MS- Lesson 1 - Pre Historical Period Till Japanese Occupation

Module Code and Module Title Title of Slides

Malaysian StudiesMPW 1133


WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MALAYSIA?


http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/places.map

CHAPTER 1

PRE-HISTORICAL PERIOD OF MALAYSIA


Ancient Malaysia35,000 BC - 100 BC

Early Hindu Kingdoms100 BC - 1400 AD

Islam and the Golden Age of Malacca

1400 - 1511 AD

Colonial Malaysia1511 - 1957

Independence and Onwards

1957 - Present Day

http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/history02.htm




Ancient Malaysia: 35,000 BC - 100 BC

•35,000 years BC(Before Christ) - homo sapiens have been in Malaysia

- oldest known evidence of human habitation Niah Caves in Sarawak. (next)

•Historians - Malaysia's ancient past as something "shrouded in mystery," a kind of black hole in Asian history. - The truth is - not much archeological evidence or written records from ancient Malaysia.

(will take time to find them)


Hindu Kingdoms: 100 BC - 1400 AD

The Malay Wedding Ceremony: a lasting legacy of early Indian influence.

(next)

In the Bujang Valley in Kedah is Malaysia's most extensive archeological site -- the

sprawling ruins of an ancient Hindu kingdom dating back to 300 AD. Over 50 tomb temples

dot the site, and hundreds of relics are on display in the nearby Bujang Valley

Archaeological Museum

Malay Peninsula - • Savarnadvipa (the Land of Gold - in early writings

from India).• Indian traders called mystical, fantastically wealthily

kingdom - gold, aromatic wood, and spices.• Indian also brought a pervasive culture & religions.

(Hinduism and Buddhism).• the most visible example of the early Indian influence is:


Islam and the Golden Age of Malacca: 1400 AD - 1511 AD

Tome Pries, a Portuguese apothecary who visited Malacca in the early 16th

century, said that the city was "of such importance and profit that it seems to me

it has no equal in the world."

Portuguese settlement

Chinese influence (next)

•With these traders came Islam-rulers now referred to themselves as “sultans,“ (heads of a highly organized municipal government)

•Malacca -founded in 1400 by Palembang prince named Parameswara. -Perfectly located for trade -most influential port in Southeast Asia

•13th century -Srivijaya's influence declined -There were need for secure, well-equipped port in the region.


Highly Organized Municipal Government.

Syahbandars( harbor master)

Bendahara (chief minister)

Temenggung (customs official)

Laksamana (marine captain)


• Natural port & safety of its sea lanes.

- “Orang Laut”• Commercial facilities:

- security within the town- protection of foreign merchants & goods e.x: underground warehouse – fire & theft

• Efficient legal & Administrative machinery a. Undang-undang Melaka – ( Malaccan Law) b. Undang-undang laut Melaka – ( Malaccan Meritime Law) c. 4 Syahbandars (Harbour Masters) – Gujarati, Indian, Jawa & China.

• Centre for spread the religion.

• Good relation with big empires .

REASON for MALACCA’S SUCCESS


THE FALL of MALACCANo good ruler. After the death of Tun Perak - sultan Mahmud

became weak.

• Portuguese too strong for Malaccan people.

• Traders start to look for other centres – tax become too high.

• After the collapse of Melaka the Sultane of Brunei in Kalimantan rose to become the principal agent for the propagation of Islam in that area.

Malacca marked the classical age of Malay Culture.


REASON for MALACCA’S SUCCESS

• Natural port & safety of its sea lanes.• - “Orang Laut”• Commercial facilities:• - security within the town• - protection of foreign merchants & goods• e.x: underground warehouse – fire & theft • Efficient legal & Administrative machinery • a. Undang-undang Melaka – ( Malaccan Law)• b. Undang-undang laut Melaka – ( Malaccan Meritime Law)• c. 4 Syahbandars (Harbour Masters) – Gujarati, Indian, Jawa & China.

• Centre for spread the religion.

• Good relation with big empires .


EUROPEAN PENETRTION & COLONIALISM

• Reason for them to come to Malaya• to conquer & get the natural resource (Raw material).• spread Christianity in this regions.• They ruled our country for 446 years.• Malacca falls to: Portuguese 1511• Dutch 1641• British

1791/1824• Japanese 1941• British 1945• (British & Japanese left very deep scares )• - aspect : Social, Politic, Economy (Cont’d)


EUROPEAN PENETRTION & COLONIALISM (Cont’d)

• 1511 – Malacca conquered by Portuguese. Malay Sultanate re- established in Johore.

