(Group 8) SSF1033 Malaysia Social History Booklet

(SSF1033) INTRODUCTION TO

MALAYSIAN
SOCIAL
HISTORY

FACULTY SCIENCE SOCIAL AND
HUMANITIES

UW6762001 SOCIAL WORK
SEMESTER 1 (2021/2022)

Lecturer: Dr. Adibah binit Yusuf
Group Assignment Digital Booklet

GROUP 8

1, GIL PHELIZ ANAK ALFIAN (79479)
2. HANI KARMILA BINTI NARAWI (79511)
3. AGNES NYIPAN ANAK SABANG (78654)

4. NURIDZAH BINTI SU'UT (82051)
5. INGRID NOVERIE MORIS (81789)
6. NADZIRAH BINTI MOHAMAD YAHYA (80319)
7. NUR ALYSHA NATASHA BINTI RENO (81981)
8. SITTI NURHAZIQAH BINTI ANDI HJ ISMAIL (82168)

INTRODUC TIONS

SYNOPSIS

This course explores the social, political, economic and cultural
transformation of Malaysia and its impact upon the lives of ordinary
people as it has occurred from pre-history to the present. Taking a
social science approach, it shall discuss both the dominant
(stereotypical) and alternative interpretations of Malaysian social
history and in the process illuminate how history-making occurs and
what memory is preserved in society, and why. Through this
approach, this course hopes to explain how history and history-
making affects the formation of a Malaysian social identity, the
forging of a nation-state and the decisions that ultimately influence
the on-going processes of social change and development. Thus, to
this end, some key themes of Malaysian social history shall also be
explored, but not necessarily in a chronological order.

CONTENTS

LU 1: HISTORY AND SOCIAL HISTORY
LU 2: THE USES OF HISTORY
LU 3: OFFCIAL VS MISSING HISTORY
LU 4: PRE-HISTORY
LU 5: ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE MALAY
ARCHIPELAGO
LU 6: TRADE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
CREATION OF MODERN SE ASIA
LU 7: POPULATION, IMMIGRANTS AND
IDENTITY
LU 8: ORANG ASLI & ORANG ASAL
LU 9: MALAYSIA WOMEN'S MOVEMENT
LU 10: POLITICS OF THE LEFT/ LABOUR
MOVEMENT
LU 11: SECRET SOCIETIES
LU 12: MALAYSIA STUDENTS MOVEMENT

LU 1: History & Social History

What is history?
The study of how things change over time is known as
history, and it encompasses all aspects of human society.
Political, social, economic, scientific, technological, medical,
cultural, intellectual, religious, and military changes are all
part of history.
History is also the study of past events through information
discovery, collection, management, and presentation.
History can also refer to the period of time that has passed
since the creation of a written record. Professional
historians typically specialize in a particular aspect of
history, a particular time period, a particular historical
method, or a particular geographic region.

History within the social science
Any branch of academic study or science that deals with human
behavior in its social and cultural aspects is referred to as social
science. Cultural (or social) anthropology, sociology,
psychology, political science, and economics are commonly
included in the social sciences. Many people consider
historiography to be a social science, and certain areas of
historical study are nearly indistinguishable from work done in
the social sciences. Furthermore, history is methological
approach within the social sciences as background and
analytical tool.

History vs Historiography
Definition
History is the event or period and the study of it while
Historiography is the study of how history was written, who
wrote it, and what factors influenced how it was written.

Nature
When you study history, you study past events, whereas
historiography studies changing interpretations of past events
in the works of individual historians. Historiography also
investigates how history was written, who wrote it, and what
influenced how it was written.

Conclusion
Historiography is the study of written history or the study of the
writing of history, whereas history is the study of the past,
especially as it relates to human affairs. In summary, the main
distinction between history and historiography is that history
studies past events, whereas historiography studies changing
interpretations of past events in the works of individual
historians

History & Evidence
The reconstruction of the past has always relied on
evidence from past events. This means that history cannot
be written without evidence, No evidence = No history(does
not mean it never existed or never happened but we cannot
record or study it! So effectively, non-existent!).
Evidence in history is defined as "materials" that provide
indications or proofs of the existence of historical events
and evidence also must be checked and verified.
Types of evidence:

1.written word
2.oral stories
3. bones
4. artifacts
5.cave art
6.buried settlements

Social History
Social history is a branch of history that focuses on social
structures and the interactions of various groups in society
rather than state affairs.
Social History – Emphasis on evidence about humans or
linked to human society; esp ordinary humans!
e.g. Environmental data = Climate change = impact on earth
and human society

History & Actors
Historical actors are most often people, but they can also be
organisations (including governments), demographic groups
(such as labourers), or ideas (such as democracy).

