'Malay' - a construction of an illusion?
Azly Rahman
Mar 8, 10
3:42pm
“Man has no nature, what he has is history”
- Ortega y Gasset, Spanish philosopher
“The strategic adversary is fascism... the fascism in us all, in our heads and in our everyday behavior, the fascism that causes us to love power, to desire the very thing that dominates and exploits us.”
- Michel Foucault, French philosopher
Is it not time, like an ideological excavator of ideas and a keen student of race and social dominance, an educator for peace and transcultural philosophies, and an initiator of multicultural revolutions – is it not time for all these that we deconstruct the meaning of “Malayness”?
From the standpoint of philosophy of culture, or ethno-philosophy, I propose that there is no real ethnic group called 'Malay'. We have hybrids and border-crossers. 'Malay' is a historical construction of an "imagined community.
Race is merely a 'construct'. It many have been the most powerful ideological perspective to construct nations and build base and super-structural foundations of the modern state, but in the eyes of an evolutionary biologist, or a bio-semiotician, race does not carry much weight.
The problem plaguing Malaysians, hindering approaches to distributive and regulative justice that are 'race-blind' is this false consciousness of what a Malay is. The question of what a Malay is and what it is not has become a most contentious issue in the discussions of nation-building circa post-Mahathir era.
The lack of understanding of how one should view the New Economic Policy (NEP) and now the New Economic Model (NEM) - itself based on false premises on ethnicity and citizenship and Natural Rights - also makes the argument daunting, and of late dangerous.
Special rights
In governmental and non-governmental organisations championing the special rights of the Malays, there are members whose parents are not even called 'Malays'. Their parents are perhaps Chinese, Malabaris, Tamils, Pakistani, Javanese, Ambonese, Communists, Socialists, Capitalists, Scientologists, Turkish, Siamese, Bugis, Melanau, Batak, Bajau, Iban, Portuguese, and a hybrid upon hybrid of all these.
The word 'Malay' as conceived and perceived these days, has become a political tool to destroy economic and social foundation of this nation, in fact. immigrant groups coming into Malaysia will reconstruct themselves to become a 'Malay'.
Constitutionally a Malay is one who speaks the language, practices the religion of Islam, and performs the rights and rituals of this or that culture.
Psychologically and culturally one may not be so. NGOs fighting for this or that 'already-enshrined-in-the-Constitution-Malay-rights' are fighting for the dominance of the wealthy class and of robber barons financing the rise of this or that 'new Malay consciousness'.
A Malay community is an imagined community. It exists primarily as a reason to exert social dominance. It rests upon myth, legends, and massaged cultural artifacts and scriptures, to propel that dominance.
The writing of Sejarah Melayu, designated as a 'world heritage' is a political act that is meant to consciously promulgate and propagate a myth of a nation that arises out of a bourgeoisie culture whose origin is drawn from myth, legends, and the supernatural.
What are all of us Malaysians - cross-culturally? Where are our ancestors from? Is a history of Malaya based on class rather than race or caste possible for Malaysians to co-construct?
Can we begin to have a dialogue on the economic, social, and technological history of the peoples of Malaysia conceived from the perspective of re-humanisation?
The essential question is: what are all of you ancestrally?
The potentials within
This brings us to how we view education as a process of “drawing out the potentials within”; as what educare from the Latin means.
We are excavating knowledge and reconstructing our realities, so that we can ask the right questions, rather than living with incorrect answers based on false premises. Since Merdeka, we have been learning a lot from the issues we raise -- self, religion, spirituality, politics, economics, culture.
Ultimately we are analysing ideology and trying to identify what is ailing this nation. Dialogue can be painful - but critical conversation is the bedrock of social progress, and academia.
In order to look at what's wrong with the present, we must excavate the past - like an archaeologist of knowledge and power. If we must destroy heroes, villains, myths, legends, rulers, despots, and inscriptions and installations or even ancient scriptures that oppresses and mystifies, destroy we must.
Aren't we human beings not Preserver, Cherisher, Destroyer, and Sustainer - all at once? We live in an illusionary word - a 'maya' yet we are forced to find the truth in all these. How do we do this? Maybe by rebelling against all conventions and questioning the producer of those truths. That is the beginning of liberation.
Critical questions
Our history classes and courses in Citizenship/Malaysian/Ethnic Studies in our public universities love the strategy of “rote-learning”. Critical questions are rarely entertained nor asked, especially those that will deconstruct information that has been filter-funneled into the mind of students.
Rote-learning does not bring progress to the educational system. Rote-learning is a pedagogy borne out of the Industrial Age of the beginning of mass schooling and an ideology to train children to become merely good workers and obedient citizens. This style of learning and teaching will not create the most conducive environment to nurture brains to create new knowledge.
It is a good environment to breed followers, not leaders - let alone frontier thinkers. It is not a Constructivist approach to education. The teaching of race and ethnicity vis-a-viz Malaysian national development has been based on the Essentialist perspective of the 'Malay-centric' domineering ideology.
Rote-learning destroys the culture of critical consciousness in viewing 'Malay-ness' as a reality and not an illusion.
