Propaganda dan Perang Saraf British di Tanah Melayu melalui Malayan Film Unit (MFU) 1946–1957 British Propaganda and Psychological Warfare in Malaya through the Malayan Film Unit (MFU) 1946–1957

Abstract

This research aims to look at the role of the Malayan Film Unit (MFU) which was used as a medium of propaganda and psychological warfare by the British in Malaya from 1946 to 1957. The establishment of the MFU was seen as one of the last British strategies in boosting their image and power in Malaya after the end of the Second World War. Through the MFU, various films were produced based on political, economic, and social themes in which the British had a stake. This research is qualitative in nature and fully uses historical research methods. Materials and resources were obtained from the National Archives of Malaysia, National Archives of Kedah/Perlis, the Hamzah Sendut Library in Universiti Sains Malaysia, the Tun Sri Lanang Library in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the Kedah State Public Library, and many others. The results show that the MFU played an important role as a propaganda tool and as a part of British psychological warfare in Malaya until its independence. Furthermore, the MFU was maintained post-independence and was a propaganda tool of the Federal Government of Malaya’s psychological warfare.

Penyelidikan ini bertujuan untuk melihat peranan Malayan Film Unit (MFU) yang telah menjadi medium propaganda dan perang saraf oleh British di Tanah Melayu dari tahun 1946 sehingga tahun 1957. Penubuhan MFU dilihat antara strategi terakhir British dalam mengangkat imej dan kuasa mereka di Tanah Melayu selepas tamatnya Perang Dunia Kedua. Melalui MFU, pelbagai filem telah dihasilkan berdasarkan tema-tema terpilih seperti politik, ekonomi, dan sosial yang mempunyai kepentingan kepada British. Penyelidikan ini berbentuk kualitatif dan menggunakan sepenuhnya kaedah penyelidikan sejarah. Bahan dan sumber diperoleh dari Arkib Negara Malaysia, Arkib Negara cawangan Kedah/Perlis, Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Perpustakaan Tun Sri Lanang (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Perpustakaan Awam Negeri Kedah dan lain-lain lagi. Hasil kajian menunjukkan, MFU berperanan penting sebagai alat propaganda dan perang saraf British di Tanah Melayu sehingga kemerdekaan tanah air. Malah selepas kemerdekaan, MFU dikekalkan dan telah menjadi alat propaganda dan perang saraf Kerajaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.