The primary purpose of this book is to examine the contributions of the Malaysian Chinese community in nation-building. Attention is focused principally on the post-independence period but with justified emphasis on the earlier era that constituted the formative stage of the country as a political state. The areas and extent of Chinese contributions are multi-faceted. The present study deals with the more crucial areas that determine the vigour and durability of the Malaysian nation-state. These are identified as the economic, political and cultural aspects of life that combine to make what it is today and that will have a profound influence on its future prospects. Volume one is divided into three parts, namely, introduction, historical background, and economic perspective. Volume two will deal with nation-building from the political and cultural perspective.