THE STRATEGY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MALAYSIA AS A NATION STATE

The agenda of constructing a nation state is very relevant and pressing for Malaysia, to enable it to deal with the various challenges that can emerge, especially from the perspectives of diverse cultures, languages, ethnicities and faiths. The term "nation state construction" in the era of post-independence is a concept adopted to explain the mutual relationship between the “country” (ruler) and the “citizens”, especially in Malaysia. In general, a coutnry comprises of a group of people inhabiting a region or territory under a ruling power and which is not subjected to external parties. Nation refers to a community of the mass formed in history, strengthened through common territories, economy, also have subjective elements encompassing the language, culture, arts and names. Nation state is defined as the formation based on the process of uniting the races and fuelled by establishing boundaries of certain regions or territories as their identity. Malaysia comprising of various ethnic groups has experienced many challenges in the process of constructing the nation state that involves religion, globalisation, constitutional issues and many others. Thus, several strategies have to be put forth to continue the effort towards the construction of the nation state in Malaysia be it economically, politically or socially.