Identity: Created by the Rulers or the Ruled?

Identity within a country can be defined as at least one thing that makes everyone alike. Identity issues can arise when a country or group gets colonized because the country gets overwhelmed with the culture of the colonizers. Malaysia and Singapore were colonized by the British and found their identity in question. Interestingly, these two countries that have many similarities approached identity in different ways. Though, these two countries emphasize identity tremendously, this paper will show why created identities require force for implementation and are, thus, not useful at least in the terms for which they were created. Analysis and comparison of Malaysia and Singapore’s political structure, and most influential leaders will shed light on each countries seemingly necessary need for identity.

Malaysia has a supreme fear over their identity. Identity resides within race or more specifically in the separation of the various races that reside in the country. To understand this fear is to understand the political structure within the country. The political parties are split between six primary parties. Ethnicity determines each party’s membership. The United Malays National Organization (UMNO) represents true Malaysians or ethnic Malays. UMNO has held the majority of control since the country’s independence. The key take away when looking at the parties is not only that they are split by race but that they all want to be the most Malaysian too. To be Malaysian is to be the best within politics and the country. Racism prevails in Malaysia. So with this foundation for racism it was only a matter of time before a charismatic leader took the country to the next level.

This charismatic leader ascended in 1981, Dr. Mahathir Moha...

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