Imagined communities: Reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism

Malaysia is a prosperous, modern Islamic nation in which three main ethnic groups-Malay, Chinese and Indian-coexist peacefully, while maintaining their unique cultural identities. Yet this stable society is founded upon a form of affirmative action that has led to condemnation of Malaysia as an inherently racist society, and to criticisms of the architect of that policy, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who outlined his ideas in his book, The Malay Dilemma, in 1970. The winners from Mahathir’s New Economic Policy have been the indigenous Malays who receive preferential treatment in education and business; the losers are the Chinese who feel they are the victims of inherently undemocratic restrictions. The author, a Chinese Malaysian businessman, argues controversially that whatever the cost, the benefits of the policy are indisputable. He not only queries many of Mahathir’s ideas, he also challenges the simplistic views of the leader’s Chinese and Western critics. Besides making a major contribution to Malaysian political and social thought, this book raises broader questions about Chinese cultural identity and the role and expectations of the overseas Chinese-a people who have left their mark in almost every corner of the world.

The Chinese Dilemma

Although we are aware that nation branding features across the media, discussion and debate continue over its perceived influence in peoples' everyday understandings and lives. This paper, by way of a response, examines peoples' reactions to specific government campaign messages of patriotism and unity designed to combat internal ethnic conflict in Malaysia. Malaysia, at this time, provides a unique subject of analysis as it includes an instance where a domestically focused nation branding campaign is being employed to instigate unity among ethnic groups residing within a country with a history of ethnic conflict and social engineering policies. The project introduces several TV campaign story examples, identified for their prevalence in the 1Malaysia nation branding campaign, to representatives from three prominent ethnic groups in Malaysia to map their responses. The paper finds that group representatives interpret the stories using their shared insider views of the nation or ‘ethno-national imaginaries’. Their acceptance of, and critical challenges to, the images and narratives of the TV campaign stories are seen therefore to reflect group representatives' wider positions, interests and participation in an ongoing political conflict shaped within the logics of the Malaysian nation. 

Creating one nation? Ethno‐national imaginaries, audiences and the critical reception of TV nation branding messages

1Malaysia had been seen as a concept that will work in the plural community and to ensure the equality despite the racial groups and religion. Ever since the 1Malaysia concept was announced in 2009 by the 6th Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, there are lots of opinions and responds being voiced out towards this idea. With the slogan of ‘People First, Performance Now”, it urges Malaysians to stay united regardless ethnics and religions. The major aim of this conception is to create racial harmony and unity among its citizens (Malay, Chinese and Indians ethnics). This paper will analyze the people’s perception and their level of understanding and acceptance towards 1Malaysia including their views on the introduction of 1Malaysia in early days and how multi-ethnic people interpretative this conception. The promotion of 1Malaysia can be widely seen in the traditional media and new media. Textual analysis and in-depth interviews methods have been used to identify the effectiveness of 1Malaysia towards the country development and how the ruling government, Barisan Nasional (BN) response in promoting one identity to representing the country. Despite, the great promotion and educating the Malaysians on the 1Malaysia goals, many of them still criticize the government and not supporting its implementation. The 1Malaysia is not only being criticized by the public, but also among the politicians especially from the Opposition parties. Yet, the ruling government, BN took an action by protecting 1Malaysia and believing in it. The government stands strong behind this concept and put lots of effort in order for this to succeed.

https://hrmars.com/papers_submitted/9211/the-perception-and-acceptance-of-malaysians-ethnics-on-the-concept-of-1malaysia-and-nation-building-online-media-and-mainstream-media-coverage-meditation.pdf

The Perception and Acceptance of Malaysians Ethnics on The Concept of 1Malaysia and Nation Building: Online Media and Mainstream Media Coverage Meditation

Nurathirah Yusof

Papers

The Perception and Acceptance of Malaysians Ethnics on The Concept of 1Malaysia and Nation Building: Online Media and Mainstream Media Coverage Meditation