The Lack of Appreciation For Our Culture Has Cause Malaysia to Lose Their Identity

Malaysia, located on South East Asia with the population around 34.3 Million people is a country full of cultures and diversities. Malaysia are known as multiracial and multicultural country that are full with cultures, races, and diversities. These particular statements are made for Malaysian true identities. But, nowadays, Malaysian especially younger generation are lacking and even not being exposed with their own identities especially their own cultures and traditions because of a lot factors that happen inside and outside which cause them some how do not know about their own cultures and traditions. In these case, we can see that Malaysian nowadays had an issues with lack of appreciation on their cultures itself. In these scenario, this is the particular issues that will be highlighted as one the reasons nowadays Malaysian are lacking to appreciate their cultures which has cause them to lose their identities.

First, Globalisation and Western Influence. The influence of western and even the globalisation with the passage of time has make the Malaysian especially lacking of their identities and cultures brings to them to slowly forgetting and even admiring foreign lifestyles more than their own traditions. These can be see that western or outsider cultures brings a new influence that makes it look cool or modern which they spreading it through media social, movies, music, fashion and so on. In these case, we can see that the example that can be see is that the influence of music such as hip-hop, rock, reggae and so on has influence Malaysian especially younger people to get involve on their cultures rather than on their cultures. If these kept happening again, Malaysians begin to think their own culture is outdated, leading to identity confusion because of foreign culture replaces local practices. Overall, Globalization and Western Influences is one of the factor of lack of appreciation for the culture which cause malaysians to lose their identities.

Next, Urbanisation and Modern Lifestyle. Urbanisation and Modern Lifestyle is changing Malaysian life-styles almost 360 degrees which can be see that almost anywhere the influence of outside than Malaysian has spread widely and fastly rather than Malaysian own identities and culture. This can be see that City life encourages efficiency and convenience rather than tradition. For example, English or “Manglish” has became a daily conversation rather than our own mother-tongue, food are more modernise which has been modern than keep it in tradition way and so on. If these still happening, the issue will kept be a problem to Malaysian identities which is rich with culture and diversities. Do not let us know only by citizenships, but let others know us based on identities and our own cultures. Overall, Urbanisation and Modern Lifestyle is one of the factor of lack of appreciation for the culture which cause malaysians to lose their identities.

Finally, Weak Cultural Education. Malaysian education system nowadays are more focusing on academic achievement rather than cultural understanding. This can be seen on how students especially are lacking with tradition practices because they only know by memorise it by facts on tradition rather than practices it on their daily lives. For example, they know or might seen some tradition food but never tries or even taste it before. If these issues still being due, culture becomes theory instead of lifestyle, so identity becomes weak and superficial. Overall, Weak Cultural Education is one of the factor of lack of appreciation for the culture which cause malaysians to lose their identities.

In conclusion, the lack of understanding of our culture has gradually caused Malaysians to lose their true identity. Factors such as globalization, weak cultural education, the influence of social media and the inability of families to carry on traditions have distanced the younger generation from their heritage. Therefore, cultural heritage is not just history, but a symbol of who we are as a nation. Without practicing and valuing our traditions, Malaysians will become culturally empty and no longer unique from other societies. Therefore, each individual, family, school and government must work together to preserve and promote local culture through education, daily practice and community activities, so that future generations can proudly recognize and maintain their Malaysian identity.