Interviewer instructions
Question C9
[Question C9 of the enumeration form is not presented here.]
Purpose
The purpose of this question is to obtain information about the ethnic group of each person.
Definition
The term "ethnic or dialectic group" refers to a group of persons bonded by common language, religion, customs or other such factors.
How to ask the question
You are to ask the question as follows:
"What is the ethnic or dialectic group of ____ (member's name)?"
In general, accept whatever answer is given by the respondent.
Do not make guesses by referring to the name, appearance, etc. of the person.
Example: If the respondent replies that he is a "Malay", answer should be entered as follows:
01 Malay
[p.120]
If the reply given by the respondent is too general, for example "Chinese" or "Indian", you should obtain more detailed information.
Example (a):
Wrong
_ _ Chinese
Right
51 Hokkien
Example (b):
Wrong
_ _ Indian
Right:
62 Malayali
[p.121]
Case-by-case guidelines
During the interview, you may encounter some problems in deciding the ethnic group of a person and the correct code to be given. The following are some guidelines provided for cases you may possibly encounter and how to solve these cases.
1. Mixed ethnicity
Persons of mixed ethnic origin may present some problems to you. There may be cases where the persons may not be certain of their ethnic origin.
You should encourage them to make a choice by asking for the ethnic origin of their language, religion, customs, etc., or to which ethnic group their parents consider themselves to have originated from.
As a final resort, record the ethnicity of the father.
2. Indonesia
i. For those who report themselves as Javanese, Boyan, Bugis, etc.
Record them as "Indonesian" and write Code 2 in the code box.
ii. For those of Indonesian origin (without considering citizenship) especially in Peninsular Malaysia, there are those who regard themselves as "Malay", while some consider themselves as "Indonesian".
For those who report themselves as Malay, write "Malay" on the dotted line and give Code 1.
For those who report themselves as Indonesian, write "Indonesian" and give Code 2.
3. Ceylonese/Sri Lankan
If the answer given by a respondent is "Ceylonese" or "Sri Lankan"
Confirm if they are Sri Lankan Tamil or Sinhalese. If the answer is "Sri Lankan Tamil", record as such and give Code 66, and if the reply is "Sinhalese", the give Code 67.
[p.122]
4. Pakistani
If a respondent says he is a "Pakistani", write "Pakistani" and give Code 69.
Do not record him as "Other Indian".
5. Punjabi
If a respondent says he is a "Punjabi", ask the respondent if he is a "Sikh" (Code 63) or Other Punjabi (Code 64).
6. Nepalese and Gurkha
If a person says he is a "Nepalese" or "Gurkha", you should record him as "Nepalese" or "Gurkha" and give Code 75 (Other Asian) and not as "Other Indian" (Code 70).
[p.123]
Special Note:
Other Asian (Code 75)
This category is for any Asian ethnic group which is not separately listed in the Code Card (Document 6).
Baba Chinese
The Baba Chinese are to be classified under whichever dialectic group they consider themselves to belong to. If they are unable to do so, they are then to be classified as "Other Chinese".
European (Code 77)
The category "Europeans" includes Australians, New Zealander, and Americans".
Chitty
Those who report themselves as "Chitty" should be classified as "Other Indians". (Code 70)
Others
This category is for those who cannot be placed in any of the categories which are listed in the Code Card (Document 6).
