The origins of the socialist revolution in Sarawak, 1945- 1963

Abstract

This thesis uses new archival and oral sources to analyse the politics of Sarawak's early left-wing movement and its leaders between 1945 and 1963. Departing from previous studies, I argue that it was a literary revolution among the young rather than clandestine communist organisation that gave rise to the generation of revolution-minded young Chinese during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Through interviews with veterans, the thesis clarifies the underground processes that led to the founding of the Sarawak Liberation League in July 1953, the League's subsequent 'united front' politics, and its decision to take the 'armed struggle' route in December 1962. Against 'Chinese chauvinist' charges, I emphasize instead the minzu-nationalist vision of the 'united front' movement and argue that previous scholars have tended to neglect the League's minzu-nationalist identity in accounting for its success during the 'united front' years.