Social Re-engineering: Perdana Discourse Series 2

By Perdana Leadership Foundation

This slim volume features the keynote address of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the topic of "re-engineering" Malaysian society to minimise inter-ethnic distrust and fear, so that Malaysia would become a truly united Malaysian nation. Tun briefly explains how social re-engineering is not so much an outcome by design but a gradual process facilitated by public policy. He dwells on the question that plagues many Malaysians still, 61 years after Independence, "Who is a Malaysian?". He also touches on the importance of value systems and its impact on character.

The speech was delivered at the second Perdana Discourse Series in 2005, and remains relevant today when the subject of race, national unity, and national identity colour most debates and discussions in Malaysia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perdana Leadership Foundation
• Release date: Sep 27, 2018

Perdana Leadership Foundation

Perdana Leadership Foundation was chartered in January 2003 as a non-profit organisation, founded with gifts from people who supported the vision of a thriving research and learning institution dedicated to the study of Malaysian leadership and nation-building. It is unique in the sense that it began as an entirely private sector initiative, seed-funded and organised by private sector individuals and corporations. Most of the Foundation’s present trustees were the early benefactors of this Foundation. The Foundation’s physical home in Precinct 8, Putrajaya, was completed in October 2003. The stately building now houses the Perdana Library, an auditorium as well as a multi-purpose hall in addition to the offices of the Foundation’s Honorary President and Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister, YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. A tax-exempt, non-profit organisation, the Foundation intends to become the premier institution for the study of Malaysia’s Prime Ministers and the central resource centre for research into national stewardship as well as a platform for reflection, debate, and discussion with distinguished figures in Malaysian leadership. On May 10, 2005, the Foundation was officially launched by the fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. who expressed the government's full support for the Foundation's objectives and programmes Perdana Leadership Foundation aims to: Highlight the contribution of Malaysia's past Prime Ministers in the social, economic and political development of the nation Create awareness of the development process of the nation and draw lessons from the nation's history to enhance future development Become the premier resource centre for the policies, strategies and initiatives adopted under Malaysia's various Prime Ministers which may be used and adapted by other developing nations The Foundation also has a broader objective i.e. to promote global understanding by providing a channel for scholars and thinkers to undertake research and idea-sharing for lasting, peaceful resolutions

Book preview

Social Re-engineering

Social Re-engineering

Perdana Discourse Series 2 Keynote Address

Perdana Leadership Foundation

Universiti Teknologi MARA

Perdana Leadership Foundation

This digital edition has been revised, and is published by Perdana Leadership Foundation, N0.1, Jalan P8H, Precinct 8, 62250 Putrajaya, Malaysia

www.perdana.org.my

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©2018 Perdana Leadership Foundation

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First edition 2007

Revised digital edition 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing from Perdana Leadership Foundation. The views expressed in this publication are strictly that of the speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and organisers.

Editor (Revised edition): Zarina Abu Bakar

Perdana Discourse Series: Social Re-engineering

Contents

Introduction to the Perdana Discourse Series

Preface

Acknowledgements

Books In The Series

1. Keynote Address by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

Appendix 1: Profile of Keynote Speaker

Appendix 2: Profiles of Malaysia’s Past Prime Ministers

About Perdana Leadership Foundation

Introduction to the Perdana Discourse Series

The Perdana Discourse Series is a series of talks and discussions on issues of concern to. Malaysians, where the objective is to facilitate dialogue and experience-sharing between experienced Malaysian leaders (whether in office or retired) and university students.

A total of twenty discourses have been held from 2004 to 2016, featuring notable speakers such as the Fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad; the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin; the