Communalism and intercultural communication : impacts on national governance in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper tries to understand the application of communalism as a key concept. developed by Andrew A.Moemeka 1 in the context of lntercultural communication in Malaysia. It discussed mainly one important aspects of intercultural communication and ffects toward policy development and good governance: the conceptual framework on which communalism is the domain concept compared to the conventional "collectivisme- individualisme". By analyzing the multi-cultural and polarity of Malaysian, this paper discusses Moemeka' a argument on communalism and the process of communication. It argues that the communalistic values and principles although still dominant in Malaysian community, but was challenged by modernization of communication process occurred in the representative democratic political system. People see government as distinct from society or community. Consequently, society developed a dual interaction or Communication pattern that is creative coordination for the government or 'the collective arena' and standardized coordination for the community or ·the communalistic arena'. Finally, these affect the national governance as a whole. Government should realize and plan a strategy to develop more effective and participative governance.