INTRODUCTION Nationalism is an ideology that creates and defends the sovereignty of a country by creating a common identity for the concept of a group of people. In modern times, nationalism refers to political and military practices based on ethnic and religious nationalism. The political scientists often focus their research on extreme nationalism as National Socialism, isolation and so on. Nationalism is a sense of identity with the nation. Nationalism reflects „an image of a social order‟ involves people as sovereign elite and community of equal. Nationalism
emphasizes unity through cultural background, language and heritage. Nationalism promotes solid identification with a political or national entity through socially constructed policies and lifest yle favorable to the „nation‟ it upholds. Aggressive. There are many myths about what is nationalism. For most people, nationalism is itself evidence of a war between ethnic groups or as the force that destabilizes multi-ethnic countries. However, this view is too late one more important fact about nationalism: that it is something that affects the daily actions of the people in many positive ways at
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of several influences, such as race, religion, language, or other factors. The term “nationalism” is generally used to describe two phenomena. The
first is the attitude that the members of a nation have when they care about their national identity, and the second is actions that the members of a nation take when seeking to achieve (or sustain) self-determination ( L o w e l l , 1 9 9 7 ) , ( M a u z y, 1 9 9 7 )
How influential is nationalism among the Malaysians? Comparing Malaysia to other nation, Malaysians face greater challenge towards nationalism. This is because racial and religious barriers concern more then nationalism. This
religious and racial barriers need to be broken in order nationalism to seep into Malaysians. Bersih 2.0 rally paved a route and opportunity to show nationalism among Malaysians regardless their race and religion. People of various race and religion came to the streets leaving behind their differences to voice out their mutual concern towards government. (Malaysia 2011) BACKGROUND Since independence in 1957, the ruling coalition in Malaysia, BN has won every federal election. BN is consists of parties that representing the major racial groups which is United Malays National Organization (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). Opposition parties and civil society organizations have stated that BN has been manipulating elections in its favor. The BERSIH rally organized by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) and was supported by the Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition of the three largest opposition parties in Malaysia. However it was formed by 62 nongovernmental organizations in November 2006. Ambiga Sreenevasan, the former president of the Bar Council was the chairperson of this BERSIH rally. Ambiga served as president of the Bar from 2007 to 2009 and is a recipient of the U.S State Department‟s International Women of Courage Awards.
The first BERSIH rally was held in Kuala Lumpur, on November 10, 2007, was estimated to have drawn between 30,000 to 50,000 people. This both rally were focus on the same issue that is about electoral system. Civil society organization Aliran claimed that t here are “ severe restrictions on political freedom” on opposition that is access to the media, short notices of election dates, and short campaign periods. Transparency International‟s Malaysia
Branch, criticizing both BN and opposition parties, spoke out against financial rewards promised to voters, calling the practice ”vote buying” and “corrupt”. So to
prevent all this issues and problems, BERSIH came out with eight demands. (Eng, 2011)
On 9 July, almost 50,000 supporters turnout on the BERSIH rally at Menara Maybank, Jalan Pudu, KL Sentral, Brickfields and Puduraya. Even though most of the transportation was closed, many office and shops closed, police maintained heavy presences in key areas, but protestors still turnout at the time. This BERSIH rally also commenced in some other countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Sweden, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States. ( E n g , 2 0 1 1 ) The government was fully opposed this BERSIH even though people thought it is a nationalism movement. ( E n g , 2 0 1 1 )
Literature Review "Nation" and "Nationalism": The Misuse of Key Concepts in Political Science Written by Lowell W. Barrington, Marquette University (December 1997): Nationalism defined as an organized endeavor to control the national homeland. Some stress that this struggle must turn the homeland into an independent state; others would stop short of the requirement that the group even seek its own state, accepting struggles for territorial autonomy within an existing state as nationalism. Nearly all would agree, however, that the control over one's own nation-state is a goal for most nationalists. Less idealistic nationalists may realize that an independent state is not practical and seek something less than complete territorial sovereignty, but they would nearly always prefer to have their own state. A common loose use of "nationalism" is to miss one of its two sides. Either it is thought of only as the attempt to get territory or it is thought of only as the emphasis on a unified national identity. Nationalism, Patriotism, and Cosmopolitanism in an Age of Globalization Written by Robert Audi (November 2009): This Journal characterizes nationalism, cosmopolitanism, and patriotism in both forms and argues for a conception of patriotism on which it is both distinct from nationalism and compatible with certain
kinds of cosmopolitanism. Nationalist views come in much different strength. An extreme form of nationalism: the kind encapsulated in the phrase, „„my country right or wrong.‟‟ Roughly, this view is that where national interest calls for an
