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Curriculum reforms at the secondary-school level in Malaysia began in 1988 and was fully implemented in 1989. Heagly and Evans define curriculum as structured experience provided by the school for the student, so the student can meet all set learning outcomes to the best of their abilities. Prior to the introduction of the Secondary School Integrated Curriculum (KBSM), many issues were identified in the secondary school curriculum that served as the benchmark for curriculum reforms in Malaysia. Based on analysis, the introduction of KBSM was closely related to the turbulent historical issues during the first three decades after independence. These issues include problems with unity, inability to produce skilled labour, and the fragile and still negligible usage of the national language. Therefore, this article analyses the historical issues closely related to the introduction of KBSM, and the individuals responsible for ensuring KBSM comes into reality. The historical method is used as the thrust of this paper. Data collection-wise, this paper uses the qualitative analysis method of archival and library research. This approach aims to gather information and analysis a variety of primary and secondary sources such as the Report of the Education Committee 1956, Report of the Education Review Committee 1960, and the Cabinet Committee Report on Review of Implementation of Education Policies 1979, along with the Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes in 1972, 1986 and 1987. The findings confirm the three historical issues strongly influenced the thought processes that went into planning and drafting KBSM. Implication-wise, the curriculum underwent reforms, towards a shift in the field of education following these historical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1998, Malaysian mainly pig farming community was bombarded with the tragedy of a new infectious disease. The emergence of this new virus in the world has dealt a major blow to Malaysia. The superficiality of understanding the Nipah Virus has disrupted public well-being. Simultaneously, the frailty caused by the spread of infectious disease has changed the perspective of how national security is viewed. Thereby, the national security defence no longer focuses on the demarcation aspect of the area alone, but also involves every individual living in the supposed area. Thus, this article examines the menace of the Nipah virus outbreak posed on national security between 1998 and 2000. The Nipah virus was first recognized in Malaysia. The Government as the main actor had no comprehensive plan when faced with this new disease. While the main requirement needed in overcoming epidemics requires sustainable prevention. This article uses historical methodology, which emphasizes on qualitative method in the form of descriptive analytics. Primary and secondary sources was used throughout the process of data accumulation, for instance Guidelines of Nipah Infection MOH/K/EPI/19.99(GU), parliament hansard, periodicals, books and articles. The findings show the Nipah outbreak managed to threaten national security, however the capability of the Nipah epidemic to achieve this threat was not solely dependent on high mortality rates, but on other aspects as well, such as, economic disruption and public panic. Government preparedness in health infrastructure, through declaring infectious zones, biosecurity steps, disinfections, and public awareness campaigns yielded effective results in controlling the Nipah outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice-planting is synonymous with the Kedah Malays to present times. Paddy is the lifeblood of the majority of Malays in the state for ages. Interestingly, British control over Kedah since 1909 witnessed how, for the first time in Kedah history, the Malays were explicitly compelled by the government to remain in this activity. This new arrangement was clearly evident with the implementation of strict rice-land policies, especially throughout the period 1917-1932. The focus of this research is twofold: firstly, to evaluate the implementation of rice land policies during the period in question, and secondly, to analyse Malay form of reaction to this issue. To answer both questions, this study uses the qualitative method by focusing on Kedah State Secretary Files and the State of Kedah Annual Reports. Based on the analysis of implementation of rice land policies by the Kedah land administration, and the ensuing Malay reaction towards the government in 1917-1932, the implementation of these rice land policies ensured Malay retention in this traditional activity. Unfortunately, a large number of Malays suffered negative effects from these policies. The lower classes were proscribed by the government from opening and working their land as they please, and risked harsh government penalties for failure to adhere to the set policies. In contrast, the Malay elites continued their monopoly of rice lands due to government policy of maintaining their land-owning privileges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses on how Lukut, which was formerly a territory within the state of Selangor, was officially demarcated to Negeri Sembilan in 1880. The change occurred after British began to intervene, thus lead to the change of the border successfully. Following this matter, the focus of this study will observe on how the boundary change process took place and what factors caused the British to act in such a way. This writing uses a historical approach. For the suitability of the study, the method adopted is a qualitative analysis method. The resources to be used include primary sources such as the British Colonial Office File (C.O. 273) and secondary sources. Based on these sources, the study found that the boundary change began with the region demands including Lukut which was voiced by Dato' Kelana Sending of Sungei Ujong in 1862. The claim received a response from Sultan Abdul Samad by handing over Lukut to Sungei Ujong through a letter, but did not get consent from several parties including Raja Jumaat. This situation continued until finally decided Lukut to be included in the Sungei Ujong border in 1880 officially. The British bounded Lukut under Sungei Ujong's rule so that it can be controlled and monitored by British which was previously an independent territory. Apart from that, the British action was also aimed at facilitating the demarcation process and administration of the two states due to the position of Lukut which is close to Sungei Ujong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the introduction of the First Past the Post (FPTP) principle in the electoral system in the Federation of Malaya (FOM) between 1948 and 1959. FPTP is a system of selecting candidates contesting in an electoral seat, and the candidate with the highest votes is declared the victor, even if they did not manage to obtain a total majority. This article aims to identify the genesis of the FPTP principle, and to what extent did it ensure Malay dominance in the two general elections in the 1950s. This study uses the historical approach, referring to primary sources in the National Archives such as the Colonial Office (CO) Files, government reports, and periodicals. Through a close reading of the sources, the FPTP was first implemented in the state-level elections in 1954. The implementation of this principle at this electoral level was not negatively viewed as the system only required the candidate with the largest number of votes declared victor. The Alliance victory in the 1955 legislative council elections paved the way for more serious talks towards Independence. Within the context of the electoral system, the Reid Commission, responsible for drafting the constitution, agreed that the selection system for post-Independence elections should be based on the FPTP principle. The Reid Commission also suggests the