History did not just happen.
Involved individuals, groups, whole societies.
Events happened in specific places and at particular times.
Involved men and women; old and young, healthy and sick;
religious and non-religious.
Reality: History is multi-dimensional; even cuts across
space and time.
History as Jigsaw puzzle/mosaic: We only know bits and
pieces; we are slowly putting things together.
Problem is: We have been fed/taught only one dominant
version of history – political, state-centred history (aka
Nationalism).
Historical events reflects choices of powerful people and
the powerless.

Types of History: Dominant
Nationalist History: For nation-building, often involving
propaganda inventing our own 'greatness' and
'uniqueness'; good vs. bad.
Stigmas and dominant political narratives are reinforced
(e.g. UMNO and Malays; indigenous vs immigrants; Sultans
as Protectors; Malacca and Islam; Malaysia Boleh Story).
There is no connection to outside history other than
"fighting against colonialism" and "foreign domination."

LU 2: The Uses of History

Why study History? What can
we learn from history?

Wang Gungwu (1968)
1.The desire to remember and the

realisation that memory bestows
power on those who remember.
2.As useful knowledge in which
previous experiences and
examples can aid in the
advancement of humanity.
3.Investigate the meaning of life
and death as a means of
comprehending humanity's place
on the planet and their ultimate
fate.

Yong Mun Cheong (2000):
1.Helps us better understand the

present.
2.Provides lessons from the past.
3.Promotes awareness of our

ancestral heritage.
4.Understand how people think and

feel.
5.Develop critical and analytical

skills

The Importance of Perspective
1.Evidence & Perspective = Interpretation
2.Perspectives change (e.g. The purpose of
Colonialism: Civilising mission vs.
Exploitation)
3.Perspectives are influenced by the actor's
historical position as well as their interests:
Victors vs. losers; Elites vs. Proletariat; Ethnic
vs. Class = Distinct perspectives on memory
and remembering

Role Of History
1.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.
2.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

Post World War II: New Nations, New
Countries

1.During World War II, the British promised to
defend the people of Singapore. However, they
were ultimately more concerned with Britain's
defence, leaving Singapore at the mercy of the
Japanese. The fall of Singapore to the Japanese
teaches us that we should not be so naive as to
entrust the defence of our people to others.

2.Identity construction-creating a "imagined
identity" of what it meant to be a citizen of a
country.

3.A strong desire for national identity and unity.

LU 3: Official vs Missing History

History
“Any event, person or artifact that provides evidence of
Malay or Malaysian achievement and progress”.

Pre-independence history
Individuals or movements that resisted British intrusion
into Malaya.

Official History
Provides framework of understanding for Malaysians.
Text book often used by the respective government or
authorities of one country to present the official state
history to the people.
It is selective (includes and excludes) people, events,
decisions.
Sees the country through the eyes of the government
Official history used by the authorities to convey particular
messages.
Examples:

1.Human bones in caves (Niah) & stone tools (Perak and
Sabah) (Palaeolithic period) = evidence of ancient human
occupation (@ 40,000 BCE).

2.The Kingdom of Malacca = Malays are here to stay. Malays
and Malay culture as the social basis of Malaysian society.

Missing History
The untold truth or untold stories of certain historical
events
The untouched topics or stories of certain history.
The untold history of one country on what really happened,
why did the events happened, who really responsible of the
events, who involved in the events, when did it really
happened, where did the events really unfold.
Examples:

1.Who really was responsible for creating Malaysia?
2.Was struggle for Independence only an UMNO/Malay

struggle?

