Introduction to mpw2133 Malaysian Studies

2. Introduction to MPW2133 Malaysian Studies

3. Objectives

• 
  Developing citizens who are loyal to the country, love the nation, are vision minded, proud to be Malaysian, able to face challenges in life and introduce Malaysia in the international arena.
  
• 
  Giving a clear understanding on the history of the nation and its people together with community development in respect of culture, economy and politics.
  
• 
  Inculcating the sense of awareness for getting involved in the struggle to defend the sovereignty and the development of this nation.
  
• 
  Acknowledging and appreciating the contributions and the struggle of those great figures that have struggled for the independence and sovereignty of Malaysia.
  
• 
  Appreciating nation’s identity and be proud of being a Malaysian.
  
• 
  Understanding and appreciating the Malaysia’s roles and contributions at the international level.
  

4. Synopsis

• 
  The course is designed to give a clear understanding of historical events in Malaysia and discussed the important issues of the country in term of economy, education, government administration system, politics, socio culture and international affairs.
  
• 
  At the beginning of the syllabus, the course is stressed more on historical events, which is going to take students on a nostalgic journey through the history of this country. It would be interesting to see how we learn and have not learnt lessons from history to help us face the challenges of the future.
  
• 
  The students also learn about the structure of the Malaysian government, which comprise of the Yang Di-pertuan Agong, and the legislative, executive and judicial authority.
  
• 
  Education and economy in Malaysia also among the interesting chapters, which are the students, will expose to the scenarios of education and economy from the day before independence until present day.
  
• 
  Many programs also introduced by the government to maintain the social and political stability, thus may help students to get a clear picture of government policies.
  

Do you aware that some aspects of our current socio-economic and socio-political are inherited from the earlier generations? We should appreciate the roles and contributions of the earlier kingdoms towards our nation’s development today. Thus, this topic will bring you to look back the history of the emergence of the famous Malay kingdom or Malay Sultanate in the Malay world. The focus of the topic is on the factors that contributed to the success of the kingdoms as well as the factors of their downfalls. The topic will revisit the political, economical and the social structures of the traditional Malay societies.

1. 
   Identify the great Traditional Malay Kingdoms
   
2. 
   Discuss the factors of their glory and downfall as well relate the relevancy of those factors to the today’s situation
   
3. 
   Elaborate the ruling system of the kingdoms
   
4. 
   Compare the governance and socio-economic of the kingdoms with the current system
   

3. 
   List of Topics
   

1. 
   The Malay Malacca Kingdom
   

2. 
   Other Malay Kingdoms
   

3. 
   The Politic, Economic and Social System
   

4. 
   Achievements in Technology
   

The chain Malay islands South East Asia region

The era of glory and great achievement

4.3 Excessive taxation

5. 
   Self-sustaining
   

To sustain the need of one’s own self

5. 
   Socialization
   

A process of educating people on how to socialize with society members

1. 
   Wise leadership
   
   • 
     Parameswara converted to Islam as to attract traders from surrounding Muslim states such Pasai
     
   • 
     Established political ties with the supreme power of the world i.e China to protect Malacca from its enemies
     

2. 
   Geographical factors
   
   • 
     The sea was deep, which was good for big ships
     
   • 
     Fresh waters supplies from nearby river
     
   • 
     Located in the middle of international trading route between the east and the west
     
   • 
     Two monsoon winds to all directions
     

3. 
   Economic factors
   
   • 
     Center of the world trade (almost all merchandises & goods could be found there)
     
   • 
     Economic ties with China
     

4. 
   Political and good administration
   
   • 
     diplomatic tie with the supreme power of the world i.e China
     
   • 
     Creation of Administrative Posts (Sultan, Bendahara, Penghulu Bendahari, Temenggung, Syah Bandar, Laksamana)
     
   • 
     Laws that governed its citizens i.e Hukum Kanun Melaka & Undang-Undang Laut Melaka
     

After experiencing its golden age, Malacca finally reached at its downfall. Do you know the factors contributed to its downfall? The factors are categorized into internal (the main factors) and external factors.

1. 
   Lack of wise and able leaders
   

• 
  Started with Sultan Alaudin Riayat Syah (soft mannered & disliked violence and war)
  
• 
  Officials were not capable and wise
  

Example:

1. 
   Bendahara Tun Perak was a weak and not capable to administer the government affairs
   
2. 
   Bendahara Tun Perpatih (after Tun Perak) was a spendrift
   
3. 
   Bendahara Tun Mutahir who replaced Tun Perpatih focused more on personal gains
   

2. 
   Oppressive Administration
   
   • 
     Some officials oppressed and did injustice to the citizens and foreign traders
     
