Interracial marriages becoming more popular
According to the Marriage and Divorce Statistics of Malaysia 2024, 6.2 per cent of the 188,100 marriages in 2023 were interracial.
SHAH ALAM – The Chinese New Year celebration last Wednesday is also enjoyed by people of different ethnicities and religions, not just the Chinese community.
This is especially true for those in interracial marriages with Chinese partners.
Statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia showed that interracial marriages were becoming increasingly common, both in Islamic and non-Islamic unions.
According to the Marriage and Divorce Statistics of Malaysia 2024, 6.2 per cent of the 188,100 marriages in 2023 were interracial.
"The number of interracial marriages increased by 28 per cent, from 14,028 in 2022 to 17,956 in 2023.
"The composition of interracial marriages among Muslims was 48.8 per cent, while among non-Muslims, it was 51.6 per cent," said chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin in a statement.
Interracial marriages reflect cultural diversity
Commenting further on this phenomenon, senior fellow with the National Council of Professors Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong said the growing trend of interracial marriages reflected cultural diversity and fostered a spirit of unity.
"In the past, many opposed interracial marriages, especially between non-Muslims and Muslims, because the non-Muslim partner had to convert before marriage, which made it difficult for their families to accept.
"But now, many do not mind and can accept it openly.
"It not only represents cultural acceptance between two families but also, indirectly, they practice a blend of cultures, such as celebrating each other's festivals and traditions together," he said.
Blending traditions in interracial families
For Datuk Seri Dr Steven Mok and Datin Seri Asha Steven, they continued to celebrate Chinese New Year joyfully with family members, even though Mok's late father, who was of Chinese descent, passed away long ago.
The couple, who have three children, also celebrated Deepavali, as Mok's mother is of Indian descent.
However, Mok said Chinese New Year remained a priority for their family, as it has been a long-standing tradition that preserves their cultural heritage and ancestral lineage.
He said his siblings also joined in the celebrations with their Chinese and Indian relatives, including during the traditional reunion dinner at his home in Klang.
He added that interracial marriages in Malaysia symbolised the unique unity of the Malaysians, as they were built on love and marital bonds.
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