Perhaps a critical/philosophical question on this explosive issue of race and ethnicity for Malaysia is this:
How has race been falsely conceived and skillfully utilised as a tool of power and hegemony in an age of deconstructionism?
What economic, political, and cultural conditions and system create cases of massive corruption in all spheres of life and how might a total and radical restructuring of the system not only heal the system but also curb enthusiasm for crypto-crony-corporate capitalism and ultimately bring human beings back to their Natural Self and to Nature - by also destroying all signs, symbols, and semiotics of elitism and the insatiable urge to be greedy and corrupt?
How can Malaysian history be conceived from a technological, social, and humanistic point of view - as a history of classes of people rebelling against human bondage and servitude?
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40 comments:
What about PAS's construct of Islam and its implications?
Good riddance to vernacular school, then only multi culturalism can exist. Otherwise don't dare to dream sir
I am in total agreement with you 'Man has no nature, what he has is history' as quoted by Ortega Gasset, the Spanish Philosoper. Specifically referring to race.
Race can be whatever is appropriate as seen in the eye of a leader. It could be used as a political instrument to preserve power. And this has been proven in the past and also in the present.
Man is an adaptable being. He can change to suit his position in order to survive. This is a primeval instinct.
In the modern context, it should not be encouraged especially in countries whose population are multi-racial.
So by nature, human can plan his action to benefit himself or his group. And it is something flexible, determined by the environments.
Nature in all individuals is an attribute which is personal and intangible. So much so, only when such action is recorded, it becomes history.
History is therefore the act of man. And it will be the indicator of where a nation has failed. Past events has shown that certain political philosophy is contradictory to human nature. Thus Democracy came into being because it answers the basic need of man for freedom and equality in all fields of human endeavour.
A country should not be afraid of multiracialism. It should consider it as a melting pot to obtain the best from every race, its culture and heritage. Americans has proved that this is possible and Barack Obama, the first Black President is the living example.
So a nation should consider that it is fortunate in having so many different races. Thus providing her with the various intellectual resources required in building a strong and stable country - Malaysia.
Whose afraid of multiracialism There was and there will be multiracialism in this country unless the government practices ethnic cleansing.So why the big issue over this matter. The problem lies in the multi racial relationship. So get rid of the vernacular schools. We are sick of that Doc talking about multiracialism. He seems to miss the point.Throw away the box sir!
I propose that there is no real ethnic group called 'Malay'............... may you alaso suggest no real ethnic group called 'Chinese', 'Indian' etc. Why don't you try that and see the reaction of the Chinese,Indian etc. Going bonkers eh
DR Azly ......a linguistic pervert on the loose in the US of A
Anonymous and ultraman,
Celebrate the coming of multiculturalism. Mount a better argument on the idea of race as a social construct.
At least we speak in plain simple language Sir I celebrate as much as you do Sir of the existing muticulturism Sir. Why do you in th future tense on this matter. No need to argue on this Sir.
Inter ethnicity relationship is a better subject matter.There is no problem whatsoever about muticulturism in Malaysia. Unless you are blinded by the light Sir.
Let's do tahajjud prayer for the betterment of oneself and the world. Have a nice day Sir!
Dr Azly is right as always. Race is just an illusion. America is not currently having an african american commander in chief. All the hoo ha about Obama being the first black president is a myth. His mother was white, he doesnt speak african but know some malay words, doesnt eat bush meat, wrestle a pet gorilla or grow up in the ghetto.So he cant be a soul brother. He is a white man, the same as the previous US presidents, a zionist lapdog. "who let d dog out, who who who dr Azly?"... This is the point when Azly coyote realizes he's on thin air running over a cliff strapped to an acme dynamite, Kaboom! See ya doc, beep beep
Will there be the day when a Chinese do not speak Chinese nor the Indian speak Tamil.That will be the day when we can have one them to be the PM. Rid of the vernacular school NOW!
M Bakri Musa, a Surgeon in the US of A says"I have a different perspective. I could not care less if we have a thousand school systems, as long as young Malaysians from the different races are learning together in class, playing together on the school fields, and participating in the same school plays and bands, then we would more likely end up as a nation less segregated and consequently more united. I would focus on making our schools integrated; the student body must reflect the general community. How that is done is for each school to decide. To encourage that effort, I would reward through generous funding those schools that are fully integrated so they could enhance their programs to attract a broad spectrum of Malaysians." ISN'T HE A MORE A RATIONAL GUY THAN THE OTHER ONE
Say something, don't just write!OOPs sorry
Stop showing off your linguitic prowess. We don't need that in this part of the world. Plain simple English will do SIR!
Better can you translate your articles in Bahasa so that we Malays (which is at the bottom end of the English class) can try to read if not understand what you are tying to preach.
Some of the comments above are not fit to be on my blog; judging from the depth of the comments. I expect more challenging responses; befitting the nature of the Malaysian mind cultivated through its fine education system. Though you may fiercely disagree, with style must your anti-thesis be presented, if you must.
why dont Jedimaster Yoda use his litesaber to delete some of those comments unfit to be on his blog?
