SSF1033 INTRODUCTION TO MALAYSIAN SOCIAL HISTORY - GROUP 7

SSF1033

introduction to malaysian social history

1. NORKHAIRIYAH BINTI LATTIF (72481)
2. NURIZZATI BINTI ABDUL TALIB (80783)
3. NUR IFFAH NAZIATUL AZUREEN BINTI SABAYAN (80633)
4. NUR SYAFIKA BINTI MOHAMAD (80696)
5.NUR ATHIRAH BINTI NAZLEE (80555)
6. NURIN ZAHIDA AL HAKIMAH BINTI NARZARUDDIN (80782)
7. NUR AIDA MUZFIRAH BINTI KAMAL LUDIN (80492)
8. NURUL AIN BINTI AFFANDI (80820)

SSF1033

Table of Contents LU2 History and Social History

LU3 The Uses of History

LU4 Official vs Missing History

LU5 Prehistory

LU6 Ancient History
LU7 Trade and Its Consequences
LU8
Population, Immigrants and Ethnic Identity

LU9 Orang Asli

LU10 Malaysian Women's Movement

LU11 Labour Movement

LU12 Malaysian Secret Society

LU13 Malaysian Student Movement

LU 2: SSF1033
HISTORY
& SOCIAL 1. HISTORY
HISTORY The Past, 'Long Time Ago'. (Expanse
of time!)- Stories about 'the past' but
retold in the present; a long time ago
stories were brought back to life
again.
History is narratives.
History is the study of people,
actions, decisions, interactions, and
behaviors.

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2. HISTORIOGRAPHY
Writing about 'the past' with
perspective/a view/ an opinion/an
interpretation.
Historiography is "the study of
the way history has been and is
written - the history of historical
writing".
When you study 'historiography'
you do not study the events of
the past directly, but the
changing interpretations of those
events in the works of individual
historians.
Historiography is the written
record of what is known of
human lives and societies in the
past and how historians have
attempted to understand them.
"The body of techniques,
theories, and principles of
historical research and
presentation; methods of
historical scholarship".

4. SOCIAL HISTORY
Emphasis on evidence about humans
or linked to human society; esp
ordinary humans.
E.g. Environment data = Climate
change = impact on the earth and
human society
(Merriam Webster) – the history that
concentrates upon the social,
economic, and cultural institutions of a
people.
(University of London) – social history
is sometimes described as the ‘history
of the people’ or ‘history from below’.
(Ms. Greenberg) – the study of class,
gender, and ordinary life during
different periods. Social history shows
us how larger events and trends
(“history from above”) changes – or
does not change – the life of ordinary
people.

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LU3: THE
USES OF
HISTORY

BIAS IN HISTORY
History: The study of
change over time
What can we learn from
history?

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LU4:
MALAYSIA:
OFFICIAL
VS MISSING
HISTORY

WHAT IS “OFFICIAL
HISTORY”?

It provides a framework of understanding
for Malaysians (what we learned from
school)
Message: Malaysia is a developed,
progressive, peaceful, multi-ethnic, and
multi-religious country.
Example: By visiting some historical places
(Museum of National History in Kuala
Lumpur)
When learning a history, DO NOT forget:
5W (What, Who, Why, When, and
Where)
Some pictures of historical places in
Malaysia:

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF
MALAYSIA = EXISTING
TERRITORY & STATES
(INCLUDING SINGAPORE
PRE-1965)

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.
Missing: Who was responsible for
creating Malaysia?

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OFFICIAL
HISTORY
01 Pre-history There were natural geological formations

(shows Malaysia very old)

Paleolithic Period = Human bones (Niah

Caves) and stone tools (Perak and Sabah)

were found. (Evidence of ancient human

occupation in 40,000 BCE)

Neolithic Period (4000 BCE) = Bronze Age

exhibits of pottery, stone objects, and

bronze drums were found. (Evidence of

advance settlements and developing

culture)

Major settlements = Bujang Valley (Hindu, Buddhist) & Santubong (Hindu, Buddhist,
and Muslim). This shows that diverse beliefs and active trade relations between
“Malaysia” and other parts of the world. (India, Arabia, and China @ Sri Vijayan
Influences)
Sabah and Sarawak = Megalithic (giant carved stones) artifacts. Shows the
existence of a diversity of lifestyles and cultures during the Srivijaya period.
Terengganu Stone Inscription in 1303 CE (Presence of Islam on the peninsula very
old)
Malacca:
- The Kingdom of Malacca (Hang Tuah)
- Dynamic Sultanate with multi-ethnic visiting traders
7 - Malacca is a trading, cultural, and administrative hub for the whole archipelago.

