Matriculation year: 2018
Degree: MPhil in History
Background
"I received the Tunku Scholarship in 2018, upon graduating from a BA in International Relations from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. My research sought to investigate the emergence of the right to self-determination in the nationalist discourse of Patani Malays in Southern Thailand. Looking back to the years between 1945 and 1948, I ask how Malay anticolonial nationalists in this period can be treated as political agents who worked towards repudiating human rights abuses and bringing an end to what they perceived as colonial rule, despite Thailand’s status as the only uncolonized state in Southeast Asia.
"Throughout the course of my studies, I received plenty of guidance, support, and reassurances from various members of the college and university. My supervisors, Dr Tomas Larsson and Dr Iza Hussin from the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) provided input at every stage of the project, from searching for concepts to writing out my chapters.
"In Cambridge’s Faculty of History, I was fortunate to have the backing of Dr Rachel Leow and Professor Tim Harper. Dr Rachel Leow offered a great deal of encouragement to pursue my interests in the social and intellectual history of the Malay world and has been a primary supporter in my admission to this course of study. During the beginning of Michaelmas term, Professor Tim Harper afforded me tremendous guidance on primary source materials at the National Archives, United Kingdom. He had also provided me with encouragement in times when I felt lonely and homesick during my time in Cambridge. I am very grateful for his presence in this short time, without which this project would not have been possible."
Life at Catz
"Graduating from the MPhil programme would not have been possible without the generous support of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Fund at St Catharine’s. This financial support allowed me to concentrate fully on the task of researching, writing and revising the dissertation. Angela Abbott, Bethan Lewis and Dr Fatima Santos, in particular, had provided support for my application to receive hardship funding upon the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, which included returning to Malaysia to complete this project."
Life since Catz
"Since completing my studies, I returned to my role as President of Imagined Malaysia, a nonprofit education project that aims to broaden our understanding of Southeast Asian – and specifically, Malaysian – history, by providing a platform to learn and critically discuss alternative historical narratives.
"Through my involvement in Imagined Malaysia, I strive to advance the role of public history in social policy, peacebuilding and national integration. At the moment, I am leading a social media campaign called #TanpaPerkauman: An Antiracist History of Malaysia, where we produce accessible, thought-provoking narratives in the form of infographics about the history of racial discrimination in Malaysia.
"Besides managing my nonprofit organisation, I have been invited to design and conduct interactive, capacity-building workshops on themes of racial harmony, women’s political participation, countering violent extremism (CVE), refugee rights and statelessness for youth participants from different backgrounds.
"Recently, I contributed to the edited volume Racial Difference and the Colonial Wars of 19th Century Southeast Asia, edited by Farish A. Noor and Peter Carey (Amsterdam University Press, 2021), in which my chapter is entitled, "‘Sly Civility’ and the Myth of the ‘Lazy Malay’: The Discursive Economy of British Colonial Power during the Pahang Civil War, 1891–1895".
"Through my involvement as Board Member at Forces of Renewal in Southeast Asia (FORSEA), I aspire to breathe youthful life into the pioneering radical activism for democracy in Southeast Asia."
Advice for potential applicants
"As cliché as it may sound, I truly believe that it is important to muster a sense of courage and confidence when writing your application. I confess that I did not think I was deserving of this scholarship, despite the overwhelming support I had from my mentors, Professor Syed Farid Alatas and Dr Sumit Mandal and friends. Applying to study at Cambridge can be a very intimidating process, especially for applicants like myself, coming from a modest background. Upon learning that not only had I received my offer, but also the Tunku scholarshi, it made me realise that putting your best foot forward and letting everyone know how dedicated you are to your research goals could result in a life-changing experience.
"It is also crucial to have a support system of academics, friends and family near and far as you undertake your journey into the postgraduate universe. Writing coursework papers and the dissertation can be a rather intense period. Always remember to reconnect with those that matter to you, recalibrate by exercising self-care and give priority to your physical health. It is not just about achieving academic excellence; it is also about learning more about yourself! So don’t forget to breathe and enjoy all that Cambridge has to offer."
