Malaysian Social History 2

VIOLENCE
AGAINST
WOMEN:

1) A manifestation of historically

unequal power relations between men

and women (United Nations Human

Rights, 2015).


2) Physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to

women, including threats of such acts, coercion or
arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in

public or in private life (United Nation, 2014).

LEARNING UNIT 11 :

POLITICS OF THE LEFT/
LABOUR MOVEMENT

What is politics of

the left ?

The political term "right and left-wing"

began after the French Revolution -


referred to the seating arrangement in

the Estates General. Left for opposing


the monarchy and right for the

supporting the Monarchy

Left-wing referred to communism,

socialism, the civil right movement,


anti-war movements and some

enviromental movements



the

traditional


Malay

Malay politics before the coming of

Western Colonialism was based on a

system of 'absolute monarchy'. only the

Sultan/Raja's family and the pembesar

had political power. Ordinary people had

to obey the rules orders.

Based on the concept of "Daulat" people

(rakyat) should show their loyalty and

support to the Sultan. But Sultan/Raja

could be defied and overthrown if he

humiliated the people's 'Raja Adil, Raja

Disembah, Raja Zalim, Raja Disanggah'

beginnings of the left in

malaya

The rise of left movements in Malaya before WWII was

largely based on communal sentiments
The Malay's backward conditions need to be uplifted in

line with changes in Malaya
The Indian-facing estates with low income, need better

living conditions
The Chinese were engulfed with the nationalism

movement in China but some also in India regarded

Malaya as their homeland and demanded a fair share of

Malaya
The spread of communist ideology enhanced the idea of

the left struggle against inequality, backwardness, and

oppression and to achieve independence for Malaya
In addition, communal views began to take national form

The Malay Left began with the Islah (reform) movement

which refers to Kaum Muda against Kaum Tua. The Kaum

Muda began to challenge the Kaum Tua regarding the

Islamic affairs.

However the

Kaum Muda

movement

overshowed by

the emerging of

the Malay

Associations in

1920s.

The Malay Associations began to help to uplift Malay living

conditions. But, the young Malay disillusion towards the

influence from British and the Malay Aristocrat on Malay

associations.

Therefore the Malay divided with the right wing- the Malay

Association and the left-wing and the young Malay formed

Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM). under the leadership of

Ibrahim Yaacob, the KKM tried to educate the Malay about

the right and for advancement

learning unit

12:

secret

societies

what is secret societies

Secret societies (SS) - a social
network term, a persisting pattern of

the relationship which directly or

indirectly links the participants in

related secret activities. (B. H.

Erickson)

Such as Yakuza, Black Dragon Society

(Japan), The Ku Klux Klan (US), Poro

(Africa), Mafia (Italy), and
Freemasons

Among the eldest, Thugee (around

13th century), White Lotus (14

century), the Dragon Court (around

1403) and Rosicrucian Order (1607)

Secret Societies are typically groups

whose rituals and activities are

hidden away from non-members

Some are involved in crime, however,
not all are linked to crime activities.

its depend on interest, such as to

protect their members or clans

secret societyorigins in

malaya

According to Thomas John Newbold (1807-1850), an

officer in the 23 Regiment, Madras Light Infantry, in

Malacca (1832-1835), SS was already in existence in

Penang in 1799. Ghee Hin was the earliest

mentioned by the British and centered in Penang.

Hai San only emerged in 1820 in Penang.

Other SS in Malaya is Toa Peh Kong Seng (Penang),

and Tian Ti Hoey (Malacca/Negeri Sembilan)

Ghee Hin Hai San

secret societies

in Malaya

Chinese SS had roots in China, against the Imperial

Dynasty the Ch'ing Dynasty - Honman case in point,

related to the Heaven and Earth Society (Tianihui) in

Fujian.

This is to protect their clan when the Chinese Immigrants

came to Malaya. A blood oath will be taken by those

whose want to become member of the Chinese SS

The temples became the center for the Chinese SS

activities.

what is a kongsi?

From Chinese word - gongsi.

Related to "Clan hall", roughly
translating in the meaning of

"brotherhood". This word was
used to relate with Chinese

overseas organization -

benevolent organization.

the kongsi in Sarawak

Predominantly Hakka gold miners (the Hakkas in
Kalimantan and Sarawak originate from the four
Hakka districts in Kwangtung province
The miner's successful adaption to their new place
which is economically and socially is due to their
frontier organization, the kongsi.
The Kongsi formed the basis of the miner's political
and social organization.
It was an instrument of self-government and looked
after its members economic and social needs

LEARNING UNIT:13


MALAYSIA STUDENT
MOVEMENT

The movement is made up of a number

of university students who were

charged with outlining how


globalisation has affected Malaysia's

youth and student movements.

ANTI BRITISH

Anti-British sentiments include

prejudice, victimisation,


discrimination, fear, and hatred of

the British people, British


government, or British culture.

The taxation issue was a major

contributing factor to the colonies'

beginning to rebe l against "mother

England." Additionally, the colonies

argued that they sh ould not be taxed

without representation and disputed

England's legal authority to tax them.
The Revolutionary War had this as one of


its key causes.

International Issues

Malaysia is an ASEAN member. Additionally, it

is one of the Commonwealth's 54 self-governing


member states (formally the British

Commonwealth of Nations). Soldiers from

Malaysia have taken part in missions to maintain

peace in places like Bosnia, Somalia, Lebanon,

Cambodia, and the s outhern Philippines.

In 2006, Malaysia was chair of the 57-nation

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and

the Non-Aligned Nations. Malaysia is a visa-

free travel destination for citizens from most


Muslim countries

THE GOVERNMENT'S

RESPONSE

There was a dissolution of all student

organisations.
Student leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Idris Sanusi,

and Ibrahim Ali were detained by the ISA.
Reconstituted Studen t Representative
Councils (SRC) have limited authority and
freedom.