LAN 2003 Malaysian Studies (Degree)

Nationalism: The Malay Struggle

The Malays became increasingly aware of the shortcomings of their socio-economic situation when the British
colonial administration introduced education for the Malay community on a significant scale. The Malays
desire to protect their rights and improve their position endangered a new sense of nationalism: they became
united as a race rather than as subjects of their respective Sultans. Those engaged in the Malay struggle
included groups of religious reformists, conservatives and radicals.
A New Awareness
Before World War II, British Malaya was more a geographical than a political entity. For
most Malays, society traditionally revolved around the Sultan, the state and, more narrowly,
the clan. The idea of a Malayan nation was not common.
Colonial rule altered Malay perceptions. The economy was transformed in the late 19th and
the 20 th centuries, and there was a huge inflow of Chinese and Indian immigrants. Mass
education and education abroad were available for the first time. Educated Malays became
conscious of the problem affecting their community as a whole. Dissatisfaction and desire
for social change led to the emergence of a sense of nationalism reaching beyond the
confines of the state.
The Evolution of Malay Nationalism
Early Malay Nationalism can be seen as the search for the causes of Malay societys
economic shortcomings and for solutions to overcome them. It took several different forms.
Religious reformists saw the problem as a result of deviations from the true teachings of
Islam. They advocate the creations of an Islamic kingdom. Evolutionary conservatives were
concerned with the encroachment by non-Malays and wanted special concessions from
British. They wanted Malay rule, albeit with British values and systems. The radicals
considered British colonialism itself as root to the problem; furthermore, they envisaged the
Malay Peninsula as part of a Melayu Raya (greater Indonesia). (see External Opposition to
Malaysia)
The nationalist movements faced various challenges. They were out-lawed and some of their
leaders were imprisoned. Nevertheless, some of their ideas survived. In particular, the
conservatives formed the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and went on to
wage a successful campaign for Malayas independence (see Merdeka! Attaining
Independence) UMNO continues today in its mission to maintain the Malays dominant
position. Todays Parti Islam Se-Malaysia is reminiscent of the religious reformists in
wanting to set up its model of an Islamic state. However, there are few traces of the radicals
with their ideal of Melayu Raya.

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LAN 2003 Malaysian Studies (Degree)

Education as a Catalyst for Change

Under the British colonial government there arose a need for trained people of local origin
to work in the administration of the states. The authorities showed a preference for Malays.
Mass education was introduced to fulfill this need. As a result of education, the level of
political awareness among the Malays rose. In the event, the specific form taken by their
approach to nationalism was greatly influenced by their place of education.
Middle Eastern Universities
Events in the Middle East toward the end of the 19 th century greatly influenced the religious
reformists. Religious scholar Sheikh Muhammad Abduh led an Islamic reform or Islah
movement that impacted the entire Muslim world. The movement inspired Malay scholars
who studied in the Middle East, notably in Cairos Al Azhar University, and return home to
promote reform. Al Azhar University, which admits only Muslim students, was originally
built in 972 CE as a mosque. It expanded over time into a university for religion, Arabic and
the metaphysical sciences.
Sultan Idris Training College
This college was established by the colonial administration in 1922 in Tanjung Malim, Perak,
for the training of teachers. It proved fertile ground for the seeds of radical nationalism.
Grassroots leaders campaigned among low-class subjects and the Malay-educated, especially
schoolteachers and journalists. They were strongly anti-colonial and in favor of purging
Malaya of British influence. They also saw themselves as part of a greater Malay nation and
sought unity with Indonesia.
British Universities
Many aristocratic Malays were groomed by the British for the Malayan Civil Service and sent
to study in Britain. They considered themselves part of the establishment and argued for
reforms from within the system. They were characterized by loyalty to their respective
Sultans and to the British Crown. The colonial administration maintained a friendly attitude
toward them.

