Topic One

History and
Politics

Sub-Topics 1.2
Towards

independence
Malayan Union
Federation of Malaya

 The

struggle for independence can be

divided into 2 stages ;
The armed or bloody stage began
with the struggle of the Malay against
Portuguese
Without bloodshed , through literature
and the negotiations

Factors contributed against the

colonialist
Local

officers and Malay Kings lose control in

their own country
Foreigners exploited the natural resources
Colonialist control the taxation system
Local official lose their income
The ignorance of the British officers in
understanding the local custom and practices
Foreigners not respecting the local customary
practices tried to eradicate

Growth of Nationalism
Japanese

occupation contributed to
the development of nationalism in
Malaya
different treatment to different races
made them realized that they
themselves should shape their life not foreign power

Growth of Nationalism
Japanese

propaganda stirred up nationalist

feeling
Asia for Asians
Use associations and mass media as channel to
express their dissatisfaction to their colonial
master.
Emerged awareness that independence could
be achieved through negotiations and not
through uprising & fighting

Malay
Nationalism

Religious stage 1900-1926

Islam

was not properly propagated

Muslims became conservative & confused
Islamic reformist movement led by Syed Sheikh
Muhammad Abduh - promoted the idea of PanIslamism among Malay students
In Malaya, the idea was brought by Syed Sheikh
Ahmad Al Hadi co with Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin.
Form a group known as Kaum Muda

 Syed

Sheikh Al-Hadi used newspaper to

create awareness among the young
generations
Al-Imam, al-Ikhwan & Saudara

newspapers that called for the struggle and appealed

to the Malays to improve their life.

Social and Economic stage

(1927 - 1936)
Started

by a small number of elite Malays who

had English education and Malay education
especially from the Sultan Idris Teachers
College)

 Establishment

of KMS (Singapore Malays

Union) by Mohammed Eunos bin Abdullah
in 1926
Emphasized on economics and social
achievement
Encouraged the elite Malays to assist the
government to provide education to Malay
children

Political stage (1937-1941)

Political

parties were formed and championed

the concept Malaya for the Malays
Even though some to the movement was too
radical and not well accepted by the Malays,
yet the nationalist spirit succeeded in giving
rise to nationalism amongst the Malays

 Most

radical group KMM or Young Malays

Union (1938)
Led by Ibrahim Yaakob
Fought for the independence of Malaya and
unification with Indonesia to form Melayu Raya
Not well received, because the concept of
unification with Indonesia was too radical and
difficult for Malays to accept

Chinese nationalism
Began

since China-Japan war

1894 - 1895
Influenced more by the political
struggles in China
Chinese still had a feeling that China
was their homeland

Chinese nationalism
Revolutionary

movement
Modernization in China influenced
Chinese in Perak and Selangor
Sun Yat Sen influence - against Manchu
dynasty
Most of the Chinese in Malaya support
Sun Yat Sen movement

Chinese nationalism
Kuomintang

party influence - the unity of

China and strengthen the country through
industrialization and modernization
Malayan Communist Party influence launched rallies and strike in Malaya in
order to form a Republic Communist of
Malaya

Indian nationalism

Before WW2, Indian focused the movement in India

After WW2 -> focus in Malaya
Anti colonial movement among Punjabi group ->
influenced by Ghadr movement in India
Taiping Indian Assoc.(1906) & Selangor Indian Assoc
(1909)

Responsible to improve socio-economy of Indian in

Malaya
Build up school, clinic & Hindi Class
Formation of Central India Association of Malaya (CIAM)
in October 1936 consist of 12 Indian Associations & 4
Indian Business Hall

Fight for development of Indian politic in Malaya

Malayan Union
Japanese

surrendered
British army came back to Malaya in
September 1945.
Introduced - British Military
Administration (BMA) to restore peace
BMA disturbed by MPAJA
MPAJA wanted to take over Malaya

Malayan Union
BMA was

dissolved
Introduced Malayan Union

proposed

that all states of Malaya except

Singapore should be combined

Contents of Malayan Union

1) Singapore separate colony with its
own governor
2) Penang, Malacca joined 9 Malay
states