LU 4: Prehistory of The Malay Archipelago

I. Archaeology
A systematic study of the material remains of human
behavior in the past (Fagan, 1983).
Archaeologists will study the material objects such as
artifacts or human bones left by previous human.
The material remains are very useful because they tell how
the people lived during the times when written records were
hardly made.

II. Prehistory
The portion of human history that extends back before the
time of written documents and archive (Fagan, 1983).
It is the period of time in history before information was
documented.

II. Out-of-Africa Theory
Ancestors of modern humans evolved in Africa.
Homo erectus migrated out of Africa c.2 million years ago
and populated the Old World.
The idea that humans are descended from Africans who
migrated to all around the world.
Evidence:
Homo erectus specimens were found in Africa, in Europe
(Dmanisi, Georgia) and Asia (Peking Man, Java Man).

V. Out-of-Malaysia Theory
Malaysia as the place of origin for modern humans
In the Out-of-Africa theory, the area now known as Malaysia
was only a land-bridge on the way to Australia
Evidence:

1. Stone hand-axe) dated at more than 1.83 million years at
Bukit Bunuh
A new theory to substitute the present theory (the Out-of-
Africa theory)” (Mokhtar Saidin, 2012: 13)

LU 5: Ancient History

Early Kingdoms in SE Asia/Malay Archipelago

Several examples of early kingdoms have been discovered in
Southeast Asia or the Malay archipelago. Hindu-Buddhist
Sailendra, Borobodur Temple, Mataram, Prambanan
Temple, and Khmer Angkor Wat are among them.

Borobudur

Borobudur was built between
750 and 850 AD, at the end of the
Sailendra dynasty or at the peak
of the Srivijayan dynasty, and
reflects Mahayana Buddhism's
influence.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat was built by
Suryavarman 2 in the Khmer
empire of the 12th century
AD. It is a temple complex
dedicated to Vishnu.

Prambanan Temple

The Prambanan Temple was
built by the Brahmans in 850
AD by the second King of
Mataram during the Sanjaya
dynasty.
"Hindu Story," from Vishnu, the
incarnation as a butterfly that
surrounds Prambanan's main
temples, Shiva and Brahma.

Bujang Valley

Quaritch Wales explored about
30 sites in the Bujang Valley in
1930.
Bujang valley was a place where
the Hindu Buddhist community
and kingdom flourished from the
4th to the 7th century. It is also
an important trade centre and, in
some ways, Malaysia's "Rice
Bowl."

Bujang Valley rests at foot of
Gunung Jerai. The Chinese
Monk I-Tsing (IChing)
travelled to India in the 7th
century with the intention of
visiting Nalada University
based on his studies.

Bujang Valley surveyed in
the 1930s by Quaritch-Wales
(found some 30 sites in the
area).
Area known as Kampung
Sungei Mas is rich in trade
artifacts and Buddhist
monuments.

Prior to the establishment of
sea routes in the Malay
Peninsula, trade between India
and China was conducted
across the peninsula's isthmus,
which is the part of the earth
that connects the peninsula to
the continent or merges two
continents.

In the 7th century, Kedah was also
used as a trading centre,
particularly for land trade.
From the 5th to the 11th centuries,
the region in Lembah Bujang was
initially Buddhist, but became
Hindu after the arrival of the Chola
people, i.e. the dark-skinned Pre-
Aryan inhabitants of South India, in
the 11th century.

Early contact between the kingdoms Tamilakam and
Malay polities very close:

Pallava Kings (from the 4th to the 9th Century C.E.).
Chola kings (from the 9th to the 13th Century C.E.).

Bujang Valley: Indigenous Genius or Indian
Dominance?

According to a 30-year investigation, India's
influence is not the result of colonialism, but of a
well-developed culture. (From Stargardt 1990, as
cited in Smith 1999.)
The establishment of the Indian government in
Southeast Asia's mainland or islands is referred to
as "Indianization" of Southeast Asia.

Influence of India on Malay Culture
The spread of Indian culture was planned around the
concept of Indian royalty, which was characterised by
Hindu or Buddhist worship and expressed in Sanskrit.
There is also an Indian influence on Malay culture, in
terms of kingship, ceremonial, administration, language,
literature, art and architecture, beliefs, and practises.
Based on the Indians' voyage to Southeast Asia,
researchers discovered some trusted Indian commodities
such as construction crafts, bronze, spices such as cloves,
and even pottery.
There are also iron-making finds from India, such as glass
beads, chisels, grinding stones, rings, and stone beads.

