CHAPTER ONE:

Struggle for
Independence
1

TRADITIONAL MALAY
The Malay society

that is rich in
culture and
customs, and not
forgetting noble
courteous values,
that existed
before
colonialism.
Emergence of
several traditional
Malay kingdoms.
2

THE MALAY KINGDOM OF MELAKA

Tom Pires
Melaka is very famous and prosperous. In my opinion, it has no
comparison in the world. It is a city more suitable for trading
products than any other in the world.
It was a compilation of wide variety of information, both historical
and geographical, ethnographic, botanical, economic, on trade,
coins, weights and measures etc. Pires was careful to investigate
the accuracy of the information collected from merchants, sailors
and populations, with whom he contacted. It shows him to be a
discriminating observer, in spite of his tangled prose, and superior
to other Portuguese writers of the time.
Suma Oriental que trata do Mar Roxo at aos Chins

Melaka suitability
A centre for maritime trade
and spread of Islam.
Suitable location for
collecting, channeling and
exchanging of goods through
an entrepot system.
An alternate system of
monsoon winds, which
determined the course and
direction of sailing ships.

Facilities
4

Laws in Melaka
Hukum Kanun Melaka:
A criminal and civil law that
detailed in 44 Articles such
things as roles, duties and
responsibilities of the ruler and
the ruled.
Combination of traditional law
and customary lawLaut
Undang-undang

Melaka

The proper conduct, rules and

regulations relating to shipping
and trade as well as duties and
responsibilities of port officers
and officers of shipping vessels

As a result..
From
China
against
the
Siamese
Protectio
n

Java, India
and Siam
Diploma
tic Ties

At
reasonable
rate
Taxation

Coinage
system to
replace
barter
system
Currenc
y
6

Factors led to the FALL of Melaka

Lacked of
efficient leader

Defamation
and bribing

discovery of
Cape of Good
Hope

Struggles for
powers

Weak
administration
-Tun Mutahir.

Portuguese
Gold, Gospel
and Glory.

Weak leader

Misunderstandi
ng and
disputes

Internal conflict
and high taxes

COLONIZATION ERA
PORTUGUESE (1511-1641)
DUTCH (1641-1824)
BRITISH (1824-1941)
JAPANESE (1941-1945)

KOTA BAHRU
JAPANESE (19411945)
MELAKA
PORTUGUESE (15111641)
DUTCH (1641-1824)

PERAK
BRITISH (18241941)

10

They
Retain the
introduced
posts of
an economic
Bendahara,
system
Temenggung
called
and
Mercantile
Syahbandar.
Policy

Introduced
their own
system.

to control
the maritime by Alfonzo
trade in the
de
east and to Albuquerque
spread
in 1511
Christianity

PORTUGUESE (1511-1641)

Mercantile Policy

Ships to pay 6-10% of

their total values

Traders must obtain

trading permits

Traders were forced to

sell their goods to the
Portuguese at low prices
and buy Portuguese
goods at marked up
rates.

To control spices; treated

Muslim badly

Introduced coinage
system tin, copper,
silver, gold

11

Impacts of Portuguese colonization

Coinage
system

Buildings
and
churches

Intermarria
ges

IMPAC
TS

Languag
es

12

DUTCH (1641-1824)

United
Dutch East
India
1824, with
Company
The
the signing
was formed monopoly of
of the
to unite all trade in Asia Anglo-Dutch
the Dutch
Treaty.
enterprises
in Asia
13

 In order to secure its position, the Dutch

merged with the Johor empire to launch the
attack at the Portuguese in Melaka.
The Dutch managed to set up their office at
Batavia.
Around June 1640 to January 1641, Melaka
was surrounded by the Dutch with the
Johor assistance.
By 16 January 1641, Portuguese
surrendered to the Dutch.
14

Anglo Dutch Treaty 1824

15

BRITISH (1824-1941) phase 1

Naval
Base

Suitab
le port

16

Straits Settlements
1st April
Singapore,
1867, the
Melaka and administratio
Penang
n of Straits
Efficient
Island
Settlements
Began to pay
administratio
(1826), first
was
attention to
n,
capital in
transferred
the Malay
commercial
Penang and from Calcutta
states.
agriculture
then
to the
Singapore in
Colonial
Office in
1832.
London.
17

What is Residential
System?
18

A system of indirect British rule in the Malay

States that had accepted British protection
A British Resident was appointed in four
states: Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Negri
Sembilan
To advise Sultan on all matters of
administration and government except those
concerning Malay religion and custom

The Sultan remained as Head of State

The Resident was there to advise and not to

rule
19

Peace and
Order

Economic
Development

Revenue
Collection

Difficulties
Little help
from Britain

Limited
power

No specific
guidelines

Sultans and
followers
resistant to
changes
20

Effective
government

Law and
order

Peace and
security

Increase in
population

Communicati
on

Cash crop

Benefits
Demerits
No
uniformity

Residents
became
powerful

Different
economic
growth
21

Federated Malay State Treaty

The acceptance of the rulers of the
Federated Malay States of a British officer
with the title of Resident-General.
The role was to advice on all aspects of
government except issues relating to Islam
and Malay customs.
The rulers were still in power in their own
states
A Conference of Malay Rulers known as
Durbar was introduced.

