This thesis examines the impact of the transfer of Bencoolen (Bengkulu) from British colonial authority to the Dutch East Indies in March 1825, under the terms of the 1824 Treaty of London (Anglo...Show moreThis thesis examines the impact of the transfer of Bencoolen (Bengkulu) from British colonial authority to the Dutch East Indies in March 1825, under the terms of the 1824 Treaty of London (Anglo-Dutch Treaty), on the people who were resident there at the time. Taking a subaltern studies approach, and using the life histories of four individuals/groups of people, it demonstrates that the transfer of power did not involve a discrete rupture between British and Dutch periods, but involved a long-drawn process whose impact lasted well into the 19th century. Likewise, it shows that the impact of the transfer was not spatially circumscribed to Bencoolen or the Dutch East Indies, but led to a reshaping of networks of commerce and migration (including penal transportation) within the broader Indian Ocean. By challenging these divisions of time and space and situating Bencoolen within the broader Indian Ocean world, the thesis demonstrates the potential of examining other 19th century transfers of power within a wider context: Cape Town, Malacca and Mauritius, among others.Show less
Upon becoming prime-minister of Malaysia in 1981,Mahathir initiated the “Look East” policy. This policy looked at Korea and Japan and sought to use these countries as examples. The policy was not...Show moreUpon becoming prime-minister of Malaysia in 1981,Mahathir initiated the “Look East” policy. This policy looked at Korea and Japan and sought to use these countries as examples. The policy was not only meant as an economic measure, but also as a cultural policy to aid the poor Malays. This thesis tries to answer the question to what extent the policy was aimed for the latter and how this was to be implemented. Firstly, it will look at Malaysia's cultural background and Mahathir's view on the matter before becoming prime-minister. It focuses on his book, the Malay Dilemma, where he stressed the need for Malays to change their values. Secondly it will look into the initiation of the “Look East” policy and what it aimed to do. Thirdly, it will go into Japan's image and how Mahathir sought to transfer values from Japan to Malaysia. Then, it will look at the implementation of the policy and how it was executed. Lastly, the conclusion talks about the cultural influence of the “Look East” policy. Saying that the policy was not effective in changing the values of the Malays, but did bring out a change in direction from looking to the West towards looking to the East.Show less
