NCP 1971 vs. DAKEN 2021: Ethnoculturalism or Cultural Diversity?
By Adil Johan
March 2023 FEATURE
FIFTY YEARS SINCE implementing the National Cultural Policy (NCP) 1971, the newly dubbed Dasar Kebudayaan Negara (DAKEN) 2021, translated as “Cultural Policy of the Country”, was launched by Malaysia’s ninth Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, on 26 October 2021. His speech, upon launching the policy, noted it as a “holistic reference and guide” for “planning the entire development of art, culture and national heritage” in the country. The policy is reinforced with a comprehensive strategy and action plan...
Adil Johan
is a researcher and educator on Southeast Asian and Malaysian popular music and culture. He also performs and records for Nadir, Azmyl Yunor & Orkes Padu and the Adil Johan Quintet.
