Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy): power and the deep state in Malaysia

After nearly 50 years of the NEP and its hybrids, distinct covert objectives can be observed.

The NEP has created a class based neo-feudal society. This has kept a small elite group in power. Even though there was a change in government last year, the small elite group still holds the reigns of power. A kleptocracy has been created, primarily based on rent seeking activities, rather than innovation. This has maximized return to monopolists but left a narrowly focussed, inefficient economy that needs urgent overhaul.

This has amassed great wealth to the elite where UMNO was reported to have over RM 100 Billion in assets alone. 

To achieve the above outcomes the government has reengineered society, relied on the politics of division, and created a culture of dependence.

The symbols within Malaysian society today reflect class and feudalism. Royal titles and VVIP rooms in government offices depict feudalistic class distinctions.

National narratives are shepherded by Malay ultra-nationalist groups to continually force capitulation of non-Malay groups in society. This is reinforced by nonsensical attacks on architecture that may resemble a cross on a building, the banning of non-alcoholic beer, the exclusive use of the word Allah for Muslims, and the banning of forums and books.

The Islamic renaissance in Malaysia has been associated with Arabism, so many Malays today appear so visually different than their non-Muslim peers in society.

Hantusor bogeymen have been created to unite Malays against others in what can be professed as hate politics. The narratives of pendatang, attacks on the Jews, the reaction against the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (ICERD), all served the purpose to create an aura that Malays are under attack.

A culture of dependency has been manufactured. This is based on the assumption that bumiputeras should be given continual help because Malaysia is their land. At election time politicians use this as a lever to seek gratitude from those in the Malay heartlands, where electoral malapportionment makes this the primary electoral battleground for power.

This has been soul destroying on Malay confidence to the benefit of the elite. Malays have been taught to fear, be dependent, and metaphorically wait for their savior. The culture of dependence is demeaning on self-esteem.  Politicians want to project themselves as saviors rather than enablers of society. This will be the psychic-battleground for the hearts and minds of voters next election.

The Malay persona of a peaceful village life, cooperation, self-sufficiency, living a within a rich Nusantara culture, where there is amenity towards others, once an integral part of self-identity, has been trampled on in favor of unemployment, lack of opportunity, drug abuse, and subservience. The middle-class is locked into debt and a conformity ridden lifestyle. There is still a large number of Malays living on bare means, totally ignored by the governing elite in Malaysia’s neo-feudal society.   

The mythical concept of Malay unity has been reframed to mean that any diverging opinions against the Malay agenda is a threat to unity. Arguing against Malay unity is viewed as disloyalty and even treason to one’s race. The mythology of Malay unity is keeping Malays within a psychic prison, stifling self-expression, self-confidence, and self-respect. Society has become super-sensitive to criticism where its now taboo to discuss many issues, even with a new government in power.