Organizer: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

Type/Location: Hybrid / Singapore

Description:

This workshop examines how inter-racial and inter-religious interactions shape identity in key Southeast Asian cities: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. As multicultural hubs, these cities provide valuable insights into the intersections of ethnicity, religiosity, and identity within shifting socio-political landscapes.

In Malaysia, cultural dynamics are evolving as non-Chinese enrollment in Chinese vernacular schools increases alongside a rise in Malay exclusivism. In Indonesia, ethnic minorities in Jakarta and Surabaya navigate diversity through Pancasila while contending with assimilationist pressures, Javanese cultural dominance, and transnational Islamic influences. Thailand’s emphasis on homogeneity, framed through ‘Thai-ness,’ marginalises cultural communities, and this workshop examines the socio-political dynamics that have shaped the integration of Sino-Thai communities. At the same time, Chiang Mai’s Lanna revival efforts highlight cultural preservation but risk excluding ethnic minorities, raising questions about state narratives of identity.

Beyond ethnicity and religion, this workshop will explore how contemporary identity formation is shaped by gender, age, nationality, politics, and sexual orientation. It will explore how individuals negotiate these identities within broader power structures, navigating institutional constraints and agency opportunities. Additionally, the role of digital media will be considered, analysing how online platforms shape identity discourse, reinforce dominant narratives, and provide alternative spaces for belonging and resistance. This discussion will offer a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia’s evolving multicultural landscape by examining how urban communities respond to conservatism, challenge dominant narratives, and assert diverse identities.

Schedule:

Panel 1: Nationalism and Identity Preservation in Southeast Asia
Panel 2: Navigating the Limits of Assimilation
Panel 3: Multiculturalism and the Fluidity of Identity: Cross-Cultural and Language Dynamics
Panel 4: Urban Diversity Beyond Ethnicity: Gender, Age, and Political Trends in Southeast Asian Cities

Click here to view program outline.

Conference Organizers:

• Dr. Norshahril Saat: Senior Fellow & Coordinator, Regional Social and Cultural Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

• Dr. Eugene Mark: Fellow, Regional Social and Cultural Studies Programme and Co-coordinator, Thailand Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

Registration:

To attend the event in person, please register here.

To attend the event online, please register here.