This slim volume features the keynote address of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the topic of "re-engineering" Malaysian society to minimise inter-ethnic distrust and fear, so that Malaysia would become a truly united Malaysian nation. Tun briefly explains how social re-engineering is not so much an outcome by design but a gradual process facilitated by public policy. He dwells on the question that plagues many Malaysians still, 61 years after Independence, "Who is a Malaysian?". He also touches on the importance of value systems and its impact on character.The speech was delivered at the second Perdana Discourse Series in 2005, and remains relevant today when the subject of race, national unity, and national identity colour most debates and discussions in Malaysia. Perdana Leadership Foundation was chartered in January 2003 as a non-profit organisation, founded with gifts from people who supported the vision of a thriving research and learning institution dedicated to the study of Malaysian leadership and nation-building. It is unique in the sense that it began as an entirely private sector initiative, seed-funded and organised by private sector individuals and corporations. Most of the Foundation's present trustees were the early benefactors of this Foundation.The Foundation's physical home in Precinct 8, Putrajaya, was completed in October 2003. The stately building now houses the Perdana Library, an auditorium as well as a multi-purpose hall in addition to the office of the Foundation's Honorary President, YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.A tax-exempt, non-profit organisation, the Foundation intends to become the premier institution for the study of Malaysia's Prime Ministers and the central resource centre for research into national stewardship as well as a platform for reflection, debate, and discussion with distinguished figures in Malaysian leadership
