Tun Dr. Mahathir and the Notion of ‘Bangsa Malaysia’

Authors

  • Mohamed Mustafa Ishak Faculty of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/jis2006.2.4

Keywords:

Nation-building, Tun. Dr. Mahathir, Bangsa Malaysia and ethnic relations

Abstract

The question of nation-building has always been a central issue in Malaysian politics. Despite its relatively stable politics and constant economic development, the project of nation-building remained a basic national agenda yet to be fully resolved. The notion of 'Bangsa Malaysia' that was officially introduced by Dr Mahathir in 1991, as part of the package in his Vision 2020 project, was aimed to resolve the 'unfinished business' in the project of nation-building. Vision 2020 is a grand national project span for a period of one generation designed to turn Malaysia into a fully developed state in its 'own mould' by the year 2020. This paper attempts to examine the notion of 'Bangsa Malaysia' as it is envisages by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. The paper argues that since there exist a potent interplay between the forces of ethnicity and nationalism that has resulted in the creation of a competing notion of nation-of-intent among the various ethnic groups in Malaysia, the idea of 'Bangsa Malaysia, therefore,' could be seen as an attempt to mediate this contestation. The question is, does the meaning of the concept clear to all Malaysians? To what extent would the notion of 'Bangsa Malaysia' be able to reconcile the competing ethnic ideologies of a nation? Can it be a successful venture, or perhaps add to further complicates the politics of nation-building in Malaysia? It is hoped that this humble contribution would be able to highlight some of the important ideas of Tun Dr. Mahathir's thoughts in regard to the question of ethnic relations and nation-building in Malaysia.

 

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UKM, Bangi, 31 March 1997, Dr. Jayum A. Jawan, Dean, Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Formal interview at UPM, Serdang, 7 April 1997. Dr Kua Kia Soong, Director of the Dong Jiao Zhong (Chinese Education Association), at his office in Kajang, 2 April 1997. Mr. Rustam A. Sani, Freelance Writer. Formal interview at his house in Kuala Lumpur, 7 April 1997. III. Key Opinion Formers Datuk Mohamad Salleh Majid, Managing Director Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. Formal interview at his office in Kuala Lumpur, 28 March 1997. Datuk Johan Jaafar, Editor-in-Chief, the Utusan Melayu Group. Formal interview at his office in Kuala Lumpur, 7 May 1997. Datuk Ahmad Nazri Abdullah, Editor-in-Chief, Berita Harian Press. Formal interview at his office in Kuala Lumpur, 12 May 1997. Mr. Chamil Wariya, Editor, Magazine Division, Utusan Melayu Group. Formal interview at his office in Kuala Lumpur, 10 April 1997. Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail, Veteran Journalist. Formal interview at his house in Petaling Jaya, 27 March 1997, Mr. Wong Chun Wai, Senior Journalist, The Star Newspaper. Informal Discussion, 2 May 1997. fathead af international §

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Published

03-12-2006

Issue

Vol. 2 (2006): Journal of International Studies (JIS) Vol. 2, 2006

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Ishak, M. M. (2006). Tun Dr. Mahathir and the Notion of ‘Bangsa Malaysia’. Journal of International Studies, 2, 49-76. https://doi.org/10.32890/jis2006.2.4

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