Introduction to Malaysian social History by the Humble Bee group
EDMUND BURKE “Those who don 't know history are destined to repeat it. ” i
Writers note Dear all, We are from the Development Planning and Management Programme (UNIMAS). As written on the cover page, we are the Humble Bee group proudly to show you our work. This assignment was diligently prepared by each of the group members. This assignment called E-booklet under the Introduction to Malaysian History course. Enjoy! ii
CONTENT A wise quote by Edmund Burke................................................ i Writers note............................................................................... ii Content...................................................................................... iii Topic 1 History and Social History......................................... 1-3 Topic 2 The Uses of History.................................................... 4-5 Topic 3 Official VS Missing History....................................... 6-10 Topic 4 Pre-History............................................................... 11-14 Topic 5 Ancient History........................................................ 15-17 Topic 6 Trade and Its Consequences......................................... 18 Topic 7 Creation of Modern SE Asia.................................... 19-20 Topic 8 Population, Immigrants and Ethnic Identity........... 21-23 Topic 9 Orang Asli......................................…...................... 24-29 Topic 10 Malaysian Women's Movement............................. 30-32 Topic 11 Politics of The Left/Labour Movement.................. 33-35 Topic 12 Secret Societies....................................................... 36-37 Topic 13 Malaysian Students Movement.............................. 38-39 iii
F •Social history examines the lives, experiences, and everyday activities of individuals and social groups, including marginalized populations, women, workers, minorities, and others often neglected by traditional history. Topic 1 HISTORY AND SOSIAL HISTORY E MPHASIS OCUS •History traditionally emphasizes political, military, economic, and diplomatic aspects, often focusing on significant events, leaders, and institutions. HISTORY •History includes methods, approaches and frameworks used by historians to study and interpret the past. •It provides a conceptual basis for understanding historical events, processes, and their significance. H T ANNALES SCHOOL: • This French school of historical thought, founded by Fernand Braudel, emphasizes long-term analysis of social, economic and environmental structures. • It aims to understand the underlying structures and processes that shape historical events, going beyond traditional political and military history. MARXIST THEORY : •Derived from the ideas of Karl marx, this appproach focuses on social and economic structures and class structures and class struggle as the driving force in history. •Marxist historians analyze the relationship between different classes and study how economic factors shape society and historical change. POSITIVISM : •This approach emphasizes the use of empirical evidence and scientific methods to uncover historical facts. •Positivist historians strive for objectivity and strive to uncover the truth of historical events through careful analysis of primary sources. I S T O R Y H E O R Y 1
P S HISTORY •Sosial history is a subfield of history that studies the life experience of individuals and group in the past. •It explores sosial structures, institutions, cultural practice, and the daily lives of people in the past. M •S A o T c E ia R l IA h L ist C o O ry ND p I a T y I s ON at : tention to material aspects of life, S including economic factors, labor relations, consumption patterns, and the built environment. •It examines how these material conditions shape social relationships and influence historical developments. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND COLLECTIVE DATA : •Social historians study social movements, grassroots activism, and collective action to understand how ordinary people mobilize for social change. •They explore the motivations, strategies, and impacts of these movements on society. •Historical research often involves constructing a narrative that presents a chronological sequence of events and analyzes their causes, consequences, and N broader historical significance. ARRATIVE ERSPECTIVES •History traditionally emphasizes political, military, economic, and diplomatic aspects, often focusing on significant events, leaders, and institutions. OCIAL O C I A L I S T O R Y H E O R Y SOCIAL STRUCTURES AND INSTITUTIONS : •Social historians analyze the various social structures, such as class, gender, race, and religion, that influence people ’ s lives and shape their interactions. •They investigate how these structures intersect and affect individuals and communities. H T 2
