(Group 8) SSF1033 Malaysia Social History Booklet

What is a Kongsi?
The term gongsi comes from a Chinese
word.
Referring to "clan hall," which
translates roughly as "brotherhood."
This word should be used to refer to a
charitable organisation run by
Chinese people living in other
countries. The tribal organisation and
surname are usually the same.
Used to help clan members,
particularly Chinese immigrants,
adjust to life in Malaya, Singapore,
Sarawak, North Borneo, and other
places.

Secret Society Origins in Malay
The Chinese secret society originated in China, in opposition
to the Imperial Dynasty, specifically the Ch'ing Dynasty -
Honman, for example, was associated with the Heaven and
Earth (Tiandihui) society in Fujian.
Cantonese predominates in Ghee Hin, whereas Hakka +
Hokkien, Teochew, Foochow, and other dialects predominate
in Hai San.
When Chinese immigrants arrived in Malaya, they were
required to establish their own clan. Those who want to join
the Chinese secret society will have to take a blood oath.
Make the temple their focal point for all of their activities.

The primary objective of the Chinese secret society
in Malaya/Southeast Asia

Attempt to assist Chinese newcomers in settling in their
new country.
Help them start a new life in Malaya.
New immigrants or Singkeh who come to Malaya and settle
require protection from their own community.
Assist members in acquiring basic necessities such as food,
clothing, and marriage.
The vast majority of them are businessmen with vested
interests in the Malayan economy, who contribute financial
and other resources.
They will provide loans to the Chinese community in order
to assist them in starting a business. Secret organisations in
local affairs and foreign authorities also represent the
Chinese.

The Kongsi in Sarawak
The majority of Hakka gold
miners (Hakka people in
Kalimantan and Sarawak come
from four Hakka districts in
Kwangtung province)
The success of miners in
adapting to their new
environment (both economically
and socially) is due to their
border organisation, i.e. share.
To serve as the miners' primary
political and social organisation.
A tool for self-government that
meets the economic and social
needs of its members.

Origin of the Kongsi
1. The first mining
partnership was formed
between 1743 and 1745.
The mine is run by a team of
10 to 25 people who report to
the Malay Sultan on the coast.
The local sultan saw the
Chinese as a source of
revenue and a monopoly, as
well as a means of controlling
supplies, tools, foodstuffs, and
opium.

Hakka
The majority of Hakka gold miners (Hakka
people in Kalimantan and Sarawak come
from four Hakka districts in Kwangtung
province)
The success of miners in adapting to their
new environment (both economically and
socially) is due to their border organisation,
i.e. share.
To serve as the miners' primary political and
social organisation.
A tool for self-government that meets the
economic and social needs of its members.

1770
Unusual and partial respect
was paid to the Malay sultan.
Malay dominance declined.
The word share began to be
used.

Characteristics of a kongsi
Each partnership is administered independently.
A partner has been chosen
Clearks (ts'ai-ku) manage daily financial affairs.
A supervisor (huo-chang) oversees the labour in the mine.
In the spirit of egalitarianism, shared leaders live in shared halls
with members.
As the number of partnerships grows, they seek to merge to form
federations.
For example, in 1776, 14 allies in Montrado form the Ho-shun
kongsi federation (Federation of Great Peace and Harmony)

Sarawak Secret Society
The migration of Hakka people from Sambas to Sarawak
began.
Hakka has formed a number of Chinese partnerships.
San Tiao Quo Kongsi arrived in Sarawak as a result of a feud
between the partners.
They controlled the gold mines at Bau, forming a powerful
alliance known as the Twelve Kongsi.
When James Brooke attempted to control them, Kongsi
invaded Kuching in 1857.
J. Brooke responds by launching an attack on Bau and putting
an end to the kongsi.
1880- Ghee Hun attempted but failed to establish a branch in
Sarawak.

Secret Society in other communities?
Join the Chinese secret society or form their own kongsi.
The Red Flag and the White Flag were the first and most well-
known secret societies in Penang.
White Flag, Malay first kongsi, was founded in the 1830s.
Red Flag (WF) was formed in 1859 and challenged the WF
The secret society's forefathers are Indian Muslims and Jawi
Pekan/Peranakan.

Other Secret Societies
Malaysian gangs are not only associated with crime or social
factions, but also with politics and nationalism.
Some Malay and Chinese nationalists organised their
movements in secret.
The PKMM, CCP, CCO, AWAS, INSAF, HIZBUL MUSLIMIN, and
other left-wing organisations with nationalist ideologies
emerged.
After the World War II, Malay secret societies emerged to
protect them and help resolve racial tensions in 1945.
The famous was Kumpulan Parang Panjang

International Secret Society
The British brought not only
capitalism, but also their culture,
including the secret society, to
Malaya.
With the establishment of
Neptune Lodge in 1806 in
Penang, freemasonry was
established.

The Malay Secret Society Today?
Pertubuhan Kongsi Gelap Melayu is governed by its own
council.
The godfather conducts the ceremony.
Their members are branch/samji heads.
This umbrella includes foot soldiers and their subordinates,
who are always referred to as Abang Long, Along, or Taiko.
Each head/branch head has 500-1000 followers.
A cheif usually have more than one Abang Long under his
command, usually 3-5 sometimes even more
Abang Long has commanded around 150 men.

