Malaysian Studies Revision Note
Malaysian Studies – Revision Notes
1. The Japanese Occupation
• The Japanese occupied Malaya for only 3 ½ years (from 15 Feb 1942 to 15 August 1945)
• Had a great impact on the country – the conquest of the whole of Malaya was fast and effective
• The attack started from two directions, from the East and the West
• After landing in Kota Bharu, the Japanese soldiers rushed to Kuantan and then to Mersing.
• On 12 Dec 1941, Jitra was captured, followed by Penang Island and Slim River.
• In Jan 1942, the Japanese soldiers entered Kuala Lumpur, and both the Japanese military troops met in Johore Bahru
• On 15 Feb 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese army.
• The main aim of the Japanese was to establish a New Great East Asia government.
• The Japanese promised to declare independence in certain South East Asian countries.
1. The Japanese Victory
• The Japanese military conquered Malaya quite easily although the British military was equipped with better firearms and were greater in number than the Japanese
• There are a few lessons to be learnt from this.
• 1. The British were not prepared for the war. They did not anticipate the Japanese attack from the north.
2. The fact was the Japanese had a comprehensive plan in which they had a network of spies in Malaya.
3. In addition to that, the Japanese soldiers were in excellent form because of intensive training and were led by capable and experience leaders (such as Yamashita and Tsuji).
4. The Japanese were enthusiastic and inspired to fight for the importance and supremacy of Japan.
5. Furthermore, they had practical war tactics, such as using the bicycle even in the jungles and villages.
6. The British military on the other hand, lacked the spirit f war, especially after the first round of attacks.
7. Also, a large number of the British soldiers consisted of
1. The Japanese Occupation
• The Japanese occupied Malaya for only 3 ½ years (from 15 Feb 1942 to 15 August 1945)
• Had a great impact on the country – the conquest of the whole of Malaya was fast and effective
• The attack started from two directions, from the East and the West
• After landing in Kota Bharu, the Japanese soldiers rushed to Kuantan and then to Mersing.
• On 12 Dec 1941, Jitra was captured, followed by Penang Island and Slim River.
• In Jan 1942, the Japanese soldiers entered Kuala Lumpur, and both the Japanese military troops met in Johore Bahru
• On 15 Feb 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese army.
• The main aim of the Japanese was to establish a New Great East Asia government.
• The Japanese promised to declare independence in certain South East Asian countries.
1. The Japanese Victory
• The Japanese military conquered Malaya quite easily although the British military was equipped with better firearms and were greater in number than the Japanese
• There are a few lessons to be learnt from this.
• 1. The British were not prepared for the war. They did not anticipate the Japanese attack from the north.
2. The fact was the Japanese had a comprehensive plan in which they had a network of spies in Malaya.
3. In addition to that, the Japanese soldiers were in excellent form because of intensive training and were led by capable and experience leaders (such as Yamashita and Tsuji).
4. The Japanese were enthusiastic and inspired to fight for the importance and supremacy of Japan.
5. Furthermore, they had practical war tactics, such as using the bicycle even in the jungles and villages.
6. The British military on the other hand, lacked the spirit f war, especially after the first round of attacks.
7. Also, a large number of the British soldiers consisted of