National Culture Policy

The National Culture Policy introduced in 1970 in Malaysia, emphasized an assimilation of the non-Malays into the Malay ethnic group. However, during the 1990s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad rejected this approach, with his Bangsa Malaysia policy emphasising a Malaysian instead of Malay identity for the state.

Malaysian National Culture Policy is defined in the "1971 National Culture Policy". It defines 3 principles as guidelines for 'national culture':
 * 1) The National Culture must be based on the indigenous [Malay] culture
 * 2) Suitable elements from the other cultures may be accepted as part of the national culture
 * 3) Islam is an important component in the moulding of the National Culture.

The main objectives of this policy was to:


 * Restore, preserve and develop culture towards strengthening national culture through joint research, development, education and cultural expansion and connections.
 * Increase and strengthen  cultural  leadership through training and guidance to interested individuals. Support and mobilize culture as an effective engine of growth.
 * Establish effective communication to instill national awareness and Malaysian nationalism.
 * Fulfill  socio-cultural needs.
 * Improve the standard and quality of arts.