ETHICS &

CIVILIZATION:
SOCIAL COHESION &
STRETHENING NATIONAL
UNITY

Associate Prof Dr Rozeyta Omar

School of HRD and Psychology
At the end of this chapter, student will be able to:

• Understand the concept of social cohesion and

national unity.
• Explain the process and effort towards achieving
national unity.
Introduction
• Based on the three civilizations that were discussed
(Malay, Chinese and India), show that the ethics of
a nation can determine a rise or a downfall of a
civilization.
• The development of a country depends largely on
the attitude, mentality and positive behavior of its
people who are constantly pursuing knowledge to
produce innovations that are capable of developing
that country.
Introduction
• Example: the Malays, sea fearing
people, conquering the islands, travel
from 1 area to another area acquiring
great knowledge about the seas, stars.
Bahasa Melayu (Jawi as the script) in
connecting more than 100 different
languages being spoken during Melaka
was a developed port and empire. Islam-
contribute big changes among the
Malays.
Introduction

• This shows that good ethics and

civilization are important in
developing a country.
Introduction
• When developing a country, Lijphart (1991) in “The
power sharing approach” said that ‘a stable
government depends on each significant group
having a cross-cutting relationship with all
others…..and when a society is able to prevent any
stigmatizing act from happening, each segment in
the society can views itself as part of society as a
whole, rather than being segmented.’
• Especially in a multicultural society, this can be
achieved if there is unity or social cohesion.
Social cohesion: Ibn Khaldun

• The importance of social cohesion

in society has fascinated
researchers in the field of sociology
such as Emile Durkheim (social
unity) and Ibn Khaldun
(solidarity/assabiyah)
 Social cohesion: Ibn Khaldun
• According to Ibn Khaldun, to achieve cohesion,
social control in simple society is based on
leadership. Therefore, they need good leaders
who can use that power for the benefit of the
people or followers to avoid the divisiveness
(hostility/disagreemnt)of the spirit of us as this
spirit is necessary to defend themselves and the
tribe
• In simple society, society is
governed by a system of beliefs and
religions other than customs. All of
this is about collective
consciousness.
• In addition, adherence to religious
practices and belief in prophetic
teachings and beliefs can prevent bad
behaviors among them such as envy
and more (Rosenthal & Dawood 1967).
Such compliance can control society's
behavior and allow the society to
tolerate each other without any
prejudice due to social differences.
Ibn Khaldun emphasized that the integration
and unity of a plural society is built on:
• belief in God, the spirit of preaching, justice,
• accountability, mutual respect,
• mutual trust, absolute sincerity,
• diligence, cooperation, brilliance,
• brotherhood, honesty and truth,
• morals, knowledge, good behavior, sacrifice,
cleanliness, and hygiene
…con’t..
Based on Ibn Khaldun’s perspectives, all of
these are ethical values ​that are capable of
developing a civilization.
Therefore,
• the ethics of a nation can determine a rise or
a downfall of a civilization.
• The development of a country depends
largely on the attitude, mentality and
positive behavior of its people who are
constantly pursuing knowledge to produce
innovations that are capable of developing
that country.
What is social cohesion?
• Social cohesion is a social process
which aims to consolidate plurality
of citizenship by reducing inequality
and socio-economic disparities and
fractures in the society.
What is social cohesion?
• Social cohesion is an important
element in ensuring that a
community or country is at peace
and harmony. It is a precondition
for a stable state and a society
without conflict
What is social cohesion?
• social cohesion refers to a process
that unites the whole community
and the country so that each
member of the community can
form a common identity and
values ​thus have a sense of love
and pride in the home.
 Why Social Cohesion is important?
• social cohesion as an important policy in
development planning for many
countries
• With social cohesion we can develop a
nation with a strong sense of belonging
that is established on mutual respect,
tolerance and mutual trust.
Social cohesion is achieved when:

