Burma established diplomatic relations with Malaya in 1959, and those relations continued when the nation of Malaysia was formed in 1965. Despite differing political systems, the Burmese and Malay share commercial and economic interests. In addition, Malaysia offers various training services for the Burmese police and armed forces, farm-based industries, hotel management, and palm oil technology. Since 1976, Burmese doctors have served in Malaysia on a contract basis.

What are their lives like?
Ever since the 1800's, the Burmese were lured to the stable conditions and economic opportunities of Malaysia. However, upon arrival they found that they had to compete with Indians, Chinese, and other peoples from Southeast Asia. In medieval times, the port of Malacca controlled the straits through which trade with the East occurred. Located on the southwestern coast of Malaya facing Sumatra, the city possessed a considerable reputation for its trade. Merchants from many countries, including Burma, were attracted. When the British assumed control in the 1800's, Malaysia's commerce was limited to trade with Burma, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Today, Malaysia sends palm oil and asphalt petroleum to Myanmar, and buys rubber, tin concentrates, and teak logs from Myanmar. This trade, however, is only of local significance for Malaysia, since their main exports go to Japan, Europe, and the United States.

Some of the Burmese who are not still directly involved in commerce work on plantations or produce food for sale. Wet-rice and rubber are the main cash crops, while dry-rice and fruit are also cultivated. Other Burmese hold wage-paying jobs.

Through the years, the best course for the Burmese in Malaysia was to identify themselves as Malay and obtain the favor of a local leader. Muslim Burmese could own land in reservations according to the legal definition of a Malay, which states that "a Malay is a person belonging to any Malayan race who habitually speaks the Malay language or any Malayan language and professes the Muslim religion." With this clause (still in effect today), some resident Burmese became "Malaysian."

The Burmese have neither clans nor lines of descent. Marriages are monogamous (having one spouse), and parental preference is rarely enforced. For the first few years after marriage, the couple lives with the bride's parents, with the goal of setting up their own home within two or three years.

What are their beliefs?
The official religion of Malaysia is Islam. Despite the claim of religious freedom, however, there is severe pressure for radical Islamic reforms and the formation of an Islamic state. There are also discriminatory laws and actions against non-Muslims. A relatively small number of Burmese (2.8%) have given in to such pressures and have converted to Islam. The majority, however, have remained Buddhist.

What are their needs?
Although there are many Christian resources in the Bama (Burmese) language, it is illegal to witness to Muslims in Malaysia. Every effort is made to prevent the conversion of the small ethnic communities to Christianity. There is much discrimination and bureaucratic obstruction. Worship services in private homes are strongly discouraged, and churches are closed on the weakest of pretexts. Governmental restrictions make it extremely difficult for missionaries to work in traditional ways. Urgent prayer is needed for the spiritual climate of Malaysia to be penetrated with the light of the Gospel.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to send Christians who will witness with their lives to the Burmese of Malaysia.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to give creative ideas for evangelism to the missions agencies that are targeting the Burmese.
• Pray for the Lord to use the Jesus film to soften the hearts of the Burmese towards the Gospel message.
• Ask God to open the spiritual ears of the Burmese as they listen to Christian radio broadcasts.
• Pray that God will give the Burmese believers courage to share Christ with their own people.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Burmese bound.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through intercession.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Burmese church for the glory of His name!

See also the following related groups: the Burmese Shan of Myanmar; the Burmese of Bangladesh, Thailand, the U.K., India, and Myanmar.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Burmese
• Country: Malaysia
• Their language: Bama
• Population: (1990) 17,900
  (1995) 20,100
  (2000) 22,300
• Largest religion: Buddhist 97%
  Muslim (Sunni) 2.8%
• Christians: <1%
• Church members: 34
• Scriptures in their own language: Bible
• Jesus Film in their own language: Available
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: Available
• Mission agencies working among this people: 2
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 10,500 Those evangelized by local Christians: 1,000 (6%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 9,500 (47%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 9,600 (47%)

• Country: Malaysia
• Population: (1990) 17,891,500
  (1995) 20,139,900
  (2000) 22,298,700
• Major peoples in size order: Malay 33.2%
  Han Chinese (Hokkien) 8.7%
  Tamil 7.2%
  Han Chinese (Hakka) 7.1%
• Major religions: Muslim 50.5%
  Chinese Folk-religionist 24.3%
  Christian 8.9%
• Number of denominations: 41