22

Federal Executive Council

High
Commissioner
(Singapore)

Resident General
(Kuala Lumpur)

4 Sultans
(Perak, Selangor,
N.Sembilan &
Pahang)

Unofficial
Members

Residents

23

Effects of the agreement

Rapid
economic
developme
nt

Cheaper
and
efficient
administrati
on

Increase in
population

Streng
ths
24

Administratio
n

WEAKNES
SES
Econo
mic

25

 DURBAR:
Allowed Malay Sultans and Chiefs to
meet British officials to put forward their
views on important matters.
Durbar has no real power.
Had more ceremonial and symbolic
meanings than policy making functions:
the Sultans had to discuss all issues with
the Residents before they could be raised
in the durbar

 In 1909, Federal Legislative Council was

introduced. Its membership comprised the
four rulers, the four Residents, four
unofficial members and a ResidentGeneral.
The rulers role in the council was advisory.
By 1927, it was recognized that the
Sultans were out of place in the Federal
Council since they did not even understand
English sufficiently.

 Swettenham, appointed ResidentGeneral, fashioneda highly

centralized administration which by
depriving the states of most of their
powers, and by centralizing that
power in his hands, made the word
Federation ridiculous.
A historian commenting on overcentralization in the
Federation

 DECENTRALIZATION:
The formation of FMS had led to
economic prosperity in some states, but
had resulted in centralization at the
expense of the Sultans.
When there was a slump in economic
development in the 1920s, the Sultans
complained even more bitterly about
their lack of power.
Britain, therefore, began to look at ways
to decentralize power.

Unfederated Malay States

Before 1909, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and
Perlis were under the protection of Siam.
1909 Bangkok Treaty, the Siamese agreed to
hand over these states to the British and a British
advisor was appointed in each state.
However, Kedah and Perlis -reluctance of the
states concerned to accept a British advisor.
The importance of the treaty was that it facilitated
the process of expansion of British power in
Malaya; Johor accepted a British advisor in 1914.
Beginning of 1919, the states in Malaya were
under three political units, namely the Straits
Settlements, the Federated Malay States and the
Non-Federated Malay States
30

What make UMS different from FMS?

The Sultans of UMS were more

independent and powerful than the
Sultans of the FMS whose political power
was lost to the British in 1896.
British role in UMS was to be much more
advisory than the FMS. Local Sultans
played a much greater role in governing
their own states.
When Johor agreed to the appointment of
a British Resident in 1914, Britain now
had control of the whole Malay Peninsula.

JAPANESE (1941-1945)
Occupied Malaya for only three and a half
years from 15 February 1942 to 15
August 1945.
The main aim of the Japanese was to
establish a New Great East Asia
government.

32

Japanese Victory

Well
planned

Well
prepared

Experienc
ed
command
er

To free
India from
the British

Propagan
da
Asia for
Asians

Excellent
tactics

33

Decline in
economy

Nipponizati
on

Shortage
of food &
other
necessities

IMPAC
TS

paper
money and
the black
market

Poor public
health
services
34

 Social effects : oppression, especially on the Chinese as a

continuation of the Sino-Japanese war in 1937.
Also many Malay and Chinese became forced
labor to build the railway from Burma to Siam
("Death Railway")
Chinese fled to the outskirts of the jungle and
rural areas and opened new settlements, met
with Malay villagers, causing culture shock.
disharmony between Malays and Chinese
because Japanese generally treated Malays
better : encouraged them to join army, police,
and become active in politics)
caused tension when Japanese surrendered

 Economic situation was very bad;

effects : properties and infrastructures were destroyed
by the British before running away
tin mining and rubber industries couldnt be
continued
no foreign trade
consumer goods and food, especially rice was
scarce
Japanese forced people to plant tapioca and
sweet potatoes
inflation uncontrolled money distribution

 Political effects : Japanese encouraged political

awareness (especially among the
Malays) - slogan : " Asia for Asians"
gain experience in administration
encouraged Malay nationalism and
involvement in political organizations
eg. KRIS
Indians and Chinese strengthened
amongst themselves, causing difficulties
later on in the future in establishing
national spirit

 The racial policy of the Japanese

towards:
The Chinese
The Indians
The Malays
Others
(Further reading: Refers to Japanese Occupation in
Malaya)

STRUGGLE FOR
INDEPENDENCE

Factors led to the nationalist

movements

Intro to Western Politics

Development of education system
The British policy
Japanese Occupation
MCP influenced
The rise of the machine
Pan-Islamism movement
Regional political awareness

Outside influences

Struggle
against
Holland.

