The role of television in fostering national unity amongst multiethnic society of Malaysia (1963 - 1998) / Badariah Zakaria

Unity – national unity to be precise – is always in the mind of the nation since the dawn of Merdeka when Malaysia (formerly Malaya) gained her independence from the British in 1957. The newly born nation inherited a mélange of various races, religions, cultures and ethnic backgrounds - predominantly Malays, Chinese and Indians; and a wide ethnic diversity from Sabah and Sarawak such as Kadazan, Iban, Bidayuh, Dayak, Melanau and Bajau. From that moment on, the entire diverse communities are expected to understand, accept, appreciate, respect, and enjoy each other’s culture and existence; as a result of which there is a desired state of ‘oneness’ – unity in diversity. This study explores the role of televisions, both public (first launched in 1963) and private (first launched in 1984) in fostering the spirit of national unity amongst the multifarious society in the critical period from 1963 to 1998 – a long span of 35 years – uncovering a rich historical tapestry of the broadcasting era…