Chapter 3 : Formation of Malaysia

Comprehension Exercise.
1. Tunku Abdul Rahmans suggestion on 27 May 1961, follow up with definite
actions until Malaysia was formed, was the starting point of the formation of
Malaysia. Before that date, the same idea had been officially put forward by
the following except,
A. the British Cabinet. (pg 48 under subtopic of The Idea of Malaysia, para.
1 line 3)
B. Tan Cheng Lock. (pg 48 under subtopic of The Idea of Malaysia, para. 2
line 3)
C. The Sultan of Brunei.
D. Lee Kuan Yew. (pg 48 under subtopic of The Idea of Malaysia, para. 2 line
3)

2. Several factors encouraged Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to

unite with Malaya to form Malaysia. The following are true of the factors
which acted as incentives.
I
- To obtain independence from the British. (pg 49 under subtopic of
Factors of Formation of Malaysia, factor no. 1)
II
- To strengthen the wall of defense against the communist threat. (pg
49 under subtopic of Factors of Formation of Malaysia, factor no. 4; pg 61
summary no. 5)
V
- To enhance sosio-economic development. (pg 50 under subtopic of
Factors of Formation of Malaysia, factor no. 5; pg 61 summary no. 6)
C. I, II and V.

3. A British concern for peace and stability in the future member countries
was one of the prime reasons Britain agreed to the formation of Malaysia.
Which of the following statement is most correct in explaining the matter?
A. The British were worried that SEATO interest and the safety of
her economy in South East Asia might be adversely affected as

peace in the region was still under communist threat. (pg 52 under
subtopic Britain, line 4; pg 50 under subtopic of Factors of Formation of
Malaysia, factor no. 4)

4. The Inter-Government Committee (JAK) was one of the important bodies

set up to resolve related issues and to draft the Constitution. The following
statements are true with the exception of,
I
- Also knows as the Landsdowne Committee, named after the chairman
of the body. (pg 53 Table 3.1, row 8, 1st column is August 1962)
II
- It was established earlier than the Cobbold Commission which also
had a role in the process of forming Malaysia. (pg 53 Table 3.1, row 6, 1st
column is August 1962)
III
- Except for Brunei all the future member countries were members of
the Committee.
IV
- One of the important responsibilities of the Inter-Government
Committee was to draw up the constitution of Malaysia. The official report of
the committee became the basis for the Malaysia agreement which endorsed
the agreement to become a member of Malaysia. (pg 53 Table 3.1, row 8,
1st column is August 1962; pg 54 line 3; pg 62 summary no. 13)
A. II and III.

5. Singapore was in Malaysia for about two years, then separated itself from
Malaysia after relations between the countries deteriorated. The following
events contributed to the declined in relations between Singapore and
Malaysia until Singapore quit Malaysia.
III
- Lee Kuan Yew belittled MCA and pushed PAP forward to take over the
role of MCA in looking after the interests of Chinese community. (pg 47
synopsis, line 5 from bottom; pg 59 under subtopic of Spores Separation
From Malaysia, para. 2, line 3; pg 62 summary no. 19)
IV
- Lees Malaysian Malaysia campaign. (pg 60 under subtopic of
Spores Separation From Malaysia, para. 2 from bottom, line 3 from bottom)

V
- The action of the UMNO extremists who shouted the slogan Malays
Unite. (pg 60 under subtopic of Spores Separation From Malaysia, para. 2
from bottom, line 3)
D. III, IV and V.