The British Governor was the chief

administrator

Centre in Kuala Lumpur

Executive Council and a Legislative Council

assist the Governor

3) Sultans

kept authority over

religious matters
BUT.
lost all other political powers &
decision making

Contents of Malayan Union

4) All citizens have equal right including to
work in administrative civil service & to vote
in the general election
5) No restriction of citizenship to natives
citizenship was open to all based on jus
soli principle
no discrimination to race

Jus Soli principles

The

foreigner was 18 and above & had

resided in Malaya for 10 out of a
period of 15 years before 15 Feb 1942
A person who was born in Malaya
after the forming of the Malayan
Union

Why did British propose these changes?

1)To unite all Malay states
Malaya had 3 systems of administration
Straits Settlement
Federated Malay States
Non-federated Malay States

Why did British propose these changes?

2)To make Malaya stronger
new country must be able to defend
itself against internal opponents and
outside powers
must have stable and effective admin

Why did British propose these changes?

3)To protect British own interest
British had a great investment in Malaya
to make sure economic growth in Malaya
introduced efficient Government system

Why did British propose these changes?

4)To ensure future political stability
British felt that citizenship should be
given to non Malays to ensure political
stability
Their contribution in economic activities
should be rewarded by giving equal right

Sultans accepted MU. Why?

Many

Malays disagreed to MU
however, Sultans agreed.
WHY?
Harold

Mac Michael used threat

January 1946, the Constitution of MU was
passed on.
1 April 1946 MU was officially proclaimed
Sir Edward Gent as the 1st Governor

Sultans accepted MU. Why?

Sultan

of Kedah said I was presented

with a verbal ultimatum with a time
limit, and in the event of my refusing to
sign the new agreement, a successor who
would sign it, would be appointed as
Sultan

Why did Malays opposed MU?

1) Lack of consultation over the proposal
lack of time to discuss the proposal
could nor take advice from states councils
2) Proposal for more liberal citizenship
according to Malays, immigrants did not
give their first loyalty to Malaya
opposed dual citizenship in MU

Why did Malays opposed MU?

3) Sultans lost their powers
According to Malays, Ruler (Sultan) is the
supreme head & has the power to protect
them
Rulers loss power meant the loss of Malay
power
4) Existing special rights & privileges of Malays
would be lost

The failure of MU
Strong

opposition from the Malays

Stirred up a strong sense of
nationalism among Malays
No strong support from the non-Malays
Not interested because it excluded
Singapore

The failure of MU

Wrong timing

Communal feeling and hostility still existed between

Malays & Chinese as a result of Japanese occupation
MU was accused of putting the Malays at a disadvantage
& favouring the Non-Malays

Wrong introduction

MU was drawn up in London without taking into account

the situation and wishes of the local people
The used of political blackmail to get the agreement
signed.

The failure of MU
Opposition

from former British

administrators in Malaya

They urged British to protect the interest and

special rights of the Malays

Federation of Malaya
25

July 1946, British set up new

committee to draw up a new constitution
Members of committee

6 British officers
4 representatives Malay Rulers
2 Umno representatives

Federation

of Malaya Agreement (1948)

replaced Malayan Union

 Comprised

of Executive and
Legislative Council
British High Commissioner highest

Communism in Malaya
arrived

Malaya in 1925
Chinese Communist Party set up
Nanyang Communist Party in Singapore
aim - to spread Communism
in the beginning they failed

Communism in Malaya
1928

- Soviet sent agents to SEA to carry

out a review of the partys organization
NCP was dissolved and replaced by
Malaya Communist Party (1930)

Communism in Malaya
MCP task

- to establish the Communist

Republic of Malaya
illegal organization
worked underground
organized strikes

Communism in Malaya
during

WW2, Soviet Union asked MCP

to cooperate with British & French
Soviet Union sent Lai Teck to persuade
MCP to give support to British
at the same time tried to remove British
from Malaya

Communism in Malaya
MCP cooperated

with British in the

beginning
MCP received training at 101 Special
training school in Singapore

Communism in Malaya
they

were in charge against the

Japanese occupation in the jungle
formed MPAJA to continue the
opposition against Japanese