The Beginnings: Colonial 02
Portuguese control of Malacca (1511-1642) history 03
Dutch Control of Malacca (1642-mid 1700s)
British Era (1786-1941) 04
Foreign powers in Sarawak (1841-1941)
Foreign powers in Sabah (ceded in
perpetuity to Baron Von Overbeck and
Albert Dent.

Malaysia lost its independence (1511) Nationalism
Local resistance against British (1940 = Tok and Nation
Janggut and more) Building:
Japanese Occupation (1942-1945) Growth of
Malayan Union (1946) (UMNO) Nationalism:
The Federation of Malaya (1948)
The Emergency (1948)
Independence (1967), Malaysia (1963)
Formation of Malaysia (1963)
Confrontation with Indonesia (1963-1966)
Against Neo-colonialism
4 Post-Independence Periods (Prime
Minister)

Malaysia’s history has a pre-historic Key Themes
beginning. in the
Malaysia has a shared history and shared Official
nationalistic activities. Version:
Malaysia’s nationalism began with
resistance against Portuguese conquest
(1511)
Malaysia will thus defend its independence
and Malaysians are nationalistic.
Malaysia = Malay history with a Malay-
Muslim
Malaysia is very diverse and open with
international experience since it has a
history of international trade and interaction.

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05 Why the Ethnic Riots of 13th May 1969

need for an Malaysian history based on colonial

OFFICIAL (foundations, boundaries, administration,

HISTORY? and ethnic communities)

Reflects “governing arrangement” of

communal political parties (UMNO, MCA,

MIC) (the 1950s)

06 Critique Sees the country through the eyes of the

government. (BN/PH/New Government)

Selective (includes and excludes) (people,

events, decisions)

It distorts for its purpose (colonialism bad-

Portuguese; Role of immigrants –

Chinese/Indian/Others)

07 Missing Was the struggle for Independence only a

History UMNO/Malay struggle?

Was it a struggle or was it given free by the

British to conservative political forces called

the Alliance?

Leaves out about Orang Asli (Malaya),

Orang Asal (Sabah & Sarawak), and other

minorities (women, children, and more)

Reality is that the struggle for a new country

Sabah and Sarawak (did they willingly want

to form Malaysia?)

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LU 5: SSF1033
PREHISTORY OF
THE
INDOMALAYSIAN
ARCHIPELAGO

How archaeology paints the prehistory of Malaysia?
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)
Paleolithic e.g., Kota Tampan (c.70,000 b.p.), Niah
(c.40,000 b.p.), Perak Man (c. 10,000 b.p.)
Neolithic e.g., Bukit Tengkorak (c.5000-3000 b.p),
Gua Kain Hitam, Niah (c.3,000-2,000 b.p)

Missing stories in Malaysian prehistory
Early (foreign) archaeologists' contributions to
Malaysian antiquity - colonial origins – were only
briefly recognised. Sites found by Quaritch-Wales,
such as Bujang Valley, were not even
acknowledged. Early foreign researchers are
instead portrayed as people who removed
important finds away from Malaysia (e.g. Niah
“Deep Skull” and Gua Cha skeletons – in England,
not kept in Malaysia).

Archaeology & Nationalism
What threats felt by Malaysia?
A previously colonised country.
A country that is multi-ethnic and multi-religious,
with some groups feeling threatened by others.

