Kajian Malaysia, Vol. 33, Supp. 2, 2015, 1–25 THE NORTHERN REGION OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: HISTORICAL HERITAGE AND NATIONAL IDENTITY1 Abdul Rahman Haji Ismail Formerly of the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, MALAYSIA Email:
[email protected] The essay discusses the history and formation of cultural and political identities in the northern region which are of great significance since the early days. It examines the region's historical background and population composition, subsequent changes that had taken place through migrations from within and outside the region. It also looks at inter-ethnic cooperation between Malay and Chinese secret societies in Penang in the second half of the 19th century, publications and newspapers published in Penang and Taiping which were pioneered by the Peranakans (Jawi, Arab and Chinese) and how these contributed to political awareness among the Malays and other communities, educational development in the northern region covering English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil schools and the state of Perak as the centre of political activism including the Malay left and an Islamic party based in Gunung Semanggol. The essay is based on a careful reading of the myriad secondary sources on Malaysian history, politics, economy and culture. Keywords: northern region, historical background, cultural and political identities, education, publishing INTRODUCTION In this study, the northern region of peninsular Malaysia refers to the area that encompasses Perlis, Kedah, Penang and parts of Perak covering north Perak, Dinding and Manjung districts, Kuala Kangsar as well as the northern section of Central Perak and the Kinta district. The region comprises what is known since 2007 as the Northern Corridor Economic Region.