Abstract

A border is a line supporting the origin or development of a state, however, borders may not support the concept of identity. This paper will examine the fundamental concept of ethno-religious identity and the idea of border crossing among Malay postgraduate students in Western Australia. There has been much research on border crossing in the Malaysian context, but little research appears to have been conducted outside Malaysia. I attempt to determine the extent to which an individual student’s idea of border crossing will lead to a willingness to make adjustments in their ethnic or religious identity. I propose that the willingness of the students to negotiate their other forms of identity upon border crossing is founded on their religious identity. I will also highlight the significance of uniting the religious elements with their identity adjustment. It is anticipated that religion, not border crossing, is the underlying idea that is important for trussing the Malay identity. The idea of border crossing is considered to be symbolic. It will not be a viable means of binding one’s ethnic and religious identity in the foreseeable future.