Date: 5-7 August 2008
(Tuesday-Thursday)
Theme: Engaging Malaysian Modernity: 50 Years and Beyond
Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
MSC6 CONVENORS
Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia (in English: Malaysian Social
Science Association – PSSM) will be convening the 6th International Malaysian Studies Conference (MSC6) on 5-7 August 2008 at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak. The Faculty of Social
Science, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Sarawak, is our
co-convenor and host.
OBJECTIVES
Since its inception, the primary objective of the biennial
Malaysian Studies Conference (MSC) is to bring together scholars,
both Malaysians and Malaysianists, for the purpose of scholarly
exchange and interaction based on their research findings and
reflections on Malaysia. The MSC also aims to analyse issues and
problems relating to contemporary Malaysia, and to compare the
Malaysian experience with that of various countries in the world,
especially that of Malaysia’s neighbours. Another objective of
the MSC is to examine the state of Malaysian studies and to
suggest ways for its advancement. For MSC6 in particular,
taking advantage of it being held in Sarawak, it is hoped that
special attention is given to Borneo studies as part of Malaysian
studies.
THEME
The theme of MSC6 is “Engaging Malaysian Modernity: 50 Years and
Beyond”. As is generally acknowledged, development and modernisation
often go together. In the context of Malaysia, modernisation as a new
historical phase in the transformation of this country began well
before 1957, beginning perhaps with the intrusion of Western
influence, particularly the imposition of British colonial rule.
Malaysia, or what was then known as ‘Tanah Melayu’ or Malaya, as
well as Sabah and Sarawak, had since then adopted a modern form of
government, public administration, education system, new modes of
economic production, and certain new ways of social life. Such
structural changes in Malaysian society have also been accompanied by
cultural changes.
With the establishment of an independent national government and
various development policies since Merdeka, the processes of
modernisation continued with greater vigour. During the last 50 years,
Malaysia has been under five different administrations from the time
of Tunku Abdul Rahman to the present Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi. Each administration brought its own style of governance and
steered the course of Malaysian modernisation further.
However, the evolution of Malaysian modernity in the last five
decades is a complex process especially under the impact of
accelerated globalisation. It is characterised by both convergences
and contestations, similarities and contrasts, as well as adaptation,
accommodation, hybridisation and dislocations. This story indeed
cannot be told enough. We have witnessed the emergence of an
impressive array of modern physical landscapes, especially in bustling
cities and towns, while rural areas too have been equipped with modern
infrastructure. Nevertheless, there are important questions to be
addressed. These include the political, economic, educational, social,
cultural, and religious, dimensions of modernisation. Modernisation
and modernity too can be viewed at many levels -- national, regional
and local. While modern urban living may be seen at the national
level, at the regional and local levels, some regions and states still
operate very much within the ambit of traditional settings. At the
local level, many indigenous communities such as the Orang Asli in
Peninsular Malaysia, and the indigenous communities of Sarawak and
Sabah still continue with their traditional ways of life, including
practising age-old methods of cultivation and beliefs.
Given these complex, at times bewildering and contradictory processes,
it is important to critically discuss Malaysian modernisation and
modernity after 50 years of Independence and also to anticipate its
future in the twenty first century. Some important questions pertinent
for discussion include: What has gone into the making of Malaysian
modernisation and modernity, and are the forces in its formation
stable and enduring? What is the nature of the Malaysian modernisation
process especially between Peninsular Malaysia and the Eastern States
of Sarawak and Sabah, as well as between urban and rural areas, among
ethnic groups and across the gender divide? What are the implications
of this process? What are the driving forces of change and possible
trajectories into the future? What alterative futures are being
imagined?
Some of the key issues that can be discussed include, but are not
necessarily limited to the following sub-themes:
•Interrogating modernisation and modernity
•Late capitalism, post-modernity and culture
•Globalisation, indigenous communities and indigenous knowledge
•Economic development and social inequality
•Good governance, human security and environment
•Gender and modernity
•International relations and trade
•Social and cultural change
•Religion, ethnicity and identity
•Globalisation and the nation-state
•Urbanisation, education and health
•Youth and modernity
•Media, IT and communication
•Literature and history
•Imagining alternative futures
While the focus will be on the above sub-themes, in the tradition
of the past five MSCs, we also welcome papers that will be presented
on the broad subject of “Malaysian Studies” conceived in the
fashion of area studies but related to the Conference’s theme.
With these issues and questions in mind, it is hoped that the 6th
International Malaysian Studies Conference will serve as an important
platform for the exchange of research findings and ideas on this
important theme of ‘Engaging Malaysian Modernity: 50 Years and
Beyond’.
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
The Conference programme will consist of panels of papers, organised
as much as possible under a common theme. Each panel will consist of
3-4 paper presenters and a chair who also serves as discussant.
Participants are encouraged to form their own panels for this
Conference based on the subthemes outlined above or on other
dimensions of Malaysian Studies.