Who are you to judge, Sir. It's a free world isn't it.One's man meat is another man's poison as the saying goes.
It's not the depth that matters.It's the matter that matters.
What fine education system do we Malaysian have? Are you contradicting yourself Sir?
Chinese and Indian and YOU also an illusion ?
in a way, i have to give credit to your writing. It is true that one cannot be adamant that we are purely 100% a Malay breed.
However, in the Malaysian Institution, it defines Malay as a Malaysian citizen born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs, and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore.
It's not so much of the 'malay' being an issue here. If I may, Malay is still a race, that it is the majority race in Malaysia. And in a way, Malay is the symbol that defines malaysia.
Try this Dr
'Chinese' -- a construction of an illusion?
'Indians' -- a construction of an illusion?
A person's race is determined by his father's nationality. Since Obama's father is an African, so is he.
The point is, the importance of history in ascertaining a country's position whether it will move towards multiracialism and multiculturalism or simply just ignoring such reality.
The analogy of a cake being more nutritious when it has more ingredients can be likened to a country having diverse races. Where the sum total of these talents and intellectual capabilities could be harnessed for the betterment of the nation politically and economically.
I agree with you. But not to extend of ablolishing one's race.
what does make Bob Marley since his father was white? Was he a white man sipping tea or black african smoking ganja? The example of a cake is not so accurate. Malays are like hot dog and bun, The rest are just condiiments.
Correction: Marley's father was Jamaican-born of British decent but he was not a white man.
Istiqfar banyak banyak Dr.
Takkan Melayu hilang didunia. Malays may be!
Dude looks white to me. What have you been smoking? "you can fool some people sometimes but cant fool all the people all the time"
Hidup Melayu.!
Melayu itu orang yang bijaksana
Nakalnya bersulam jenaka
Budi bahasanya tidak terkira
Kurang ajarnya tetap santun
Jika menipu pun masih bersopan
Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan.
God has created us of different creed for us to live together. Isn't that a spice of life, Doc?
Co-exist as Malaysians, race will always be here but it is the individual self how he/she wants to look at. Many are claiming that removing vernacular schools will solve many a problem but is it really true? First we must look at how the national school education is conducted. Does it really provide the right and correct education system. Can they do away with religious, racist teaching and political influence and concentrate purely on true education. You have the religious schools that provide religious teaching, you have btn to conduct your racist teaching and you have political parties to join, can all these be clean up first before talking about getting rid of vernacular schools. Have you ever ask the question why many shun the national schools?
What I believe that race problems are created by a few just for political expediency, nothing more nothing less.
Najib had given his ministers the KPI, what about him, who is going to grade him.
Take this poll:
How would you grade the PM's KPI (key performance index) during his 1 year in office.
Since you in that land of plenty, why don't you fight for the rights of the Red Indians.
Earliest though and reaction , is Malay the construction of an illusion ? , this is certainly an explosive and a determined question . On the second though is it a philosophically discriminatory question dumped into Malay consciousness ?
Malay race is an illusion and it is a process of constructing the making of those creators to justify their means . More or less it is a statement amplified by Azly Rahman that Malay race is the imagination of others . It has the melody and jazzy tones of anti races and underlining the Malay race .
Apparently it negates many schools of thoughts and beliefs that say
races are the result of human evolution with the realization of nature .
The classification of races are real . Races are difference in their make up of each other . In all races their blood is red in color but not all races have the same blood type . Yes , biological man is made of DNA complex as some scientists remark . To think that Malay is a construction of an illusion , is hard to swallow .
It is unfair for thinking minds that the transcultural philosophy of multiculturalism be simplified to , Malay : a construction of an illusion ? Indeed , it is not an intellectual question but a provocative , I think .
Here we go again, more ramblings in pseudo-speak. Why not write in simple English. Come down from your pseudo-Ivory tower.
Anonymous-es, you wish to be in my blog to learn but do not want to examine how you are learning. I am still kind enough not to delete any of the inappropriate comments; in the spirit of free speech. But you have a long way to go in terms of mastering the way to present good arguments. You obviously do not understand the complexity of my articles in this blog. You obviously do not know why I am writing -- all these over 300 articles on social change.
These are troubling articles to many, because we must deal with troubling issues of our times.
So-- behave well in this forum. I will need to delete irrelevant comments, if I must. You are a learner, first and foremost.
This article is trying to kill the Bangsa Melayu and install a Bangsa Malaysia (translated into Chinese as Melayu mati.
Come on Azly "Get back to where you once belong!!!"
Get back!!!Get back!!! get back to where you once belong!!!".
Stop being the proffessor all the time. You must be a student too.No one can claim to know all and that they need not learn from anyone anymore.
Allah says AlQuran 39:17/18 "Listen to all views.Choose the best.Those are the guided, the intellegent" It means a debate is the best method to learn.
Please read my article on "KeTuanan Melayu" and "Bangsa Melaysia is rubbish" to get an alternative view,..at...
http://warongpakyeh.blogspot.com
http://warongpakyeh.blogspot.com
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