• 1641 – Portuguese rule in Malacca overthrown by Dutch.

• 1699 – Sultan Mahmud murdered, ending Malaccan dynasty.

• 1786 – Francis Light founds British trading settlement on Penang.

• 1824 – British acquired Malacca from the Dutch in exchange for Bencoolen in Sumatra.


Colonial Era

• Reflects the attraction of the country & of the Malay Archipelago to the foreign countries

• Subjugated by other powers for 446 years (1511 – 1957 )

• British & Japanese succeeded in colonizing and left the impact on the people

• The Factors for colonizing Malaysia:• vase natural resources & other sources of wealth• to extend political influence & Christian faith

• Japanese• and even Siamese

• Portuguese• Dutch• British


Table 1.3: Colonists and the Features of Domination

Colonist Duration NotesPortuguese 1511 – 1641

(130 years)• Mainly in Malacca• Was opposed by the Malays of Malacca with the aid of Acheh• Did not leave behind many traces, except in the areas of language and dance

Dutch 1641 – 1824(183 years)

• Mainly in Malacca• Did not leave many traces; focused on colonizing Indonesia• Was opposed by the Malays who frequently received help from the Bugis

British 1824 – 1942

1945 – 1957(130 years)

• Colonized the whole of Peninsula Malaysia; two phases• Left behind significant influence on the way of the life of the people (P/E/S)• Was strongly opposed by the country’s population

Siamese 1821 – 1909(88 years)

• Was for a long time lord of the states in the north of the Malay Peninsula• Stayed mainly in the northern states of the Malay Peninsula namely, Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan• Traces of influence very evident in the states in the north, especially in the areas of religion (Buddhist) and art

Japanese 1942 – 1945(3½ years)

• Colonized the entire country• Greatly influenced the life of the people, especially in terms of relations between the races• Was opposed by the whole country


Portuguese (1511 – 1641)

• The main reason:• to control the maritime trade in the East• Spread Christianity

• Failure to expend power:• Inconsistency between their:

» trading practices» Religion

– Alfonso de Albuquerque using force to make the group of merchants leave Malacca and they viewed the Portuguese as enemy to other Islamic countries


Portuguese (1511 – 1641) Con’t

• Main influences evidences:• Eurasian community• romanized writing • language• terminology (palsu, almari, jandela, garpu & tuala in Malay)• Led to start Johore-Riau Malay Kingdom


Dutch (1641 – 1824)

• Defeted Portuguese with assistance from Johore• Dutch activities mostly from Batavia (Jakarta) in Jawa Island• Only interested in tin ore in the Malay Peninsula• Dutch left after agreement with British in 1824 (Malacca was

passed to British)


British (1824 – 1942)• 1786: Penang was founded by by Francis Light

*(after an agreement between Francis Light & Sultan Abdullah - protect Kedah from Siamese threat)

• 1819: Singapore was founded by Stamford Raffles *(achieved through the manipulation by the British of a local issues of misunderstanding between

Chief Military Officer Abdul Rahman (Singapore Administrator) & Sultan Abdul Rahman in Riau )

• The general tendency:• Focus on opening of Singapore• Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 March 17: Malay Archipelago divided

to two different geo-political area in 19 & 20 century• The establishment & transfer of power of the Straits Settlements• The growth of the tin mining industry• Increase of Chinese population• The intervention of the Malay States in 1874• Progress in British administration• Formation of the Federated Malay States in 1896• Opening of rubber estate

See table 1.4: The Chronology Of British Colonization – pg. 10


British (1824 – 1942) Con’t

• Straits Settlements• Consisted of Singapore, Malacca & Penang Island• United in 1829• Penang Island:1st capital state with Governor as

head• Administration of Straits Settlements transferred

from Culcutta in India to London coursed:» More efficient administration» Commercial agriculture (black paper, gambier,

nutmeg, clove & sugar cane)» Pirate activities were eradicated» British began to pay attention to the Malay state


British (1824 – 1942) Con’t

• British Intervention in Malay States, Sabah & Sarawak• There had been several cases of indirect intervention:

» Raja Ali & Temenggung Ibrahim in Johore» Naning War of 1831» Anderson’s agreement with Selangor & Perak in 1825

• In September 1873, Lord Kimberly-inaugurated intervention policy• Before that British intervened only in Sarawak

* See Table 1.5: Summary of British Intervention in the Malay States, Sabah & Sarawak