LU 12: Malaysia Students Movement

Introduction

The student movement was a new social force that
aimed to raise awareness and fight for political,
economic, and social change.

Student movements have been given names such as Red
Guard (China), New Left (Canada), Students for a
Democratic Society (USA), Sumpah Pemuda (Indonesia),
National Union of Students, Radical Student Movement
(UK), and others.
Every country has student movements. Consist of young,
fresh, and energetic students - pressure groups to oversee
the role and policy of the government.
The exposure of their learning and the state of people's lives
encouraged students to advocate for local and international
issues.
Educational institutions, as meeting places, would bring
together students from various backgrounds who share
similar ideas and struggles.

Indonesia's Influence
Indonesia had a significant impact on Malay student
movements in the 1930s.
Books and magazines imported from Indonesia as reading
material for Sultan Idris Training College students (SITC).
As a result, SITC students were instilled with Indonesian
nationalist ideas.

The SITC
SITC - produced a number of nationalist students, including
Ibrahim Ya'akub.
Ibrahim was heavily influenced by the Indonesian student
and nationalist movements.
The Sumpah Pemuda Indonesia served as motivation for
Ibrahim to organise student movements at SITC.
Ibrahim supported the concept of "Indonesia Raya" and
wished to bring students together in a unified organisation.
The formation of the Young Student's Alliance (Ikatan
Pemuda Pelajar) and the PeninsulaBorneo Students
Alliance (Ikatan Pelajar Semenanjung Borneo) helped to
make this idea a reality.
The formation of these organisations resulted in the
formation of Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) on a national
scale.
KMM became a new vehicle for young Malays to fight the
British, but it was later banned by the Japanese as well.

Communal Outlool - Early Years
Among the earliest student movements – groups formed on the
basis of race and struggle to assist one another.
As seen in the establishment of the Malay Boys League in 1937.
MBL - formed in Penang Free School to assist Malay students
with their education - disbanded by the headmaster.
Following WWII, another student organisation was established
at Victoria Institution.
In 1945, the Kesatuan Melayu Victoria Institution was
established, which was later renamed Persuratan Penuntut
Melayu Kuala Lumpur (PPMKL) in 1946.
The goal of this organisation was to assist Malay students with
their education.

The formation of other Malay student
organisations was influenced by PPMKL.
The Kesatuan Persuratan Penuntut
Melayu Selangor (KPPMS), founded in
1947, was made up of several student
associations from Selangor and Kuala
Lumpur.
The goals of this organisation were to
prevent Malay student dropouts, establish
a fund for poor students, and assist weak
students in their education.
The KPPMS was founded by Mohamed
Mohd. Nor, Siti Hasmah Mohd. Ali, Wan
Sulaiman Pawanteh, Radziah Ali, and
others.

Later, several students in Malay states
form their own organisation with similar
goals to KPPMS.
Aminudin Baki had urged all Malay
student organisations to band together in
order to unite them.
In 1948, the Gabungan Pelajar Melayu
Semenanjung (GPMS) came to an end.
GPMS devotes more resources to social
and welfare organisations in order to assist
Malay students.

Anti-

British/Independence

Aside from "Melayu

Raya/Indonesia Raya" ideas,

some students are interested in

anti-British movements.

Following the triumph of the

Chinese Communist

Revolution in 1949, Chinese

students were drawn to

socialist ideology.

Students began to speak up and

act on their own.

Strikes and unrest in Chinese

schools.

Students from several Chinese schools in
Kuching formed the Students' Self-
Governing Society with the assistance of
Communists.
An independent organisation to organise
student movements in Chinese Middle
Schools.
Because of Communist influence, the
British banned this society.
With the formation of the Sarawak
Overseas Chinese Democratic Youth
League, the Communist influence in
student movements continued.
A new way for communists to recruit
students.

Student Movement As A Plural Society
The pressure group, made up of mature, new, and enthusiastic
students, serves as a watchdog over the government's position
and policies. Students were inspired to advocate for local and
global issues after being exposed to their learning and living
environments. Educational centres, as places of assembly, will
bring together students from various backgrounds who share
similar ideas and hardships. When squatters appeared in
Tasik Utara in 1974, students took advantage of the
opportunity to form a new pressure group to defend the rights
of the marginalised. Moreover, during the Baling
Demonstrations in 1974, students made their way to the
Selangor Club. Baling residents staged a protest in response to
rising inflation. They urged the government to impose price
controls on food and other necessities.

The Power Of Government
To fight for Iberty, students' morale is shattered by the force
of authority. When confronted with an opponent whom they
do not know, students are encouraged to share their thoughts
or ideas. national poetry Raci and religious differences have a
powerful influence on Cokge's associational lie and activism.
The University and University College Act, enacted in
parliament on March 18, 1971, prohibits students from being
directly involved in political issues. Section 15 is amended to
prohibit students from serving as representatives and from
expressing interest in or opposition to political parties and
other organisations.