ORANG CINA DAN PENGLIBATAN DALAM POLITIK DI NEGERI SARAWAK, 1841-1963

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of the Chinese in Sarawak since the Brooke administration up to the formation of Malaysia. In the period 1841-1963, there was a change in status of the Chinese community, from immigrants involved mainly in economic activities to prime movers in party politics in Sarawak. Eventhough the Chinese were not involved in local politics before the Second World War, they were aware of political developments in China and the Sino-Japanese War in the 1930s. However, they were involved in forming social and economic organisations to protect their interests in Sarawak. At that time, they paid more attention to economic opportunities that could improve their livelihood. Furthermore, after the war and amidst the issue of cession of the state to the British, the Chinese still did not show any obvious interest in local politics. However, the communist movement in Sarawak dominated by the Chinese worried the government and other ethnic groups. Next, the Chinese began to be involved in local politics when the local council elections were introduced by the British in the mid-1950s. By 1959, the Chinese moved to form the first political party in Sarawak, the SUPP (Sarawak United People's Party). The formation of the SUPP encouraged the Malays and Dayaks to form their own parties to fight and protect the interests of their groups in Sarawak. With that, the Chinese and the SUPP became prime movers in party politics in Sarawak.