'Bangsa Malaysia' and recent English language policies

Abstract

Malaysia's post-colonial history has been peppered with periods of intense ethnic politics such that the term 'bangsa' referred more to exclusion than to inclusion. The later shift in political discourse favouring references to 'Bangsa Malaysia', especially in the context of Vision 2020 [Wawasan 2020], has always relied on hopes to cement a more Malaysian identity. Despite the financial and political pressures of the late 1990s, such moves seem to signal the end of Dr Mahathir's 'malay dilemma'. The shift in English language policy since the mid-1990s has sought better English language competence for all Malaysians so that all can be part of the new Malaysia, the new Bangsa Malaysia. This looks to be a complete reversal of post-1969/70 measures to shore up the National Language, especially in the wake of a period of high ethnic tensions. In this post-1970 era, various measures sought to enhance National Language status and competence. English medium schools were closed, but ethnic schools in Chinese and Tamil media were not. Nonetheless, since the more recent measures [post 1993-94] to revive English language competence - but not at the expense of the status of the National Language - it is increasingly clear that despite some initial bumiputera reaction to any possible downgrading of the National Language, there are signs of unease from some ethnic schools. Nonetheless, the new Bangsa Malaysia is very much at the heart of this new focus on English.