NPC and formaldehyde.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants in Malaysian Chinese.

We screened 38 G6PD-deficient male Chinese neonates for known G6PD mutations using established PCR-based techniques. We found 50.0% (19 of 38) were mutation 1376G>T, 34.2% (13 of 38) were mutation 1388G>A, 5.2% (2 of 38 ) were mutation 95A>G and 2.2% (1 of 38) was mutation 1024C>T. In 7% (3 of 38) of the cases the mutations remained uncharacterised. Sixty three percent (24 of 38) of the G6PD deficient neonates had neonatal jaundice with 28.9 % (11 of 38) developing moderate to severe hyperbilirubinemia. The group of neonates with 1388 mutation showed the highest incidence of moderate to severe hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy and/or exchange transfusion respectively. Majority (70%) of the G6PD deficient neonates showed severe enzyme deficiency. However, there was no meaningful association between the level of enzyme activity and the severity of neonatal jaundice. In summary, four mutations account for more than 90% of the G6PD deficiency cases among the Chinese in Malaysia and the pattern of distribution of the molecular variants is similar to those found among the Chinese in Taiwan and southern mainland China. Our findings also suggest the possible association of nt 1388 mutation with severe neonatal jaundice.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysian Chinese: salted fish and other dietary exposures.

We interviewed 282 histologically confirmed cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Chinese residents of Selangor and the Federal Territory, Malaysia, and an equal number of Chinese age-, sex-, and length-of-residence-matched controls sampled from the general population. Consumption of 55 dietary items during childhood, and 5 years pre-diagnosis of NPC, was analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods. Four salted preserved foods (fish, leafy vegetables, egg and root), fresh pork/beef organ meats and beer and liquor consumption exhibited strong positive associations, and 4 vegetable/fruit combinations strong negative associations with NPC. Factor analysis and multivariable modeling using estimated factor scores strongly supported separate effects on NPC of vegetables/fruits, salted preserved foods, pork/beef organ meats and beer/liquor consumption. Multivariable modeling associated NPC most clearly with high consumption of salted fish, salted eggs, pork/beef liver and beer and low consumption of Chinese flowering cabbage, oranges/tangerines and shrimp. A strong residual association of social class with NPC remained after adjustment for diet, which is consistent with a substantial role for non-dietary environmental factors.

Dietary practices in nutritional transition: The case of Malaysian urban Chinese

In this study involving 336 urban Chinese adults, more than 40% belong to at least the second generation in Malaysia. The result shows the persistence of several Chinese traditional dietary habits. Almost all the subjects take rice daily and an assortment of noodles weekly. A wide variety of vegetables are consumed frequently. Soup is consumed daily or weekly. Steaming and stir frying are preferred methods of cooking. Majority reported adding salt lightly in cooking, eating little fat on meat, and not adding sugar to tea or coffee, but they use sweetened condensed milk. Urban Malaysian Chinese do not appear to manifest a high‐fat high‐meat diet that is becoming characteristic of rapidly developing countries. Their dietary practices seem to reflect an inclination towards the “behavioural change” dietary pattern away from the “degenerative disease” pattern according to the concept of nutritional transition as described by Popkin.

The Dynamics of Diversity and Change in Management Education: Fragment from a Case

AbstractThe present paper takes an ‘unintentional’ look at the issue of diversity as it presents itself in a study of management education. The inquiry is unintentional in that the author had not conceptualised diversity as an artefact of the research, yet found himself struggling to work with his own experience of difference as he engaged with the subject of the research. The concept of diversity came to be thought of in terms of ‘requisite variety’ and its challenge to management education is conceptualised as a search for a ‘holding environment.’ These ideas are grounded in the case material of a part time, postgraduate student of business administration who works as a financial manager in an Australian corporation, is female and is ethnically a Malaysian Chinese.

The Dynamics of Diversity and Change in Management Education: Fragment from a Case

AbstractThe present paper takes an ‘unintentional’ look at the issue of diversity as it presents itself in a study of management education. The inquiry is unintentional in that the author had not conceptualised diversity as an artefact of the research, yet found himself struggling to work with his own experience of difference as he engaged with the subject of the research. The concept of diversity came to be thought of in terms of ‘requisite variety’ and its challenge to management education is conceptualised as a search for a ‘holding environment.’ These ideas are grounded in the case material of a part time, postgraduate student of business administration who works as a financial manager in an Australian corporation, is female and is ethnically a Malaysian Chinese.

