MALAYSIA STUDIES PROGRAMME
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
The phrase ‘national unity and integration’ appeared in an official document in Malaysia for the first time in 1971. It was in the five-year plan document called Second Malaysia Plan 1971-75 (1971) in which the well-known New Economic Policy (NEP) was spelt out, which had two-prong objectives; (i) to eradicate poverty, and (ii) to restructure society. The over-riding ultimate goal of NEP was to bring about ‘national unity and integration’ in the country. In 1991, Prime Minister Mahathir introduced his Vision 2020 with the ultimate aim of creating ‘a united Malaysian nation.’ Two decades later, in 2009, Najib introduced his 1Malaysia concept promoting an inclusive Malaysia within the framework of Vision 2020. After 45 years the elusive ‘unity’ has not been achieved. What then has Malaysia achieved during that period?
Many claimed that during that period Malaysia achieved impressive economic growth, experienced political stability, and enjoyed relatively harmonious ethnic relations. Indeed, quite frequently on the international stage, Malaysia has been perceived as a ‘model developing economy’ or ‘moderate Islamic majority country.’ Domestically, Malaysian political leadership, on both sides of the divide, continues to worry about the state of ‘national unity’ because they claim that the state of ethnic relations is worsening. As a result, a National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) was established in September 2013, tasked to produce a Blueprint for National Unity by 2015. The Blueprint has been endorsed, first, by the Prime Minister, then by the Malaysian Cabinet of Ministers, and eventually the Chief Ministers and Mentri Besars. The present seminar focuses not only on the making of the Blueprint but also the reconceptualization of ‘unity’ that informed it cast against the general background of Malaysia post-1998 Reformasi.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Distinguished Professor Shamsul A.B. is one of the only four Distinguished Professors in Malaysia to date. Currently, he is Deputy Chair, National Council of Professors, Malaysia (with 2500 members), the Pro-Tem Chair, Academy of Social Science & Humanities, Malaysia and, as of January 1 2016, appointed as Member, of the newly formed Malaysia’s National Science Council (NSC) chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is the architect of the Malaysian Blueprint for National Unity 2015. Trained as a social anthropologist in Malaysia and Australia, he was a post-doctoral fellow at the CNRS, Paris, in 1986. Since 1973, he has researched, lectured and published extensively on the theme ‘economic development, culture and politics,’ with an empirical focus on maritime Southeast Asia and Malaysia.
He is often consulted by public and private sector interests on matters relating to risk study/issues. He also comments on local and international mass media, on history and current affairs of the region, such as in the Al-Jazeera, National Geographic Channel, Channel News Asia, BBC London, ABC Melbourne, and Wall Street Journal. For successfully promoting Asian Studies globally, in 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Academic Prize, Fukuoka Cultural Award, Japan, the only second Malaysian to have received the award since its inception in 1990.
REGISTRATION
For registration, please fill in this form and email to iseasevents2@iseas.edu.sg by the morning of 25 January 2016.
MALAYSIA STUDIES PROGRAMME
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The Federation of Malaysia was created on 16 September 1963 through the merging of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Where ethnic demographics were concerned, Sabah and Sarawak, with their large native populations, helped to balance Singapore’s predominantly Chinese population. But when the original configuration of the federation broke down in 1965 and Singapore went its own way, the ethnic balance changed dramatically. The Sabahans and Sarawakians now found themselves small minorities within an increasingly Malay Muslim-dominated country. A gradual centralisation of power did in fact ensue, and more than half a century after the merger, Sabah and Sarawak are among the poorest states in the federation. Not only are Bumiputra minorities economically impoverished, they are also politically marginalized and their identities and languages threatened by aggressive assimilation policies implemented by the central power.
The Malaysia Studies Programme (MSP) at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute is pleased to present this one-day forum to discuss the situation of these East Malaysian states. We gather prominent scholars to speak on themes such as the politics and economics of federal-state relations; poverty and human development among the Orang Asal; the emergence and consolidation of Malay Muslim dominance; the social dynamics of the Chinese vote in Sarawak; customary native land rights; bumiputra minorities’ identity formation in the larger context of nation-building; and porous borders and (in)security in Sabah.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
As attached here.
REGISTRATION
Attendance is free of charge but registration is required. Please register early as seats are limited.
To register, please complete and email the attached Registration Form to <iseasevents2@iseas.edu.sg> by 1 December 2015.
MALAYSIA STUDIES PROGRAMME
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
There has been an increasing demand for Islamic Education in Malaysia both formal and non-formal since the 1980s. Parents seem to prefer their children to attend private or NGO-based Islamic schools with the integrated curriculum and the Tahfiz (Qurán memorization schools) despite the public schools offering Islamic studies education. There is also an increase of state Islamic colleges for tertiary education. Why is there this resurgence of interest in Islamic education? How effective are the training of Islamic studies in Higher Education? What are the effects and implications on national political, economic and social development, in particular the sustainability of cultural diversity and Muslims’ general wellbeing? These will be some of the issues addressed.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Rosnani Hashim is Professor of Educational Foundations of Education at the International Islamic University, Malaysia. Her areas of specialization are Islamic History, Philosophy and Education, and Curriculum and Instruction. She was a research fellow with the Japan Foundation (2006), a Visiting Specialist under the Fulbright Programme (2007), a visiting professor at Damascus University, Syria (2009) and Professor for Global Education at Nagoya University, Japan (2011). She is presently the Editor-in-Chief for The IIUM Journal of Educational Studies. Among her major works are Educational Dualism in Malaysia, Reclaiming the Conversation: Islamic Intellectual Tradition in the Malay Archipelago and the latest edited work (2015), Critical Issues and Reform in Muslim Higher Education. She has written and lectured extensively on Islamic education, Islamization of knowledge, higher Islamic education curriculum and the Hikmah Pedagogy of Philosophical Inquiry. Her current field of interest is in the application of the Hikmah pedagogy in schools through training teachers in collaborating schools.
REGISTRATION
To register, please complete this reply form and return it by fax: 6775-6264 or email: iseasevents2@iseas.edu.sg by 21 October 2015.