PANEL PROPOSALS
As has been the practice of past MSCs, there are three different
channels of paper presentation, as follows:
•Institutional panels – These are panels organised by institutions
such as research institutes and faculties.
•Thematic panels – These are panels organised by convenors on
selected themes. The convenor is responsible for deciding on
the theme and organising the presenters.
•Individual panels – These are panels consisting of individual
paper presenters. Individual paper presenters are welcome to
contribute. The Organising Committee will try to group such
papers accordingly, either into a thematic panel if they fall
under a common theme, or otherwise into omnibus panels, that
is, panels that need not necessarily address a common theme.
Note: As has been the practice of past MSCs, institutional panels
will bear the institution’s name as a means to raise the profile
of the institution. In return, the institution has to pay an
institutional registration fee of RM500. This does not include
the registration fee for each individual paper presenter (see below).
The participating institution may organise more than one
institutional panel at no extra cost.
SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS
Those intending to present papers at MSC6 must submit an abstract
of about 150 words to the MSC6 Secretariat latest by 15 March 2008.
Soft copies of the full written papers must be submitted latest
by 1 July 2008.
Those who plan to organise institutional or thematic panels should
also submit their panel abstracts by the same date. Individual
paper abstracts must be submitted together with panel abstracts.
The Organising Committee will vet all panel and paper proposals and
inform the proposer in due time of the outcome. To ensure the smooth
running of the Conference, the Organising Committee reserves the
right to accept or reject any panel or paper proposal. It is also
the right of the Organising Committee to proceed with or call off
any panel due to unforeseen circumstances.
As has been the past practice of MSCs, only those with full
papers will be allowed to make presentations at the Conference.
PowerPoint notes are note considered as papers.
Roundtables or forums on selected topics that need not necessarily
have written papers can only be organised by the MSC6 Organising
Committee.
REGISTRATION FEE
Participants who register early will enjoy the benefit of pre-
registration. The closing date for early or pre-registration is
15 June 2008. All registration after that date will be charged as
per normal. The registration fees are as follows:
Participants from & in Malaysia
PSSM members
Pre-registration RM300
After 15 June 2008 RM350
Non-members
Pre-registration RM400
After 15 June 2008 RM500
PSSM student members
Pre-registration RM130
After 15 June 2008 RM180
Students (non-members)
Pre-registration RM180
After 15 June 2008 RM230
Participants from abroad
PSSM members
Pre-registration USD130
After 15 June 2008 USD150
Non-members
Pre-registration USD150
After 15 June 2008 USD170
All Conference participants, including paper presenters, have
to pay their registration fees.
MODES OF PAYMENT
Those in Malaysia who want to pay their registration fees can
transmit their payment in Malaysian Ringgit by bank draft, money
order or postal order, payable to Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia
at the address below. Alternatively they can deposit the sum
directly into the Association’s bank account (see below), fax
the receipt to the Association with their name and MSC6 printed on
it, and bring the original receipt to the Conference as proof of
payment.
Please note that the practice of payment by cheque is discontinued
for MSC6 to avoid unnecessary technical problems.
Participants who reside overseas can transmit their payment in
US dollars directly into the Association’s bank account and fax
a copy of the receipt to the Association with their name and MSC6
printed on it. The payer, however, must bear any bank charges
incurred in the transaction and must bring the original receipt
to the Conference as proof of payment.
Those who want to pay at the time of registration on the day of
the Conference may do so only in Malaysian Ringgit by cash.
The Association’s bank account is as follows:
Name of payee : Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia
Name of bank : Commerce International Malaysia Berhad (CIMB)
Universiti Malaya Branch
Jalan Pantai Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Account Number : 1440-0005156-05-6
Swift code : CIBBMMYKL14400005156056
ACCOMMODATION
The Secretariat, is not responsible for hotel booking or any
other accommodation arrangements. Participants are required to
arrange their own accommodation. However, the Secretariat is
making arrangements for a special rate for MSC6 participants
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, our conference venue, in Kuching.
There are also a number of budget hotels within walking distance
from the venue. The Secretariat will also make arrangements for
a special rate with these hotels. Please visit the hotel websites
for further information. (Detail information will follow).
ENQUIRIES
All abstracts, full papers and enquiries regarding MSC6 should be
sent to MSC6 Secretariat, Ms. Azlina Abdullah,
Email : pssmalaysia@yahoo.com or alin052@yahoo.com
and cc to Ms Sharifah Zarina Syed Zakaria
szarina@pkrisc.cc.ukm.my
Telephone : 6-03-8921 4175 / 4235 / 5161
Address : (Att: Ms. Azlina Abdullah)
c/o Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 UKM Bangi
Selangor, Malaysia
Please visit organisation’s homepage at
http://pssmalaysia.tripod.com for further information
regarding the Association as well as other information.