Mandi Safar
Every year, the Malays in Peninsular Malaysia celebrate the
Mandi Safar Festival, which takes place on the last
Wednesday of the Muslim month of Safar. This is a
ceremonial bath that must be taken in a river or the sea.
Mandi Safar is conducted to cleanse oneself of spiritual
impurities and to protect oneself from misfortune. This
activity is carried out in a number of locations, particularly
in Tanjong Keling, Melaka, which is home to the South
Indians.
Mandi Safar is similar to the Indian bathing festival in that
it involves virgins and young men, young girls accompanied
by gray-haired old women, young men and women hoping
to meet life in the future, and lively song and dance.

Mandi Safar

LU 6: Trade and Its Consequences
Creation of Modern SE Asia

Trade and Its Consequences
Kingdoms and countries survive trade ups and downs. As a
result, whether in the long or short term, contracts and
agreements based on common economic interests are
required to boost development. Diplomacy was the art of
making economic and political agreements to defend each
government's strategic interests beginning in the 15th
century.

Capitalism
Capitalism - Brought about divergence in understanding over
rights and obligations over how business is conducted.

1. Western powers – belief in the value of a signed contracts.
2.Local Malay/Bugis – belief in the value of a solemn oaths, fo

example: the approval of the Sultan and his subjects in
Malay Annals.

The main consequence:
1.History is created and changes with trade.
2.The entry of capitalism in Southeast Asia led to great

political, economic, and social changes through contracts,
shifting alliances and conflict.

Colonialism & Capitalism - (Two sides of the same
coin!)

The fall of Malacca caused a revival Portuguese power in
Southeast Asia. However, the Portuguese economic and
political strength in the region was incomplete and was
always challenged by Aceh, Spain, Dutch Brunei, Sulu,
Johor, Kedah and the Bugis mini-kingdoms.
Aceh traded directly with the Red Sea and India through
Melaka and other Portuguese ports in India causing
Portuguese wealth and trade to be threatened.

The main consequence:
1.Aceh attacks Kedah, Perak, and Pahang in response to high

demand for tin and pepper.
2.Aceh destroys Johor in 1613, and Sultan Iskandar Muda

(Aceh) forces the Johor prince to marry his daughter.
3.To fulfil labour shortages, Aceh enslaves thousands of

people from Pahang and Kedah.
4.Conquests and slavery help Aceh develop a high Islamic

civilisation.
5.Everything was great for Aceh's rulers and aristocrats, but it

was terrible for the ordinary people of Aceh (and those
conquered) who died and toiled as slaves.
6.It also implies that there are a lot of people moving around
in the area.

The creation of modern SE Asia ( 1819-1900s )

European presence led to destruction of Old Malay World
and creation of the new.
1.Context 1: European wanted to trade and local chief had
access /control to resources.
2.Context 2 : local control over resources fluid and ever
changing which is often conflict and local Malays looked to
stronger power for assistance in local conflicts. Example:
China, Siam and European.
3.Context 3: a fast changing world fueled by the industrial
revolution. - New markets, new resources and new scientific
discoveries

Siam and Northern Malay states (NMS) Siamese
Siamese overload ship over NMS post 1782
EIC trading required that they recognize
suzerainty control over NMS

Treaty of 1824, 1826, 1909 and the oartition of the
Malay world

Political divisions now affects everything which is:
1.Resource exploitation
2.Control of trade
3.Movement of people
4.Academic study
5.Identity and nationalism

In1826, Penang, Province Wellesley, Malacca & Singapore
formed into Straits Settlements (SS) – no war involved
Bo Lang Chai history (Forgotten)
1.Their contribution is seldom recognized
2.Their story has forgotten and for their very existence is
threatened
3.The clan man always oppressed and deceived by the taukeh
which is promised give them a lot of money if they follow
him instruction
4.In 1800, during the British colonial :
i. Penang was developing into a successful international sea
port
ii. Have Chinese and Indian migrants

