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This study emphasises the development of the socio-economy of the Malay community in Kedah. The issues focused on are related to the debt and poverty which had been the dilemma and shackled the Malay community, specifically the farmers. This research will unfold the factors that had led the farmers to like being indebted. This practice was seen to be the norm to the everyday life in handling hardship. In addition, the practice of indebtedness too had led the farmers to fall into the scourge of poverty. This research fully uses historical documents and materials which include books, articles, files from the state secretary, CO 273 Straits Settlements, Original Correspondence, 1838-1922 and CO 716, Kedah/Perlis Sessional Papers, 1905-1937. It was found that for the first quarter of the 20th century, the Malays in Kedah specifically the farmers suffered from financial difficulties. They were not only faced with poverty but also oppression from the middlemen and mounting debts. Many of these farmers at that time had to borrow from the loan sharks who were seen as the main source of income to settle all their bad debts. This research provides understanding about poverty, oppression and middleman issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will approach the development of Alor Setar as a commercial centre in the era between 1735-1909. Within this context, the advancement of this city will be plotted from the aspect of the commercial activities being conducted as well as the factors that triggered the growth of a better and rapid-growing Alor Setar. This study uses the qualitative measurement which involves the collection and data analysis from primary sources obtained from the National Archive of Malaysia such as letters sent by Sultan Muhammad Jiwa to Francis Light, Reminders from the Rulers of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Hamid's Letters and CO 716, Kedah/Perlis Sessional Papers, 1905-1937. The outcome of this study shows that since the year of 1735, when Alor Setar began its operation as the state administration centre, the city had become the hub for local people and also foreigners. Within this period of time, there was evidence of hasty trading activities between Alor Setar and foreign traders from Penang, India and China. Among the commodities being merchandised were food supplies namely rice, farm animals and woods. The consequence of these transactions provided a large sum of income to Kedah state. In addition, the commercial activities in Alor Setar had been enhanced with the presence of trading emporiums which allotted stores selling assorted items, for example the pawn shop, textile stores and groceries stores. The existence of Alor Setar as a rapid-growing commercial centre was contributed by several factors such as the effectiveness of administration, the efficiency of town safety control, the sophistication of the communication and transportation system, the competency of health control system and also the presence of town port. These indeed have become the undeniably alluring attractions for traders to pursue their trading business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]