BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents looks at the divide among races in Malaysia and speaks to the new generation of Malaysians pushing for more equality after decades of a system of racial preferences.
Reporter Mukul Devichand spoke to 20-year old Vasantarao Apalasamy , who was part of an explosion of anger from Malaysia's smallest racial group, the Indians, which first shook the country in 2007.
Less than one in ten Malaysians are ethnic Indians, mostly Hindus. They came to work on plantations during British colonial times and Vasantarao is furious that many Indians have failed to climb the social ladder and still work the same job as their ancestors.
Return to the main story: Malaysia's visions of a more equal future
Listen to this edition of Crossing Continents on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, 8 Janurary, 2008 at 1102 GMT. It will be repeated on Monday, 12 January, 2009 at 2030 GMT.
Subscribe to the podcast or listen via the BBC iPlayer.
One-Minute World News 
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