The Malay society in Singapore: 1824-1941

• Main Author: Sheikh Jaffar, Nabila
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DS Asia
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/14491/1/7.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/14491/; http://www.iaha2014.uum.edu.my/

The Malay society in Singapore has experienced change and modernization after the founding of Singapore by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.The Malays ceased to have a vital role in the island following the cession of Singapore in 1824 and slowly fall into the background.With no leader or authoritative figure, they had no choice but to meet up with the challenge and strive in existence with other races.In 1826, Singapore, together with Penang and Malacca were grouped together under the Straits Settlements and governed under the East India Company.The island attracted many merchants and traders worldwide due to its free trade policy started by Raffles. Commercial growth was extraordinary high but even so, the government could not make enough fortune to maintain the wellbeing of the island.With the expound of commerce, there were an influx of groups of people from neighbouring countries especially from China.Malays from the Malay Peninsular and neighbouring islands like Sumatra, Java, Bawean and Riau migrated to Singapore due to high job opportunities. Over the years, these groups of immigrants help to create the identity of the Malays in Singapore by living together in the same community, bound with the same religion, similar culture, tradition and language. Not forgetting the Jawi-Peranakan and Arabs who were also categorized in the Malayo/Muslim group in Singapore who became somewhat a figure leader among the Malays due to their contribution and role for the society and development of Singapore.This paper intends to discover the social condition of the Malays in Singapore under the rule of British in the periods of 1824 to 1941 before the Japanese Occupation.It will be using various sources of both primary and secondary resources to put the essence of this research to justice without the presence of prejudice and biasness.