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| 1971, Feb |
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| Parliamentary government resumed, but pursued markedly different policies than had existed before. Passage of the Constitution (Amendment) Act made nonnegotiable the special position of the Malays and the status of the rulers. It also sought to increase Malay access to university education. | 1 |
| The establishment of the Department of National Unity set forth a new ideological basis for the nation in the “Principles of State” (“Rukunegara”). Formal and informal institutional means promoted a shared sense of national identity and purpose, including the strengthening of the position of Malay as the sole national language and medium of instruction at all school levels. | 2 |
| In the economic sphere, the New Economic Policy (NEP), set out in successive four-year Malaysia Plans, had two main objectives: elimination of poverty for all communities and the restructuring of society so that economic function was not identified with community. | 3 |
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| 1980s |
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| Changes in Malaysia led to a significantly more urbanized society (especially important was the higher proportion of Malays living in towns) and an expanded industrial sector (although most of Malaysia's income still came from primary production). Rubber had been displaced by petroleum products as the main source of revenue. Although rural poverty persisted, Malaysia fared better economically during the recession of the early 1980s than did many other Southeast Asian countries. | 4 |
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| 1984 |
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| The White Paper addressed the threat of Islamic extremism and violence to national unity. Near the end of 1985, this potential threat was realized when 18 deaths resulted from a police action against an “Islamic” group in Baling. Problems of unemployment due to the economic recession exacerbated the situation. | 5 |
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| 1986 |
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| Except for concerns about the ongoing situation in Kampuchea, foreign affairs remained calm. Internally, Malay and non-Malay acrimony continued to rise. The tensions in Sabah resulted in bomb blasts and rioting. The troubled Malaysian economy was rocked by scandals connecting government officials with business fiascos, including questionable stock dealings. | 6 |
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| Aug |
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| Delayed elections took place. Although Dr. Mahathir retained control due to the loyalty of the rural Malay vote, a strong showing in the urban vote favored the opposition, interpreted as a reflection of increasing ethnic polarization. | 7 |
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