Role of Associations

Muzium Negara Gallery D

The important role of associations in the Malay struggle had its beginnings in the 19th century. It came into prominence in the 1920s. In the early stages, the Malay associations focused on issues that were important to them. Chief among these issues were

Role of Associations in the Nationalistic Movement

• to urge their members to be more active in current affairs and administration
• to fight for the advancement and representation of the Malays in the fields of politics and education
• to raise with the British the rights and freedom of the Malays and
• concerns about higher education and technical skills among the Malays.

Malay language journalism played a vital role in informing the masses about the need for Malayan political associations. It was not the intent of these journalists and writers to challenge British rule, especially in the early stages, but to encourage the societies to become channels of communication to the British to help safeguard Malay welfare.

These associations called upon the malays to respect state laws and declare loyalty to both the British authorities and malay monarchs. Many of the Malay societies established in the 1930s were set up with a focus on individual needs.

1938 saw an effort to bring the Malay associations out of their state-specific limitations with the formation of the Kesatuan Melayu Muda. But it failed to garner sufficient support. Other efforts were made to unite all the Malay associations under one main banner.

The first Malay Congress was held on 6 August 1938 in Kuala Lumpur and the second on 25 and 26 December 1940 in Singapore. Neither however was any more successful in creating a national platform for Malay political activity.

Out in the Midday Sun: The British in Malaya, 1880-1960 (Hardcover)

by Margaret Shennan

Through memoirs, letters and interviews this text chronicles events and explores the anomalies and conflicts of the British rule in Malaysia from 1880 to 1960.

Review
“This book is a welcome addition to imperial studies in general and Southeast Asian studies in particular.” -- Choice

Get the British in Malaya book here