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Social Justice and Affirmative Action in Malaysia: The New Economic Policy after 50 Years

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  • Hwok‐Aun Lee

Abstract

Malaysia's New Economic Policy (NEP), promulgated in 1971, established a two‐pronged national social justice agenda of poverty reduction, and social restructuring or pro‐Bumiputera affirmative action. This distinction of these policy objectives must be appreciated, but various misconceptions, especially regarding affirmative action, have resulted in polarization and stalemate after 50 years of the NEP. Social justice and affirmative action must be conceptualized and evaluated with clarity and rigor, with policy objectives, mechanisms and outcomes aligned. Malaysia needs to systematically formulate a new social justice paradigm, building on the NEP and anchored on the principles of equality and fairness. In the affirmative action sphere, this framework must focus on developing capability and competitiveness, and balance identity, need and merit in the allocation of opportunity.

Suggested Citation

  • Hwok‐Aun Lee, 2023. "Social Justice and Affirmative Action in Malaysia: The New Economic Policy after 50 Years," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 18(1), pages 97-119, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:asiapr:v:18:y:2023:i:1:p:97-119
    DOI: 10.1111/aepr.12404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edmund Terence Gomez, 2012. "Targeting Horizontal Inequalities: Ethnicity, Equity, and Entrepreneurship in Malaysia," Asian Economic Papers, MIT Press, vol. 11(2), pages 31-57, Summer.
    2. Muhammed Abdul Khalid, 2018. "Climbing the Ladder: Socioeconomic Mobility in Malaysia," Asian Economic Papers, MIT Press, vol. 17(3), pages 1-23, Fall.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kwame Sundaram Jomo, 2023. "Comment on “Social Justice and Affirmative Action in Malaysia: The New Economic Policy after 50 Years”," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 18(1), pages 120-121, January.

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