Table 1.5: Summary of British Intervention in the Malay States, Sabah & Sarawak

State Record of EventsSarawak(1824)

• James Brooke occupied Sarawak after fulfilling his promise to Raja Muda Hashim to quell the rebels• James Brooke was coronated King of Sarawak in 1824• The Sultan of Brunei agreed to sign the Agreement of 1842 to confirm James Brooke as the governor of Sarawak for fear to British threat

Perak(1874)

• The British intervened with the excuse of protecting the intrest of British merchants• Chaos broke out with the Larut War (the clamor for control of the tin mines) that involved the Chines secret sicieties, Hai San & Ghee Hin, and the civil war (the struggle for the throne between Raja Abdullah & Raja Ismail)• Chieftains such as Ngah Ibrahim (Larut Minister) & Raja Abdullah requested for British intervention• Anxiety on the part of the British that other European powers will intervene in the Malay States•The Pangkor Treaty was signed on 20th January 1874• J.W.W. Birch was appointed the first Resident

Selangor(1874)

• Civil war involving Raja Mahadi & Raja Abdullah• Tengku Kudin & Yap Ah Loy supported Raja Abdullah; the princes of the Selangor Sultan and Sayid Masyor supported Raja Mahadi• British intervention to interfere was not successful because the Malay chieftains did not want the British to interfere


State Record of EventsSelangor

(1874)Con’t

• In 1873, a British cargo boat was attacked by pirates; the British took this as an excuse to intervene• In August 1874, Frank Swettenham was appointed official advisor to the Sultan & J.G. Davidson as the Resident

Sungai Ujung(1874)

• Struggle for power in Sungai Linggi between Dato’ Kelana Said Abdul Rahman & Dato’ Bandar Kulup Tunggal• Dato’ Kelana sought help from the English & was subsequently acknowledged as chief of Sungai Ujong. However, the appointment of Dato’ Kelana & British presence were opposed by Dato’ Bandar Kulup Tunggal• The British army, led by W.A. Pickering, successfully defeated Dato’ Bandar Kulup Tunggal• Sungai Ujong accepted British Advisor, W.I. Tatham

Pahang(1880s)

• Civil war broke out due to the struggle between Wan Mutahir & Wan Ahmad for the post of Chief Minister• The British were worried over Sultan Ahmad’s suggestion to give trade concessions to Western powers• In February 1888, a British citizen (of Chinese descent) was murdered in Pekan (near the sultan’s palace)• The British took that as an excuse to intervene• Sultan Ahmad accepted the British Resident J.P. Rodger

Table 1.5: Summary of British Intervention in the Malay States, Sabah & SarawakCon’t


Table 1.5: Summary of British Intervention in the Malay States, Sabah & SarawakCon’t

State Record of EventsSabah(1946)

• Part of Sabah was under the Brunei Sultanate since the 16th century• Was leased to Charles Lee Moses in 1865 & subsequently sold to Baron Von Overbeck•T he Sulu Sultanete agreed to give up their land in Sabah to Overback & Dent in 1878• The North Borneo Chartered Company was established to administer Sabah• On 15th July 1946, Sabah was declared a British colony


BRITISH INTERVENTION in THE MALAY STATES

• -From 1824 – 1873, the British in Malaya had tried to refrain from interfering in the affairs of the Malay states.

- When the Straits Settlements were transferred from the control of the Indian government to the Colonial Office in 1867, the traits community thought that there would be intervention.

- Sir Andrew Clarke 1874, who changed the policy of non-intervention to one of intervention.


REASONS FOR THE CHANGE OF POLICY

1. The increase in demand for tin and other raw materials.

2. Need for markets to buy British Goods.

3. Need for New Fields of investment.

4. Anarchy in the Malay state.

5. Change in British Policy of Non-intervention.

6. Fear of European rivals

7. Opening of the Suez Canal.


THE RESIDENTAL SYSTEM IN MALAY STATE

During the last three decades of the nineteenth century, Britain became increasingly involved in the internal affair of the Malay State.

Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang, the sultans accepted British officials to help them rule.

These officials were called Residents, and the system of governing with assistance from a resident was know as the Residential System.


