Integration and National Unity

Introduction After independence , the country faced

various internal problems, especially those related to unity and inter-racial integration.

The problem of unity has brought about some implications from the Segregation of residential areas, occupational

agenda, the differences in belief or religion and the colonial administrative system.

New Economic Policy ( NEP ), the National Culture Policy and the Rukun Negara ( Pillars of Principles) have been formed to unify the multiracial community in Malaysia.

New Economic Policy This policy was adopted in 1971 for a period of 20 years

and it was succeeded by the National Development Policy (NDP) 

The economic policy also refers to the effort to transform the community and country from the state of under-development to advancement in various living aspects.

The New Economic Policy (NEP) has three main objectives, namely:

To achieve national unity, harmony and integrity Through socio-economic restructuring (of the society) To minimize the level of poverty in the country (poverty

eradication)

The Fundamentals of Integration and National Unity

Unity deals with the process of unification of all aspects like the physical, social, economic and political, but not including biological aspects.

Unity can also be defined as a process to generate a national identity among groups segregated in culture and social standing .

Integration, in turn involves all the above, including the biological aspects.

Territory The Ethic MajorityThe Malaysia Peninsula

Chinese, Malay and Indian

Sabah Kadazan-Dusun, Chinese and Malay

Sarawak Dayak, Malay-Melanau and Chinese

Assimilation, Amalgamation and Pluralism

Assimilation One-way process of unity which will generate

one culture, one language and one religion.Amalgamation

Involve biological combination (mixed marriages) this process will produce a new group with a new culture.

Pluralism Allows every involved group to maintain their

own cultures, as well as that of forming unity.

Ministry of National Unity and Community Development – proves to be significant to help materialize the objectives towards unity and integration.

Objectives of the ministryi. Encourage the unity of the community of various

races and promote national integrity.ii. Provide assistance in terms of community welfare

services.iii. Develop and integrate the native communities.iv. Enhance the significance and involvement of women

in the development of the country.v. Standardize the demographic programmes and family

development.

A few departments have been set up within the Ministry

Malaysia Community Welfare Department, the National Unity Department, the Aboriginal Affairs Department, the Women Affair’s Department and the National Welfare Foundation.

A few activities have been planned in favour of Vision 2020 for producing an unified Malaysian race. a. Publication – producing several publications such as Muhibah

magazine, Jiran (newspaper), Permata Hatiku (collection of short stories of unifying teenagers), Warisan (short stories’ Anthology) and others.

b. Unity Day – celebrated on 16th September c. Waving of the Malaysian Flag campaign d. Patriotic Songs’ Choir Competitione. Short-Story Writing and Unity-related Photography

Competitionf. Unity-related Colouring Competition

The Challenge Towards Building a Multiracial Country

Malaysia has clearly become a multiracial county especially after the arrival of British.

British brought in Chinese, Indian, Punjab and Indonesian labourers to work in certain economic sectors.

British had used the ‘divide and rule’ system.

Discussion Where did the Malays, Chinese and Indians lived and

worked under the segregation of British?

Malays Lived in the rural areasWorking on agriculture, fishing and other village

sectors. *only a small portion lived in town, they were

working in the administrative sector, especially clerks.

ChineseMost of them lived in town areas and mining

areaWorked as traders and minersIndians Lived in estates- rubber & palm oil estates/

plantationsWorked as labourers – rubber tappers

Initial Problems of the Unity of Races in Malaysia.

1. Segregation of Residential Areas / Accommodation

2. Racial segregation in the Economic Sector

3. The separation of the Education Systems

4. Differences in beliefs or religions

5. The use of vernacular newspapers.

6. The Japanese rule in Malaya

Overcoming Challenges in Building a Multiracial Country

1. Motivating citizens to migrate from one place to another.

i. Settling citizens in one particular area may propel socialization and encourage more productive encounters.

ii. Government officers and their families are ordered to migrate and serve in territories

iii. Traders in undeveloped areas move to a more developed areas in expanding their economic activities.

iv. security forces – military and police force are brought to certain territories from other territories.

2. Uniformity of education system i. Segregation in the education system is abolished and

replaces with a more unified and comprehensive educational system.

3. The role of the mass media i. Malaysian Radio and Television (RTM) and newspapers

were used to expose various news, reports and government policies reduced the information gap that existed. It also played a significant role in ensuring that there wouldn’t be an domination from foreign media.

4. Economic Integration i. Development policies such as 5-Year Development

Programme, the New Economic Policy, the National Development Policy and others to ensure economy that existed since colonization would not remain after independence.

5. Uniting the political principlesi. The mixed government system was one way to

combine the different principles between races - the Alliance Party was a result of UMNO, MCA and MIC merger.

What does UMNO,MCA,MIC represent?

6. Other social aspectsi. The measures to instill unity had been achieved to

a certain extent, with the introduction and assimilations of social policies such as Rukun Negara ( Pillars of Principles), National Youth Policy, National Cultural Policy and others.

The Strategy of Strengthening Unity1. The Rukun Negara ( Pillars of Principles) are a

national ideology created after the racial riot on 13th May 1969.

2. There are a few objective of the Rukun Negara.i. Achieve a strong sense of unity amongst the community.

ii. Preserve the democratic way of life.iii. Form a fair community so that prosperity is

enjoyed together equally and fairly.iv. Form a liberal community especially towards

respective cultures.v. Build a progressive community equipped with

science and technology.

Principles of Rukun Negara

1. Believing in God

2. Loyalty to the King and Country

3. The transparency of the Constitution

4. The sovereignty of Laws

5. Mannerism and Courtesy

Believing in GodReligion is an important element as the absence of

religion may destroy one’s personality.Religious principles may also serve as a guide for one’s

actions, as well as be aware of sins and awards.Islam is the official religion in Malaysia, however other

religions are free to be practised.

Loyalty to The King and CountryThis principle stresses on the loyalty of citizens towards

the head of country and their respective states.Generate responsible citizens and those who are willing

to sacrifice for the country.Priortises the good of the community and the country

without prejudice and racial sentiments.

The Transparency of the Constitution This principles emphasizes that the people are able to accept,

obey and defend the nobility of the Constitution. This is because the constitution has the role in providing

protection and rights for every member of the community.If everyone obeys the Constitution, the unity desired by the

country will finally be materialized.

The Sovereignty of Laws The laws of the country ensure that every individual in the

country has their basic rights secured. Every citizens is equal in status from the eyes of the law and

is governed by law.Laws must be obeyed to ensure the sovereignty can be

maintained, community will continue to develop and live in peace and harmony.

Mannerism and Courtesy

This principle is to make sure that Malaysians are polite and courteous, emphasize the growth of personality and behavior of a person.

The way one speak- refined language and behaviour to ensure that good relationships among the different groups can be sustained.

People have noble marality and avoid sensitive issues and matters agreed by the majority.

The formation of a harmonious multiracial community will be materialized if every individual in the community can hold firmly to this fifth principle.