Perak Amanah vice-chairman Muhaimin Sulam said Gooi was “misguided and prejudiced” and that the 1971 policy was still relevant when drawing up the final draft of the new National Culture Policy.

The 1971 policy, which was introduced after the May 13, 1969 riots, was based on three principles:

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  The national culture must be based on Malay culture;

• Suitable elements from other cultures may be accepted as part of the national culture; and,
• Islam is an important component in making the national culture.

Muhaimin said the policy should be understood in its historical context.

“After more than four decades, and the many changes that have taken place, the people’s dream of a Malaysian identity is far from being achieved,” he said in a statement today.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi recently announced that the final draft of the new policy is expected to be ready in September.

He said the policy will take into account recommendations made in the 1971 National Culture Policy study.

Gooi expressed concern over the recommendations, saying Malaysia must move away from the “outdated, narrow-minded and unworkable” race-based assimilation approach.

“It has failed to foster genuine national unity in our multiracial and multi-religious country,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said the new policy should promote pluralism and cultural diversity.

“Only when we genuinely embrace and promote cultural diversity will we be able to move forward in creating a nation that is truly moderate, inclusive and united,” he said.

Gooi added that the previous Barisan Nasional administration had failed to promote national unity and the government now has a golden opportunity to correct BN’s failure.