The History of the Look-To-The-East Idea in Economy during the Era of Japanese Occupation in Malaya (1941-1945): The Role of Fajar Asia Magazine

This study explores the existence of Look-To-The-East idea in Malaya during Japanese occupation era between 1941 and 1945. During this period, the field of journalism and press has been dominated by the Japanese administration or Malayan Military Administration (MMA). Mass communication mediums such as newspapers and magazines have been used as propaganda tools by MMA. Their main purpose was to dominate the field of journalism and press printing to gather peopleʹs support in their war campaigns. The government also exploited newspapers and magazines to obtain cooperation from people in all plans they wished to implement. To dominate the field of journalism, MMA had instructed that all efforts related to the publication must obtain prior authorization. Although the printed media in Malaya then was made the propaganda tool by the Japanese administrators, the Look-To-The-East idea was propogated through various newspapers and magazines such as Berita Malai, Malai Sinpo, Semangat Asia, Suara Timur and Fajar Asia. This study explores the existence of the Look-To-The-East idea that can be found in Fajar Asia magazine. It can be divided into political, social, culture and arts, language, economy, youth, women, family, religion and education areas. This study is centralized upon and focuses on only the economy area.