International Movement for a Just World president Chandra Muzaffar and sociologist Denison Jayasooria say there has not been an adequate emphasis on a Bangsa Malaysia that is free of ethnic or political implications.

Chandra noted that many had been advocating for a Bangsa Malaysia through the years, but said there had not been any attempt to give a clear definition of the term.

“It is mentioned in Vision 2020, but there is no explanation of what one means by Bangsa Malaysia,” he told FMT. “We don’t have a clear conception of what our ultimate goal is and that continues to be the problem today.

“This is why we have gone off tangent. Not only the government, but the whole of society must work on addressing this.

“Long-term thinking and in-depth analysis is not one of our strengths.”

Chandra suggested that the definition of a Malaysian identity be based on the Federal Constitution’s notion of citizenship.

According to him, a Malaysian should be identified as somebody who is able to understand the national language, is loyal to the King and country and feels attached to the country’s historical evolution and cultural development.

“A Malaysian is not a person of a particular community or heritage. A Malaysian should be someone who fulfils the requirements of Malaysian citizenship and carries a sense of pride in the country.”

Jayasooria, a former professor in public advocacy at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Ethnic Studies, said a national identity should not be seen as a threat to anyone’s cultural heritage, but rather as a platform for the country’s cultural diversity.

One of the elements of the diversity, he said, would be the “new race of children” born from mixed-race marriages.

But he also said efforts to achieve a Bangsa Malaysia identity were often complicated by ethnic demarcation and political use of the concept of unity.

“The real problem is the political message,” he said. “Politicians try to build their base with exclusive claims and this divides us, but once they are elected, they claim to be inclusive, resulting in confusion.”

Jayasooria called for the setting up of some form of watchdog group, such as an independent unity commission, to oversee matters of national unity without bias or prejudice.

He said the establishment of a national identity must start with the people, particularly the young.

“Exposure to a Malaysian identity in childhood learning is needed. The real push must be that we are all Malaysian nationals. Our heritage and backgrounds may be different, but our loyalty is all the same, to the King and country.”