Culture Change in Malay Society: From Peasantry to Entrepreneurship*

Abstract

Malay society had experienced several changes in several aspects of its basic cultural pattern. The meeting of Malay and other cultures is the main process which brought about the process. Malay society is regarded as a classic peasontry during colonial times, but before the arrivalof the western powers, Malay society was basically entrepreneurs and seafarers which conducted trading in the Indian ocean and China seas. Malay society one again experiences rapid changes from peasantry like to one based on business and trade in post independence period. The government formulated policies and programmes to inculcate and revive business values among the Malays.

ABSTRAK

Masyarakat Melayu mengalami banyak perubahan yang melibatkan aspek-aspek utama kebuduyaannya. Pertembungan antara kebudayaan Melayu dengan masyarakat dan kebudayaan luar adalah proses utama yang menentukan perubahan itu. Masyarakat Melayu dikatakan sebagai masyarakat tani yang unggul dalam zaman kolonial tetapi dalam masa-masa sebelum itu masyarakat Melayu adalah pedagang dan pelaut yang ulung di Nusantara dan daerah-daerah di Lautan Hindi dan Cina. Masyarakat Melayu sekali lagi menempuh perubahan besar dari kegiatan-kegiatan tani kepad perdagangan dan perusahaan dalam zaman kemerdekaan politik. Pihak pemerintah mewujudkan beberapa dasar supaya nilai perdagangan berkembang semula di kalangan masyarakat Melayu.