CHANGING ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

This paper reviews several approaches for measuring and evaluating ethnic diversity. Based on Simpson s diversity index, a metric commonly used in biodiversity research, an ethnic diversity index (EDI) is developed that describes the degree of variety of ethnic groups living together on a common territory. The EDI values of the states of Peninsular Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur reveal a general decrease in ethnic diversity between 1970 and 2000. This change is attributed to migration, government policy and urban planning. Ashby s Law of Requisite Variety and Ostrom s recommendation for the governance of biodiversity are used to address problems associated with the governance of complex and highly diverse social systems.