LU 7: Population, Immigrants and Identity

The Creation of 'Malay' Ethnicity
British colonial practices the high level of migration.
created Malaya divers and plural society. from 1850 until
1920 large scale migration Chinese, Indian ,java and
Sumatra.
From the trade activities of its traders on their way to China,
the Malay World has been familiar to the Arabs since the
early days. Despite such early contacts. The Chinese who
mentioned the existence of a Muslim colonial settlement in
eastern Sumatera, San- Fu-Chi led by a leader from the Arab
regions recorded their apparent presence in this region
55AH/1674AD
When the pre-war Japanese, one of the significant
minorities who made their presence in Penang from the late
19th to early 20th centuries came from Japan. In 1910, the
official census counted 207 Japanese residents in Penang
alone.
The Japanese in Malaya grew into a socially cohesive
community with important stakes in the country’s economy
Malaysia is a country of immigrants that do not need to
appreciate our diverse origins necessary to build upon and
express this diverse – Coloursof Malaysia

Slaves from Nias, Bali, Java, Toba, Karo, and elsewhere in the
archipelago were sold in Penang and in the main were
bought by wealthy Chinese merchants. They became the
progenitors of the Baba and Nyonyas (CinaPeranakan:
people of mixed Malay and Chinese descent).
Chinese and Indian (Tamil) coolies were taken to the Dutch
plantations in East Sumatra from Penang
The increasing number of Japanese attracted by the
economic opportunities in Malaya created by the First
World War made it desirable that the poor image projected
by early Japanese residents be replaced by a picture of a
new breed of Japanese interested only in legitimate
economic activities. Measures were taken by the Japanese
consul to remove the tarnish on the Japanese image.

LU 8: Orang Asil

Introduction

Before 1960, the term of “Orang Asli” as an ethnic category
does not exist. After the communist insurgence and the
Malayan Emergency of 1948-1960, the term of “Orang Asli”
was first useb by the colonial government. The colonial
government gave rhe ethnic label to differentiate them from
the dominant ethnic which were Malay, Chinese and the
Indian. During the colonial period, the generic terms “sakai”
and “aborigines” were commonly used to refer to this group
of people.

Known as “Original Peoples” the earliest known
inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula, ariving in peninsula
as early as 25 000 years ago.
Orang Asli lived in West Malaysia long before the arrival
of other groups like Malays, Chinese and Indian.
Orang Asli was a heterogenous group and widely spread
in all states in Peninsular Malaysia.
Orang Asli have 19 sub-ethnic groups, but was classified
into three main categories:

The Senoi

Live primarily on both slopes

of the Titiwangsa Range in

Perak, Kelantan, and Pahang

(Semai and Temiar people),

in central Pahang (Jah Hut

and Chewong people), in

south-central Pahang

(Semoq Beri people), and in

coastal Selangor (Semai and

Temiar people) (Mah Meri

people).

About 54 per cent of the

Orang Asli population.

The Negrito
Include the Kensiu (northeast
Kedah), Kintak (Kedah-Perak
border), Jahai (northeast Perak and
West Kelantan), Lanoh (north-
central Perak), Mendriq (southeast
Kelantan), and Batek people
(Northeast Pahang and South
Kelantan),
In terms of population, the Orang
Asli are the smallest of the Orang
Asli.
They account for slightly more than
3% of the total Orang Asli
population and are thought to be
the Malay Peninsula's oldest
indigenous group.
Less sedentary, more hunter-
gatherer lifestyle

The Aboriginal (Proto) Malays
Aboriginal Malays are primarily found in the Peninsula's
southern half, including Selangor and Negeri Sembilan
(Temuan people), central Pahang and east Negeri Sembilan
(Semelai people), south Pahang and north Johor (Jakun
people), east Johor (Orang Kanaq), and the west and central
coasts of Johor (Orang Kuala, Orang Seletar).
The second largest group, accounting for approximately 43
percent of the total Orang Asli population.
Live in the most accessible areas, and their way of life is
generally similar to that of rural Malays.

Orang Asli
Also known as:
• Orang Hulu – people of the headwaters
• Orang Darat – people of the hinterland
• Orang Laut – people who live by the sea
• Besisi – people with scales
• Mantra – people who chanted
• Orang Liar – wild people,
• Pangan – eaters of raw food,
• Orang Mawas – apelike people • Orang Jinak – tame or
enslaved people.