Why national history is important?
To develop a national narrative of unity based on
colonial foundations – colonial frontiers, colonial
administration, colonial ethnic groupings = to
legitimise the contemporary independence of a
post-colonial sovereign Malaysia
To show that we (as a country) have always been
unique, extraordinary, and advanced, even in
prehistoric times. To demonstrate that we occupy
a unique position/play an essential part in world
history

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Nationalism in Malaysian "The finding of evidence (a stone hand-axe) dating
prehistory back over 1.83 million years at Bukit Bunuh might
provide a new theory to replace the current theory (the
01 Out-of- Out-of-Africa theory)" Mokhtar Saidin (Mokhtar Saidin,
2012: 13)
Malaysia Message: Malaysia is the origins of modern civilization.
hypothesis According to the Out-of-Africa idea, Malaysia was only
for modern a transit on the route to Australia.
human Basis of the hypothesis based on the discovery of
development hand-axe found in Bukit Bunuh, dating 1.83M, older
than Peking Man, Java Man, Dmanisi Man
02 ·he evidence of Out of Africa theory: Ancestors of
modern humans evolved in Africa. Homo erectus
Origin of migrated out of Africa c.2 million years ago and
"Malaysia" populated the Old World.
Homo erectus fragments were discovered in Africa,
Europe (Dmanisi, Georgia), and Asia (Peking Man, Java
Man), none have been unearthed at Bukit Bunuh.
Except from the "hand-axe," no further Homo erectus
evidence (artefacts, tools, etc.) was discovered.
·The sole "proof" of an ancient human presence in
Malaysia 1.83 million years ago comes from a
rumoured hand-axe with unclear date and connection.

The Malays, like other tribes such as the Chinese and
Indians, are migrants because of the Austronesian
migration.
As a result, the Malays are unable to claim to be
Malaysia's first people (Bumiputera)
Most people ("indigenous") in the region speak
Austronesian (the same ethno-linguistic group of
mankind) and are of Mongoloid physical ancestry.
The real story: Stephen Oppenheimer – study of
mtDNA
Modern humans arrived in Southeast Asia between
85,000 and 55,000 years ago, after migrating from
Africa 200,000 years ago.
The Semang and Proto-Malays are direct ancestors of
the earliest people to set foot in Southeast Asia — the
first colonisers. Some Orang Asli genetic lineages are
shared by SE Asians (particularly the Malays).
Southeast Asians would scatter to China, then to the
Americas.

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LU 6: SSF1033
ANCIENT
HISTORY

Borobudur temple was build since 750 to 850 AD
It was under the Sailendra dynasty @ peak of
Srivijayaninfluence
The temple design follows Javanese Buddhist
architecture
The temple demonstrate the influence of Gupta art that
reflects India's influence the region.
The monument is to shrine to the Buddha and a place for
Buddhist pilgrimage.

A Hindu Neighbour : Prambanan Temple
Prambanan Temple was contructed 850 AD by either
Rakai Pikatan ( king of 2nd Mataram dynasty ) or
Balitung Maha Sambu ( during Sanjaya dynasty )
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia
and the second-largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor
Wat.
It was 47 metre high (154 ft) central building inside a
large complex of individual temples.
Prambanan temple compounds originally consists of 240
structures
Prambanan bas-reliefs tell hindu tales :
Episodes from Vishnu's incarnation as Rama encircle the
main shrines at Prambanan that are dedicated to Shiva
and Brahma.

Angkor wat
It was built by Suryavarman II ( Khmer empire ) in the
earlier 12th century AD
Angkor wat located in northwest Combonia
The largest religious structure in the form of a temple
complex in the world by land area
It is designed to represent Mount Meru , home of the
devas in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology

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MALAY PENINSULA : By the 4th century AD, coastal states in what is now
From pre-to proto-history 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)

Kuala Selinsing
- Human burials and artefacts, including pottery, beads, shells
and glassware - 3rd century BC to 11th century AD.
- Carnelian seal inscribed in South Indian Grantha script –c.5th
cent. AD

Cherok Tok Kun
- Cherok Tok Kun is the early Indian presence.
- Cherok Tok Kun is a small town in Penang,
- Sanskrit script was found here
- Sanskrit script is a south Indian Pallava Grantha which is
from c.4th-6th century AD

Buddhist Tantric shrine and ritual deposit box in
Bongkissam, Santubong
Santubong is the place where the Maritime trade
Things that they use for tradding is
1. Gold objects
2. Glass beads
3. Chinese cerami s
4. Local iron production
5. Hindu Biddhist objects such as "Tantric" shrine
- those things are used in 10th to 13th century AD

