馬來西亞多元文化主義的歷史和理論背景是什麼？作為主義，馬來西亞官方政策和民間綱領中的多元文化主義有何特徵？在官方（的理想）與民間（的實踐）之間存在什麼樣的落差？其悖論何在？論文比較馬來西亞官方和民間的政策、理念、綱領，關注話語的意涵，分析兩者的話語異同，從而探勘多元文化主義在官民之間所形構的差異，反思馬來西亞多元文化主義的理想與現實；並在這個基礎上，分析多元文化主義之於馬來西亞——作為理論與現實所面臨的挑戰、此去的前瞻。

What are the historical and theoretical backgrounds of Malaysian multiculturalism? As an “ism,” what are the characteristics of multiculturalism in Malaysia that played in official policy and civil agenda? What kind of gap lies in between the official(ideal) and the civil (practice)? What’s the paradox of multicultural itself, and in context? This paper intends to compare Malaysian official and civil policies, ideas and programs, focus on meanings generated, analyses the similarities and differences of discourses, as to explore the diversity shaped by multiculturalism due to officials and civil extents, rethinking the ideal and reality of multiculturalism in Malaysia. And thus, on this basis, analyses challenges and the future of multiculturalism as theory and reality in Malaysia.