KEGIATAN PERUSAHAAN DALAM KALANGAN MASYARAKAT MELAYU DI TERENGGANU 1800-1941

This paper discusses the achievement of the Malay community in industrial activities in Terengganu from 1800 until 1941. Industrial activities, such as textile, copper, copra and shipbuilding industries will be discussed in order to identify which of these economic industries could be considered as the most significant in Terengganu during the said period. Early discussion on the Malay economy prior to the 19th century is significant to illustrate the actual economic scenario until the 20th century. During that period, the Terengganu government was very efficient in creating and using its own system of currency and weights. The government even engaged in trading and industrial activities, for example, handicrafts and shipbuilding. Westerners even named Terengganu as the “Birmingham of the Peninsular”. By the 20th century, the Terengganu government began to focus on developing industrial activities by establishing several entities such as the Terengganu Arts and Craft Society (TACS), the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association (MAHA) and the British Empire Exhibition (BEE). In summary, the efforts made to commercialize economic activities could be considered as essential measures taken by the government in forging economic development during that time.