Malay Nationalism: the Forces Working for Change

Evolutionary Conservatives
Kesatuan Melayu Singapura (KMS), or Singapore Malay Union, was formed in 1926. It
encouraged Malays to advance themselves politically, socially, educationally and
economically. The primary concern of the KMS was the large presence of Chinese and
Indian migrant workers. The KMS regard these groups as transient laborers who should
return to their own countries at an appropriate time.
The KMS wanted Malays to be given priority for openings in education and civil service. It
also argues that land should be reserved specially for Malays and safeguards put in place
against encroachments by the Chinese and Indians. The party inspired the formation of
similar organizations in Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
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LAN 2003 Malaysian Studies (Degree)

Reformists and the Malay Press

Malay scholars, such as Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin, who returned from studies in the Middle
East in the first quarter of the 20 th century, perceive Malay society to be backward, mired in
superstitions and animistic beliefs. They urge Malays to embrace the true principles of Islam.
Publications such as Al-Imam (The Leader), Warta Negara (National News) and Saudara
(Comrade) advocated modern education, rationalization, and adaptation of Western
technology. They championed womens rights to education and participation in social affairs,
and the equality of all men before God, and argued that these were compatible with the
teachings of Islam. They also criticized the aristocratic establishment or Kaum Tua (Old
Faction) for the self-indulgence and for not leading Malay society forward.
Since members of this Kaum Muda (Youth Faction) attacked the religious authorities, they
were given neither positions in the religious establishment, nor facilities to preach their
message. In some states, their publications were banned. As a result of these curbs on their
activities, the reformists set up religious schools in the Straits Settlement.
The Radicals
Radical movements such as the Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM, or Young Malay Union)
opposed colonialism and considered the Sultans, Malay aristocrats and British-educated
Malays in general as allies of the British who compromised their positions in exchange for
pensions and positions in the bureaucracy. Inspired by Indonesias nationalists, they sought
merger with Indonesia.
Among the outspoken radicals of the KMM were Ibrahim Yaakob, Tan Melaka, Dato Ishak
Haji Muhammad (Pak Sako), Ahmad Boestamam and Dr. Burhanuddin Al Helmi. The
authorities viewed the KMM with great suspicion, and in 1940-1, 150 of its members were
arrested and imprisoned.
The Japanese Occupation shattered the illusion of British Invincibility and boasted the
nationalists confidence. Several KMM members founded Kesatuan Rakyat Indonesia
Semenanjung (KRIS), or the Peninsular Indonesian Peoples Union, with the intention of
declaring Malayan independence as part of an independent Indonesia. However, Japans
unexpected surrender thwarted the plan, and Indonesia declared its independence without
Malaya. The radical leaders nevertheless continued to champion Malays independence, first
through UMNO and later by forming Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA). However, PUTERA
failed to gain support as it was perceived to be a communist-influenced and pro-Indonesia

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LAN 2003 Malaysian Studies (Degree)

Zaba
Zainal Abidin Ahmad, better known as Zaba began his career as a teacher at
the English College in Johor Baru before transferring to the prestigious
Malay College in Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
An articulate writer, from 1916 onwards he wrote hundreds of articles in both the
Malay and English press highlighting The Malay situation and the plight of colonized
Muslims throughout the world. His famous articles The Poverty of the Malays and The
Salvation of the Malays which appeared in the Malay Mail in November 1923, caused him to
be transferred almost immediately to the Sultan Idris Training College (SITC) in Tanjung
Malim, Perak. This was the climax of early disciplinary action whereby he was denied any
increase to his salary for five years form 1918.
He was closely involved in the Kaum Muda (Youth Faction) and organized several related
associations. Notably, while at the Malay College he arranged a meeting of over 100 Englisheducated Kaum Muda members to organize a lecture tour of the Malay States by Khwaja
Kamaluddin, proprietor of the Islamic Review, who was based in England.
At SITC, Zaba continued his struggle by focusing on the development of the Malay
language, closely watched by his superiors and the Special Branch. After World War II, he
was made Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Malay Congress which established
UMNO. A founder member of UMNO, he later resigned to focus on his academic work.
Women Nationalists
A number of women broke traditional norms to protest against the Malayan Union, led by
few prominent individuals from Perak, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. When UMNO was
formed in 1946, women leaders joined their respective state associations to formulate the
UMNO charter. They later became the core of UMNOs Women Movement. Female
nationalists rallied crucial voter support for the Alliance in th 1955 elections and for the
independence movement. Fatimah Hashim (now Tun) and Aishah Ghani (now Tan Sri) later
served as Ministers in the government. Among the most prominent women nationalists were
Datin Puteh Mariah Ibrahim Rashid, the first Chief of UNNOs Women Movement, and
Dato Halimathon Abdul Majid, who rallied anti-Malayan Union protests.

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