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Malaysia and Singapore Society
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Malaysia and Singapore Society
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New book
Attitudes and Perceptions in Australia-Malaysia Relations: A Contemporary Profile. Rita Camilleri |
When the British colonial mantle was lifted from Malaysia, the newly independent country was expected to move in accordance with the British model. As a neighbour and loyal British colony, Australia also wanted a strong British presence in the region. During the 1980s and 1990s Australian governments actively pursued a policy of engagement with Asia. However, this was also the priod when Malaysia under Mahathir would move away from its British connections and forge closer links with other Asian nations. Contrary to those earlier British expectations, Mahathir’s Malaysia was intent on assuming a leadership role, often critical of Western policies and priorities. How was Australia to adapt to this new self-assertiveness? What would the implications be for its policy of engagement? How would East meet West in this part of the world, and in this rapidly changing set of economic, political and strategic circumstances?
RITA CAMILLERI currently teaches English to newly arrived migrants from non-English speaking backgrounds. She has combined almost four decades of teaching with study (BA, E. Ed, MA) as well as involvement with a wide range of educational and advocacy organisations concerned with such issues as indigenous rights, nuclear disarmament and multicultural dialogue.
Contents
Chapter one
Chapter two
Historical Background and Contemporary Realities
Formative influences of early Australian perceptions
A continuing legacy?
Malaya between 1945 and independence: the development of political self-awareness
Early Australian connections with Malaya
From the Malayan Emergency to the 1969 Race Riots
1971: a new economic direction for Malaysia
The current phase
Chapter three
The Australian Media’s Coverage of the Relationship: A Case Study - the Age 1985-1996
An overview
Reporting in the mid-1980s
A lull in Malaysian reports
Newsworthiness on the rise?
A return to the norm
Trends
Chapter four
Barlow and Chambers: The Malaysian Justice System
Age Coverage of Barlow-Chambers Case
Australian coverage of Barlow-Chambers case
Australian Responses
Chapter five
Embassy: Fresh Wound or Old Scars?
A Single Problem or a series of problems?
Repercussions and more reactions
The Nature of the Offence
Seeking an explanation for conflicting perceptions
Responses to Australian Moves
An Overview of the Analysis
How the tensions were managed and what are the long-term implications?
Chapter six
Turtle Beach: More (Mis-)Representations on the Screen
Turtle Beach the book
Malaysian reactions to the film
Media coverage in Australia
Fact/Fiction/Faction?
Chapter seven
The Raja Bahrin vs Gillespie Case: A Family Affair?
Background
Early Press Coverage, the Age
Later Press Coverage, the Age
The Malaysian Press
Analysis of Australian perceptions
Conclusions
Chapter eight
The “Recalcitrant” episode: An Exercise in (Non-)Diplomacy
The Incident
Background
Early Australian Perceptions
Attempts to Explain, not Condone
Reportage: New Straits Times
The Age
The Australian
Comparative comments
The role of the media in Malaysia and Australia
Conclusions
Chapter nine
The Anwar episode: A Domestic Matter
Beginnings
Comparative reporting by the Age and the Australian
Australian leader demonstrates restraint
Conclusions
Chapter ten
Conclusions
Major players, minor actors
Media participation
(New) tensions and (mis) perceptions
Changes in focus
The future
Endnotes
Bibliography