Relationships between OA and various groups:
Before WWII

The Orang Asli played important leadership roles and even
oversaw Malay subjects at times (Nicholas, 2000: 74-75)
They did, in fact, play a significant role in the formation of
the Melaka empire in the 15th century (Andaya, 2002).
The Japanese Occupation
1. The jungle peoples were also used as a vehicle for
Communist propaganda.
2. MPAJA members carefully nurtured friendships with the
Orang Asli, even going so far as to protect the jungle peoples
from bandits and Japanese troops.
The Emergency
Following centuries of relative isolation, they came into
significant and often brutal contact with warring factions of
outsiders.
Despite unfortunate episodes and bitter experiences, the
Emergency's armed struggle benefited the jungle
communities greatly.
Post Emergency
1957: The Federation of Malaya declares independence.
1960: The YDP Agong declared the emergency to be over. 3.
Nonetheless, the Orang Asli remain one of Malaysia's most
marginalised groups to this day.

LU 9: Malaysia Women's Movement

Early Emancipation and colonial times
Education that existed in the early 1900s was held. In the
early 20th century, some movements were influenced by
local education. Local education provides education to
women about women’s rights to work, the law, educating
women, and more. It is because to ensure that women
become smarter and more efficient as a result of the
acquisition of education in themselves for their future.

Aspects of society's thinking and views on women have been
considered insignificant as well as discriminating against
women. The emphasis of previous history was more on the
history of men than women. This is because it does not have
any advantages, meek nature, does not have strength like
men, etc. from ancient times. But the reality is that women
create a better history than men because of the spirit and
aspect of women's thinking that is very creative in all things.
Therefore, women are not only evaluated externally, but
need to be evaluated fully.

MWM - Nationalist & Labour Awakenings
Thus, the role of women was shown to them in the early years

of democracy as well as showing progress. There is some
evidence that women made history in the country through
MWM-nationalism and the labor uprising:

Kaum Ibu Selangor has been established as well as several
other organizations to be formed (UMNO) which is a special
association for women. For example, the Chief of Kaum Ibu,
Khatijah Sidek in the 1950s was a person who was
responsible for the equality of women in UMNO.

Women became active in labor strikes as in the struggle for
women's rights in 1962-1965, after independence.

They began to establish the National Council of Women’s
Organizations (NCWO) which is a diverse range of women
professionals in multiracial women in different cities.

Post-Independence MS Women Movements
Further expand education to women,
Provide employment opportunities to women such as
providing opportunities to become teachers, nursing, in
terms of administration, etc.,
Initiate the organization of the National Council of Women
(NCWO) specifically for women.

Mwm - Women's Agenda for Change and Reformasi

Women are very weak people, do not have the energy like
strong men, and are considered to contribute nothing to society
and the country. Such is the existence of violence and
oppression from men against weak women. For example, the
oppression of women starts from family relationships in
marriage. This shows that when the husband does not get his
desire and does not have patience in the situation will facing,
then the wife will be a victim of abuse. Therefore, there is an
increasing rate of cases and issues in domestic violence shown
in Malaysia.

Therefore, they have established several women's groups
aimed at defending the rights in terms of women's security in
Malaysia. For example, organizations to advance resolutions
such as in the "All Women's Action Society Malaysia" (AWAM).
The organization aims to address women’s issues in the country
primarily based on discrimination and social injustice of
women. There are some injustices issues for women:

1.Discrimination against women,
2.The agenda of physical abuse violence takes place,
3.Not entitled to speak for women.

LU 10: Politics to The Left/ Lobour
Movement

Absolute monarchy
‘Absolute monarchy’ system was Malay politics before the
Western Colonialism.
Only Sultan/Raja’s family and pembesar (aristocrats) had
political power.
Based on ‘Daulat’ concept whereas rakyat (people) should
show their loyalty and support the Sultan.
Sultan/Raja can be defied and overthrown if he humiliated
the people.

1.‘Raja adil, raja disembah, raja zalim, raja disanggah’

Communal and non-communal parties after 1948
Politics become a struggle between communal and non-
communal parties.