Chinese Identities in Malaysia

AbstractThis paper discusses the types of Chinese identities in Malaysia, which have been influenced by localization — the process of becoming local, involving cultural adjustment to a local geographical and social environment as well as identifying with the locality. The important role of socialization in ethnic identification is discussed, illustrated by the experience of the Malay-speaking Chinese called Baba. The Chinese in Malaysia are both ethnic Chinese (Huaren) and Malaysians. As Huaren, they are both territorially bounded as Chinese Malaysians and unbounded as transnational Chinese. Ethnic Chinese identities are both bounded and unbounded. The bounded identity as Malaysians of Chinese origin reflects the diverse localization experience of the Chinese.

Odontogenic Keratocysts in a Malaysian Population: Clinical, Radiological and Histological Considerations

This paper represents a study of 35 cases of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) diagnosed in a Malaysian population. The clinical, radiological and histopathological features, treatment modalities and recurrence of this lesion were analysed. There was a higher prevalence rate among Malaysian Chinese (51.42 percent), while the Malays and Indians accounted for 22.86 percent and 25.72 percent respectively. The male to female ratio was 16 : 19. Age at presentation ranged from nine to 71 year, with about 70percent occurring between ages ten to 39 years. A total of 40 cysts were analysed. Of these, 67.5 percent occurred in the mandible and 32.5 percent in the maxilla. About 88 percent of OKC presented as unilocular radiolucencies and 42.0 percent were associated with unerupted or impacted teeth.Histologically, the parakeratinized OKC was the predominant variant found (75.8 percent). The majority of cases were treated by enucleation (85 percent), and a recurrence rate of 20 percent was recorded.

The Significance of Demographic Triviality: Minority Status and Zodiacal Fertility Timing Among Chinese Malaysians

The hypothesis that minority status creates social tensions that affect fertility behaviour attracted much attention during the late 1960s and 1970s, but then disappeared after 1980. This sudden exit was due to a combination of methodological difficulties in distilling the independent effects of minority status from other socio-economic factors, weaknesses or ambiguities in the empirical record, and other difficulties. This paper examines a natural experiment that serendipitously by-passes more of these problems than has been heretofore possible – the attempt by Chinese in Malaysia to time births into the auspicious Year of the Dragon. A multivariate model shows that this unique fertility behaviour was more common in Malaysian districts with smaller proportions of Chinese, which suggests that minority status can directly affect ethnic identity. The results also highlight a paradoxical solution to a grander problem facing socio-demographic theory. Before we can posit that culture or values play an independent role in transitions to lower fertility, we should first trace a baseline definition of these values from the study of demographically trivial events.

Analysis of epstein‐barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal biopsies from a group at high risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is consistently associated with the epithelial malignancy nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), it is not clear to what extent the normal virus carrier state involves infection of nasopharyngeal epithelium. We attempted to examine this question by screening 26 nasopharyngeal punch biopsies from EBV-carrying Chinese Malaysians who had presented with clinical symptoms possibly indicative of NPC, but in whom histological analysis of an adjacent biopsy had revealed no evidence of tumour. Assays included (i) in situ hybridization with 35S-labelled riboprobes specific for EBERs (rather than with BamHI W DNA probes which can give false-positive results); (ii) cDNA amplification across defined splice junctions of the EBNA1 and BamHI A transcripts expressed in latently-infected NPC cells and of the BHRF1 lytic-cycle transcript; and (iii) immunostaining for the immediate early lytic-cycle protein BZLF1. Of the 26 biopsies examined, all 23 showing normal nasopharyngeal histology were consistently negative for both latent and lytic-cycle markers. The other 3 cases were all positive for EBNA1 and BamHI A transcripts; these RNAs were almost certainly of tumour rather than normal-cell origin since these particular biopsies were the only ones to reveal localized foci of EBER-positive NPC cells; such biopsies were again negative for lytic-cycle markers. We provisionally conclude that EBV infection of the normal nasopharynx is not a regular feature of the virus carrier state and that screening nasopharyngeal biopsies for viral RNA markers of the latent cycle could be useful in NPC diagnosis.

The Datuk Kong Spirit Cult Movement in Penang: Being and Belonging in Multi-Ethnic Malaysia

This paper attempts to survey the development of a Malaysian Sino-Malay spirit cult, known as Nadugong in Chinese, or Datuk Keramat in Malay. The development of this cult shows that Malaysian Chinese are increasingly aware of their ethnic identity vis-à-vis the Malay identity, whereby local-born Chinese seek to adapt themselves to the patterns of multi-ethnic cultures while at the same time trying very hard to maintain their ethnic boundaries through the organization of their own socio-cultural institutions.The outcome of this adaptive response may be seen in what is known as localization — a multilateral acculturative rather than a unilateral assimilative process. This process renders the existing syncretized elements more complex and has served as an internal defence-mechanism against, rather than as an unconditional submission to, the on-going proselytizing ideologies of “Malay nationalism” and “Malay national-culturism” based on the parameters of Malay culture, Malay language, Islam, and Malay esthetic values.