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Bujang Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that flourished from the fourth to the
Valley seventh century in the Bujang Valley
Bujang valley is the important trade center in this century
Gunung Jerai Status as "rice bowl" of Malaysia a relatively recent phenomenon
Bujang Valley rests at foot of Gunung Jerai
The Chinese Monk I-Tsing (I-Ching), who travelled to India
Indianization In the 7th century to visit the University of Nalanda, noted
of Southeast Bujang Valley at Qie-zha (sometimes spelled Chieh-Cha or Kie-
Asia tcha)
Arab traders called the same place Kalah or Kalahbar
14 Bujang Valley surveyed in the 19030s by Quarith-Wales (found
some 30 sites in the area)
Area known as Kampung Sungei Mas is Rich trade artifacts and
Buddhist monuments. Before sea route around Malay Peninsula
was firmly established, trade between India and China was
conducted across peninsular isthmus
Kedah become a trading center for overland trade in 7th century
Bujang Valley region from 5th-11th centuries was Buddhist :
later become Hindu (due to 11th century Chola occupation of
region)

The founding of Indian Kingdoms on mainland or insular SE 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)

INFLUENCE OF INDIA ON MALAY CULTURE
1. Kingship
2. Ceremonial
3. Administration
4. Language
5. Literature
6. Arts and architectures
7. Beliefs
8. Practices

Example: Mandi Safar is the festival have been celebrated by the Malays in
Mandi Safar Peninsular Malaysia annually on the last Wednesday of the
Muslim months of Safar
Ceremonial celebrated by bathing in the river or sea
The purpose of Mandi Safar for those who celebrated is to clean
themselves of spiritual impurity and to protect themselve from
misfortune (tolak bala) .
Mandi safar was celebrated in many places, but especially in
Tanjong Keling, Melaka
P/s : (keling is a synonym for people of South Indian origin)

Historical Originated as a secular festivity to enable young men and
interpretations women to meet – to look for future life partners
Might have been the result of Malay-Tamil interaction in the past
Conclusion 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 or Malay Archipelago, has a Hindu-
Buddhist past. They are many aspects of our culture today are
results of early interactions with the "Indian" civilisation or culture.

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LU7: TRADE AND SSF1033
ITS
CONSEQUENCES

Key Points: Late 16th Century Spanish in the Philippines
History is made AND changes with trade Brought about increase in trade and network
Entry of Capitalism in SE Asia brought about major links for Brunei the Spanish Galleon Trade
political, economic and social changes Chinese silks, porcelain and luxury items from
16th, 17th& 18thCenturies period of political and Macao traded in Manila in exchange for silver
economic alignments and re-alignments in the from Latin America
region Brunei and Sulu participated in this trade by
A period of dynamic change –politically (new supplying jungle produce like bird’s nest,
administrations), economically (contracts & trade), pepper, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, sea
culturally (lifestyle changes) cucumbers, camphor, wax for Chinese goods
Conflict & Violence = handmaiden of this dynamic
change. Why?
Desire for Wealth = Struggle for control over trade
routes, trade ports = control over resources;
struggle over different rules of law
The Elites = Wealth & the Good Life (e.g. Holland
enriched by Java; Britain enriched by Malaya;
France by Indo-China; USA by the Philippines,
Brooks/Sarawak; North Borneo Company/Sabah;
etc)
The Poor? Labour, Migration, Disease and Early
Death!

Key points:
Desire for wealth and resources via Trade brought about contracts and alliances and
political-economic control of trade routes
Portuguese/Dutch/British/ US/French entry into the region built on struggle and
conquests rooted in constantly shifting alliances with local chiefs
Trade led to huge movements/migration of peoples –whether for trade or due to slavery
(e.g. the Bugis, the Acehnese, the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Tausug, Spanish, Illanuns)
The entry of Europeans and Capitalism formed and re-formed the region into what it is
today –politically; economically; culturally.

