Early Modern History/ Contents

The origins of a Malay nationalist movement

Ariffin Omar

A Malay nationalist movement was slow to develop in the Malay Peninsula because of the separate identities of the various states, and because some states felt British protection was advantageous to them. The movement started at the beginning of the 20th century, but was still developing at the outbreak of World War II. The initial catalyst to the movement was a publication, Al-Imam. Other Malay newspapers also played a major role. Only with the emergence of an educated Malay élite and theformation of state associations did the movement progress.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • The early beginnings
  • The Malay press
  • Pan-Malayan Malay organizations
  • The rise of a Malay élite
  • Pan-Malayan Malay congresses
Mohd Eunos bin Abdullah

Mohd Eunos bin Abdullah, one of the founders (and the first president) of the Kesatuan Melayu Singapura (Singapore Malays Union), the first Malay state association, established in 1926.