•Historians rely on various sources, including written documents, official records, archival materials, artifacts, and oral histories, to S reconstruct and interpret the past. OURCES End of Topic 1... 3
☆ Evidence & Perspective = Interpretation ☆ Perspectives change ☆ Perspectives depend on Actor’s position in history + their interests: Victors vs Losers; Elites vs Proletariat; Ethnic vs Class = different views about memory and remembering • Desire to remember and the awareness that memory confers power on those who remember • As useful knowledge where past experiences and examples can help improve humankind • Explore the meaning of life and death – a means of understanding humanity’s place on earth and what’s their destiny • Helps us better understand the present – current beliefs, practices, knowledge, way of life are rooted in the past • Provides lessons from the past – achievements and failures of past civilisations and people • Promotes awareness of our ancestral heritage – appreciate our rich cultural heritage, customs and practices; basis for personal identity The Uses of History Topic 2 The importance of Perspective Role of History (A): To tell the past as it really was; to be a ‘neutral’ arbiter of the ‘facts’ (esp. politics, diplomacy and war but within national boundaries!) – Ranke School Role of History (B): To tell the everyday story of ordinary people, events and things, economic history, history of human attitudes, and history that went beyond national boundaries – Annales School History is NOT neutral. It cannot be. ☆ Every individual, event, situation is embedded in class, race and gender. ☆ Every historian is embedded in their class, race and gender. Yong Mun Cheong (2000): Wang Gungwu (1968): 4
Male dominated Old focus vs. young Powerful vs. weak Articulate vs. silent Winners vs. ‘Losers ’ Hate vs. love/War vs. Peace Terrorist or Freedom Fighter History – true/distorted/ false BIAS IN HISTORY History as bias/one-sided Doing history ♡ Glass of water example - Evidence = facts = description (insufficient by itself) - Perspective = interpretation/meaning using logic/common sense (also insufficient by itself) ♡ History as fact & interpretation (i.e. interpretation of facts) History is Connected ♡ Inter-linked and interrelated/networked history ♡ Historical events do not occur only in one place ♡ Series of circumstances leading up to it The End of Topic 2 ... 5
Reality is that the struggle for a new country - Malaya/Malaysia - was more inclusive and saw the involvement of Chinese, Indians, Rich, Poor, left-wing and conservative elements. (e.g. Sybil Kathigesu, Ong Boon Hua, Gurchan Singh) Topic 3 : Official vs Missing History of Malaysia Missing history is a historical moment that is forgotten and not encoded and still be question until now. 6
Missing History : Example Life as the River Flows (Agnes Khoo & Richard Crisp) (http://www.palgravejournals.com/fr/journal/v96/n1/pdf/fr201022a .pdf) (Book Review) Women in the Malayan anti-colonial struggle Langub, Jayl and Daniel Chew (n.d.), His Story, Her Story: Chinese-Iban Inter-marriages in Engkelili and Lubok Antu, mimeo. Where Monsoons Meet – A People ’ s History of Malaya (http://www.tindakmalaysia.com /showthread.php/1802-WhereMonsoons-Meet-Part-1-of-8) - Ordinary peoples ' view of how Malaya became independent and not just the UMNO view 7
Video – “Small Loans; Changed Lives ” How ordinary rubber tappers and oil palm estate workers organised and transformed their own lives. Missing History : Example Video – “Mothers of Bakun & Empty Promises, Damned Lives ” -An alternative view of development 8
OFFICIAL HISTORY : HISTORY MESSAGES MISSING - BRUNEI AND SULU OFFICIAL HISTORY OFFICIAL HISTORY - COLONIAL STORY Physical description of Malaysia = existing territory & states (with Singapore pre-1965) Colonial Beginnings -Portuguese Control of Malacca 1511-1642 -Dutch Control of Malacca, 1642-mid 1700s -English/British Era, 1786-1941. -Foreign powers in Sarawak (ceded to Brooke Rajahs, 1841 - 1941) -Foreign powers in Sabah (ceded in perpetuity to Baron Von Overbeck and Albert Dent - British North Borneo Company for Sp$5000/year or US$1800/presently.) Missing! : Role of the Sultans under Colonialism -The Kingdom of Malacca - Hang Tuah (Malays will never vanish from this earth) = Malays culture as the social basis of Malaysian society. -Malacca 1403-1511 Dynamic Sultanate with multi-ethnic visiting traders = Power and right to govern in a modern multi-cultural society are the preserve of the Malays. -Malacca as a trading, cultural and administrative hub for the whole archipelago. 9
Natural geological formations = Malaysia very old Human bones in caves (Niah) & stone tools (Perak and Sabah) (Palaeolithic period) = evidence of ancient human occupation (@ 40,000 BCE) OFFICIAL HISTORY - PRE-HISTORY MESSAGES Bujang Valley (Hindu, Buddhist) Santubong (Hindu, Buddhist & Muslim) Diverse beliefs and active trade relations between “Malaysia” and other parts of the world, esp India, Arabia and China (Sri Vijayan Influences) Megalithic (giant carved stones) artifacts in Peninsular, Sabah and Swk = existence of diversity of lifestyles and cultures during Srivijaya period. Evidence of major settlements 1. 2. 10
