Traveller's tales

Article Abstract:

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is urging prosperous Malays to look towards Eastern countries such as Japan for acquiring education, jobs or adopting a business philosophy. He is against the materialistic attitude of the West. However, he fails to recognize that the Japanese are as materialistic as Westerners. Moreover, Malaysians in Japan are facing cultural and work related problems. Japanese investors in Malaysia are also hesitant to hire Malaysians as managers. Hence Japan cannot serve as a role model for Malaysia.

author: Vatikiotis, Michael
Economic aspects, Mahathir Mohamad, Malays (Asian people)

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Traveller's tales

Article Abstract:

The Kadazan-Dusun people of Sabah try not to lose their ethnic identity by celebrating Harvest Festival or Kaamatan each May. The Kadazans fiercely oppose any attempt of Malay cultural influence on their traditional way of life and ethnicity. During Kaamatan, the Kadazans sing, dance and imbibe large portions of potent rice wine. The celebrations are capped with a native beauty contest. Today however, Malaysian politics and Kadazan self-esteem mix in Kaamatan celebrations.

author: Vatikiotis, Michael
Demographic aspects, Malaysia, Indigenous peoples, Sabah, Malaysia

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Traveller's tales

Article Abstract:

Some 40 Indonesians in Australia gathered at a conference on Indonesian democracy sponsored by Monash University. Participants hardly agreedon what democracy really is although most of them believed that Pres Suharto's leadership was on the way out. The modern liberal theorists believed that democracy followed with economic development while others in the group wanted to extend the social and political controls of Suharto to ensure the stability of Indonesia.

author: Vatikiotis, Michael
Conferences, meetings and seminars, Political aspects, Indonesia, Democracy, Indonesians

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subjects list: Column, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes
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