| Summary: | 碩士 === 東海大學 === 社會學系 === 107 === The research site of this thesis is Kluang, a town located at the center of the Johor state, Malaysia. Participant observation and in-depth interview have been the cornerstone methods of this thesis, to investigate whether community development could be the so-called “third way” for Malaysia to rebuild a harmonious society in the face of the conflicts between political parties and significant racial segregations. Thus, the core research question of this thesis is: Would a community development led by the Malaysian Chinese could be developed in a diverse Malaysian society? Moreover, how does a nation of racial awareness and political interruptions bring influence on community development? Does the leader of the community development project be able to rally and unite people from the diverse ethnic fabric of Malaysians?
In the 2013 Malaysian General Election, the Democratic Action Party (DAP), one of the opposition parties had successfully won the Parliament seat of Kluang district. This Parliament member, a Malaysian Chinese, and his team had established the Kluang Community Center. He propagated the idea of community development which learned from Taiwan and adopted this approach as the foundation of political service. Later, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), one of the ruling parties decided to follow in the DAP's footsteps—community development— as their political service. The MCA and the government institution went together determined to stop the DAP spreading its prominent influence across Kluang. "Community" had eventually become the competitive field of political parties in Kluang. At the same time, organizations which embraced the idea of community development at Kluang and other cities has arisen. Whereas, many Chinese associations and community with conservative mindset, did provide indirect assistance in constructing contemporary community awareness, although they did not practically contribute in the development of community building.
The research found that the designated community development events and activities of the DAP served as the primary form of activity. They took pains to mobilize people and strived hard to create a place-based identity for Kluang community; whereas the MCA took full advantage of the government financial support, initiated projects aiming to beautify local places. Also, they promoted “community development” through the idea of space reconstruction. In similarities, both parties were targeting on people's participation. They also integrated the ideology of community development as a tool of both parties' political service. Therefore, it was doubtful whether the genuine ideology of community development has been implemented, the values of freedom and democracy are instilled in the community of Kluang. Besides, many Chinese organizations incorporated the ideas of “social transformation” and “emotion ties” in their action means which does not serve the ideology of community development in Kluang's events and activities. Moreover, other cities in Malaysia developed their community development through economic development, local identity, and public spaces. The fascinating part was that the strong competition between local parties could influence the development of community development. Furthermore, as to ensure the ideal method of community development in Malaysia, it is crucial to discern Taiwan community building’s weaknesses and to consider the characteristic of the local in the process of taking Taiwan as an example.
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