History of Chinese in Malaysia

"A History of the Chinese in Malaysia" consists of three parts and thirteen chapters, plus an introduction and references, totaling approximately 220,000 words. The book is presented chronologically, divided by key historical developments. The first part covers the period before the 19th century, the second part from the 19th century to Japan's unconditional surrender in 1945, and the third part covers the post-war period to 2020. The book's content is comprehensive rather than specialized or detailed, emphasizing a broad understanding and an exploration of historical significance, with minimal detail.

Each chapter follows the general history format and is divided into chapters on politics, economy, society, and culture. The political section examines the Reform Movement, the political divisions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, and the Straits Chinese, as well as the shifts in Chinese political identity after the war and the rise and fall of the Malaysian Chinese Association. The economic section emphasizes how the Chinese transitioned from middlemen to plantations, mining, and industry, becoming a significant economic force in the country, and the subsequent political repression they faced and their strategies for survival. The social section covers the development of secret societies, associations, religions, and villages. The cultural section encompasses education, literature, art, academia, newspapers, and folk customs.