action, citizens have an overriding obligation to act accordingly. From Malay Nationalism to a Malaysian Nation? Diane K. Mauzy author of this article is Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. This article was published in book “After Independence”
which written by Lowell W. Barrington is Associate Professor of Political Science, Marquette University. This article aims to explore the evolution of Malay nationalism from the beginning was the intended goal of civic nationalism ethnically. Today, after three decades of elaborate economic preferences and with demographic changes making them a safe majority, Malays are more sociopolitically and economically secure. This has allowed the government to articulate an ambitious goal of transforming, in thirty years, the basis of national identity in Malaysia from an ethnic-based form to a civic one it calls Bangsa Malaysia. Understanding Melayu (Malay) as a Source of Diverse Modern Identities: Written by Antony Reid (October 2001) This article attempts to bring together recent literature about the typology of nationalism, with the ways in which 'Malay' or 'Melayu‟ have been used as the core of an ethnic or a nationalist project. Different meanings of Melayu were salient at different times in Sumatra, in the Peninsula and in the eastern Archipelago, and the Dutch and British used their respective translations of it very differently. Modern ethno nationalist project sin Malaysia and Brunei made Melayu a contested and often divisive concept, whereas its translation into the hitherto empty term 'Indonesia' might have provided an easier basis for territorial, or even ultimately civic, nationalism in that country. Todd (2006) in her Articles explaining about issue of Nationalism and Ethnic Politics are varied in their theoretical perspectives and methodological
approaches. They gathered in question, assume well intended. First, this article works with the assumption that national identity and can make a difference, and the most likely to do so in the context of major changes in social structure and form of the state. Second, they accept the changes that may occur is not primarily or exclusively in the vulnerable category of nationality but also in their content and their interrelations with others categories. From the perspective of different theories and disciplines, the authors explore the changes in the content of national identity, transition relation of citizenship to race and religion, and this relationship changes in the symbolic boundary changing social boundaries, and the broader socio-political changes . Third, the authors explore the processes of change in ethnic and national identity. There is a wide debate in the literature on the characteristics of national identity, ethnic characteristics, and the conditions under which change the ethno-national identity could have been REAL occur.4tively little analysis of the national identity of the process of change, what is driving, how it is experienced and legitimated, and the work is not in the perspective of comparison. The study of nationalism in Egypt by Rahman (2007), are often focused on Arab nationalism and relevant to the post-colonial state building. Articles in turning attention to Egypt's strategic use of nationalism as a mechanism for survival and for the validity of Shoring failed. In particular, the debate on human rights cases choose to show the regime's attempt most recently to "nationalize" a growing movement that promotes universalism and poses a threat to the notion of homogeneity in the country. By misrepresenting human rights organizations as mouthpieces of Western imperialist powers, the regime has succeeded in creating the image of these organizations as a threat to Egyptian national security and undermines international 'reputation'. Recently, however, the government has managed the discourse on human rights by promoting an image, which is the 'official agent' rights more nationalistically defined human movement.
DISCUSSION True people patriots do not care about position or power. They care more about their people and their well-being. Nelson Mandela was a reluctant president of South Africa and he had reached out to his captors to lay a united and better future for his country post-apartheid.
Previously, nationality famously known to be a „Malay agenda‟ but now nationalism seems to be working well among the minorities Malaysian. Nationality has come to a new image in Malaysia. Malaysians begin to realize the importance of justice in governance especially during elections. Malaysians became unhappy, less trusted and bored at the stagnant government policies practically using old concepts in their administrations. The government has been too comfortable with their „ancient‟ administrations practice and political concept
worrying to make changes due to their fragile constitutions. So, the economical status of Malaysia came to turbulence, our people became victims that could not help themselves out of inflations and higher taxes. As much as government has been a household name for the success and development of Malaysia, now government becomes the target of bad critics for their failure to curtail current issues and political misfortune. People of different race were longing too long to show their concern over their dissatisfaction towards government. Since Bersih 2.0 rally episode, people views on nationalism have changed. People become united and their differences took back stage as they voice out their concerns over a clean and justified an electoral systems. In doing that, racial barriers have been broken and nationalism is no more racially acclaimed but mutually practiced. When, Malaysians residing in other parts of the world also took part in the rally it shows our nationalism has improved and become stronger. In addition, people of Malaysia want to practice the optimum level of freedom of democracy.
