REAKSI PEMIMPIN POLITIK DAN BRITISH DI TANAH MELAYU TERHADAP REVOLUSI SOSIAL SUMATERA TIMUR, 1946-1957

(Reaction of Malay Political and British in Malaya According the Social Revolution in East Sumatra, 1946-1957)

Abstract

This study examines the reactions of Malay political leaders and the British administration in Malaya to the Social Revolution of East Sumatra, a radical movement after World War II that saw the removal of the aristocratic class and the formation of a new political power in East Sumatra. The revolution that occurred indirectly influenced the struggle for independence in Malaya, which became increasingly aggressive until the 1950s. The reactions of Malay political leaders to the revolution encompassed various aspects, especially after being given attention by left-wing parties. The situation influenced political developments in Malaya, which subsequently became a threat to the British, causing the colonial power to organize actions to control political developments in this country. This study uses primary sources obtained from the National Archive, Kew and the National Archives of Malaysia such as records from the Foreign Office (FO), Colonial Office (CO) and reports from the British Ministry of Defence (DEFE) as the main sources for writing the study. The findings of this study summarize that the Social Revolution that occurred in East Sumatra influenced political developments in Malaya. This caused Malayan political leaders, especially from UMNO and left-wing parties, to react to the conflict. However, the reactions from the two parties differed because of their own party ideologies. In addition, the findings of this study also detail the British reaction to political developments in Malaya, especially regarding the influence of the revolution among political leaders in the country. This study provides new understanding of the development of inclusive politics involving the development of Malayan nationalism in the early days of independence.

Kajian ini meneliti reaksi pemimpin politik Melayu serta pentadbiran British di Tanah Melayu terhadap Revolusi Sosial Sumatera Timur, iaitu gerakan radikal pasca Perang Dunia Kedua yang menyaksikan penyingkiran golongan aristokrat serta pembentukan kuasa politik baharu di Sumatera Timur. Revolusi yang berlaku itu secara tidak langsung mempengaruhi perjuangan kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu yang semakin agresif sehingga 1950-an. Reaksi pemimpin politik Melayu terhadap revolusi tersebut merangkumi pelbagai aspek, terutamanya setelah diberi perhatian oleh parti haluan kiri. Situasi tersebut mempengaruhi perkembangan politik di Tanah Melayu, seterusnya menjadi ancaman terhadap British sehingga menyebabkan kuasa kolonial tersebut menyusun tindakan bagi mengawal perkembangan politik di negara ini. Kajian ini menggunakan sumber primer yang diperoleh dari National Archive, Kew dan Arkib Negara Malaysia seperti rekod dari Foreign Office (FO), Colonial Office (CO) dan laporan Kementerian Pertahanan Britain (DEFE) sebagai sumber utama untuk penulisan kajian. Dapatan kajian ini merumuskan Revolusi Sosial yang berlaku di Sumatera Timur mempengaruhi perkembangan politik di Tanah Melayu. Perkara ini menyebabkan pemimpin politik Tanah Melayu, terutamanya dari UMNO dan parti haluan kiri memberi reaksi terhadap konflik tersebut. Walau bagaimanapun, reaksi dari kedua-dua parti tersebut berbeza kerana ideologi parti tersendiri. Selain itu, dapatan kajian ini turut memperincikan reaksi British terhadap perkembangan politik di Tanah Melayu, terutamanya mengenai pengaruh dari revolusi tersebut dalam kalangan pemimpin politik di negara ini. Kajian ini memberi pemahaman baharu terhadap perkembangan politik inklusif yang melibatkan perkembangan nasionalisme Tanah Melayu pada awal kemerdekaan.