Abstract

Historical textbooks are a form of historiography intended for educational purposes. The many themes in the historical textbooks at the High School level, the theme of Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation 1963-1966 is a theme that needs to be raised because this theme concerns the relationship between two neighbouring allied countries. This study aimed to provide a complete picture for teachers and especially for students about the history of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation 1963-1966. The problems formulated on the question: why does Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation occurs? How the narration of the confrontation is told in the historical textbooks of both countries? Why is the narration of confrontation in the historical textbooks of the two countries more emphasize the political aspect than any other aspects? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the confrontation material from the perspective of the historical textbooks of the two countries? The research method used is comparative and content analysis. The results of this study show that the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation 1963-1966 occurred because of mutual suspicion between Indonesia and Malaysia. The narrative of the confrontation in the historical textbooks of the two countries has different perspectives and pressure points that are following their respective interests through official history. Indonesian textbooks emphasize the role of important people from the Indonesian side only, while Malaysian textbooks try to be more objective by introducing both figures from Indonesia and Malaysia.