HISTORY | The ‘almost forgotten’ radical Malay nationalists

HISTORY: TOLD AS IT IS | The “official national history” of Malaysia, as portrayed in our school history textbooks, gives prominence to the role played by the moderate United Malays National Organisation (Umno), together with the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), in achieving independence through peaceful means.

However, they downplay the significant role played by the radical Malay-educated intelligentsia (the Malay Left) after the Second World War in championing a more egalitarian Malay society and seeking Malaya’s independence through non-cooperation with the British colonial administration. 

Arguably, the radical Malay leaders have virtually become “invisible nationalists” due to the lack of adequate recognition given to their struggle for Malaya’s independence.

Hence, this article seeks to highlight the significant roles and contributions of the key radical Malay nationalists and their political organisations that were in full bloom during the 1945-48 period.

Although largely forgotten today, one is reminded of the due acknowledgement given to radical Malay nationalists in their struggle for Malaya’s independence by none other than the late Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, former deputy prime minister: “It is true that independence was achieved by the moderate group, but history has also shown that the radical nationalist group also made its contribution towards the achievement of independence.”

It is worth mentioning that the British officials in Malaya during the late 1940s were rather concerned that the influence of radical Malay nationalists was growing at the expense of Umno. Thus, it is not surprising that the British colonial administrators took various measures to suppress the radical Malay nationalists and their political organisations, whilst supporting their main conservative ally, Umno (the Malay Right).

Let’s begin by clarifying what is meant by radical Malay nationalists. According to...