Sejarah Penubuhan dan Perkembangan Agensi Propaganda: Pengalaman Malaysia Sejak Darurat Sehingga Konfrontasi Malaysia-Indonesia (1948-1965) (A History of The Establishment and Development of The Propaganda Agencies: Malaysia’s Experience From Emergency To Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation (1948-1965)

Abstract

This article examines the history, development and experiences of the propaganda agencies in Malaysia during the Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation, 1963-1966. The discourse, however, commences from their development since the years of Emergency, 1948-1960. This is crucial for obtaining earlier information as the British has already started the initiatives to establish and aknowledge the importance of the propaganda agencies. They evolved from colonial information bodies to official government propaganda agencies after Independence. The executors also shifted from the British colonial officer to the local officers. The second section of this article focusses on the execution of the propaganda and psychological plans during the confrontation. Based on the past experiences during the emergency, the Ministry of Information and its subordinate, the Psychological Warfare Section, have formulated and launched series of systematic propaganda. Films, campaigns, and mass rallies were used to instil patriotism in propaganda. The principal aim was to inculcate the people’s confidence towards the ruling government and simultaneously, hostile to the enemies. As a result, the government was able to mobilize the supports from the locals as well internationals. This article uses mainly the primary sources located from the Malaysia National Archive such as newspapers, magazines, the government papers and parliamentary reports. This article concludes that the propaganda agencies played a significant role in both the Emergency and the Confrontation. The experiences gained during the emergency period served as foundation to launch more efficient propaganda during the confrontation.