title: National Culture Policy
text: # National Culture Policy
  
  The National Culture Policy introduced in 1970 in Malaysia, emphasized an assimilation of the non-Malays into the Malay ethnic group. However, during the 1990s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad rejected this approach, with his Bangsa Malaysia policy emphasising a Malaysian instead of Malay identity for the state.
  
  Malaysian National Culture Policy is defined in the "1971 National Culture Policy". It defines 3 principles as guidelines for 'national culture':
  
  * The National Culture must be based on the indigenous [Malay] culture
  * Suitable elements from the other cultures may be accepted as part of the national culture
  * Islam is an important component in the moulding of the National Culture.
  
  The main objectives of this policy was to:
  
  * Restore, preserve and develop culture towards strengthening national culture through joint research, development , education and cultural expansion and connections.
  * Increase and strengthen cultural leadership through training and guidance to interested individuals. Support and mobilize culture as an effective engine of growth.
  * Establish effective communication to instill national awareness and Malaysian nationalism.
  * Fulfill socio-cultural needs.
  * Improve the standard and quality of arts.
  