Indones
ia

Young
Turkish
movement
and Revival
of Islam

Egypt

Defeated
Russia in
1905.

Japan

Mass media

Organizations
Malay nationalism can be divided into
3 stages
Religious stage : 1900-1926
Social and economic stage : 19271936
Political stage : 1937-1941

 Radically pro-Islamic movement

Caused many Malays to consider
their position in relation to the nonIslamic races of Malaya
Main purpose: to help Malay society
progress through the teaching of
Islam.
Published Al-Imam in 1906 and the
first two editors were Sheikh Tahir
and Haji Abbas

 Al-Imam
The first newspaper that carried the
message of Islamic modernism in the
Malay-Muslim world.
Analyzed the ills of the state of Islamic
society, pointing to the backwardness of
the Malays, their domination by aliens,
their ignorance of modern fields of
knowledge, their laziness, their
complacency (self-satisfaction), their

 Political matters and nationalism

found their ways into newspapers
such as Seruan Azhar and Pilihan
Timur; published in Cairo by a joint
effort between Malay and Indonesian
students.
These groups had advocated for the
independence of Malaya and
Indonesia in the Greater Indonesia.

 The first Malay political party.

Set up by Eunos Abdullah, assisted
by Tengku Abdul Kadir and Embok
Suloh.
English-educated Malay initiative
1937- set up branches in Pahang,
Selangor, Negri Sembilan and
Seberang Prai

 Eunos Abdullah
Already being appointed as a
member of Legislative Council for
Straits Settlements.
Attempted to gather support for his
role in the Council.
The only Malay appointed to the
Council.

 Focused on politics and nationalism

Amalgamating the Malay states with
Indonesia
Accepted by a section of the Malay
students at MPSI

 Formed in 1938
Radical left-learning party
Formed by Ibrahim Yaacob and Ishak
Hj Muhammad, and a group of proIndonesia
Aim: to seek independence for
Malaya and Indonesia
1940- leaders were arrested by the
British

 Replaced KMM
Formed by Burhanuddin Helmi,
Ibrahim Yaacob, Onan Hj Siraj etc
Plan to merge Malaya + Indonesia =
Indonesia Raya
Halted with the Japanese surrendered

 Successor of KRIS
Ahmad Boestamam led the Youth
wing-Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API)
Shamsiah Fakeh led Angkatan Wanita
Sedar (AWAS)
When API was banned, replaced by
Pembela Tanah Air (PETA)

 During Emergency 1948, all

left-wing political parties
were banned

 Rise of nationalism was not intense

and persistent as in the Malay states.

MALAYAN UNION
On 10 Oct 1945, the British
Parliament presented a white paper
with the content that the British
aimed to create a new system of
administration in Malaya.
The Malayan Union that was
proposed including the Malay states,
Penang and Melaka

 The main objectives:

Protect the economic interests
To standardize administration under one ruling
system.
Cut down the administrative cost.
To grant independence to the country.
British hatred towards the Malays who
supported the Japanese

Features of the Malayan Union

The British Governor was the chief administrator,
with its centre in Kuala Lumpur. An Executive
Council and a Legislative Council assist the
Governor.
The Malay rulers only advised the Governor, while
their sovereignty as rulers of their own states was
wiped off. The rulers authority was only in issues
pertaining to Islam and as the Head Council of
Advisors.
The State Council was retained for purposes of
managing the local government, but was still
subjected to control by the central government.
The Malayan Union did not involve Singapore;
Singapore still remained as British colonial
territory under the rule of a British Governor

 Citizenship was based on the principle of jus soli.

Through this principle, Malayan citizenship was
obtained if
the foreigner was 18 and above, and had resided in
Malaya for 10 out of a period of 15 years before 15
February 1942; and
a person who was born in Malaya after the forming of
the Malayan Union.

Equal rights for all citizens regardless of race or

origin. This includes the entry into governmental
service and the right to vote in the general
election.

 Harold MacMichael was vested with

the responsibility of getting the
agreement of all the Malay rulers.
On 1 April 1946, the Malayan Union
was officially proclaimed, with
Edward Gent as the first Governor.

