Pelacuran dan Isu Bersekedudukan dalam Kalangan Wanita Melayu di Johor, 1930-an-1950-an (Prostitution and Issue of Cohabitation Among Malay Women In Johor, 1930s-1950s)

Abstract

This essays aims to examine social maladies especially prostitution and cohabitation among Malay women in Johor from the 1930s to the 1950s. These two social issues was identified to have occurred since before the Second World War but became more prominent after the war had ended that led the Johor government to embark on a large scale eradication campaigns that involved various government departments in the state. Divorce is often seen as the main reason for Malay women to be involved in prostitution and cohabitation. However, upon scrutiny of official documents from the Religious Department, Chief Kathi’s Office, Office of the Chief Secretary to Government, and District Offices it was found problem of morality that affected Malay women in the state was not only contributed by divorce and wartime life but also by other factors. Johor’s modernisation efforts since the 1860s have witnessed economic development and rapid urbanisation, for instance, have led to the mushrooming of various entertainments, entertainment outlets and restaurants in major towns in the state. All these open various employment opportunities for Malay women including as prostitutes and often led to cohabitation. The research also found efforts to eradicate these social maladies among Malay women not only involved governmental bodies but also the public including those helmed by women themselves.