TOPIC 4 : PRE-HISTORY Archaeology a systematic study of the material remains of human behaviour in the past. (Fagan, 1983) Prehistory the portion of human history that extends back before the time of written documents and archive (Fagan, 1983) Archaeology & Nationalism Trigger (1984:358) notes that "most archaeological traditions are probably nationalistic in orientation". Nationalist archaeology "is probably strongest amongst peoples who feel politically threatened, insecure or deprived of their collective rights" 11
Archaeology & Nationalism : Example Out of Malaysia theory for development of modern humans "The discovery of evidence (stone hand-axe) dated at more than 1.83 million years at Bukit Bunuh could propose a new theory to substitute the present theory (the Out of Africa theory)" (Mokhtar Saidin,2012: 13) Message: Malaysia as the place of origin for modern humans In the Out of Africa theory, the area now as known as Malaysia was only a land-bridge on the way to Australia Prehistory of "Malaysia" Most of the people ("indigenous") in the region are Austronesian-speaking (same ethnolinguistic group of mankind) Majority are Mongoloid physical stock of mankind Why Indo Malaysian Archipelago? Next.... 12
The real story : Stephen Oppenheimer – study of mtDNA Modern humans migrated from Africa, 200,000 years ago, reaching SE Asia between 85,000-55,000 years ago. The Semang and the Proto-Malays are direct descendants of the first humans who stepped foot in SE Asia – original settlers. SE Asian (including the Malays) share some Orang Asli genetic lineages. SE Asians would disperse to China and later to Americas. Conclusion: From SE Asia to China, south to north migration, as opposed to Austronesian migration, north to south from Taiwan/Southern China to SE Asia. Stephen Oppenheimer On the origin of the Malays: “About half from island Southeast Asia, about the other half mainland Southeast Asia. There are other origins which we are doing research into right now. Ultimately, they came out of Africa and their ancestors arrived here over 60,000 or more years ago.”… “I think that the Orang Asli are slightly different in the sense that they show evidence of being in the same place (Malay peninsula) right from the start. If one is talking about the rest of Southeast Asia, including the Malays, the effect of rising waters which pushed people all around in Indonesia has meant a lot more mixing. It is within Southeast Asia.” (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/187435) 13
Lessons learned: Austronesian migration: Linguistic, cultural and archaeological evidence. Origin of Malays in SE Asia: Genetic evidence. Many questions regarding human origins remain to be answered. Human history is a history of migrations (even the Orang Asli migrated from somewhere) – can any group really claim to be Bumiputera? Migrations are never simple – never one-way, but in multiple directions. Ultimately, all humans may share the same origin – Africa! History will always be used to serve a nationalistic the end of topic 4..... 14
•The founding of Indian kingdoms on mainland or insular Southeast Asia: The expansion of an organized culture that was founded upon the Indian concept of royalty, characterized by Hinduist or Buddhist cults, and expressed in Sanskrit language (Coedes 1968) •“…preserved the essentials of their individual cultures [indigenous] and developed them, each according to its own genius.” (Coedes 1968: 34) Early Kingdoms in SE Asia/Malay Archipelago topic 5 Ancient History of ‘Malaysia ’: The Influence of India Some examples - common characteristic: HinduBuddhist: Sailendra (e.g. Borobodur temple) Mataram (e.g. Prambanan temple) Khmer (Angkor Wat) The “Indianization” of Southeast Asia Influence of India on Malay Culture •Kingship •Ceremonial •Administration •Language •Literature •Arts and architecture •Beliefs •Practices 15
By the 4th century AD, coastal states in what is now Peninsular Malaysia regularly conducted intra- and extra-regional trade (forest goods and luxury items). Several kingdoms and entrepôts appeared on the Malay Peninsula and other parts of Southeast Asia. The majority of these were situated on the coast (e.g. Kuala Selinsing, Bujang Valley, Santubong), although there were some inland kingdoms (e.g. Chih Tu [in Kelantan?]) Malay Peninsula: From pre- to proto-history 16
Historical interpretations Originated as a secular festivity to enable young men and women to meet – to look for future life partners Might have been the result of MalayTamil interaction in the past The addition of the term Safar to Mandi might have occurred after the adoption of Islam especially during the time of the Melaka Sultanate to make the practice more acceptable to the Islamic society. In the same way, the added explanation of the purpose to achieve spiritual purity. Malaysia, like the rest of SE Asia/Malay Archipelago, has a Hindu-Buddhist past. Many aspects of our culture today are results of early interactions with the “Indian ” civilisation/culture Conclusions the end of topic 5..... 17