THE ROLE of THE RESIDENTS

1. To advise on the collection and control of revenue.

2. Encouraging economic growth.

3. To restore and maintain peace in their states.

4. Diplomatic role.


THE BENEFITS of THE RESIDENTIAL SYSTEM

1. Political stability and the enforcement of law and order.

2. More effective government.

3. Substantial economic growth.

4. Foreign investment – more effective exploitation of natural resources.

5. Greater revenue – higher standard of living.

6. Multi-cultural society – increase in Malaya’s population.


THE DIMERITS of THE RESIDENTIAL SYSTEM

1. No uniformity of government.

2. The lack of co-ordination – increasingly powerful at the expense of the local Sultans and chiefs.

3. Varying amounts of economic growth within their states.


THE TRANSFER of THE NORTHERN MALAY STATES

• By the beginning of the twentieth century, British influence in the Malay Peninsula could be seen in the:

• 1. Straits Settlements (Malacca, Penang and Singapore)• 2. Federated Malay State (Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang)

• There were still five state, however, which remained independent of British influence. These were Johore, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu.

• In 1909, the four most northern states came under direct British protection as the UNFEDERATED MALAY STATES.

• 1909, The Bangkok Treaty.

• Only Johore remained independent, though in 1914 it too appointed a British official to give advice.

• Although this official did not have status of a Resident, his appointment completed the establishment of British control in the Malay Peninsula.


THE RISE OF JAPAN• In the period up to 1941, Japan emerged as a major power strong enough

to challenge the United States.• - the growth of Japanese power was demonstrated in the Russo-

Japanese War of 1904 – 1905. • - during World War One, Japan’s power was further increased.• - Although Japan developed rapidly as an industrialized nation, its

people faced many problems.• - Population was growing – rice production could not keep up

with this increase.• - No raw material – valuable commodities such as oil, rubber and

iron had to be imported.• - World went to into economic recession after 1929.• - The answer to Japan’s problems was provided by the army.• - if more land, more raw materials and alternative markets were

needed, then they should be taken by force. Therefore, in 1931, Japan went to war.


JAPAN’S PLAN FOR A “NEW ORDER”

• In 1938, Japan devised a plan for establishing a “New Order” in Asia (Greater Asia Co. – Prosperity Plan).

• • - this involve setting up an organization under Japan’s

leadership to provide economic growth and political independence.

•• - in reality, it meant Japan gaining control of Asia and

exploiting Asia raw material for its own use.


THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION of MALAYA and SINGAPORE (1942 – 1945)

- M & S went through three and half years of Japanese occupation.

- It was a period of great hardship and suffering for the population.

- Food was scarce, economic activities came to a standstill and there was unemployment.

- Japanese rule was cruel and ruthless and the population lived in fear.


JAPANESE ADMINISTRATION- A military government in Malaya & Singapore - President or Gunseikan as it’s head.- Singapore was renamed “Syonan-to” means “Light of the South”- Malaya was renamed “New Malai”.- It was divided into 8 provinces.- Japanese Governor was the Chairman.- Sultan was the V-Chairman.- Sultans were not given any power to rule.- Japanese were appointed as heads of the various departments while the actual

running of the administration was carried out by the local people.- Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu were restored to Siamese as a reward

for Siamese cooperation with the Japanese.- The Japanese Military Administration demanded absolute cooperation and severely

punished anyone who opposed their rule.- The Kempeitai or Japanese military police took control of the local police.


JAPANESE ADMINISTRATION

- The Japanese – Nipponization.- There were a decline in living condition.- Tin and rubber industries had close down.- There were great unemployment and poverty.- There was shortage of food.- Uncontrolled issue of paper money by the Japanese

banks – resulted in worthless currency and inflation.- Public health service were very poor.


THE RACIAL POLICY of THE JAPANESE

- Anti – European. However, the local people also suffered.

- Chinese – the Japanese distrusted them. Tortured and thousands were sent to work on the “Death Railway”.

- Indians – were treated better.

- Malays – were treated well (to win their support and cooperation)


RESISTANCE AGAINTS THE JAPANESE

- the strict and harsh rule of the Japanese resulted in hatred for them.

- Many resistance groups were organized against the Japanese.

- Force 136 and the stronger and most popular was MPAJA.

- MPAJA led by MCP (Malayan Communist Party).


THE IMPACT of THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION

- Two atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On 15 August 1945, Japan surrendered. 9 Sept. 1945 the formal Japanese surrender.

• 1. Lawlessness and Violence• 2. Thousands of people dead• 3. Racial hostilities• 4. The MCP Strengthened• 5. Economic problems • 6. Social and Public Health services in disorder • 7. British prestige lowered • 8. Development of Malay Nationalism

Documents

MS- Lesson 1 - Pre Historical Period Till Japanese Occupation