PERGADUHAN KAUM DI TANAH MELAYU SELEPAS PENDUDUKAN JEPUN HINGGA DARURAT DIISYTIHARKAN

Abstract

This article examines the ethnic conflict that occurred in Malaya after the end of the Japanese Occupation till the declaration of the Emergency in 1948. The Japanese Occupation worsened the already strained relations between the Malays and the Chinese. This dissatisfaction was reflected by the number of racial clashes that occurred after the Japanese army surrendered. One of the main factors for the source of the conflict after the end of the war, it appears, was the challenge to the position of Islam in the country. The Malay community lost their trust in the Chinese after the Three-Star anny interfered with religious ceremonies in mosques and suraus. The Malay community winch was synonymous with Islam, used religion as a vehicle to protect the interests of the community. As a result of tortures and killings by the Three-Star army, a religiousbased movement, emerged among the Malays to preserve the sanctity of the religion and to protect the interests of the Malays. This article shows that Islam inspired the rise of nationalism among the Malays based on Islam not only to protect the religion but ultimately to free the country.