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'City' in archaeological terms is ambiguous (Miksic, 2000) Early Urbanization on Mainland Southeast Asia: Oc-eo, Mekong Valley, Burma, & Angkor, Cambodia(Miksic, 2000). Malaya was one of country in southeast Asia that become modern during European administration. Trading and easy access to local chiefs give them advantages to control resources (charcoal, herbs etc.) Factors that lead Europeans intrested to Malaya: 1. TOPIC 7 CREATION OF MODERN SE ASIA 19
2. Local control over resourses fluid & ever changing 3. A fast changing world fueled by the industrial revolution able to create a new market, resourses & new scientific discovery. Northern Malay States (NMS) 1782 East India Company (EIC) Anglo-Dutch Treaty 1824 Chinese Colonial Immigrant Labour in Penang : Bringing the existence of various Chinese clans E.g. Chew jetty, 20
A society who has their own traditions, language, or social ideas ·Ethnic is a term for the minority groups in the country. It also refers to a society that living in a nation where most of the people have their own group. Ethnic: c Come from Late Latin word identitas then hanged to Latin, iden(idem) p C e ontaining particular features that no other rson or item matches Identity: A person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently Refer to people who live outside of their nation of birth, Immigrants: All the people living in a particular country, area, or place The total number of people inhabiting a country, city, or any district or area. Population: TOPIC 8 Population, Immigrants and Ethnic Identity To be continued... 21
‘Race ’ first appeared (1891 Straits Settlement census appendix) But 1891 census utilized the term ‘Nationality ’ when describing the various sections of the population and ‘tribe ’ when discussing the various Chinese dialect groups (Merewether 1892): 11) Racial classification used in the census included a fluid mixture of ethnicities, languages, nationalities, and religions, changing over time but always ranked in order of political importance (Anderson 2002: 164, Hirschman 1987: 562). British colonial practices = high level of migration = created Malaya ’ s/Malaysia ’ s diverse/plural society. Ethnic categories driven by ideological imperatives 1850-1920: Large scale in-migration esp. Chinese, Indian, Java & Sumatra Malay – language of regional trade Maintain boundary between colonizer and the colonized - defining the boundary for being a European was essential Next.... Category: British Malaya (1921, 1931, 1947, 1957) Federated Malay States (1901, 1911) Straits Settlements (1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911) The Creation of ‘Malay ’ Ethnicity: Cencus 1911 Federated Malay States census: ‘Sakai’ recognized as a category. Jakun was recognized in the 1921 census 1931 census recognized additional ethnicities – Semang, Jakun and Orang Mantra, but enumerated them together as “Nomadic Aboriginals ” (Nathan 1922: 2, Vlieland 1932: 102). Linguistic differences were used to determine differences between the groups. 1947 census had a longer listing of ethnic categories of Aborigines, which were Negrito, Jakun, Semai (aka Semak, Senoi), Sisek (Besisi), Semelai and Temiar. Indegenous People To be continued... 22
Next.... 27 Categories with Europeans and Americans, Armenians, Jews listed at the top, followed by Eurasians, and an alphabetically listing of twenty-three (23) other populations, which included Chinese, Malays, Manila men, Hindus, and etc. (Hirschman 1987: 562). Strait Settlements Census (1871) reflects the ethnic diversity in British Malaya: 23
Topic 9 orang asli •A heterogeneous group, they are widely dispersed in all states in Peninsular Malaysia. •The term “Orang Asli” is a collective term for the 19 sub-ethnic groups officially classified for administrative purposes under three main categories; Senoi, Negrito and Aboriginal Malay. •Today, the Orang Asli population numbers about 150,000, representing a mere 0.5 per cent of the national population. 24
before ww2 Proto-Malays – close contact with the Malays for hundreds of years There is evidence to show that many modern Malays have some Proto-Malay blood Many Proto-Malays have been assimilated into the Malay communities – many have converted into Islam The Senoi and the Negrito (jungle-dwelling), however, were more isolated from the outside world before WW2 •This does not mean that the Semai and Negrito had no contacts at all with other communities. • •There is ample evidence to show that particularly the Senoi obtained commodities such as salt, jungle knives (parang) and metal axe heads by selling or exchanging jungle produce in the form of rotan, jelutong, bamboo and other items. • •Some of the more enterprising young men also worked from time to time as labourers on estates, timber sites or other enterprises. •In some parts of the region, the Orang Asli had important leadership roles and at times even oversaw Malay subjects (Nicholas, 2000: 74–75). • •Indeed, they played an important role in the formation of the Melaka empire in the 15th century (Andaya, 2002). • •Hang Tuah was of Orang Laut background (?), native to Melaka (Andaya & Andaya 2001:74) - One of the duties of a Laksamana during the Melaka period was to command the Orang Laut fleets that were considered vital for the defence of the kingdom in times of war 25
