Intellectual Discourse (Journal)
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Polarisation and inequality in Malaysia: The future of Malay-Chinese relations
Get PDFAbstract: This study examines the extent of polarisation and inequality in the two main ethnic groups in Malaysia, Malays and Chinese. After 50 years of independence and 37 years since the implementation of the New Economic Policy, the current study demonstrates that inter-group prejudice continues to be a problem. In a sample of 195 university students (Malays=97, Chinese=98) results from the Bogardus Social Distance Scale indicated that both groups exhibit more inter-group social distance than in-group distance. Differences in racial attitudes are also found, with Chinese being less prejudiced than Malays. Attitudes with regard to income, wealth and political inequality obtained show that while the Malays identifiy tolerance and understanding as ways of reducing tension between the groups, the Chinese ask for fairness. These results are discussed here with respect to both individual and socialstructural factors
General Election 2004: Empirical Validation of Voting Pattern in Malaysia
Get PDFAbstract: The purpose of this study is to test the effects of the politically related socio-economic issues, personality of the new Prime Minister and the perceived strength of the ruling party, Barisan Nasional (BN), in influencing the outcomes of elections. It uses the data from the Star-IIUM Survey 2004 and the official election results of general election 2004 for the three northern states of Malaysia and applies the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study found that the personal attributes of the Prime Minister, the strength of the ruling party and the campaign issues positively influenced the popular votes secured by the BN candidates
The Language of Islamophobia in Internet Articles
Get PDFAbstract: Islamophobia, the hatred for and fear of Islam and Muslims, manifests itself in physical, political, cultural, linguistic and other forms. From the linguistic perspective, many words have been coined to perpetuate prejudices against Muslims and their religion. Expressions are freely used to associate Islam, which means “peace” in Arabic, with concepts and actions which the religion and practising Muslims do not approve of, much less condone. Expressions such as Islamic terrorism, Islamic fanaticism, Muslim extremists, Islamist and political Islam have been used pejoratively. To strike fear and misgivings in the minds of many Europeans, the British capital has even been mischievously called “Londonistan” by anti-Muslim elements. Known Islamophobic items taken from Internet articles need to be analysed to respond objectively to linguistic Islamophobia
The Price of Fear: Al-Qaeda and the Truth behind the Financial War and Terror. By Ibrahim Warde
Get PDFPolitical Economy of Development: A Comparative Study of Regime Performance. By Ataul Haq Pramanik.
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Religion, Human Rights and Constitutional-Contract Politics in Malaysia
Get PDFAbstract: The debate about human rights in Malaysia took a new turn in the early twenty-first century when it started to focus on the issue of religious freedom. The proponents of secular-liberal notion of religious freedom argued that religious and racial harmony would be better achieved if Malaysians of all races and religions enjoy absolute religious freedom, which includes the right to renounce Islam. However, the secular-liberal approach to religious freedom, contrary to the expectation of its proponents, accentuates religious and racial division in Muslim-majority Malaysia
Modernisation or Westernisation of Johor under Abu Bakar: A Historical Analysis.
Get PDFAbstract: The transformation of Johor under Abu Bakar has been variously described as modernisation or westernisation. Westernisation argument is flawed because during the period under consideration, Johor was not yet fully under the control of the West. The archival records show that Johor’s transformation was self-initiated to promote the welfare of the people. The reforms Abu Bakar brought about in Johor affected more the Malay culture than Islamic rules and practices. Even then these reforms not simply modernised but elevated the position of certain aspects of Malay culture. It is, therefore, appropriate to describe Abu Bakar as the father of modern Johor
