Still with the people? The chequered path of student activism in Malaysia

Author: Weiss, Meredith L.

Source: South East Asia Research, Volume 13, Number 3, November 2005 , pp. 287-332(46)

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Abstract:

Malaysian students have a long history of activism around a range of sociopolitical issues, dating back to the late colonial period. However, Malaysian students are commonly perceived as unusually apathetic or easily cowed by government threats and sanctions. This paper explores the manifestation, nature and impacts of student activism in Malaysia, concluding that not just repressive tactics, but also ethnic and religious divisions, the relative position of the university in Malaysian society, and the availability of channels for at least some degree of engagement have curbed student unity and more transgressive activism.

Keywords: STUDENT MOVEMENTS; UNIVERSITY EDUCATION; SOCIAL MOVEMENTS; ISLAMIC ACTIVISM; MALAYSIA; SINGAPORE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5367/000000005775179694

Publication date: 2005-11-01

More about this publication?

South East Asia Research publishes articles based on original research or fieldwork on all aspects of South East Asia within the disciplines of archaeology, art history, economics, geography, history, language and literature, law, music, political science, social anthropology and religious studies. This peer-reviewed journal is published four times per year by IP Publishing in cooperation with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). SOAS is the leading centre in this field in Europe and one of the most prestigious centres of South East Asian Studies in the world.
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