The Historical Development of the Malay Nationalism Before Independence

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2014 in the subject History - Asia, National University of Malaysia, course: History, language: English, abstract: This study will analyze the historical development of Malay nationalism against Western powers, particularly the British in Malaya before independence in 1957. The method used in this study is based on the method of observation of the resources available at the library and the National Archives of Malaysia. This study will begin with the dismantling of the prior history of Malaya’s early economic development. The arrival of the Western powers, namely the Portuguese, Dutch and British to Malaya was due to the economic importance of Malaya, which is also known as the Land of Gold and Gold Peninsular by foreign races. Malaya was colonized for more than 400 years since the Portuguese colonization in 1511. When the British controlled Malaya, the inclusion of their pro-Western idea has created conflict with the Malay community. This study will focus on the historiography of the Malay community to look at the historical development of Malay nationalism and the parties involved in the resistance against the British. After the country gained independence, the implementation of the Look East Policy by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in 1982 is seen to end the continuous conflict between pro-Western idea that been brought by the colonists and the Malay nationalism spirit, with the Japanese model representing the East model has replaced the long-standing Western models that dominate the lives of the Malays as far back as the Portuguese domination of Malacca in 1511.