Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

The Sale of Samsu in Selangor, 1900-1941

Mohd Firdaus Roslan, Noor Syazwani Ishak, Azharudin Mohamed Dali, Noor Syamimi Ishak

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v14-i10/23375

Open access

This paper discusses the consumption of samsu in Selangor before independence, covering the period from 1900 to 1941. The production and consumption of samsu is a significant issue that has not been thoroughly explored or widely understood. Although samsu is primarily consumed by the Chinese and Indian communities, Malays were not entirely excluded from drinking this alcoholic beverage. This study focuses on the introduction of samsu in Selangor and highlights some factors contributing to its consumption. Several factors contributed to the widespread illegal sale of samsu in Selangor, including economic hardship and poverty, attractive advertising, and weak enforcement of regulations. The closure of toddy shops and the rising cost of samsu production also led to an increase in the demand for illegal samsu. There has been little detailed and specific research on samsu, making this study crucial in providing information and knowledge about samsu in Selangor. Existing research largely focuses on alcohol consumption in general and does not delve deeply into the specific details of samsu consumption. Therefore, this study aims to fill the gaps in previous research and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the development of samsu in Malaysia.

Ishak, N. S. (2014). Faktor dan Kesan Pengambilan Samsu di Selangor, 1900-1941.
Krishnan, P., & Raman, J. H. J. (2015). Anti-Toddy Movement in Malaya, 1900-1957. Journal of Indian Culture and Civilization, 78.
Krishnan, P., & Raman, J. H. J. (2018). Toddy Business among the Indian Labour in Colonial Malaya, 1900-1957. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 8(1), 1-44.
Krishnan, P., Dali, A. M., Ghazali, A. Z., & Subramanian, S. (2014). The history of toddy drinking and its effects on Indian labourers in colonial Malaya, 1900–1957. Asian Journal of Social Science, 42(3-4), 321-382.
Federated Malay State, Report on The Customs and Excise Department – 1937, hlm. 26.
Federated Malay States Report by W.D. Barron Customs and Excise Department, 1936, hlm. 19.
Federated Malay States Report by W.D. Barron Customs and Excise Department, 1936, hlm. 19.
SEL 3296/1918, Extra accommodation or storage of dutiable goods at Port Swettenham. Refer to the letter from the Customs Supervisor of Port Swettenham to the Resident of Selangor.
SUK SEL 1/1933, Enquires as to what duty would be imposed on Alcohol and Samsu manufactured from Pineapple waste. Refer to the letter from the Colonial Officer of Chartered Bank, Singapore to the Agriculture Under Secretary to the Government of Federated Malay States, dated 30th December 1932.

Ishak, N. S., Dali, A. M., Ishak, N. S., & Roslan, M. F. (2024). The Sale of Samsu in Selangor, 1900-1941. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(10), 2497–2510.