Forum: The 'Social Contract and the Future of Nation-Building in Malaysia'

IAIS Malaysia photo

17 September 2020

3pm-5pm (Malaysian Standard Time)

(Thursday)

Venue: IAIS Malaysia and Facebook Live (in-person limited to 30pax only)

Organiser: International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia.

poster forum 1709

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[watch the recorded video at IAIS FB page]

There are five contentious issues associated with the so-called ‘Social Contract’. This term often referred to the status of the Malay Rulers, Islam is the Religion of the Federation, Malay language as the National Language, the Malay Special Rights, and non-Malay citizenship. Historically, these five provisions were incorporated into the Federal Constitution as a result of the consensus of multiracial bargaining in the process of Malayan independence of 1957. This constitutional arrangement has since been coined as the ‘Social Contract’, representing a covenant between the multiracial citizens of the nation.There are five contentious issues associated with the so-called ‘Social Contract’. This term often referred to the status of the Malay Rulers, Islam is the Religion of the Federation, Malay language as the National Language, the Malay Special Rights, and non-Malay citizenship. Historically, these five provisions were incorporated into the Federal Constitution as a result of the consensus of multiracial bargaining in the process of Malayan independence of 1957. This constitutional arrangement has since been coined as the ‘Social Contract’, representing a covenant between the multiracial citizens of the nation.

Although these five provisions are clearly stipulated in the Federal Constitution, they are still subjected to racial contention in Malaysian politics. This can be seen particularly in the constitutional provisions of the Malay Special Rights and non-Malay citizenship. However, there is a tendency to raise the question of racial equality manifested by the ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ slogan. From this point, this contention also involves other matters pertaining to the constitutional provisions of the Malay language as the National Language, Islam is the Religion of the Federation, and to a certain extent the status quo of the supremacy of the Malay rulers.

This forum is an attempt to revisit and re-examine the term Social Contract, particularly its role in promoting unity and creating a multi-racial nation that is stable and harmonious.

CONTACT INFORMATION

International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia.

Jalan Ilmu, Off Jalan Universiti 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Forum: The 'Social Contract and the Future of Nation-Building in Malaysia'