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LU 8: SSF1033
POPULATIONS,
IMMIGRANTS, 1. Definition
AND ETHNIC
IDENTITY ·Population: The number of all people who live in a place.
·Immigrants: People who enter a foreign country to live in
the area.
Ethnic Identity: Nurtured by distinguishing one’s group
from other groups through attributes such as culture,
language, religion, and behavior

2. Populations

·Population & Immigration (‘000)

·Foreign-Born Population (Time Series/’000)

- 1991: Official Foreign-
Born Population = 1 million
(43% Indonesian)
- 2005: Official Foreign-
Born Population = 1.64
million (6.4% of total
population)

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SSF1033

·2005 (reality): Immigrants & Illegals = 3 million (Foreign-
Born =10-12% of total population)

3. Immigrants

·Who came?
a) Malays
b) Chinese
c) Indian
d) Europeans
e) Armenians
f) Baghdadis
g) Siamese
h) Burmese
i) Bangladeshis
j) Vietnamese
k) Timorese
l) Arabs
m) Japanese
n) Filipinos
o) Parsees
p) Sri Lankans

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4. Ethnic identity Spoke mother tongue languages (peoples of Southeast
Asia)
The Creation Malay (the language of regional trade)
of ‘Malay’ Coming of the Portuguese, Dutch and British
Ethnicity: (Classification of groups via background = Region of
origin, Religion, and ‘Ethnicity’)
Driven by ideological imperatives.
British colonial practices (high level of migration) =
created Malaya’s, Malaysia’s Diverse, and Plural Society.
1850-1920: Large scale in-migration (Chinese, Indian,
Java & Sumatra)
Need for census data for trade or investment purposes.
Necessary to maintain the boundary between the
colonizer and the colonized.
British colonial authorities formulated a set of mutually
exclusive and exhaustive ethnic categories to classify the
population.

Census:
- Traits settlements (1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1911)
- Federated Malay States (1901, 1911)
- British Malaya (1921, 1931, 1947, and 1957)

Category: ‘Race’ first appeared (1891 Straits Settlement
census appendix)
(1891): The term ‘Nationality’ = describing the various
sections of the population. The term ‘tribe’ = discussing
the various Chinese dialect groups. (Merewether
1892:11)

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Malayan census superintendent (Vlieland, 1932)
Race = use for census purposes.
Anderson 2002: 164, Hirschman 1987: 562):
The 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.
Straits Settlements Census (1871) = reflects the ethnic
diversity in British Malaya.
1891 census = major structural changes in the
classification of the population.

Indigenous Peoples?
(1911) Federated Malay States census: ‘Sakai’ recognized as a category.
Colonial attitude towards the non-Christian population, phrases such as ‘semi-civilized’, ‘wild’, and ‘highly
civilized’ were used to describe the indigenous population. (Nathan 1922: 16, Vlieland 1932: 103)
(1921) census: Jakun was recognized.
(1931) census recognized additional ethnicities: Semang, Jakun, and Orang Mantra, but enumerated them
together as “Nomadic Aboriginals” (Nathan 1922: 16, Vlieland 1932: 103)
Linguistic differences = determine differences between the groups.
(1947) census had a long listing of ethnic categories of Aborigines:
a) Negrito
b) Jakun
c) Semai (Semak, Senoi)
d) Sisek (Besisi)
e) Semelai
f) Temiar

5. Conclusion

·Ethnicity:
An ‘imagined community’; identity changes over time.
Often manipulated for official and political policy purposes.
Census classifications made us what we are today.
Malaysia is a country of immigrants.
Need to appreciate our diverse origins.
Necessary to build upon and give expression to this diversity (Colours of Malaysia).

LU 9: ORANG SSF1033
ASLI

Who are the Orang Asli?
·A heterogeneous group
·A collective term for the19 sub-ethnic groups
There have 150,000 population numbers of Orang
Asli

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LU10:
MALAYSIAN
WOMEN’S
MOVEMENT

HERSTORY

Women viewed as housewives, mothers,
daughters, homemakers, emotionally
fragile, gentle, caring, sweet, pretty, etc.

Women not history material!
Reality = Women making history
(herstory) but much undocumented

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
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
housekeeper

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IMPACT OF EDUCATION IN EARLY MALAYA/MALAYSIA

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.
Indian women – joined Indian Independence Movement
led by Chandra Subha Bose.

MWM-NATIONALIST & LABOUR AWAKENINGS

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.
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.

