The Fajar Generation: The University Socialist Club and the Politics of Postwar Malaya and Singapore

by Koh Kay Yew (editor), Soo Kai Poh, Tan Jing Quee (editor)

The University Socialist Club (USC) was formed in February 1953. In the 1950s and 1960s the USC and its organ Fajar were a leading voice advocating the cause of the constitutional struggle for freedom and independence in peninsular Malaya and Singapore. In May 1954, the British colonial government arrested the entire editorial board of Fajar and charged them with sedition. In the subsequent high profile trial the Fajar Eight, as the members of the board had become popularly known, were acquitted. The monthly periodical continued to be published until it was banned in February 1963, following the massive wave of politiclal arrests codenamed Operation Cold Store. This collection of essays by leading members of the USC provides a timely documentation and narrative of the personalities who contributed to the struggle for freedom and independence in both countries.

Genres: History, Politics

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that describes the issues of the time as well as the motivations behind the student leaders then which led to their eventual entrance into Singapore Politics.

Recommended to read if you're interested in Singapore political history. Be warned though, the content can be quite heavy and its not really meant for light-reading.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

A solipsistic and messy–albeit important–book that could have done with a much tighter editing hand.