Keynote Speech "Bangsa Malaysia" at PDS8
The notion of “Bangsa Malaysia”, its definition, myths, taboos, problems and solutions of the concept were dissected at Perdana Leadership Foundation’s eighth edition of the Perdana Discourse Series on 12th November 2008. Jointly organised with Institute of Quality and Knowledge Advancement (InQKA) and sponsored by Proton, the one day programme received positive response from the government and corporate sectors, youth organisations as well as universities, and saw more than 500 participants attending the Discourse. YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and YABhg Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali were the guests of honour at the event.
The programme started with a welcome speech by Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Hashim, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees Chairman who said that regular hosting of such intellectual discourses on topics that were uniquely Malaysian would help identify modes pertinent to resolving issues related to nation building and the development of a progressive society.
The former Prime Minister of Malaysia and Honorary President of Perdana Leadership Foundation, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad delivered the keynote speech on the topic of “Bangsa Malaysia”. Dr. Mahathir stated in his address that there would come a time when all races in the country would be able to come together as one “Bangsa Malaysia”. However, he did not think it would happen in the near future and the concept could not be forced on Malaysians and be imposed by a political party as the issue was about the people and not politics.
Four panelists were invited to discuss on the given topic and to comment on Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s keynote address. The speakers were Dr Chandra Muzaffar, President of International Movement for a Just World (JUST), Professor Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Dr. KJ John, Executive Director of Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI) and Mr. Alvin Goh, youth representative from YTL Corporation. The session was moderated by Dato’ Mohamed Dahan Abdul Latif, Executive Director of Gabungan Badan Ekonomi Melayu (Gabem).
The panel session analysed the concept of “Bangsa Malaysia”. Dr. Chandra Muzaffar’ interpreted the concept as common Malaysian citizenship. He proposed both Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras to realise and acknowledge their roles in putting together a “Bangsa Malaysia”, rather than focus on debating and criticising each other’s rights. Professor Shamsul Amri discussed the concept of nation-state, its relevance and the challenges that Malaysians of all races faced toward achieving a nation of equality, justice, and other progressive characteristics.
Dr. KJ John presented a paper entitled “The Malaysian Dilemma: How to move beyond Merdeka to celebrate a diverse Malaysia” where he proposed the THOU-We-i framework, described as a maturity model of organisation from dependence to independence and finally interdependence, as it relates to Malaya, Merdeka and Malaysian Malaysia. Mr. Alvin Goh, on the panel as a youth representative, provided his thoughts of UMNO from the point-of-view of a non Bumiputera, and ended his speech with high hopes of Malaysia’s future. Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, who attended the panel session, presented the four panellists and moderator with tokens of appreciation on behalf of the Foundation.
Most participants stayed on for the afternoon session where they were divided into six groups to discuss the topic of “Bangsa Malaysia”, facilitated by UiTM lecturers and officers. The participants later presented their ideas and suggestions at a plenary session where they highlighted their opinions on the concept and future of “Bangsa Malaysia”. The proceedings of the Discourse, including Q & A sessions, is published in a monograph that is available from the Perdana Leadership Foundation and UPENA of UiTM.
