The roar of the lion in the jungles of the Malay Archipelago / Hadijah Rahmat

This article highlights the relationship of Malay literature in Singapore with literature in Malaysia and other countries within the Malay Archipelago. It examines the effects of the secession of Singapore on the 9th of August, 1965 on Malay literature. Has the political separation of almost 50 years truly severed the literary ties between Malaysia and Singapore as far as Malay literature is concerned? Is there a dividing line that can be drawn between Malay culture in Malaysia and in Singapore, as reflected in the literary works produced? Is there still a continuity of the spirit of a common origin? This article attempts to answer these questions by discussing the development of the shared literature before 1965, the effects and themes of “separation” in these literary works, and the levels of development of literature since 1965, as well as the pattern of the literary relationship between Malaysia and Singapore.