Ethnopolitical discourse among ordinary Malaysians: diverging accounts of “the good-old days” in discussing multiculturalism

Abstract

A small group of ethnically diverse Malaysians was assembled to discuss the state of multiculturalism in Malaysia. Discursive analysis was used to get at the participants' accounting practices and constructions of multiculturalism. Participants' accounts revealed an increasing social distance between the Malays and the non-Malays, but differing assessments and explanations for such group boundaries. Participants' accounts drew on both their own experiences and on broader ethnopolitical discourses to tell their side. Participants used various voicing practices to represent or evaluate the current situation and how it became this way. Religion, especially Islam, was used as an ethnopoHtical discourse and was articulated in different ways. For instance, the Malays invoked being Muslim as the primary source of identity and imagined community, while the non-Malays cited the politicization of Islam as a cause for the increasing boundary between groups. Despite these differences participants seemed willing to engage on these "sensitive issues" through criticism and defensive accounts sequences.

Framing in strategic communications: The construction of ‘National Unity’ through Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in Malaysia

“…Given the restrictions and difficulties in obtaining access and sensitivity around certain issues (Anuar, 2014) involving ethnic groups, researchers tend to shy away from conducting empirical research on 'national unity' and ethnicity. This means that any issue that is controversial or politically sensitive or requires consent will be eluded as very few studies addressed these issues (See, for examples, Buttny & Hashim, 2015;Buttny, Hashim, & Kaur, 2013) . Therefore, the lack of research using critical qualitative approaches in this area that have the potential to question the present authority, perhaps stemming from the Government's intervention in academic research especially with the presence of an Act called Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti 1971 (AUKU) 7 .…”

“…Based on a review of the literature, multiculturalism Malaysia is viewed as a model among the most successful Asian countries in managing post-colonial ethnic relations with its emphasis on economic development and harmonious ethnic relationships (Buttny et al, 2013). However, multiculturalism in Malaysia is a site of contestation and negotiations (Joseph, 2008;Noor & Leong, 2013).…”

“…This problem is assumed to transpire among ethnic groups in Malaysia is not only because of their differences in languages, cultures, and religions, but also their geographical area as "ethnic groups live in segregated physical location" (Department of Prime Minister Malaysia, 2010, p. 66). This is how people of different ethnic groups get informed by the political leaders that these differences accentuate ethnic boundaries, religious restrictions and cultural constraints (Buttny et al, 2013). In saying that, the Government's policies that foster 'national unity' are always regarded as a solution for ethnic segregation and never part of the problem (Wan Husin, 2011).…”

“…For instance, during the group discussions, the use of humour and laughter covered a range of expressions, from positive to negative, which also included scepticism, irony and sarcasm during the discussion of 1Malaysia and audiences' responses to the Government's advertisements (See, for example, Buttny & Hashim, 2015;Buttny et al, 2013).…”

“…'they' and 'them'), the moderator prompted another question to have a clear understanding of the narrative: relationships, while at the same time giving the appearance of promoting 'national unity' and social cohesion. The participant further associated the meaning of the slogan merely as 'sloganeering' (Buttny et al, 2013) and thus came up with metaphorical phrases of 'I don't think people were put first' based on what he has experienced. This metaphor indirectly questioned whose interests were prioritised if the people have not taken precedence.…”