Page 843 - Proceedings Collega2023

ABSTRACT

The concept of 'budi' or virtuous is often invoked by many Malay intellectuals and statesmen in
their speeches and papers. This concept of 'budi' is closely tied to the ancestral customs and manners of
the Malays, encompassing the ethical norms and behaviours of the Malay people for a long time. It's
because of this 'budi' that other nations feel comfortable, loved, and connected to the Malays and
continue to reside in Malay lands, even though initially they were brought here to work with British
companies. In this paper, we examine the concept of 'budi' within the context of the public sphere, which
has been introduced for a long time and expanded into the new public sphere with a focus on the
challenges it poses to the concept of 'budi'. The main question in this study is how the understanding of
'budi' in Malaysian society today deals with issues and differing views, especially in the realm of social
media, where diverse ethnic and religious identities coexist in Malaysia. The aspect of 'budi' values will
be measured based on interactions in social contention related to a controversial issue in Malaysian
socio-politics. This case study is conducted using an innovative approach, by looking at how interactions
in society manage differing viewpoints. Virtual ethnography data is employed and analyzed through
correlational-words analysis. The findings of this study have confirmed the existence of an understanding
of the 'budi' concept, however, there are differences in its practice among different groups within the
context of social contention.

Keywords: budi concept; social media; social contentious.

Introduction

The Malaysian cultural landscape is celebrated for its diversity and the harmonious coexistence
of various ethnic and cultural groups. At the heart of this cultural lies the concept of "budi," which goes
beyond politeness and courtesy, embodying a deeper sense of respect, empathy, and noble behavior.
"Budi" is a guiding principle that underpins good manners and social conduct, reflecting the values of
kindness and consideration for others within the Malaysian context. "Budi" is a prominent individual trait
that characterizes a wise intellect, good morals, behavior, and high character, this definition is based on
the Kamus Dewan, Fourth Edition (2017).
Over the years, the concept of 'budi,' deeply rooted in Malay culture, has played a significant role
in shaping social interactions. 'Budi' encompasses values of respect, courtesy, and consideration for
others, fostering a sense of unity and harmony. The question arises: has the concept of 'budi' transcended
ethnic boundaries, becoming a shared practice among all communities in Malaysia, or has it been
abandoned over time?
This study seeks to investigate the current state of 'budi' in Malaysia, assessing whether it is still
actively practiced among Malays and other communities. Understanding the status of 'budi' is crucial
because its absence could potentially undermine the harmony and unity that Malaysia has strived to
maintain for decades. Despite the harmonious coexistence among ethnic groups in physical interactions,
the advent of the new public sphere, particularly social media, as proposed by Mazali (2011), it
introduces new dynamics into the equation. Social media has become a powerful platform for individuals
to express their opinions, often anonymously, and this has led to a new dimension of social tensions in
Malaysia.

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 830 -