3 stories of space introduction

3 stories of space

3 Stories of Space Produced for M. Arch course University of Strathclyde 03 September 2013 Tan Yun Ru tanyunru.strath@gmail.com

All text and illustrations, unless stated otherwise, are the original work of the author

3 stories of space

an introduction to the project

‘Nothing happens but a series of but a series of interpretations and points of view which shed light on a past, absent or unknown event. [...] There are only points of view, perspectives, masks and roles. Truth is draped in veils; it can be definied only by an endless succession of points of view. �

Lefebvre, 1947

contents

i

introduction

ii

historical context

i introduction

This project presents, in graphic and narrative format, experience of human living in the small town and city. The author compares her most recent experiences of the city with that of her parents’ and grandparents, whether with the identity of a smalltown or city dewller. Within each generation a trend in the usage of space is immediately obvious, illustrating the impact of socio-economic realities such as the regional and global occupational structure have on the way humans and space interact— within the contained geographical region of Malaysia.

The information was obtained by verbal narration of the characters in the stories, documented and translated into three separate and fully illustrated stories. The process of recording and illustrating anecdotes of the intimate interaction of spaces, human activity and the person is part of an ongiong effort in understanding the link between capitalism, urbanisation and how human activity is carried out in these contexts.

3 stories of space: an introduction to the project

ii historically significant events social, political and economic context The following timeline briefly describes major events that inform the social and economic context specific to the experience of a first, second and third generation Chinese immigrant in Malaysia.

Although the stories are presented with limited comment from the author, it is hoped that the reader can draw their own conclusion, with some knowledge of historical context, of how these events and their legacies may affect the production and consumption of space.

3 stories of space: an introduction to the project

1800

Early history

1824 Britian establishes formal hegemony in Malaya (now Peninsula Malaysia) with the Anglo-Dutch Treaty. In the following decades, the British expand their influence over the Malay states and Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo) through treaties and taking advantage of social instability. By 1910 the Malay states are a crown colony, comprising the Federated and Unfederated Malay states.

1869 Yap Ah Loy becomes Chinese Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur, by then a Chinese-majority city, and 3 stories of space: an introduction to the project establishes order.

1860-1930 Immigration

Late 1800’s — Early 1900’s Third wave of Chinese migrants arrive in Malaysia, mostly displaced from the southern region of China riddled with hardship from droughts, corruptions and rebellions. This coincides with the discovery of large deposits of tin, and subsequently encouraged migration from the British, who set up Chinese workers in the tin mines and rubber plantations. The Chinese immigrants are concentrated in cities with tin mines.

Most retain their mother tongues, the dialect of their local region, and set up vernacular Chinese schools in Malaysia for their children, reflecting their strongto emphasis in education.

3 stories of space: an introduction the project

1940 War

1941 Malay Peninsula invaded by Japanese troops from the north. The last British troops in Singapore, at the southern tip of Malaya, surrendered in February 1942. Japanese rule lasts for 3 years and 8 months, and similar to the British, establish a racial policy, further driving rifts along ethnic lines.

Japanese forces in Malaya surrendered to the Allies in September 1945.

3 stories of space: an introduction to the project

1950-1960 Independence

1948 The Federation of Malaya is formed, Kuala Lumpur becomes the capital.

1957 The Malay states achieve independence from British rule, and becomes Malaya.

1963 Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah join Malaya to form the Federation of Malaysia.

3 stories of space: an introduction to the project

1965 Explusion of Singapore to become a separate state

1969-1990

Aggression and the New Economic Policy

1969 After decades of racial tension, violence erupts after an election. After two days of violence the government declares a state of emergency and parliament is suspended.

1971 Parliament reconvenes and the New Economic Policy is introduced with the aim of eliminating poverty (particularly rural poverty) and to mitigate the discrepancy of wealth along racial lines (commonly understood to mean of a space: shift inaneconomic power, heavily skewed toward the 3 stories introduction to thethen project Chinese).

1980-2000

Progress and the New Development Policy

1980's Mahathir Mohamad, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, actively implements liberal economic policies, such as privatisation of government enterprises (similar to political contemporaries such as Thatcher) in addition to affirmative action by the New Economic Policy.

1991 Mahathir introduces the National Development Policy to replace the NEP, aiming to transform Malaysia to a fully developed3country within with itsto citizens in a high-income workforce. Key stories of space:30 anyears, introduction the project moves under this policy include shifting from an agriculture-based economy to a manufacturing and industry-based one, liberalising financial regulations to attract foreign investment, and massive infrastructural investments, the best known of which is the Petronas Twin Towers.

1997

Financial crisis

1997 Asian financial crisis affects Malaysia deeply. The main stock exchange index falls by over 75 percent, alleviated after Mahathir cuts spending and pegs the Malaysian Ringgit to the US Dollar.

3 stories of space: an introduction to the project

1980-2000 Today

2000's Malaysia experiences remarkable economic growth and a drastic increase in living standards.

Unprecedented numbers of migrant workers from neighbouring countries enter the country to fill in the low-skilled, low-paid jobs spurned by the local population, leading to polarisation in the occupational and social structure.

2007 Under increasingly blatant corruption within the ruling coalition, the Bersih rally is organised and 3 stories of space: an introduction to the project held in Kuala Lumpur to campaign for electoral reform. This is a remarkable incident because mass protests and rallies are in fact illegal in Malaysia unless an official permit has been granted, and the first protest at this scale. Estimates put the number of attendees between 10,000 to 40,000.