i) the absence of latent (hidden /not

manifest)conflict whether in the form
of income/wealth inequality; racial
/ethnic tensions; disparities in political
participation; or other forms of
polarization; and
Social cohesion is achieved when:
• ii) the presence of strong social
bonds-measured by levels of trust
and norms of reciprocity; the
abundance of civic society
associations and the presence of
institutions of conflict management,
(i.e. responsive democracy, an
independent judiciary, an
independent media)”
Social cohesion is achieved when:
(iii) There are five preconditions:
• Material status at the most quality, such as having
life quality index of an average to high.
• Access to the facilities that can guarantee and
defend life quality and social mobility.
• Having a stable, peace and safe social cycle.
• Active network based activation and positive
relationship exchange.
• Existing of positive initiative towards the
involvement of all party in any mainstream activity
(Shamsul Amri, 2014).
Social Cohesion: Malaysia’s Experience

• In Malaysia, Shamsul Amri Baharuddin

(2014) has introduced the concept of social
cohesion as an important formula for
managing a plural society based on the
concept and characteristics of unanimity
(agreement by all people involved or
consensus / MUAFAKAT).
Social Cohesion: Malaysia’s Experience

According to Shamsul Amri, social

cohesion is a peaceful, stable and
prosperous environment that exists
in a society, especially multiracial.
Social Cohesion: Malaysia’s Experience
Four criteria to enhance cooperation in
the plural society:
• Capacity to accommodate diverse interest
and demands from plural society
• Creativity to develop a common interest
• Commitment to give undivided support to
democracy and improve cooperation among
all segments
• Ability to identify and observe the
implications of political fragmentation
Process towards Social Cohesion
• In achieving alliance and social innovation, various
agencies, parties, organizations and civil society can
help to find better response strategies to enable
community involvement in improving, finding the
right alignment and strengthening relationships
based on shared feelings, common interests or
shared experiences (bonding). This is important for
generating consensus, compromise and
convergence.
• Other processes include:
Process towards Social Cohesion
• Accomodation
• Assimilation
• Acculturation
• Amalgamation
Process towards Social Cohesion
Steps to the existence of social
cohesion between races in Malaysia
are:
• Eliminate negative prejudice.
• Create a mutual understanding
atmosphere.
• Establish unity spirit.
…..Process towards Social Cohesion
• Find a way to solve problem regarding
racial issues.
• Always find way to create harmonious,
peace and prosperous life.
• Advocate programs involving all races.
• Engage religious and social parties in
organizing programs involving all races.
From Social Conflict to Social
Cohesion: Malaysia’s Experience
• Conflicts occur when shared
values ​are not apprehend and shared.
• Since the ethnic upheaval on May 13,
1969, Malaysia has made 'national
unity' the ultimate goal to achieve,
through the New Economic Policy
(NEP) launched in 1971.
• In 1991, Malaysians were introduced
again by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad,
the then Prime Minister with the Vision
of 2020 based on the concept of the
Malaysia Nation, a form of unity that is
expected to be achieved by 2020.
• Then the concept of 1Malaysia was
introduced by Datuk Seri Najib Tun
Razak to stimulate the Malaysian
community towards unity.
• we have achieved something significant
that has made Malaysia an example of
many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin
America.
• Global Peace Index 2011 show that
Malaysia ranks 19th out of 153 countries in
the world that have maintained a peaceful
and political stability. Malaysia is even
better than its neighbors in the Southeast
Asian region, including Singapore.
• Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 aims to
boost the Malaysian economy to a high-
income economy while strengthening
the purchasing power of the people. It
has been the economic direction of the
country for a period of 10 years from
2021-2030 aimed at bridging the
income and development gap between
classes, races and regions.
• The SPV 2030 will drive sustainable
development of the country in tandem
with the fair, equitable and inclusive
economic distribution of all Malaysians
as the country faces globalisation
• It makes the Malaysian economy more
resilient and fosters unity among the
people and strengthens Malaysia's
stability as a democratic country
TOWARDS ACHIEVING NATIONAL UNITY