•E.g. European tin-miners, colonial administrators, managers of rubber estates and, in some cases, their female relations. •Chinese members of armed political organisations and bandit gangs, the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), the Kuomintang or Chinese National Party (KMT) •It was necessary from time to time, however, for some of them to retreat to deep jungle and to use courier-routes which passed through Orang Asli areas. This was particularly the case with members of the Malayan Peoples' Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA), the armed wing of the MCP. •Friendly contacts made by many Chinese with the Orang Asli before the war became invaluable during the Occupation •Dec1941 - Feb 1942: Japanese invaders swept from Kota Bharu in the north to Singapore •Many individuals and organisations took refuge in the hills and forests. The Japanese Occupation 26
The Emergency (1948-1960) After centuries of relative isolation they experienced considerable and often brutal contact with warring factions of outsiders. Despite unfortunate episodes and bitter experiences, the armed struggle of the Emergency brought much benefit to the jungle communities. The Government, which formerly ignored and neglected them, now took an active and extensive interest in Orang Asli welfare and development. 27
health, education, and development education •Orang Asli have 5.5 times the incidence of tuberculosis as the national average • •53.6% of the total malaria cases recorded in Peninsular Malaysia in 2003 (this is despite their very small population!) • •80% of Orang Asli children are undernourished and stunted, many have intestinal worms, protozoa, anaemia, dental caries and vitamin A deficiency • •Health problems made worse by poverty health (Schools, Clinics, Roads, Public Amenities OR Dams and Resettlement) – (Traditional lifestyle, culture, beliefs, interaction with modern world) development •Overall enrollment has increased significantly • •But, dropout cases are high – disproportionately higher than national average • •In 2007, 36.2% of Orang Asli primary schoolchildren did not continue to secondary level • •A significant number have never attended school at all (so, they do not figure in the statistics) • •In 2007, a total of 7,029 Orang Asli children below age 12 had never been to school at all 28
References Orang Asli • •Jones, A. (1968). The Orang Asli: An Outline of their Progress in Modern Malaya. Journal of Southeast Asian History Vol. 9 (2): 286-305 • •Nicholas, C. (2010). The Orang Asli and the UNDRIP: From Rhetoric to Recognition. Subang Jaya, Malaysia: Centre for Orang Asli Concerns and Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia • •Rusaslina Idrus (2011). The Discourse of Protection and the Orang Asli in Malaysia, Kajian Malaysia Vol. 29, Supp. 1: 53-74) • Origin Myths • •Creation Myths of the World: http://maghon.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/0/3/20035969/small_creation- myths-of-the-world.pdf • •Nowak, Barbara (2004), Btsisi’ , Blandas, and Malays. Ethnicity and Identity in the Malay Peninsula Based on Btsisi’ Folklore and Ethnohistory: http://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/655 29
TOPIC 10 : MALAYSIAN WOMEN’S MOVEMENT Historical emphasis on men = women ignored A question of social prejudice and age-old discrimination; patriarchy in society Women viewed as housewives, mothers, daughters, homemakers, emotionally fragile, gentle, caring, sweet, pretty, etc. etc. = not history material Reality = Women making history (herstory) but much undocumented MWM – Unknown Story Malay women became teachers and many got involved in women’s organisations Chinese women – got involved in political movements reflecting situation in China; joined nationalist (KMT) and communist movements (CPM) (e.g. Li Qiu, Lin Guan Yin) Indian women – joined Indian Independence Movement led by Chandra Subha Bose (Rani of Jhansi Regiment, Indian National Army, eg. Rasammah Bhupalan, Janaki Athi Nahappan) Impact of Education in Early Malaya/Malaysia Early 20th Century Arab reform movements also influenced local education (promoted women’s education, legal reforms, rights of women to work and end to veiling of women) Main purpose – not to undermine women’s traditional role; not to encourage participation in public life but to make women more efficient housekeepers MWM – Early Emancipation/Colonial period Early 1900s: Educational Reform to meet needs of modernising colonial economy Growing bureaucracy and private-sector needed trained and Westernised local elites Formal schooling for girls – important cos’ girls from upper classes made good wives for local elites MWM – Early Emancipation/Colonial period 30
