ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the social and political significance of Islam in Malaysian history, and then proceeds to investigate the objectives and strengths of the organisations associated with revivalism, the policy of the government, and the political consequences of the movement as a whole. Islamic revivalism is not a new phenomenon in Malaysia. It occurred at the beginning of the twentieth century as a result of Islamic legal reforms and the activities of a newly established reformist group, during the late 1940s with the founding of Pan Malayan Supreme Religious Council and Hizbul Muslimin, and during the 1950s with the foundation and development of Pan Malayan Islamic Party. In each case Islamic issues become important topics of debate within the Malay community, and reformists are strongly opposed by rival conservative or secular elites. The chapter explores more systematically the political significance of the events, and to identify other areas in which Islamic revivalism have impinged on the political process.