MWM: NON-MAINSTREAM (VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
CAMPAIGN)

As Malaysia developed, increasing awareness of feminism, sexual oppression, and VAW
1982: Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) – deal with problems of battered women and domestic
violence
1985: 5 women’s groups came together to highlight and campaign on stopping VAW – formed the
Joint Action Group Against Violence Against Women (JAG)
Organised two-day workshop cum exhibition which drew thousands and got huge media attention.
Many Muslim women set up other groups: non-feminist and non-radical like Persatuan Ibu Tunggal;
Women’s wing JIM, ABIM Women – took up women’s issues but within Islamic framework
1985: Women’s groups came together to push for Domestic Violence Act; feminist groups provided
empirical research-based evidence; government departments and religious dept, etc drew up the
draft law; NCWO gave it “official” legitimacy
Still, it took 10 years (1994) of hard work before the bill passed in parliament and became law

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MWM – WOMEN’S AGENDA FOR
CHANGE AND REFORMASI (NON
MS)

1995 – Success of VAW & DVA led various
Women’s groups to push ahead and broaden
struggle
Held public forum on Intl Women’s Day – plight
of indigenous women; domestic and immigrant
workers; women’s status re. land, housing,
environment and health issues; wages, etc.
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.

CONCLUSION

·Have come a long way since early 20th
Century
·Many issues addressed but many remain
·More importantly, women play a key role in
nation-building and in fashioning society
·More recognition NECESSARY for many
unrecognised women
·Need to re-write social history

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LU 11 : POLITICS
OF THE LEFT /
LABOUR
MOVEMENT

WHAT IS LABOUR
MOVEMENT?

Ideas of the left and right can be mapped along
asingle left–right axis. Right wing beliefs value
tradition, talk about equity and promote survival of
the fittest (meritocracy), while left-wing beliefs are
concerned with social equality and economic
freedom.
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 supporting
the monarchy.

THE BEGINNING

The first documented strike took place in 1768 in
New York, when journeymen tailors opposed a
salary cut. The Federal Society of Journeymen
Cordwainers (shoemakers) was founded in
Philadelphia in 1794, marking the beginning of
sustained labour unionisation in the United States.

THE FORMATION

Britain made a number of steps to offset the
opposition of the Left Movement and the Labour
Party to the Federation of Malaya and calls for
improved working conditions.
After three estate managers were shot dead in
Perak, the state of emergency was finally
announced.
Thousands of labour activists and political party
members have been imprisoned, with many of
them being held without charge or trial.

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BREAKING UP

Many left parties declared illegal – brought the right wing
Parties to dominate Malayan politics – UMNO and MCA, followed by MIC.
PMFTU and several state trade unions declared illegal on May 1948.
MCP took up armed struggle against the British.
Some Malay members of API joined the MCP and
Formed the 10th Regiment, Malayan National Liberation Army.
The left wing had a role in raising political consciousness among Malaysians.
There were a lot of casualties that were from the margins capitalist system.
The suppression of left-wing parties made room for the right.
Malaysian politics will be dominated by political parties.
The British were effective in weakening the left by using measures that are both constitutional
and non-constitutional.

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LU 12 : SECRET
SOCIETIES

BACKGROUND OF SECRET
SOCIETIES

Secret societies (SS) is a social network terms and
a persisting pattern of relationships which directly
or indirectly links the participants in related secret
activities (B. H. Erickson)
Secret societies are typically groups whose rituals
and activities are hidden away from non-
members.
Some of this groups are involved in crime such as
dealing with drug or human trafficking, smuggling,
kidnapping, prostitution, copyright piracy, cyber
crime, blackmail and protection rackets financial
crime such as :
Counterfeiting, money laundering, stock market
manipulation, etc.
However, they did not linked to crime activities.
This are depending on interests such as to protect
their members or clans, have political motives,
business interests, religious objectives and to
uphold some certain magical beliefs or racist
ideologies.

BACKGROUND OF SECRET SOCIETIES

1. Who involved?
this SS are exclusive to certain people.
the objectives and share interests. Then, the creation of personal bonds between members of the
organization, and the use of secret rites or rituals which use of secret rites or rituals which solidify
members of the group.
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.

2. How about Malaya/Malaysia?
What you learnt in school? – about 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.
They joined the fighting between the Malay princes in both states.
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.

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After the conflict, the secret society
origins in Malaya
According to Thomas John Newbold
(1807-1850), an officer in the 23
Regiment, Madras Light Infantry, in
Malacca (1832-1835), SS were already in
existence in Penang in 1799.
Ghee Hin was the earliest mention by the
British and centered in Penang.
Hai San only emerged c1820 in Penang.
The Straits Settlements was the ‘birth
place’ of secret societies in Malaya.
Many Chinese Secret Societies flourished
in the Straits Settlement.
Other SS in Malaya – Toa PehKong, Ho
Seng (Penang) and Tian Ti Hoey
(Malacca/Negeri Sembilan).
3. what is 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.

BACKGROUND OF SECRET SOCIETIES

1. Who involved?
this SS are exclusive to certain people.
the objectives and share interests. Then, the creation of personal bonds between members of the
organization, and the use of secret rites or rituals which use of secret rites or rituals which solidify
members of the group.
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.

2. How about Malaya/Malaysia?
What you learnt in school? – about 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.
They joined the fighting between the Malay princes in both states.
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.

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4. Secret society 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.
• The original objective of the Chinese SS in Malaya (also in Southeast Asia) was tried to assist new
Chinese immigrants in their new countries.
• Therefore the newcomers or Singkeh who came and settled down in Malaya need protection from their
own communities.
• SS would help them to start new life in Malaya.
• SS also provided the members with financing their basic livelihood, the holding of a marriage etc.
• Case in point – Lim Hua Chiam – leader of Kian Teik Society.
• Under his leadership – gave shelter and money to the Singkeh.
• Mostly the member of SS was businessmen and who had big interests in Malaya economy – and gave
support in term of money and other resources.
• Therefore SS would help the Chinese community in business -gave loan to start the business.
• SS also became association to represent the Chinese in dealing with local and foreign powers.
• Some of them financing and supporting political rebellion in China.

5. The kongsi in Sarawak
• Predominantly Hakka gold miners (the Hakkas in Kalimantan and Sarawak originate from the four Hakka
district in Kwangtung province).
• The miners’ successful adaptation to their new place (economically and socially) is due to their frontier
organisation, the kongsi.
• The kongsi formed the basis of the miners’ political and social organization.
• It was an instrument of self-government and looked after its members’ economic and social needs.

6. Sarawak SS and the Brookes
• Started with the migration of the Hakka people to Sarawak from Sambas.
• In Sambas, the Hakka had formed several Chinese Kongsi.
• The clash between the kongsi brought the San Tiao Quo Kongsi to Sarawak.
• They control gold mine in Bau and became powerful kongsi and later known as Twelve Kongsi.
• When James Brooke tried to control them, the kongsi attacked Kuching in 1857.
• J. Brooke retaliated and attack Bau.
• This attack brought the end to the kongsi.
• In late 1880s the Ghee Hin tried to establish their branch in Sarawak but no avail.

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7. Conflict with Goverment
• 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.

8. 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).
• The rivalry showed up during the month of Muharram where both of the group fighting each others.
• The biggest clash between both groups happened in 1867.
• In 1867 riot, the Malay SS joined the formed their own

Chinese SS's ally. WF and Ghee Hin fight with RF & Toh Peh Kong because of the formation.

9. The Malay SS Today
• The Malay SS organization has their own council/majlis.
• This council headed by godfather/ayahanda.
• Their members consisted head of branch/samji.
• Under this umbrella is their foot soldier/subordinates which always call Abang Long, Along or Taiko.
• Every chief/head of branch had around 500 - 1000 followers.
• A chief usually have more than one abang long under his command , usually 3-5 sometimes even more.
• Abang Long has commanded around 150 men.
• Secret Society is another option to protect people and certain interests.
• Some people wants to protect their uniqueness in term of
culture, safety and activities.
• Some people have ideas to be special in society.
• SS became a new body to organize freely from the authority control.
• Some of the secretive activities would be led to negative activities such as crime.

