UCSI University’s Contribution to Celebrate the Nation’s Multiethnicity

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Belinda Chee Suat Boey
Manager, Corporate Communications
belindachee@ucsi.edu.my
Tel: +603-9101 8880 ext 3095

Kuala Lumpur, 16 October 2009 - UCSI University launched the book Multiethnic Malaysia, Past, Present and Future edited by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee, Alberto Gomes and Azly Rahman, published jointly by the Malaysian Institute for Development and Asian Studies (MiDAS@UCSI University) and Gerak Budaya. Yang Berhormat Mulia Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, the Member of Parliament for Gua Musang was the guest-of-honour at the event. The book featured a compilation of essays and writings that captures the critical thinking and research of leading Malaysian social scientists and historians.



The book Multiethnic Malaysia : Past, Present and Future is launched by (from right) Dr. KJ John, Director of MiDAS@UCSI University, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Musa Mohamad, Chairman of UCSI University Foundation, UCSI University President, Peter T. S. Ng, Yang Berhormat Mulia Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Dr. Lim Teck Ghee

According to YBM Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh, “We need to have a rebirth of the ideals of the Rukun Negara; of diversity and unity.  We need a movement of peoples, intellectuals and political parties for a national consensus or compact. Therefore, I welcome the birth of this book, as it is a contributor to the open debate towards the formulation of new national objectives and to the new progressive movement aimed at a national consensus.”


En. Zaine Bujal, a hearing-impaired participant from the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf “listens” to Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh’s keynote address through a translator

Dialogue panelists immersed in discussion about Malaysia’s multiethnic society

In his speech, UCSI University’s President, Peter T. S. Ng said, “As a university, it is also our responsibility to encourage the search for truth and knowledge and to provide a platform for intellectuals and scholars to discuss issues such as discussed in this book – multi-ethnicity and its ramifications.” He added, “The book is the University’s efforts to celebrate the nation’s diversity, and looks into Malaysia’s past, present and future. The book also resonates with the Prime Minister’s call for a 1Malaysia.”

Also present at the event was co-editor of the book, Associate Professor Alberto Gomes from La Trobe University as well as Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, Dr. Hamidah Marcian, Ms. Tricia Yeoh, Dr. Helen Ting and Dr. Beth Baikan who engaged in a lively dialogue on this very pertinent and interesting topic of multiethnicity in Malaysia.
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