Professor Cheah Boon Kheng, a prominent Malaysian historian, was one of the key academic voices who dismantled the reductionist views often propagated by colonial-era writers and modern commentators like Alex Josey.
The Controversy: Alex Josey’s Claims
Alex Josey was a British journalist and the press secretary to Lee Kuan Yew. In the early 1960s (specifically in an article published in the Australian magazine The Bulletin in 1963), Josey wrote a highly provocative piece asserting that:
- Malays had no culture, no literature, and no history except for a history of piracy.
- He argued that the Malay identity was relatively recent and lacked the civilizational depth of the Chinese or Indian cultures.
These claims caused a massive uproar in Malaysia, leading to formal protests from Malay organizations and even discussions in Parliament. The Malaysian government eventually expelled Josey in 1965, citing his interference in domestic politics and his inflammatory writings.
Professor Cheah Boon Kheng’s Refutation
Professor Cheah Boon Kheng countered these claims by highlighting the sophisticated maritime and political history of the Malay world. His refutation generally focused on three main pillars:
1. The Concept of "Piracy" as a Colonial Construct
Cheah argued that what Westerners called "piracy" was often the legitimate exercise of maritime authority by local Malay chiefs and sultans.
- Taxation vs. Theft: In the Malay maritime tradition, sea lanes and collecting "tolls" from passing ships was a form of sovereign taxation.
- Political Warfare: Many acts labeled as piracy were actually naval maneuvers used in local power struggles or resistance against European monopolies.
2. Evidence of High Civilization
To refute the "no culture/literature" claim, Cheah pointed to:
- The Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals): A sophisticated work of literature and historiography that proves a deep sense of historical consciousness.
- Srivijaya and Majapahit: These empires were major global centers of trade and Buddhist/Hindu learning centuries before European arrival, with Malays playing central roles in their administration and commerce.
3. Maritime Supremacy
Cheah emphasized that the Malays were among the world’s greatest navigators. Rather than being mere "raiders," they were the "Vikings of the East," whose maritime networks enabled the exchange of spices, silks, and ideas between China and the West for over a millennium.
Comparison of Perspectives
Note: Professor Cheah's work was vital in "decolonizing" Malaysian history, moving it away from a narrative where Malays were only seen through the lens of European trade interests.
Professor Cheah Boon Kheng was a prolific historian whose work sought to provide a balanced, "internal" perspective on Malay history. While he wrote extensively on modern politics and social conflict, his contributions to maritime history and the "piracy" debate are found in his books and specific introductory essays where he analyzes Malay sources like the Sejarah Melayu.
Below are the key academic works and publications by Professor Cheah Boon Kheng that address these themes:
1. Sejarah Melayu (The Malay Annals) (1998/2000)
Cheah compiled and introduced this new Romanised edition of the most important historical work of the Malay world.
- Significance: In his introductory essays, Cheah highlights the Sejarah Melayu as a sophisticated work of historiography that provides a narrative of kingship, diplomacy, and statecraft. This directly refutes the claim that Malays have "no history" by showcasing a written record of a complex civilization that dates back to the 15th century.
2. Malaysia: The Making of a Nation (2002)
While primarily about nation-building, this book explores the roots of Malay identity and the contest between different forms of nationalism.
- Theme: It addresses how "Malayness" was constructed and how historical narratives (including those regarding the maritime past) were used to legitimize the modern state. It provides the political context for why refuting colonial stereotypes (like those of Alex Josey) was essential for national dignity.
3. The Peasant Robbers of Kedah, 1900-1929: Historical and Folk Perceptions (1988)
Although this focuses on land-based "social banditry," it applies the same analytical framework Cheah used for maritime history.
- Theme: He argues that what authorities (colonial or otherwise) label as "criminality" or "robbery" often has deeper socio-political roots. This scholarship mirrors his defense against the "piracy" label by showing that "outlaws" were often seen as heroes or legitimate political actors within their own communities.
4. A History of an Identity, an Identity of a History: The Idea and Practice of 'Malayness' in Malaysia Reconsidered (Journal Article)
This paper is crucial for understanding how Cheah dismantled colonial tropes.
- Theme: He critiques "Orientalist" and colonial constructions of Malay identity. He argues that colonial scholars often simplified Malay history into categories like "piracy" to justify European intervention and dominance.
Summary of Key Contributions
Professor Cheah’s work serves as a bridge between the "Eurocentric" history of the past and a modern, "Malayo-centric" perspective that recognizes the Straits of Malacca as a "bridge" connecting a singular maritime civilization rather than a lawless frontier.
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6/1/2026: 12.03 pm
