A Total Approach: the Malaysian Security Model and Political Development Andrew Humphreys University of Wollongong
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University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2009 A total approach: the Malaysian security model and political development Andrew Humphreys University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Humphreys, Andrew, A total approach: the Malaysian security model and political development, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong, 2009. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3557 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact Manager Repository Services: [email protected]. A Total Approach The Malaysian Security Model and Political Development A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree Doctor of Philosophy from University of Wollongong by Andrew Humphreys Bachelor of Arts (Honours) School of History and Politics Faculty of Arts 2009 ii Thesis Certification I, Andrew Stephen Humphreys, declare that this thesis, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, in the Faculty of Arts, School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Andrew Humphreys 12 June 2009. iii Abstract In this thesis I argue that a security-based approach to an analysis of Malaysia offers a new perspective on that country’s politics and political system. Since colonialism, Malaysia has been a state obsessed by its own security, particularly the internal dimension of its security. I focus on the impact of security issues and, particularly, security policy on Malaysia’s political development. In terms of policy, Malaysia has developed what I call the Malaysian Security Model. The Model represents a ‘total approach’ to security that attempts to eliminate threats both physically and ideologically. The Model thus has two main functional tools, one coercive, comprised of a series of repressive, preventive laws, and the other ideological. The latter is comprised of a series of government philosophies and broad agendas designed to promote government interests and limit the discursive space for alternate and opposing viewpoints. I argue that Malaysia’s security approach has impacted on almost all areas of government policy, including economics, education, foreign affairs, and culture. I argue that Malaysia’s security policy is fundamentally concerned not with national security, as it is traditionally defined, but with regime security – that is, safeguarding the interests of the dominant Barisan Nasional (BN/National Front). This overall aim underlies virtually every application of the Security Model. iv Acknowledgements Although writing a thesis is often characterised as a solitary – if not lonely – experience, I have had the fortune of a good support group. Friends, family, and, most importantly, supervisors, have helped make this experience a rewarding one. A special mention must go to my fellow postgraduates. Jaimee, Georgia, Joakim, Ross, and Bobby, you made my candidature all the more amusing. Cheers for the coffee breaks, beer breaks, ‘Monday Morning Meetings’, strategy sessions and general shenanigans. I don’t think any of us, even once, had a serious discussion about our actual theses. Good times! Your antics and stories provided me with the necessary ‘break’ from thesis writing and research and, somewhat paradoxically, helped keep me on track! Also, thanks for giving me a nickname which I don’t think I’ll ever be rid of. I also want to thank my family, particularly my Mum and Dad. Your support throughout the years has been much appreciated and has helped me get to where I am today. I know I can never repay you but one day I hope I come close! A thank you as well to my interviewees and correspondents, without whom this thesis could not have been written. The insights into the Malaysian political system, as well as the country’s culture and society, which you have provided me with have been invaluable, challenging my preconceptions and adding greater nuance to my work. Your time and help was greatly appreciated. v Many thanks as well to the Faculty of Arts, School of History and Politics, as well as the Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS), for their generous support throughout the years. Finally, I would like to thank my supervisors, Lenore Lyons and Kate Hannan for their valuable input over the last three-and-a-half years. Your advice and insights have been greatly appreciated and has helped me become a better writer, researcher and academic. A big thank you to you both! vi List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 9/11 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks ABIM Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement) ADIL Pergerakan Keadilan Sosial (Movement for Social Justice) ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations BA Barisan Alternatif (Alternative Front) BN Barisan Nasional (National Front) CARPA Committee Against Repression in the Pacific and Asia CIA Central Intelligence Agency (US) CPM Communist Party of Malaya/Malaysia DAP Democratic Action Party DI Darul Islam FDI Foreign Direct Investment FMA Federation of Malaya Agreement FMS Federated Malay States GDP Gross Domestic Product Hindraf Hindu Rights Action Force IGP Inspector-General of Police IMF International Monetary Fund ISA Internal Security Act ISIS Institute of Strategic and International Studies JAKIM Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia) vii JI Jemaah Islamiyah (Islamic Congregation) KARIM Koperasi Angkatan Revolusi Islam Malaysia (Malaysian Islamic Revolutionary Front) KMM Kumpulan Militan Malaysia (Malaysian Militant Organisation) MCA Malaysian Chinese Association MIC Malaysian Indian Congress MNLF Moro National Liberation Front MPAJA Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army NDP New Development Policy NEP New Economic Policy NGO Non-Government Organisation NOC National Operations Council OIC Organisation of the Islamic Conference OSA Official Secrets Act PAP People’s Action Party PAS/PMIP Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) SEARCCT Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism UMNO United Malays National Organisation UMNO Baru New United Malays National Organisation UMS Unfederated Malay States US/USA United States of America USA PATRIOT Act Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics WWII World War II viii Glossary of Terms Bayat Allegiance Dakwah To preach or proselytise Darul Arqam/Al-Arqam House of Arqam Dewan Negara Senate Dewan Rakyat House of Representatives Fatwa religious declaration Hudud A set of punishments under Shari’a law Islam Hadhari Civilisation Islam Jihad Holy war Kafir Infidel Keadilan National Justice Party Keris Dagger Konfrontasi Confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia Mantiqi Regional chapter of JI Merdeka Independence Mufti Islamic scholar who interprets Islam Mujahideen Struggler (Arabic). Those persons involved in Jihad Pakatan Rakyat People’s Alliance Parangs Machetes Pertubuhan Angkatan Sabilullah Organisation of the Soldiers of God Pusat Islam Islamic Centre Reformasi Reformation Sandiwara Play-acting Tanah Melayu Malay Land Ulama The learned of Islam Ummah Community Wawasan 2020 Vision 2020 Yang di-Pertuan Agong: King ix List of Tables Table 1 Table 1: Statistics on ISA Arrests and Detentions, 1960 – 2006 186 x Table of Contents Thesis Certification ii Abstract iii Acknowledgements iv List of Acronyms and Abbreviations vi Glossary of Terms viii List of Tables ix Introduction 1 Methodology and Chapter Outline 9 Chapter One – The State in Southeast Asia: Key Debates and New Approaches 16 Democracy, Economic Development and Culture as the Foundation of Analysis 17 Viewing Political Development Through the Lens of Security: The Southeast Asian Context 32 Conclusion 38 Chapter Two – Democracy, Coercion and Consent: Constructing the Malaysian Security Model 41 Democracy and the Malaysian Political System: An Overview 42 Malaysia’s Security Model: An Overview 52 Conclusion 73 Chapter Three – Hearts, Minds, and Bullets: Security Policy and Nation-Building from Colonialism to the New Economic 76 Policy A Nation-State Constructed Under Colonialism and Occupation 78 The Origins of the Malaysian Security Approach: Independence and Emergency 1945-1960 86 The Peoples’ Own Emergency: The 1969 Riots 104 Conclusion 124 xi Chapter Four – Islam and Race as a Security Strategy: Security Policy Prior to 9/11 127 The Beginning of Moderated Islam: Dakwah and the Government Response 129 The Return of the Racial Bogeyman: UMNO, the Security Apparatus and the 1987 Faction Battle 148 Al-Arqam: A Challenge to the UMNO Islamisation Project? 152 The Anwar Ibrahim Crisis and the Ghosts of May 13 158 A Growing Concern: The Importance of Islam to Security Policy Immediately Prior to 9/11 166 Conclusion 173 Chapter Five – Malaysia’s Coercive Apparatus in the Age of Terrorism 176 Continuity in a World of Change: The Coercive Apparatus in Action Post-9/11 178 Extending the Coercive Apparatus: A New Phase? 189 Overstretched: Abuse of the Coercive Apparatus Post-9/11 202 Conclusion 217 Chapter Six – Moderated Islam: The Role of Ideology in the Malaysian Security Model Post-9/11 219 A New Ideological War? 221 Hearts and Minds: Mahathirist Ideology and the War on