Communism in Malaya
MPAJA ruled

Malaya after Japanese left

BMA was set up and disarmed MPAJA
guerillas was paid $350 as a reward
Mac 1947 Lai Teck disappeared from
Malaya
he was replaced by Chin Peng

Emergency Period
MCP decided

to rebel when their

opposition against FOM was ignored
guerillas carried out attacks to expel
British
British declared a state of emergency
throughout Malaya (later Singapore)

British actions
1) Declaration of emergency and Emergency Laws
of 1948
Grant powers to the police and soldiers to
arrest and detain communist suspect without
trial
2) Set up the system of national registration- own
an identification card

British actions
3) The Briggs Plan 1950 - 1960 ;Sir Harold
Briggs
new village & operation starvation
Started on 1 June 1950 in Johore
To restrict supplying food, medicine and
information to communist guerillas
Effective plan weakened the Min Yuen
activities and forced them out of the jungles

British actions
4) Military measures

Used firm military force

Used 13 battalions of English soldiers,

Gurkhas and Malays

Training 67 000 special Malay soldiers
Formed home guards system
Recruiting assistance from the Commonwealth
country such as from Australia, New Zealand
and Rhodesia

British actions
5) Psychological Warfare:Sir Gerald Templer

Leaflets to call the communist to give up

Declare white areas and black areas
Make conditions easier for non-Malays

obtain citizenship
Pardoning MCP members who surrendered
Reward people who provide info on
communist

The Baling Negotiation

Negotiation

between MCP and government of

Malaya
Held in Baling, Kedah on 28 & 29 December 1955
Government representative

Tunku Abdul Rahman

David Marshal
Tan Cheng Lock

 MCP

representative
Chin Peng
Chen Tien
Rashid Maidin
MCP request
MCP movement to be legalised
Request rejected by the government
Also rejected the government counter offer
& refused to lay down their arms
Negotiation failed

End of Emergency
When

Alliance Party won in the election

Tunku offered amnesty for communists
who surrender
Chin Peng had a peace talk with TAR
failed as he refused to dissolve MCP

End of Emergency
MCP lost

of support
more white areas was declared
emergency ended in 31st July 1960

Racial problems, why?

Divide and rule policy

Located according residence and occupation

Education system during British
Curriculum based on curriculum from origin
country
Different religions and customs
Japanese occupation
Different treatment between races

Efforts Toward Racial Unity

Inter-Racial Relations Committee, 1949
enabled leaders of various groups to
find solutions to the racial problems
non-Malays involved in local politics
& public services
more opportunities for Malays in
business and industrial areas
Generate more income

Efforts Toward Racial Unity

Member System, 1951

Enabled people from various ethnic groups

to get involved in the government
Appoint local representatives to the post of
head department in the central govt
Hold portfolios in areas such as Home
Affairs, Agriculture, Land, Health etc.
Received training in administrative matters
Create the spirit of cooperation
among races

Efforts Toward Racial Unity

Education System
Central Advisory Committee, 1949

English sole medium of instruction

opposed by Federal Legislative Council

Barnes Report, 1950

primary level English & Malay

secondary level English

Efforts Toward Racial Unity

Education System
Fenn Wu Report, 1951
studied the status of Chinese education
to incorporate it into unified system

Education Ordinance, 1952

based on the 2 reports

not implemented economic recession

Razak Report, 1956

after Alliance Party won election

POLITICAL PARTIES AFTER

WW2
UMNO
MCA
MIC

United Malays National Organization

UMNO
11th May 1946
Dato Onn bin Jaafar
to unite Malays to oppose MU
to protect Malays interests
to gain independence from the
British

The formation of UMNO

Malays

began campaigning against the MU

as soon as they heard of the proposals
Organized united opposition against MU
Mac 1946, Dato Onn Jaafar called for a
congress of 41 Malay organizations at
Sultan Sulaiman Club Selangor

The formation of UMNO

2nd

congress held in JB
The birth of United Malay National
Organization (UMNO)
UMNO Constitution was passed on 29
May 1946
Dato Onn 1st president of UMNO

