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.