MWM - NATIONALIST & LABOUR AWAKENINGS Women accepted the idea and spirit of modernity but also became catalysts for political change against colonial rule Malay women – set up Persatuan Kaum Ibu Selangor (Kaum Ibu) – with 36 other Malay organisations formed UMNO – nucleus for Wanita UMNO (1971) Heavily involved in anti-Malayan Union struggle; men depended on women to make up the numbers for demonstrations As Wanita UMNO – chief gatherers of votes for party; BUT no role in leadership or social change 1950s: Khatijah Sidek (Kaum Ibu leader) – pushed for gender equality and greater women’s representation in UMNO; also independent women’s wing and more women electoral candidates – instead got expelled from UMNO for ‘indiscipline’ 1973: Aishah Ghani (Wanita UMNO Leader) –proposed legal reforms to Muslim Marriage and Divorce Laws - BUT opposed by conservative Religious Council and UMNO Youth 1976: Wanita UMNO asked for women to be appointed Ketua Kampong – overruled as being “un-Islamic” Left wing activists more aggressive in promoting women’s rights but subsumed under class and race mobilisation PUTERA – coalition of left-wing Malay groups; AMCJA coalition of left-wing non-Malay groups 1947-drafted Peoples’ Constitution – a.o. Promised “equal rights and opportunities for all regardless of race, creed or sex” AWAS (PUTERA) & Women’s Federation (AMCJA) – pushed for women’s representation and suffrage for women Very activist but banned by British Colonial Government in 1948 Women active in labour strikes throughout Malaya before and after WWII Labour movement struggles – 1939 strike in Klang Estate – protest against sexual harassment of women workers Women active in post-independence struggles for women’s rights: 1962-1965, Labour Party celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 – Produced special booklets, passed resolutions demanding equal pay for women, demanded govt recognise IWD; mainly Chinese women who were industrial workers Post-1970 industrialisation: Women activism declined, mainly Malay and rural women workers in FTZs, only significant strike in Penang FTZ, 1985. Industrial militancy in decline. Early years – participatory democracy in the making – women played a role Divided into two streams – Mainstream (women in ruling political parties) and non-Mainstream (left-wing, labour and feminist groups) Mainstream tightly controlled, non-MS less so but both limited by patriarchal and authoritarian state and social structures CONCLUSION 31
POST-INDEPENDENCE MS WOMEN MOVEMENTS (MAINSTREAM) Nation-building led to expansion of education for women, industrial employment – alongside rural farm/plantation work 1st generation women – modern and liberal outlook – took up struggle to protect and enhance their new-found status. Why? Because while women recruited into teaching, nursing, admin and clerical sector, their rights as employees not guaranteed. Had to lobby for full rights. 1960: Set up National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO) - Initially multi-racial and urban-based women professionals Lobbying esp. Equal pay issue; full rights for working women; divorce maintenance; entry of women into civil, diplomatic and legal services; better income tax and pension arrangements for married women; women as jurors; appt of Muslim women to Islamic Boards and Councils Some success but not complete: women in civil service but glass ceiling limitations NCWO did not extend campaigns to rural women and those working in informal sector; also neglected industrial women workers (since wage negotiations politic Also, NCWO approach is non-confrontational – thus Mainstream approach MWM – WOMEN’S AGENDA FOR CHANGE AND REFORMASI Reformasi brought about the idea that women should enter politics and campaign solely on social reforms to advance the cause of women – 7 groups, ie. WDC, MTUC Women’s Section, AWAM, Friends of Women, JIM, SIS and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Women’s Section No opposition from any Muslim women’s group to WAC Group pushed for Independent Woman Candidate to contest on gender-issues campaign – Zaitun (Toni) Kasim (Selayang); to take Women’s Issues straight into parliament (WCI) Led to huge media focus on their campaign – although Toni lost but got lots of support and reduced BN majority by 56% END OF TOPIC 10..... 32
A common understanding of capitalism is as an economic system where individuals own and control property according to their interests and where supply and demand freely determine market prices in a way that can best benefit society. The desire to turn a profit is capitalism ' s fundamental characteristic. (Sarwat Jahan,2015) CAPITALISM Malaysia ' s economic system mixes capitalism, with minimal or no involvement from the government and market freedom. EXAMPLE TOPIC 11 : POLITICS OF THE LEFT / LABOUR MOVEMENT 33
