Title: The Chettiar Role in Malaysia’s Economic
History
Authors: Ummadevi Suppiah & Sivachandralingam Sundara
Raja
Publisher: University Malaya Press
Publication Date: 2016 (First Edition)
Thickness: 180 pages (1 cm)
Market Price: RM52.00
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Preface
This book is a revised version of the doctoral thesis entitled The
Money Lending Activity of the Chettiars in Malaya, 1896-1957 written by
Ummadevi Suppiah and submitted to the History Department, University of Malaya
under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr Sivachandralingam Sundara Raja.
This book seeks to evaluate the extent of which the
Chettiars – not to be confused with Chetti Melaka – were instrumental in
the economic development of Malaya during British rule.
Since the formation of the Federated Malay States in 1896,
until Malaya gained its independence, the Chettiars emerged as one of the major
financiers in the economic development of Malaya through their role in helping
the Malays, Chinese and Indians to progress in the economic sector.
However, the Chettiar role affected each of the three races
differently, depending on factors such as the economic position of the
respective races and British policy.
This book is essential in assessing the Chettiar role in the
economic development of Malaya, especially when the British failed to provide
sufficient capital aid for local and foreign capitalists comprising the Malays,
Chinese and Indians to develop the economic infrastructure and commercial
economic activities such as rubber and tin mining.
This book also highlights the role of the Chettiar, from
indigenous money lenders to contributing toward the economic development of
modern Malaysia.
Contents
Preface
The Origins of the Chettiar Community
Money Lending Activities of the Chettiar in Malaya
The Role of the Chettiar in the Economic Development of the
Malays
The Role of the Chettiar in the Economic Development of the Chinese
The Role of the Chettiar in the Economic Development of the Indians
Changing Roles of the Chettiar from 1941 to the Present Day
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index
Reviews
This meticulously researched book represents a noteworthy contribution
to our understanding of the ‘subaltern’ economy of Malaysia during the colonial
period and to our appreciation of the changing role of the Chettiar in modern
times.
Chettiar prominence as creditors to Malay peasants is well
known, but the authors show here that connections extended deep into Malay
society, from royal families to civil servants.
While pre-war links to plantation workers and support for
Indian business were only weakly developed, Chettiar investment in large
Chinese enterprises was a significant factor in supporting the activities of
local Chinese entrepreneurs.
In this sense, the authors argue, the Chettiar helped lay
the basis for Malaysia’s later economic development, while their contemporary
commitment to nation building is demonstrated in their involvement in social
welfare and concern for the well-being of their fellow Indians.
The Chettiar Role in
Malaysia’s Economic History will be welcomed not only by historians of
Malaysia, but by all scholars involved with the complex narratives of Indian
migration. – Dr Barbara Watson Andaya,
University of Hawai’i
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