Previously, many rallies and street demonstrations had taken place in Malaysia. For example, HINDRAF, unable to foster nationalism or cooperation from other Malaysians because it just fights for the Hindus rights. Apart from that, the 13th May 1969 incident, slaughtering cow‟s head incident and arson on church incident occurred because of misinterpretations of nationalism among Malaysians. Multiracial Malaysians were living selfish and ethnocentric lifestyle rather than mutual understanding. Nationalism movement is not regarding of quantity of people who fighting for a common purposes. Because in 1875, Pasir Salak incident became enshrined as an important source of Malay nationalism. It was a case of a local Warload Datuk Maharajalela who hired Orang Asli to murder Perak British Resident J.W.W birch for imposing British style Taxation. Even though it‟s between a few people, but history stated it as a nationalism movement. Bersih achieved in bring more than that people to protest on the street. So why did not it was not a nationalist movement? Bersih it‟s not a movement that is end up in three months but it was a long journey that has been started in 2007. Since independence in 1957, Malaysians were never totally united, they were behaving more like Malay, Indian and Chinese rather than as a Malaysian. But during Bersih rally, Malay, Chinese and Indians came together to march as Malaysians and they have evolved into a new Malaysian identity. When the New Straits Times interviewed some University Sains Malaysia lecturer‟s about his observations of the rally, he claimed that he couldn‟t see any Chinese there. Yes it is true. Because the demonstrators came there as a Malaysian and not ethnically based. Nationalism in Malaysia will not survive if it‟s practiced by one race. It can only survive if all races in Malaysia come together united. Race and religion could be a reason behind a failure of nationalism. Malaysia underwent political tragedies due to racial insecurity and unilateral government policies. That was the reason, nationalism failed before Bersih 2.0 rally.
How do I see Bersih 2.0 in perspective of Malaysia nationalist? Though the government is against it, Malaysians generally supports this peaceful rally. The Barisan Nasional government views Bersih rally as threat and an ally to opponent parties such as PAS, DAP and PKR etc, yet Malaysians view Bersih rally as a proper and authentic nationalism in general. Malaysians feel that Bersih 2.0 took their place in relating their concerns regarding Malaysia elections in recent years. A fair and justified electoral system will give a fair election. People choice of government will rule the country. Bersih 2.0 is not only marching in Kuala Lumpur with an overwhelming response. 30 cities around the world are filled with Bersih members all dressed in the familiar yellow. In none of these great cities around the world are they being intimidated.
CONCLUSION Nationalism is a social movement by a people seeking the maintenance of their group. The key element in nationalism is the nation, a social group of those people who believe that they belong together because of common characteristics and interests. By putting the interests of their social group ahead of all other interests, they are able to ensure its survival. Because they put the interests of their people first, nations are often in conflict with the States in which they reside
Now the question is how far is the nationalism existed in our society? The answer of this question is the outcome of the BERSIH 2.0 rally. BERSIH even though it was an illegal movement, and opposed by our Government, but it‟s bring a clear picture of nationalism among Malaysians. The government said, the PKR gave bribery to people to attend the rally. However it‟s impossible to give
bribery to Malaysians those who are living in overseas. Even though they living in other country, they‟re spirit of patriotic on their country is still there.
It‟s giving a clear picture of their love n caring on Malaysia. Nationalism
among the Malaysians are have been increased and this rally showing the Malaysians wishes to bring up a clean politics by clean and fair election.
REFERENCES
Andrei, (2002). Nation and national ideology past, present and prospects (PDF), Retrieved from http://www.pendeta.um.edu.my/
Audi, R. (2009). Nationalism, patriotism, and cosmopolitanism in an age of globalization. Springer Science+Business Media B.V, (13:365 – 381), doi: 10.1007/s10892-009-9068-9
Eng, L. (2011, august). Bersih 2.0 a transformation call for all malaysians. Rocket, p. 2. Lowell, Will. (1997). "Nation" and "Nationalism": the misuse of key concepts in political science*. Nation and Nationalism, Retrieved from http://www.la.wayne.edu/polisci/kdk/comparative/SOURCES/ barrington.html
Mauzy, K. (1997). From Malay Nationalism to a Malaysian Nation?. Canada: MArquette University.
Rahman, M. (2007). The nationalisation of the human rights debate in egypt. 13(285-300),
Todd, J. (2006). Nationalism and ethnic politics. doi: 10.1080/13537110600882320