Left wing · Politics of the Left are political positions or activities that accept or support social equality, often in opposition to social hierarchy and social inequality. · ‘Left Wing ’ referred to communism, socialism, the civil rights movement, anti-war movements, and some environmental movements. The component of a political movement made up of members who hold traditional or conservative viewpoints: The part of a political movement that supports or has a connection with the Right Right wing 34
SOCIALISM A populist economic and political structure, socialism is founded on the common, collective, or public ownership of the means of production (Will Kenton,2023) Socialism also a system in which people can still own private property, but governments elected by voters own and control industries and other major sources of wealth generation. Example The government providing commodities such public welfare initiatives, hospitals, schools, and public transportation to obtain the wealth that has been created by the workers and properly divide it among people. 35
• Secret societies have long been a world phenomenon. • Not a new phenomena – there is a history • Yakuza, Black Dragon Society (Japan), The Ku Klux Klan (US), Poro (Africa), Mafia (Italy) and Freemasons. • Among the oldest - Thugee (around 13th century) White Lotus (14 century), the Dragon Court ( arou~nd 1403) and Rosicrucian Order (1607). Introduction Topic 12 Secret Societies Who involved? • Exclusive to certain people. • Objectives and shared interests. • Some have their own code of communications either writing or verbal communications. • A hierarchy and leaders with titles such as Don, Capo, Ayahanda, Grand Master, Dragon Master, etc. How about Malaya/Malaysia? ♡ Perak Wars and Klang Wars = involving Chinese Kongsi. ♡ Two prominent Chinese Kongsi mentioned – Hai San and Ghee Hin. ♡ These two Kongsis fought each other for controlling the tin mine in Perak and Selangor. ♡ Their conflict became part of the civil war in Perak and Selangor. ♡ Then the British coming to settle the problem in Perak with Pangkor Treaty. ♡ In Selangor – the problem settle with the defeat of Tengku Mahadi and began the British intervention in Selangor. 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. ♡ It was normally organization same clan and same surname – aimed at assisting their clan members esp migrants from China in adjusting to life in Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo, etc. SS in Malaya ♡ Chinese SS had root from China – against the Imperial Dynasty i.e. the Ch’ing Dynasty – Honman case in point, related to the Heaven and Earth Society (Tiandihui) in Fujian. ♡ based on dialect – Hai San mostly Hakka plus Hokkien, Teochew, Foochow etc – Ghee Hin on other hand dominated by Cantonese. ♡ To protect their own clan when the Chinese Immigrants came to Malaya. ♡ a blood oath will be taken to those whose want to became member of Chinese SS. ♡ Temples became center for the Chinese SS’s activities. 36
Conflict with Government ◇ Despite their positive founding principles of mutual assistance and bonding, SS have, over time, come to conjure up impressions of violence and disorder. ◇ Several riots had occurred – the Penang Riots of 1867 and the Post Office Riots 1876 (Singapore). ◇ Several measure used to deter the SS such as the Societies Ordinance of 1889. ◇ The British govt. also arrested several of the kongsi members in order to suppress their activities. ◇ The British effort reduced the fighting between the kongsi but could not eliminate all of them. ◇ In Sarawak, the Brooke government imposed death penalty to active and leading member of the SS. ◇ Case in point: the Ghee Hin – 6 sentenced to death, 11 imprisonment and 7 pardoned by Rajah Brooke. How about SS in other communities? ♡ Secret Societies not only confined to the Chinese. ♡ Malays - either joined the Chinese or set up their own SS. ♡ Early/well known Malay SS - the Red (bendera merah) and White Flag (bendera putih) in Penang. Malay SS – Reasons for Emergence ♡ Malay SS emerged cos’ no organization could protect and look after Islamic Affairs. ♡ The need for protection against the high crime rate in Penang. ♡ Formed Boria Troupes ♡ Also to avoid the Muslim joined the Chinese secret societies. ♡ However the Muslim in Penang became divided because of rivalry between the Islamic leaders (mainly business rivalry). Other states ♡ WF and RF had their branch in Perak. ♡ Both of these groups used football clubs to hide their activities such as Darul Makmor football Club, Darul Aishen Football Club and Jelutong Football Club. ♡ In Perlis had two local Malay secret societies - Tuan Bulat and Sofian Club. ♡ Originally both SC related to the princes, who not chosen as a king and