delineation of election boundaries must be based on Malay dominance. This suggestion was evident in the 1959 General Elections, when 66 out of 104 contested election seats were Malay-dominated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will approach the development of Alor Setar as a commercial centre in the era between 1735-1909. Within this context, the advancement of this city will be plotted from the aspect of the commercial activities being conducted as well as the factors that triggered the growth of a better and rapid-growing Alor Setar. This study uses the qualitative measurement which involves the collection and data analysis from primary sources obtained from the National Archive of Malaysia such as letters sent by Sultan Muhammad Jiwa to Francis Light, Reminders from the Rulers of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Hamid's Letters and CO 716, Kedah/Perlis Sessional Papers, 1905-1937. The outcome of this study shows that since the year of 1735, when Alor Setar began its operation as the state administration centre, the city had become the hub for local people and also foreigners. Within this period of time, there was evidence of hasty trading activities between Alor Setar and foreign traders from Penang, India and China. Among the commodities being merchandised were food supplies namely rice, farm animals and woods. The consequence of these transactions provided a large sum of income to Kedah state. In addition, the commercial activities in Alor Setar had been enhanced with the presence of trading emporiums which allotted stores selling assorted items, for example the pawn shop, textile stores and groceries stores. The existence of Alor Setar as a rapid-growing commercial centre was contributed by several factors such as the effectiveness of administration, the efficiency of town safety control, the sophistication of the communication and transportation system, the competency of health control system and also the presence of town port. These indeed have become the undeniably alluring attractions for traders to pursue their trading business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the historical development of Lukut during the era of the Selangor Sultanate. Until the mid-19th century, Lukut was known for its abundance of tin, and both Malay elites and Chinese capitalists migrated to and settled in Lukut to participate in tin mining. They presence, with their many followers and labour, expanded Lukut's function as a vibrant settlement. During the administration of Raja Jumaat (1846-1864), the tin mining sector in Lukut reached its zenith, transforming its landscape into a developed settlement, possessing the early characteristics of a town. Therefore, this article analyses the extent Raja Jumaat's governance contributed to the growth of Lukut as a town. This research found that Raja Jumaat's success in setting himself up as Lukut's legitimate ruler kick-started the development of the settlement. His ability in managing tin mining activities and implementation of an efficient taxation system further strengthened his economic standing. Raja Jumaat also carried out his responsibilities as the local ruler through the introduction of various basic amenities and service as part of Lukut's development. The establishment of infrastructure and security transformed the living standards of Lukut's residents into something more complex and ordered. Evidently, his foresight to meet the needs of Lukut residents, aside from attracting capitalists and investors in the tin mining sector, also promoted Lukut's growth into a town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of the Straits Settlements (SS) by the British in 1826 and the economic progress which followed directly affected the social environment and local institutions. Among the institutions developed in parallel with such progress were the prisons. The importance of SS prisons is not to be viewed merely from the point of security or punishment, but rather from the more important fact that the inmates of the prisons were the main labour force that served the various socioeconomic development needs. However, by the end of the 19th century, the prisons in the SS were threatened with a high mortality rate due to the outbreak of the beriberi disease. Collaboration between the prison management and medical experts began with the study of the miasmatic theory and the adoption of the dietetic approach but the high mortality rate persisted. The objective of this study is to investigate the causes of beri-beri and to examine the preventive measures that had been carried out by the British on the prisoners in the Straits Settlements Prison within the period of 1870 to 1915. The methodology of the study employed is the qualitative method based on historical disciplinary research. Therefore the study was conducted by reviewing the sources from the National Archives at Kuala Lumpur. Among them are the Straits Settlements Files (SSF), the Colonial Office (C.O), annual reports of the prison department and the medical department. The analysis found that, in the earliest decade of the 20th century, British efforts bore success when the search for the cause of the beriberi illness was traced to the deficiency of thiamine in food diet. This discovery then became the solution to the beri-beri problem in the Straits Settlements Prison besides contributing directly to the health of the prisoners as well as advancing the development of modern medical knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is a new source energy. It began to be widely used in the Federated Malay States towards the 1920s. Being an efficient energy, the government gave special attention to it. They made effort to develop it as part of the infrastructure. Among the various efforts take by the government were established systematic management, implementing development continuously and getting cooperation from private companies. Hence, the electricity service provided a new dimension to the growth of the economic sector. Electricity was used in the tin mining sector. In this regard, mining operators used modern machineries which not only led the sector into the new era but also assured the availability of manpower. Moreover, the rapid development of electricity provided job opportunities to locals. They could engage in the electricity industry as skilled workers. Since electricity made progress and the community accepted the use of electricity in their life, electricity-based business emerged. Investors took these opportunities to create company and gained profits from their electricity-based business and service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the Malay identity adopted in the Kedah administration following the 1923 Anglo-Kedah Treaty. Among the main articles in the Treaty revolved around the use of Malay and the Jawi script as the official language and script, as well as other articles directly related to administration in Kedah. The 1923 Treaty included a number of conditions introduced by Tunku Ibrahim (Regent of Kedah) to the British, whereby all these conditions touched on Malay position in administration. By analysing each aspect of the treaty and the conditions, a number of questions are forwarded. First, did the Malay tongue and the Jawi script remain in use in the Kedah administration after the signing of the 1923 Treaty? Second, did the conditions that Tunku Ibrahim introduced include prioritising Malays in the filling in of positions in the Kedah administration? Overall, the 1923 Treaty did not negatively affect Malay dominance in administration. Malays still manage to maintain their Malay identity through the use of the Malay language and the Jawi script in matters of correspondence, official records and official documents. At the same time, the Kedah Malay identity was strengthened by Malay dominance in both central- and district-level administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]