• National unity is seen as a dynamic

process where people of all races and
ethnicities with different cultures,
religions, customs, languages ​and
territories can live in peace and harmony.
• Historically, there have been several
issues of racial disputes that have
occurred in our country.
TOWARDS ACHIEVING NATIONAL UNITY
• sensitive issues involving race relations
seem to be increasing as social media
becomes a mainstream media
channeling dissatisfaction with others.
The conflict of unity in Malaysia occur
under the following circumstances:
✓Does not apprehend and practice the National
Principle (Rukun Negara).
✓Having different political ideology
✓Lack of inter-racial interaction due to segregation in
terms of residence, schooling and employment.
The conflict of unity in Malaysia will occur
under the following circumstances:
✓Refuse to use National Language as the
primary language for communicating in
formal or informal events
✓The socialization process experienced by
parents, school and peers has instilled
negative prejudice against others
 NATIONAL UNITY PROCESS
In the life of a diverse Malaysian community,
members of the community are looking for
ways to manage and shape the differences
that exist in society. These differences exist
in terms of ethnicity, religion, language,
politics, social class, gender and
intergenerational status.
Why do these differences need to be
arranged?
NATIONAL UNITY PROCESS

✓society needs to achieve peace and

stability and sustain their survival.
✓members of society need to inspire a
variety of attitudes and activities that
are considered prerequisites to
achieving unity
 NATIONAL UNITY PROCESS
✓to act and behave towards achieving peace
and harmony for the sake of the survival of
his or herself, family and social group
✓in the event of inter-racial conflicts, the
best way is to quickly find a solution
through negotiations to reach agreement,
compromise and cooperation. Although the
possibility of conflict cannot be fully
resolved, conflicts on the basis of social
differences can be minimized.
In Malaysian history, Shamsul Amri (2012)
has divided the stages of ethnic relations in
Malaysian history into:
✓Conflicted era (1945 – 1960). This
happened after World War II.
✓Stable yet tense era (1961-1970).
✓Social unity era (1971-2011).
✓Economic stability and political stability to
support prosperity era (simbiosis) (existing
now).
Building a Nation State
• Malaysia is a country of many races,
languages, religions and cultures, yet all its
members want to be seen as a united society
under the same flag and at the same time
celebrate the diversity that exists
• existing diversity cannot be considered a
hindrance to building a Malaysian nation.
• if true unity is to be achieved, the Malaysian
mindset must change specially to eradicate
existing prejudices and be more tolerant of
one another.
 Building a Nation State
• The construction of the Malaysian race is still on track.
Why? Because of:
✓the current globalization, market-based economic
policies, language and education policies that still
need to be strengthened, issues of Islam and
other issues that concern all people.
✓Building a nation requires a high level of
awareness of the country nation's ideology
✓Federal Constitution as the source and
cornerstone of the process of integration is
questioned
 Building a Nation State
Tun Mahathir in 1991 once described a that a nation
state in the context of Malaysia as “…forming a
country that is united as well as adored its future
that is shared. The nation must be prosperous,
integrate its territories and groups, enjoy a cohesive
life based on the equality of rights and justice, form a
Nation of Malaysia with unwavering loyalty and
dedication to the nation”

Therefore, it is clear that there are three aspects that

are fundamental to nation building, namely identity,
integration and development.
Conclusion
• National unity and national integration are the
backbone of sociopolitical stability in the country
that can guarantee the progress and integrity of the
nation.
• we dream of a country where people of all races,
cultures and religions can live in peace and
harmony
• The public needs to understand that the value
system in society contributes to the achievement of
the country's economic development and
advancement and Malaysians need to continue to
contribute to the development of civilization in
Malaysia.
Model for Social Cohesion: Malaysia
Terima kasih
Ada Soalan???