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LU 13 :
MALAYSIAN
STUDENTS
MOVEMENT

CONCEPT

The student movement was a new social force that raised
political, economic, and social change consciousness and
fight.
Every country has nourished student movements.
Student movements have been given a variety of titles,
including 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.
Consists of youthful, fresh, and active students who form
pressure organisations to supervise the function and
policies of the government.
Students were urged to support local and worldwide
concerns after displaying their learning and the state of
people's lives.
Educational institutions as meeting places would bring
together students from various origins who share similar
views and struggles.

THE FORMATIVE YEARS

Malaysian student movements can be traced back to influence of Islamic movements in Middle East and South
Asia. Malay and Indonesian students formed several welfare and Islamic associations such as Jami'ah Al-
Khairiah (Egypt) and Talabah Indonesia Malaya Association (Saudi Arabia).

INDONESIA’S INFLUENCE
The Indonesia's influence upon Malay student movements was quite profound – 1930s Books and magazines
imported from Indonesia as reading material to college students in the Sultan Idris Training College (SITC)
were embedded in Malay nationalist ideas among SITC students.

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THE SITC

Sumpah Pemuda Indonesia became encouragement for Ibrahim to organize student movements in
SITC.
Ibrahim supported the idea of "Indonesia Raya" and wanted to unite students in unified organization.
KMM was new vehicle for the young Malay to struggle against the British but later was banned by
Japanese as well.
COMMUNAL OUTLOOK - EARLY YEARS
Among the early student movements - racial groupings that banded together to aid one another.
In 1937, the Malay Boys League was established.
MBL, which was founded at Penang Free School to help Malay pupils with their study, was abolished
by the headmaster.
This organization's goals were to prevent Malay student dropouts, establish a fund for impoverished
students, and support weak students in their study.
Mohamed Mohd Nor, Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Wan Sulaiman Pawanteh, Radziah Ali, and others were
among the KPPMS's founders.
ANTI BRITISH / INDEPENDENCE
After the success of the Chinese Communist Revolution in 1949, Chinese students were attracted to
socialist ideology. Students began to be more vocal and act independently. With help from
Communists, students in several Chinese schools in Kuching formed Students' Self-Governing Society.
British banned this society because of Communist influence.
Communist influence in student movements continued with the formation of Sarawak Overseas
Chinese Democratic Youth League.
Students' Self-Governing Society was banned by British because of Communist influence.
After independence, students became more concentrated in campus and focused on national and
international issues.
UMSU
Malaysian students in the 1960s were trying to become more independent and wanted more autonomy
from the University of Malaya (UM). UMSU had its own newspaper – Mahasiswa Negara - own bus and
canteen.
In 1966, Speaker's Corner was introduced.
TELOK GONG, SELANGOR
Issue exploded after Hamid Tuah opened up land in Teluk Gong, Selangor.
Hamid Tuan and several followers were arrested.
The students denounced the govt.
The students had demonstration in front of The S'gor State Building and demanded the release of
Hamid Tuah.
The student also collected money and clothes to be donated to the landless peasants in Teluk Gong

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THE GOVERNMENT STRIKES BACK
In order to control the students, the government introduced the University And University College Act,
1971.
This brought protests and demonstrations by students.
Demonstrations led to clashes between students and the police. Many student leaders were arrested
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
Students were also involved in international issues.
Demonstration against the Soviet Union's invasion on Czechoslovakia (1968).Support for the Pattani
Liberation Movement Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya (PMIUM) - demo against visiting
Thai Prime Minister – Thanom Kittikachorn (June 1971) Arab-Israel conflict (1973), Malaysian students
opposed US Govt's support for Israel.
Demonstration was organized on 13 and 16 October.
Lincoln Cultural Center targeted by the students

THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
ISA detentions – student leaders - Anwar Ibrahim, Idris Sanusi and Ibrahim Ali.
UUCA was amended – made harsher.
All student organizations were dissolved.
The Student Representative Councils (SPC) was reconstituted - little power and freedom.
To look after the student affairs – Student Affairs Department (Bahagian Hal-Ehwal Pelajar) was set up

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SSF1033

SSF1033

DIGITAL BOOKLET - INTRODUCTION TO
MALAYSIAN SOCIAL HISTORY