“Are They Making Fun of Us?” The Politics of Development in Sabah, Malaysia

• Main Author: Amity A. Doolittle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Université de Provence 2001-12-01
• Series: Moussons
• Subjects: rural development; development politics; development discourse; Sabah; Malaysia; colonial history
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/moussons/3454
• ISSN: 1620-3224; 2262-8363

This paper explores the ideological context of rural development in Sabah, Malaysia. Drawing on ethnographic data of state practices and discourse, and local reactions to state policies, I discuss events surrounding a rural development initiative. I conclude that development in Sabah serves as the primary point of entry for the federal government into village politics. Thus, if development does not necessarily raise the local standard of living, it facilitates the expansion and entrenchment of the ruling elite – the United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO). In effect, development serves to consolidate the power of the Malay-Muslim elite over Sabah’s indigenous population and promote the government’s ideological commitment to a nation united by “one language, one culture, and one religion.” Building on Ferguson’s radical critique of development, I look for the instrument-effects of development that occur behind the rhetoric of poverty alleviation. Contrary to Ferguson, however, I argue that, in the context of development in Malaysia, these instrument-effects are not unintended. Instead, development is knowingly deployed by state representatives to expand bureaucratic power. Furthermore, villagers are able to demystify the rhetoric of development and are aware that access to development funds is contingent on their support of UMNO political candidates.