Seminar on Malay Politics in Malaysia: Changing World and Way Forward

Dr Lee Hock Guan, ISEAS Senior Fellow, introducing speaker, Dato’ Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa to the audience (Source: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute)

Monday, 14 November 2016 – Dato’ Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa delivered a public seminar entitled ‘Malay Politics in Malaysia: Changing World and the Way Forward’. Dato’ Dr Mujahid is a Vice President of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and the Member of Parliament for Parit Buntar, Perak.

Dato’ Dr Mujahid explaining why the Malay power remains the predominant force in Malaysian politics (Source: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute)

Dato’ Dr Mujahid pointed out that Malaysia is the only country in the world where one finds a constitutionally-defined ethnicity. Since a Malay is defined in the Constitution as a person who professes Islam, speaks Malay and practices Malay custom, then any Malaysian can become a Malay as long he fulfils all the three conditions. Malay power remains the predominant force in Malaysian politics because they are the majority indigenous group.

Dato’ Dr Mujahid addressing questions from participants during the Q&A session (Source: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute)

Dr Mujahid argued that Malay politics have undergone three stages namely; perjuangan Melayu (1946-1970, ketuanan Melayu (1971-1990) and Melayu Islam (1991 onwards). The ketuanan Melayu ideology framed the New Economic Policy (NEP) and justified the use of race-based preferential policies to redress inequalities in the country. The NEP’s success in reducing inter-ethnic inequalities and nurturing a solid Malay middle class, however, have generated the need for a more inclusive, progressive policy instruments to tackle the emerging new inequalities in Malaysia.

More than 30 participants attended the seminar. 

Participants at the seminar (Source: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute)