Pinning the tail on the donkey: are Malaysians done with ethnic-centred nation-building?

Abstract

A competitive economy and an economically just society are key concerns in Malaysia's journey towards becoming a fully developed nation. Standing between idea and realisation is communalism where ethnic communities vigorously fight for their interests, sometimes at the expense of others. As Malaysia marches forward as a dynamic, knowledge-based entrepreneurial economy, who are more likely to benefit - the economically advanced non- Malays who have hitherto been the driving force for progress or the economically backward non-Malays in their quest for social justice? If an acceptable balance in the economic development of Malaysia's multi-ethnic citizens is the desired outcome, a complementary work culture could well pave the way. Central to this culture is the integration of the different ethnic groups' time tested work approaches, habits and abilities. Drawing on the authors' research on Islamic entrepreneurship and action research on enhancing student leadership in the classroom, this paper explores how a true Malaysian work culture can be built. It proposes a "complementing values" framework which looks to commonality rather than diversity as the point of reference. Operating within the current Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia concept of people and performance oriented development, this study questions the society's pre-occupation with ethnic-centred nation-building.