1.The communal parties consist of the UMNO, MCA and MIC.
2.The non-communal were the IMP (which then called as

Parti Negara), Labour Party, Party Rakyat, Pekemas, etc
The left wing was in disarray and divided due to the
detentions and the Emergency.
Some of the left wing join UMNO and MCA.

Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation 1962
Many The Malayan Peoples Socialist Front’s leader were
arrested.

1.Weaken The Malayan Peoples Socialist Front.
2.Part Rakyat/People’s Party (PP) withdrew from The

Malayan Peoples Socialist Front.
3.The PP’s struggle continued although being pressured by

the government.

Japan Invasion 1942
Released all KKM’s leaders but only after the Japanese has
dissolved KKM.
The Japanese did not have any intention in giving the
independence to Malaya.
Malayan Communist Party (MCP) formed the Malayan
People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA).
The British supported this movement.
Several regiments was formed under MPAJA.

1.Pasukan Pembela Tnah Air (PETA) formed by Ibrahim
Yaacob continued their cooperation with MCP.

2.This cooperation started cooperation between the races in
Malaya.
Unfortunately, in 1945, the Bintang Tiga Episode (racial
violence) derailed good ethnic relation in Malaya.
After the war, some Malay leaders began to work closely
with non-Malay leaders to achieve common goals.

Kaum Tua (The Old) vs. Kaum Muda (The Young)
The Malay left began with Islah (reform) movement which
to Kaum Muda against Kaum Tua.
Kaum Muda began to challenge the Kaum Tua regarding
Islamic affairs.
In 1920s, Kaum Muda movement overshadowed by the
emerging of the Malay Associations.
The Malay Associations began to uplift Malay living
conditions.
Young Malays disillusion towards the influence from British
and Malay Aristocrat on Malay associations.
Therefore, the Malay divide into two wings.

1.Right wing - The Malay Associations.
2.Left wing - The young Malay formed Kesatuan Melayu Muda

(KMM).

Labour Movements
End of war brought hardship to the living condition in
Malaya.
The restoration of civilian government does not improve the
economic and social conditions of workers.
The employers more interested in restoring their businesses
and their profits.
AMCJA-PUTERA gained support from the labour
movements and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CCC).
AMCJA-PUTERA continued their struggle by organising the
first hartal in Kelang and Malacca.

1.The hartal success causes them in deciding to launch a
country-wide strike.

2.On 20 October 1947, All Malaya Hartal planned to be
launched to coincide with the opening of the session of the
British Parliament where the Federation of Malaya’s
agreement were to be tabled and debated.
This situation challenged British authority.
Britain took several measures to counter Left Movement
and Labour opposition to Federation of Malaya and
demands for better working conditions.

Left wing movement after 1948
Divided into two types

1.The armed struggle by the MCP – The “Emegency” ensured
that the MCP’s peaceful struggle failed. Thus, armed
struggle.

2.Left wing parties that chose to go via the Constitutional.
The Communist armed struggle did not achieve their goals,
but it did bring big losses to manpower and incurred huge
financial spending in Malaya.

Malayan Union
The British tried to introduce more control in Malaya by
announce Malayan Union’s plan.
The MU was not welcomed by the majority of people in
Malaya.
1.The MCP saw MU as betrayal of the promise for democratic
freedoms.
Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM) demanded the
transfer of government power to local people based on
electoral representation.

Political reforms in Malaya.
The British speed up the political reforms in Malaya.
Brought benefit to the alliance party which are UMNO, MCA
and MIC.
The saw this situation as a good opportunity to negotiate
with government.
The Baling Talks 1955 failed because both sides did not
compromise.

1.Tunku Abdul Rahman as UMNO’s leader and Prime Minister
used this conference as political mileage to pressure the
British for Malaya Independence.

Politics of the left
Political positions or activities that accept or support
equality, often in opposition to social hierarchy and social
inequality.
Political term “right and left wings” began after the French
Revolution.

1.Referred to the seating arrangement in the Estates General
2.‘Right Wing’ support the monarchy.
3.‘Left Wing’ oppose the monarchy which soon referred to

communism, socialism, the civil rights movement, anti-war
movements and some environmental movement.