The formation of UMNO

1950

-> 39 UMNO branches was set up

with 100 375 memberships
Began policy of non cooperation to MU
UMNO

traveled all over country to stir up

Malay sentiment against the MU
Slogan used : Long live the Malays

Works of UMNO
Educating

the public

MU proposal was invalid

Demonstration and rallies
Requested

Sultans to refuse from

attending the installation of new
governor, Sir Edward Gent
Preparing alternative constitution

British reactions
British

was surprised to Malays reactions

received report from Gent and Mc Donald
British sent two members to investigate
reported great opposition against MU
British changed the proposal

British reactions
If

British ignored the opposition

caused the British unpopular

destroyed any future chances of cooperation
invited more violent action by the Malays
MCP would gain support

Federation of Malaya
July

1946, a working committee was set up

Representatives : British, Sultan & UMNO
To prepare a new proposal
British accepted the proposal because:

great opposition from the Malays.

UMNO was more liberal and pro British.
British needed support from the Malaysovercome Communist influence.
Would like to continue good relationship.

Contents of F.O.M
Matters

include in the constitution:

Protection for the sovereignty and powers of

the Malay rulers
More stringent conditions for citizenship for
non-Malays

no dual citizenship

Special rights for the Malays

Dato Onn
Proposed that non-Malays join UMNO
Rejected by many UMNO members
UMNO stood for Malays right
Could not be multi racial
Sept, 1951 Dato Onn resigned
Replaced by Tunku Abdul Rahman

Malayan Chinese Association (MCA)

27th Feb 1949
Leong Yew Koh
Objectives
to protect Chinese interest
to cooperate with the government
to oppose MCP during Emergency
to propose more liberal citizenship

Malayan Chinese Association

(MCA)
1ST

President = Tan Cheng Lock

At early age of MCA => welfare
association
In 1952 MCA officially announced as
political party
UMNO & MCA united and form the
Alliance
1951 -> membership =188 000

Malayan Indian Congress (MIC)

August 1946, John Thivy
Objectives

To protect Indians interest politics,

economics & social
To propose more liberal citizenship

did not receive support dominated

Indian of upper class
received full support when the Tamils
took over the party in 1954

Malayan Indian Congress (MIC)

In

April 1955, MIC joined the Alliance

1949 -> membership = 7000
1955 -> membership = 20 000

Road to Independence
Election 1952
For local government & town councils
Kuala Lumpur
UMNO-MCA Alliance won 9 /12 seats

The Fight For Independence

Election 1955
general elections
Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC)
won 51 / 52 seats
10 Alliances members - Ministers
Tunku Abdul Rahman - Chief Minister

The Fight For Independence

High Commissioner - veto power

Executive Council - British officials
January 1955, Merdeka Mission

4 Alliances representatives
4 sultans
to London discuss about
independence

British agreed to give independence on

31st August 1957

The Reid Commission

drew up constitution

democratic and unified Malaya

with a firm government

considered the right of Malays,

non-Malays & Sultans

The Reid Commission

Reid

Commission consisted of :

Lord Reid (Britain)

Sir Ivor Jennings (Britain)
Sir William Mckell (Australia)
B. Malik (India)
Hakim Abdul Hamid (Pakistan)

The Reid Commission

131 memorandums were received

from individuals & various
organizations

Alliance Party rejected religion and

citizenship proposals

The Fight For Independence

another delegation went to London
to clarify certain matters
to amend the draft of the constitution

Merdeka Constitution
Important thing to note : the social contract
between Malays and non-Malays
Malays agreed to loosen the conditions for
citizenship to non-Malays
Non-Malays through MIC & MCA agreed on
special right to Malay & acknowledge the
status of the Malay Sultans
Malay language as the national language
Recognised Islam as the national religion

Independence of Malaya
Announcement at Padang Banda Hilir
31st August 1957
Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
By : Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra

Independence of Malaya
1st YDPA
Sultan of Negeri 9
Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman
ibni Almarhum Tunku Muhammad
1st Prime Minister
Tunku Abdul Rahman

Independence of Malaya
1959, 1st general election
Alliance won 74 / 104 seats contested