| Summary: | This article discusses the issues of economics which are designated as the theme in the film Abang (1981), directed by film director Rahim Razali. In general, the Malays experienced a marked change in the economy when the Malaysian Government established the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1971 through the second Malaysian Plan (RMK-2). This policy aims to create a socio-economic balance for everyone and to form a unity amongst races. It has created more opportunity for the Malays to take advantage of the rapid growth of national economy. On the other hand, the policy has also triggered new conflicts and polemics among the Malays. The film, which was made ten years after the policy was established, basically was a social critic of Rahim Razali over the Malay community in the era of the 80s, mainly related to the drastic changes in the economy and the challenges in upholding the Malay custom and culture. All the values and cultural deviation realism had been translated through the characters of Dato’ Din’s family, while the characters of the villagers represent the community who was not affected by the economic transformation. This study utilizes qualitative method that is by analyzing the text as the primary research method, and interview as well as secondary data collection as the additional approach. The sociology of literature approach (Hippolyte Taine) is also used to analyse the relation between the film and its era, race and the milieu. © 2021, Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.
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