Post World War II (WWII)
Several ex-KKM leaders retreated to Indonesia but left
movement never faded away.
MCP become more organized and stronger.
MCP and several left Malay leaders joined hand to
reorganize the nationalist movements.
Led to formation of PKMM, AWAS, API. Barisan Tani Se-
Malaya (BATAS) and Hisbul Muslimin.

The ‘Emergency’
Many Left Parties were called as ‘pro-communists’.

The People’s Constitution Proposal
A constitution constructed by AMCJA-PUTERA.

Trade unions/Labour politics
After 1948, the trade unions development in Malaya was retarded.
Estate workers and trade unions faced problems of poor
organisation, poor administration and financial weaknesses.
In 1951, the Malayan Trade Union Council (MTUC) was formed as
non-political association.
MTUC failed to show dynamism and seemed to be lack of
courage in fighting for the worker’s rights.
Designed to combat communist infiltration into organized
labour rather than to promote the interests of labour.
Become weak and ineffective under the government patronage.
Other left wing groups created several non-communal parties
which fought for all people.
The Labour Party (1955) took a socialist stand which aimed at
nationalizing industry, mining and estates. The Labour Party
had close links with activist labour unions.
The Peoples Party/Parti Rakyat (1955) favoured granting
citizenship to all domiciled people owing undivided loyalty to
Malaya, no discrimination against any race, demanded
abolishment of the emergency regulation.
Failed to get mass support at parliamentary level but get
substantial support at Local Government Level before the
elections for suspended local councils in1965 and abolished in
1976.

Both parties agreed to unite under the Malayan Peoples Socialist
Front.
The Malayan Peoples Socialist Front participated in both
municipal and legislative elections.

Successfully captured significant number of seats in the
urban areas where Parti Rakyat/People’s Party won
Parliamentary seats in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru in the
1959 general election.

UMNO
The Malay opposition against MU led to UMNO formation.
Combination of mostly the Malay Associations pre-war.
The British divided the Malays and Malaya.
Invited UMNO and the Malay Rulers to discuss the future of
Malaya.
The Leftist groups were left out as they were more radical,
vocal about their demands and not in the line with British
policy on Malaya.
British-UMNO-Rulers working committee was set up and began to
discuss about the formation of the Federation of Malaya.
Left groups formed new alliance to show their solidarity and
coordinate the opposition towards the British-UMNO-Rulers
working committee which is the Federation of Malaya.
Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), together with other
Malay organizations formed Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA).
The non-Malay Left groups formed All-Malaya Council of Joint
Action (AMCJA) under the leadership of Tan Cheng Lock.
AMCJA not only consisted of the political parties but also
labour unions.
AMCJA-PUTERA began to construct their own version of
constitution called The People’s Constitution Proposal.

LU 11: Secret Societies

Objectives and passions

To protect their members or clans, have political
motives, business interests, religious goals, and to
uphold certain magical beliefs or racist ideologies.

Who involved?
Exclusive to certain people who have access.
The creation of personal bonds among organisation
members, as well as the use of secret rituals or rituals that
strengthen group members.
Some of them have their own communication code, which
can be written or verbal.

Secret Societies
Secret societies have long been a global phenomenon, and while
they are not new, there is a history behind it.

What is secret societies?
A secret society, according to B.H Erikson, is a secret
organisation defined as a continuously patterned social
network that connects participants in a relationship similar
to a secret activity, either directly or indirectly.
Secret societies are typically groups that keep their rituals
and activities hidden from non-members.
Some are involved in criminal activities such as
drug/human trafficking, smuggling, kidnapping, and so on.

How about Malay/Malaysia?
What did you learn about the Perak and Klang wars in school?

1.This war involved the two most powerful Chinese Kongsi, Hai San
and Ghee Hin.

2.The two Kongsis feuded over control of the tin mines in Perak and
Selangor.

3.Mining. Their conflict became a flashpoint in the civil wars in
Perak and Selangor. They took part in battles between Malay
princes in both states.

4.Then, with the Treaty of Pangkor, the British arrived to solve the
problem in Perak.

5.In Selangor, the problem was solved with Tengku Mahadi's defeat
and the beginning of British intervention in Selangor.