tried to challenge the chosen Sultan/Raja. ♡ But their efforts fail, and gradually the SC involved crime activities – assassination, extortion and stealing livestock especially buffaloes. Other Secret Societies ♡ The SS in Malaysia not only confined to crime or clan society. ♡ There also emerging the politics and nationalism. ♡ Several of Malay and Chinese nationalisms used secretive way to organize their movement. ♡ Therefore emerged several left wing organizations which had nationalist ideas – such as PKMM, CCP, CCO, AWAS, INSAF, HIZBUL MUSLIMIN etc. International Secret Society ♡ The coming of the British brought not only capitalism but also their culture to Malaya. ♡ This included the SS. ♡ Freemason had been formed in Penang with opened Lodge Neptune in 1806. ♡ From Penang, the Freemason had been formed in KL (1889), Klang, Seremban, Malacca, Sungai Petani, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Beaufort. How about today? ♡ Thought effort has been done to suppress the secret society in Malaysia but they still existing in secretive form. ♡ Today the government has released 49 group names which related to vice activities. ♡ Among these groups are Geng 04, Geng 08, Double 7, Tiga Line, Sio Sam Ong, Hai San (Semenanjung Malaysia), Batu Tiga, Batu 10, Sibu Ti (Sarawak), Otai, Atap and Borneo Red EMP (Sabah). ♡ These groups were wide spread to several states – Geng 04 - Kedah, Penang, Johor Baharu and Kuala Lumpur and Double 7 – all states in Semenanjung Malaysia. The End of Topic 12 ... 37
Topic 13 Malaysian Student Movement · The Malaysian student movement refers to the collective actions and activism undertaken by students in Malaysia to advocate for various social, political, and educational issues. · Malaysian students have a long history of engaging in movements and protests to express their concerns, demand change, and promote their rights and interests. ACTIVISM · Student activism refers to the collective actions and engagement of students in advocating for social, political, and educational change. · It is characterized by students actively voicing their concerns, organizing protests, demonstrations, and campaigns, and seeking to influence public opinion and policy decisions. · Student activism has a long history and has been a driving force in social movements and societal transformations around the world. Your paragraph text Here are some key aspects of student activism : 1. Issue-oriented · Student activism typically centers around specific issues or causes. 2. Protests and Demonstrations · Student activists frequently use protests, demonstrations, marches, and sit-ins as means to express their discontent, demand attention, and put pressure on authorities and institutions. 3. Solidarity and Collaboration · Student activism often involves collaboration with other activist groups, civil society organizations, and social movements. 4. Education and Learning · Student activism provides an opportunity for students to engage in experiential learning outside the traditional classroom setting. 5. Long-lasting Impact · Student activism can have significant long-term effects, both on individual students and society as a whole. 38
Topic 13 Malaysian Student Movement COLLECTIVE · Collective action refers to the coordinated efforts and activities of a group of individuals who come together to address common concerns, advocate for change, or achieve common goals. · These actions usually aim to bring about social, political or economic transformation and are driven by a sense of solidarity and common purpose among the participants. · Collective action can take many forms, including protests, demonstrations, strikes, boycotts and campaigns. Here are some key aspects of student collective action : 1. Common Goals · Collective action arises from a shared concern or desire for change. 2. Mobilization and Organization · Collective action involves mobilizing individuals and organizing their efforts. 3. Strength in Numbers · The power of collective action lies in the collective strength and unity of the participants. 4. Grassroots and Bottom-Up Approaches · Collective action often stems from grassroots movements, driven by ordinary individuals who are directly affected by the issues at hand. 5. Nonviolent Resistance Many collective actions use nonviolent methods of resistance. 6. Public Awareness and Engagement · Collective action plays an important role in raising awareness of social issues and mobilizing public support. 7. Influence and Impact Successful collective action can lead to significant results. They can bring about policy change, shift public opinion, and create lasting social impact. ACTION -the end- 39
1.Ann Navratilova Anak Michael Brundang (83263) 2. Nurul Amirah Binti Abdul Rahim (85338) 3. Nurasyurah Binti Rahim (85239) 4. Priscilla Suzyian Valentine (85475) 5. Siti Nur Ayuni Binti Herman (87006) 6. Yap Siao Chiee (86081) 7. Willxcon Bin William (87095) 8. Massyahrulekmal BinHasbi (84446) OUR TEAM