MY TRAVEL INFO: COCOS MALAY COMMUNITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Cocos Malays have an established diaspora community in Western Australia, and while many settled in regional towns like Katanning, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, and Port Hedland, there is also a community in Perth.

Here are the key points regarding Cocos Malays and their connection to Perth:

1. Cocos Malay Community in Western Australia

• Origin: Their ancestors were brought to the islands as enslaved and identured workersfrom various parts of the Malay Archipelago, South Africa and New Guinea in the 19th Century by British Merchants. 
• The first Malays are believed to have arrived and settled in the islands in 1826 when Alexander Hare, an English merchant, brought his Malay harem and slaves there. 
• Settlement: Many Cocos Malays emigrated from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to the Australian mainland due to overcrowding and economic difficulties, starting in the mid-1950s and continuing into the 1970s.
• Locations: Western Australia is a primary destination, with communities in several regional towns as well as the capital city, Perth.
• Cultural Links: The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, though an external territory, have significant administrative and logistical ties with Western Australia. Public services like health, education, and policing are often provided by the state, and the territory uses Western Australian postcodes.

2. Culture and Language

• Identity: Cocos Malays are the majority ethnic group of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and have a unique culture that blends Malay and European influences, centred around Sunni Islam.
• Language: They speak their own Malay variety called Basa Pulu Kokos, which is a creole derived mainly from Betawi Malay with influences from Javanese, Sundanese, and elements of English and Scots.
• Traditions: Cocos Malay culture is vibrant, with strong celebrations for events like Hari Raya.

3. Connection to Perth

While a small community of Cocos Malays resides directly in Perth, their presence in Western Australia means that Perth serves as a major hub for the broader Cocos Malay diaspora for:

• Travel: The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located about 2,750 kilometres northwest of Perth, and Virgin Australia runs two flights each week from Perth (with a stopover at Christmas Island).
• Education and Services: Given that Western Australian laws and services apply to the Islands, Perth is a common point of contact for administrative and specialised needs.

Reference:

1. Wikipedia : Cocos Malay

2. Wikipedia : Cosos (Keeling) Islands

15/12/2025: 9.04 p.m