Shamsiah Fakeh: Perempuan Minang Rantau Pejuang Tanah Melayu

Abstract

Shamsiah Fakeh is a Minangkabau woman who became one of Malaysian defenders. She was a real nationalist who also became anti-British until her death and the earliest women who dared to speak openly to stimulate the spirit of Malay nationalism. She was directly involved in struggling Malay Peninsula from the invaders. She is also the earliest figure to make Malay women to be progressive and dare to challenge a conservative culture. She also opens opportunities and attracts other women to become more courageous and high-minded women. This study uses a historical approach. This study found that Shamsiah Fakeh's struggle in achieving Malaya's independence cannot be denied. The character of Shamsiah Fakeh as a Malay-nationalist politician was forthright in struggling the independence of the Malay Land. She becomes a political figure of woman who is positive and progressive minded, especially in defending women' political rights. Her courage, abundance and honesty in fighting for women's political rights are difficult to match in contemporary contexts. Shamsiah's involvement in the political field and the struggle for independence were solely based on the sincerity of the nation liberation from the grip of British colonialism. Although she was a member of the leftist party and was not accepted by the kingdom which made her name less shining in Malay history but she was a sincere warrior to defend the homeland rather than the invaders.