The Star, 14 September 2001
Defining moments
By Neil Khor Jin Keong
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MALAYSIA
Volume Seven
Early Modern History (1800-1940)
Edited by: Dr Cheah Boon Kheng
Publisher: Archipelago Press, Editions Didier Millet
Price: RM95
The seventh volume of the Encyclopedia of Malaysia with its focus on rearly modern history attempts to cover the nation's development form 1800-1940, This is a turbulent yet defining period in Malaysia's history and it is to Dr Cheah Boon Kheng ‘s credit that this volume upholds the standard set by the first five volumes published by Archipelago Press, an imprint of Editions Didier Millet.
Cheah, a former professor of history at Universiti Sains Malaysia has selected and designed a collection of articles that is representatives of diverse development during this period of history.
Apart from the succinct historical documentation of events there is a helpful chronology section, a well-selected bibliography, and lavishly illustrated pages. As Dr Cheah explained in his introduction to the volume, “ political and economic transformation as the British established settlements, and later intervened in the administration of the Malay states, is the dominant theme.
he maps of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak describe how colonialism left its mark on this part of the Malay World. It is amazing that Malaya, from 1800-1940, was made up of colonies, federated and unfederated protectorates, a British dynamic kingdom and land under chartered company rule, The success of this volume lies in its ability to depict this transformation enjoyably.
With reference to the historical merit of the work, the range of contributors is testimony of its credibility. The lay reader will find the volume approach and its valuable discussion of the defining moments in Malaysia history interesting.
Thus it is very appropriate that the volume begins before 1800, with an earnest attempt to describe the "indigenous state and society".
There are also articles on women and on Sabah and Sarawak, two areas in pre-1800 Malayan history that have long been neglected.
The reader of this volume will find the diversity of perspectives and opinion impressive. Unlike earlier work on history, this volume presents the very interesting viewpoints of 27 contributors. Writing from their research, they cover the development of modern export economy and proceed to evaluate the impact of British imperialism.
Multinational company and foreign banks and the role of largescale western enterprises are explained with interesting tables and illustrations. Malaysia students sitting for Form Five and Form Six history papers should find these short but cogent essays helpful. University students should not only read articles, they should make use of insightful bibliography to further their understanding of events during that period.
While this volume is a must read for students of history, the average of Malaysian will also benefit as the articles will help them better understand the nation. Furthermore, since politics is such a hot topics these days, it would be advisable for some of us to read the sections on Colonial Rule, the Malay State and Sabah and Sarawak, before we start propagating our views.
It is interesting to note how erroneous some of our ideas about Malaysia can be from years of reading "national history".
The mat salleh might not look very intimidating now but some of them do appear rather imperious in the pages of this volume, especially when they were our colonial rulers.
The second last section is devoted to Sabah and Sarawak, covering Sarawak's expansion under the Brooke dynasty and the subsequent creation of a plural society there.
There are also articles on Sabah under North Borneo Company rule, and an article on Labuan, the entreport of Borneo.
The last section covers the beginnings of the modern state and gives emphasis to the making of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic character.
Although the arrival of immigrants is noted earlier, it is in the last section that the growth of plural society and its accompanying anxiety are highlighted.
It is often said that the basis for a civil society is an appreciation of history and that coming to terms with the past is the first step towards independence, Reading this carefully prepared volume will, I believe, help many Malaysian take that first step.