Malay Kingship in Kedah

Malay Kingship in Kedah
Author: Maziar Mozaffari Falarti
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2013
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0739168428

The book probes and examines traditional sources of royal power and control, as well as indigenous socio-political systems in the Malay world. It is focused on the north-western Malaysian Sultanate of Kedah which is acknowledged as the oldest unbroken independent kingship line in the 'Malay and Islamic world' with 1,000 years of history. Little scholarly attention has been paid to its pre-modern history, society, religion, system of government and unique geographic situation, potentially controlling both land and sea lines of communication into the remainder of Southeast Asia. It will thus provide the first comprehensive treatment in English, or other languages, on Kedah's pre-modern and nineteenth century historiography and can provide a foundation for comparative studies of the various Malay states which is presently lacking. The proposed book also sheds much needed light on a range of important topics in Malay history including: Kedah and the northern Melaka Straits history, colonial expansion and rivalry, Southeast Asian history and politics, interregional migration and the influence of the sea peoples or orang laut, traditional Malay socio-political and economic life, Islamic influences and the course of Thai-Malay relations. The book attempts to offer a new understanding, not only of Kedah, but of the political and cultural development of the entire Malay world and of its relationships with the broader forces in both its continental and maritime settings. It argues that Kedah does not seem to follow, and in fact, often seems to contradict what has been commonly been accepted as the "typical model" of the traditional Malay state. Thus it concludes that the ruling dynasty has historically exploited a wide range of unique environmental conditions, local traditions, global spiritual trends and economic forces to preserve and strengthen its political position.

Islam in Malaysia

Islam in Malaysia
Author: Syed Muhd. Khairudin Aljunied
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 345
Release: 2019
Genre: History
ISBN: 0190925191

This book surveys the growth and development of Islam in Malaysia from the eleventh to the twenty-first century, investigating how Islam has shaped the social lives, languages, cultures and politics of both Muslims and non-Muslims in one of the most populous Muslim regions in the world. Khairudin Aljunied shows how Muslims in Malaysia built upon the legacy of their pre-Islamic past while benefiting from Islamic ideas, values, and networks to found flourishing states and societies that have played an influential role in a globalizing world. He examines the movement of ideas, peoples, goods, technologies, arts, and cultures across into and out of Malaysia over the centuries. Interactions between Muslims and the local Malay population began as early as the eighth century, sustained by trade and the agency of Sufi as well as Arab, Indian, Persian, and Chinese scholars and missionaries. Aljunied looks at how Malay states and societies survived under colonial regimes that heightened racial and religious divisions, and how Muslims responded through violence as well as reformist movements. Although there have been tensions and skirmishes between Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia, they have learned in the main to co-exist harmoniously, creating a society comprising of a variety of distinct populations. This is the first book to provide a seamless account of the millennium-old venture of Islam in Malaysia.

Daulat of Malay Kingship

Daulat of Malay Kingship
Author: Farihah Ahmad
Publisher:
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2013
Genre: Malaya
ISBN:

Daulat has been defined in various ways up to the 21st century, partly because of the long journey it has gone through. The evolution of daulat since the time of the traditional Malay kingdom, to its downfall by the coming of the Portuguese, later the British, and the short-reign - yet had a strong impact - of the Japanese, before the nation was reverted back to the dominion of the British. The outcome of these changes of power over daulat is its dissipation and eventual confusion. Added to that, the contemporary scholars think that daulat plays a passive role in the Malaysian society. Moreover, the daulat of the Malay kings has always been associated with myth and legends, as several elaborative rituals and ceremonies are still practiced until today. Due to these misunderstandings, people tend to dodge the issue, thus creating further misunderstanding and suffer hasty utilization, especially politically. Such a misunderstanding needs to be cleared by meticulously analyzing the daulat of the Malay kings since the era of the legendary Melaka sultanate until independence in 1957. Besides, understanding the tradition Adat Pertabalan, which is still in practice today, helps to verify the issue on how daulat is made official as a sovereignty of a Malay king. Eventually, the Constitution of Malaysia also acknowledges, and seals the daulat of the Malay kings. To this effect, this research has found that despite the unawareness of the public over the issue of daulat, it plays a very crucial role in the formation of the Constitution of Malaysia. Besides, this research has concluded that by upholding the daulat of the Malay kings and their subjects; the Malays, it could maintain the Malay identity. More importantly, the significance of Malay kings and the Malays are reflecting to each other. The daulat of the Malay kings also plays a major role in keeping peace and order in Malaysia. Therefore, by meticulously studying daulat, we can see that daulat plays an active role in nurturing the Malaysian society.

The Invention of Politics in Colonial Malaya

The Invention of Politics in Colonial Malaya
Author: Anthony Milner
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 344
Release: 2002-07-18
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780521003568

This innovative book is a pioneering study of political debate in an important Southeast Asian society. Now available in paperback it re-examines the formative period in Malay nationalism and argues against using nationalism as the paradigm of analysis.'This magnificent book is certainly essential reading for Malaysianists and Malaysians interested in the intrigues and mystique of Malay politics, in the past and at present.' Shamsul, A.B., Asian Studies Review'The Invention of Politics in Colonial Malaya is a model of its kind and will undoubtedly become a landmark in Malaysian studies and an example to those in other fields. It is a stylish and highly readable essay in cultural history.' William R Roff, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

Traditional Malay Monarchy

Traditional Malay Monarchy
Author: Haji Awg Asbol bin Haji Mail
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2024-08-19
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1040102476

This remarkable book brings to an English-speaking audience detailed scholarship originally conceived and written in the Malay language and with a Malay perspective. It examines the nature of monarchy in the Malay world, which includes present-day Malaysia and Indonesia, before and during the onset of Western colonialism when the Malay world was ruled by a large number of separate Muslim sultanates. It highlights that monarchs were the highest authority in the social, political, legal and economic system, rather than the government of a clearly defined territory; the notion of Dewaraja (god-king) and what a model monarch’s attributes should be; and how the monarch’s role related to Islamic principles, including the Islamic ideal of the Caliph of God meting out fair judgement and punishment. Two prominent and pivotal concepts of traditional Malay society, that of daulat (sovereignty) and derhaka (disloyalty) are here analysed and evaluated against the background of the period of absolute monarchy. Moreover, this volume also discusses the parts played by leading ministers and viziers, who often exercised enormous power, explores the role of monarchs in managing and regulating economic activity, and outlines differences between the different sultanates.

Palace, Political Party, and Power

Palace, Political Party, and Power
Author: Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian
Publisher: National University of Singapore Press
Total Pages: 476
Release: 2011
Genre: History
ISBN:

This text traces the history of the Malay rulers from the late colonial period to the first decade of the 21st century, considering the implications of the decline of the Malay rulers under colonial rule, the role of the Japanese Occupation of Malaya in defining postwar Malay identity.

Ottoman Connections to the Malay World

Ottoman Connections to the Malay World
Author: Saim Kayadibi
Publisher: The Other Press
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2011
Genre: Islam
ISBN: 9839541773

This book constitutes a study of Southeast Asia, discussing the Malay world's long historical connection with the Muslim people including the Rumi-Turks, Hadramis and the Ottomans. These connections reflect religious, political and legal cooperations. It also discusses the Ottomans' policy of pan-Islamism and the role of Sultan Abdulhamid II in improving ties with the Malay world and their scholars, rulers and heritage, in the fight against Western colonial powers. In seven essays, the contributors to this book discuss the early religious-intellectual network in the region as well as the evolution of the judicial and political systems.