Pix for representational purpose only. IN the 1960s the bumiputra term and the bumiputra/non-bumiputra dichotomy construct emerged as political constructs and subsequently metamorphosed into policy constructs. Not only have the constructs remained unchallenged but they have become enduring “truths” conditioning the thinking and impacting the lives of an entire generation of Malaysians. The initial raison d’etre behind the construct by the nation’s political and policy leadership was to create a new political taxonomy to manage and control the political-administrative working and socio-economic development of the country and to prioritise Malay interests. Evidence indicates that this strategy has succeeded in many respects .