   • 
     Corruption in administration and bribery to gain personal wealth
     
   • 
     Excessive taxation system on the citizens and traders
     

3. 
   People were divided and disunited
   

• 
  Fraction between aristocrats and the people
  
• 
  Conflict between Indian Muslims and Malays
  

4. 
   Lack of Military Might and Weak Defences
   

• 
  Lack of brave and strong warriors
  
• 
  No progress in weaponry and war strategy (still using keris and swords)
  

1. 
   The discovery of the Cape of Good Hope (Tanjung Pengharapan), a naval passage in Southern Africa by Bartholomew Diaz in 1488
   
   • 
     It made easier to sail from the West to the East
     
   • 
     Western powers were eager to locate sites in trading in the East
     
   • 
     Portuguese attacked Malacca in 1511, thus brought to its downfall
     

2. 
   Emergence of other trade centers
   

• 
  Due to the oppressive administration
  

• 
  Traders looked for other port such as Aceh, Bantan and Brunei.
  

1. 
   Have you ever visited any website on the Kingdom of Malacca? If you don’t, take your time to serf this website:
   

2. 
   A point to ponder: Can you relate the significance of the glory and the downfalls factors to our modern government? Do you agree that those factors will affect the hegemony of our country?
   

5.2 Other Malay Kingdoms

5.2.2 Activities

5.3 The Politic, Economic and Social System

5.3.1 Presentation

1. 
   Political System
   

The governance system was heavily influenced by beliefs, customs and religion. The system was hierarchical in nature. The system created a gap among rulers, aristocrats and the public people (commoners). The governance system is illustrated as follow:

The system above is called ‘monarchy system’. Do you know what the system is all about? It is a system where a country is ruled by a monarch (king/sultan). The king became the symbol of the sovereignty of the country. In the system, aristocrats possessed the political, economic and social powers. The officials acted as the advisors to the kings and majority of them worked in palace. They were elected by the king and were given power to collect taxes and to have their own armies and servants. The headman became the intermediary between the king and the commoners. They were the leaders at their villages. The commoners were the common people and did not have opportunity to get involved in the administration of the country.

2. 
   Economic System
   

The first characteristic of the economic system is self-sustaining. The economic activities were very traditional in nature in which it aimed to sustain the need of one’s family. The family needs became the focus of the economy. However, trade activities were already in place as a tool for people to get their essential needs that cannot be produced. The trade had taken place with China, India and West Asia (Arab countries) at that time.

3. 
   Social System
   

The traditional Malay society had encountered series of external cultures like Hinduism, Islam and the West. The most influential culture is Islam that made the Malay culture steadily matured and more organized. Family ties were strongly emphasized and instituted in the society. Noble values were taught in family as the family became the agent of socialization. Besides, there were laws created as to govern behaviour in society land and naval laws. The examples are as below:

1. 
   Malacca Code of Law (Undang-Undang Qanun Malacca)
   
2. 
   Malacca Law of the Sea (Undang-Undang Laut Melaka)
   
3. 
   Pahang Laws. Perak Laws, Kedah Laws
   

5.3.2 Activities

1. 
   Do you want to get some more information about those kingdoms? Allocate your time to visit this website: http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/early.htm
   

2. 
   Have you ever watched traditional Malay movies? If you have time, it is good if you can watch the following movies. Those movies will give you some ideas about the socio-politic and economic of the Malacca kingdom:
   

1. 
   Hang Tuah
   
2. 
   Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang
   
3. 
   Tun Fatimah
   

5.4 Achievement in Technology

1. 
   Malay architecture - Malay house of Kelantan, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and others with different features according to place
   

2. 
   Weaponry – the making of keris
   

3. 
   Making of transportation – boats, dinghies, sailboats
   

4. 
   Medicine – herbal medicine
   

5.4.2 Activities

1. 
   Palembang
   
2. 
   Kedah
   
3. 
   Johor
   
4. 
   Malacca
   

Answer: Palembang

1. 
   Johor
   
2. 
   Malacca
   
3. 
   Pahang
   
4. 
   Perak
   

Answer: Malacca

Which of the following is not the factor?

1. 
   Wise leadership
   
2. 
   Strategic location
   
3. 
   Economic ties with the super power of the world
   
4. 
   Diplomatic ties with the West
   

Answer: D

1. 
   Lack of wise leaders
   
2. 
   Oppressive administration
   
3. 
   Attack by west country
   
4. 
   Disunity among the people
   

Answer: C

1. 
   The discovery of the Cape of Golden Hope
   
2. 
   Attack of the Portuguese
   
3. 
   Attack of Majapahit
   
4. 
   Emergence of other trade centers
   

Answer: C

system of Malaysia?

II Aristocrats are still in power in the current ruling system of Malaysia

III In both systems, the king is assisted by some officials

IV Bendahara is equivalent to the post of Prime Minister

1. 
   I and II only
   
2. 
   II and III only
   
3. 
   I, III and IV only
   
4. 
   II, III and IV only