Reasons for rise of nationalism:

1. Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese War 1905

Japan was the first Asian country to defeat a Western nation.
The Malay mindset of 'White Men Superiority' was changed.

Malay people wanted to free themselves from Western colonisation.

Reasons for rise of nationalism:

2. Rise of arab-educated Malays

Some Malay people were educated in Arab countries and learnt about reforms in Islam e.g. Sheikh Tahir .
These men wanted to improve the backward Malay society, and published the Al-Imam magazine in 1906.

Sheikh Tahir set up the Kaum Muda to empower Malay muslims.

Reasons for rise of nationalism:

3. Great Depression & rise of socio-economic consciousness

After facing economic difficulties during the Great Depression of 1929, many Malay people desired to change and improve their socio-economic status.

For example, Eunos Abdullah was known as the Father of Journalism who spoke about the need to improve education for Malays.

Formed in 1938 in Kuala Lumpur
Led by Ibrahim Yaacob
​Inspired by student political group from MPSI

Kesatuan Melayu Muda

Believe in non-cooperation with the British government
Called for freedom from foreign rule by revolution
Aimed to unite Malaya with Dutch colony to form Greater Indonesia

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Kesatuan Melayu Muda

​150 KMM members arrested including some of its leaders:
Ibrahim Yaacob, Ishak Mohammad, Hassan Manan, Idrus Hakim and Ahmad Boestamam

1940

At first, KMM leaders were released from prison by the Japanese due to their anti-imperialist views.
Upon realising Japan's intentions of colonising Malaya for their own benefit, KMM joined the anti-Japanese Movement, which led to its ban by the Japanese..

1942

​Japanese allowed the KMM to form a new movement called KRIS (Kesatuan Rakyat Indonesia Semenanjung), which fought for Malaya and Indonesia union and freedom.

1943-1945

The Japanese thought that collaborating with them would help them to control Malaya.

​In 1945, after the Japanese lost, Ibrahim fled to Indonesia and KRIS was dissolved.

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End of KRIS

Kesatuan Melayu Muda played a crucial role in the early stages of Malay nationalism, in 1938,
setting the stage for subsequent efforts that eventually led to the independence of Malaya in 1957.