IN THE LENSE OF THE ODD: CONSTRUCTING THE OTHERNESS IN MALAYSIAN HISTORY

Norena Abdul Karim Zamri,Adam Abdul Karim Zamri

doi:10.31580/apss.v6i1.1271

Norena Abdul Karim Zamri, Adam Abdul Karim Zamri

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.31580/apss.v6i1.1271

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Abstract

This study provides an understanding of Otherness concept in contemporary social and cultural thought. It tries to delves on the many histories consumed by the Malaysian publics. It is based on the premised that historical knowledge of the nation is ethnicized. This study is aware that there is no official history of the nation. What has come to be known as the nation’s history evolved over space and has been accepted currently as mainstream history. By combining the fields of postcolonial theory and culture studies, it uses a theoretical framework that attaches contemporary cultural debates regarding the representation discourse with the colonial stereotypes and racialized imageries. Through the application of qualitative content analysis and quantitative analysis, the study strives to make a theoretical contribution and adding to the body of the knowledge. This study deduce with a review of different types of racial otherness in Sarawak, by highlighting Orientalism as a form of persistent that has been maintained by colonial binaries throughout the history of Malaysia.

Highlights

Otherness can be broadly defined as the “Other as object” where it has been created as binary to lowest the powerless subject by the most powerful that control the subject. Loomba (2008)
National history has been considered as ‘less truth’, ‘bias to Islam’, ‘tak lengkap’ in general respondents realize that the history published in new media has no credibility and trustworthiness
This study delves into the many histories consumed by the Malaysian publics within the lenses of ‘othering’and how this ‘othering’ breaks the power of national history

Summary

Introduction

Otherness can be broadly defined as the “Other as object” where it has been created as binary to lowest the powerless subject by the most powerful that control the subject. Loomba (2008). As being explained by Edward Said regarding the word ‘orientalism’, Howard Zinn, Franc Fanon and etc on the decolonialze knowledge and the related concepts, it gives a new consciousness especially on national history. The new media become the mediator in giving new insight and new consciousness amongst the society. 2. Society tends to make a judgement based on the story that they get from the new media.

Results

Conclusion