On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Department of History at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a discussion on the growth and development of nationalist political thought in Southeast Asia during the post-colonial period (1945–1965). This event marked the opening of a series of academic discussions to be organized by the Department of History throughout 2026. On this occasion, the department invited Yi Ning Chang, a researcher and historian of Southeast Asian politics who is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the Department of Government, Harvard University, United States. Her research interests focus on the history of political thought and international relations among Southeast Asian countries in the post-colonial era. The discussion was also accompanied by Dr. Farabi Fakih, S.S., M.Phil., a historian and lecturer at the Department of History UGM, who also serves as the Head of the Master’s Program in History at UGM. The event was open to all students as well as the general public with an interest in Southeast Asian history and political thought.
In the discussion, Yi Ning Chang began by addressing major issues faced by Southeast Asian nations after breaking free from European colonial influence in the mid to late 20th century. Social problems inherited from the colonial period, along with the practice of applying democratic principles in national political systems, became fundamental challenges for the region. Prominent figures such as Soekarno, Lee Kuan Yew, and Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Hajj—many of whom were shaped by European intellectual traditions—played crucial roles in formulating, consolidating, and establishing the legal, political, and social foundations of Southeast Asian nations in the post-colonial era. Ideas of anti-colonialism, populism, and political democratization served as guiding principles for these thinkers in designing systems of governance. In this discussion, particular attention was given to Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, who successfully transformed the country from a “traditional” society into a modern state with a more structured political and administrative system. During his leadership, Singapore’s political orientation shifted from colonial capitalist interests toward a model of development that emphasized justice and social equality, making public welfare the primary goal of national development.
The discussion was conducted in an intense yet warm atmosphere, with speakers and participants actively exchanging ideas on the growth of political thought and nationalism in Southeast Asia during the post-colonial period. Concepts of unity, nationalism, and anti-imperialism emerged as central themes in the pursuit of national development across the region.
Author: Mochamad Rizky Saputra
