Government & Politics; The Encyclopedia of Malaysia

This volume documents the nation’s history from the eve of the Japanese invasion during World War 11 to the present day. It also analyses the political, institutional and social elements that constitute the modern nation of Malaysia. The first two of the volume’s seven sections are primarily historical. They cover the quest for nationhood, and the political formulae that have enabled a united nation to be created from a population marked by ethnic and religious diversity. They describe the political transformation of the Malay Peninsula and northern Borneo that led to Independence and the formation of Malaysia. Turbulent periods such as the Japanese Occupation and the Emergency are discussed in detail, and each topic is brought to life with archival photographs and documents. The third, fourth and fifth sections of the volume examine the Malaysian system of government, the institutions of state and national security, and the nation’s democratic political process. Following these is a section on social development, including the education system, non-governmental organizations and the media. The volume concludes with a section on foreign affairs, and illustrates the rise in Malaysia’s international standing over the years.