Opposition Against the Malayan Union

Demonstrati
ons

Mass Media

Organization
s

Former
British
Officers

REASONS for the opposition:

Granting of
citizenship to the
non-Malays
Erosion of Malay
Rulers power
and sovereignty.
Mac Michaels's
threat
Non-Malays
involvement

FAILURE of the Malayan Union

Strong opposition from the Malays.
No strong support from the nonMalays.
Wrong timing.
Wrong introduction.
Opposition from the former British
administrators in Malaya

FEDERATION OF MALAYA 1948

(PERSEKUTUAN TANAH MELAYU)

The British agreed to replace the

Malayan Union with a new form of
government, known as the
Federation of Malaya on 1 February
1948.
On 25 July 1946, the British
appointed a working committee to
draw up a new constitution to
replace the Malayan Union.

 The working committee consisted of:

6 British officers
4 representative of the Malay rulers
2 UMNO representatives
Protection for the sovereignty & powers of the
Malay rulers
More stringent conditions for citizenship for
non-Malays
Special rights of the Malays

 Non Malays criticized & objected to the

Working Committee as it did not include
any non-Malay.
1.AMCJA; with MIC, Malayan Peoples Anti
Japanese ex-Services Comrades Association
and the Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade
Unions.
2.PUTERA; API, PKMM & AWAS
AMCJA + PUTERA launched hartal

Formation of the Fed. of Malaya

The British fixed 1 Feb 1948 for establishing
the Federation of Malaya, with a British High
Commissioner as head, 9 Malay rulers together
with Melaka & P.Pinang, Singapore was
EXCLUDED but still remained a British colony.
The Legislative & State Executive Councils
assisted by the High Commissioner in the
admin.
The Malay rulers rights over their own state was
returned.
The state govt responsible over matters relating
to local govt admin, land matters, health,
education & agriculture.
The admin of P.Pinang & Melaka came under a
Resident Commissioner.
Conditions for citizenship become more strict.

Malay Rulers

Established the Conference of Malay

Rulers, to give advice to the High
Commissioner.
Chaired by 9 Malay Rulers appointed by
the Conference.
The rights, privileges, power and honor
of their respective state will be restored.
They shall administer their state with
the help of the State Executive Council
and the State Legislative Council.

Conditions for Citizenship

Automatic citizenship:
Subjects of the Sultan of any state
British subjects born in Penang or Melaka and had lived
continuously in the Federation for 15 years.
Any person born in the Federation whose two parents had
been born in and lived continuously in the federation for at
least 15 years.
Those allowed to apply for membership were:
Anyone who had lived in the Federation for at least 8/12 years
immediately preceding the application.** (born within the
territories)
Anyone who had lived in the Federation for at least 15 of the
20 years immediately preceding the application.** (stay within
the territories)
Those born in Singapore were not eligible to become citizens
of the Federation.

THE ERA OF THE EMERGENCY

Primary objective of MCP: to overthrow the
British government and establish the
Communist Republic of Malaya.
To get food and
medical supplies
for guerillas in
the jungle and to
obtain
information on
British activities.

Min Yuen

Declaring the
emergency,
introduce Briggs
Plan, military
steps and
psychological
warfare.

Actions
taken

Declaration of Emergency

16th June 1948

Sir Edward Gent
declared Perak
and Johor
emergency areas.

17 June 1948
A state of
emergency was
declared on the
whole of Malaya

23rd July 1948

The MCP was
officially outlawed

What did the British do?

To arrest and detain communist
without trial.
Imposed roadblocks and curfews.
Introduced registration system where
citizens aged 12 years and above are
required to get one.

The Briggs Plan

To relocate the squatter areas from the
edge of the forest to a new village; and to
launch starvation movement.
Towards Feb 1952, more than 400, 000
Chinese squatters were relocated to
approximately 400 new villages.
The aim: to restrict the Chinese from
supplying food, medicine and info to the
Communist.

Psychological Warfare
Making easier for the non-Malays to obtain
citizenship
Pardoning the large numbers of the MCP
members who surrendered
Rewarding people who provided info on
the communist terrorists
Giving out pamphlets calling the
communist terrorists to give up
Introduced the black and white areas
Introduced curfews.

The Baling Negotiation

The negotiation was held in Baling,
Kedah on the 28 and 29 Dec 1955.
Representatives from the govt: Tunku
Abdul Rahman, David Marshall and
Tan Cheng Lock
Representatives from the MCP: Chin
Peng, Chen Tien and Rashid Maiden
The negotiation failed!

Impacts of the Emergency

Numbers of people were killed.
Properties were destroyed and the
economy was crippled.
New villages with public facilities.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR
INDEPENDENCE

77

Member System 1951

Proposed by Dato Onn when he met
Sir Henry Gurney in Kuala Lumpur.
Purposes:
Local demand for participation in the
govt
To train the local people for self-govt

Was implemented on Jan 1951 to

June 1955, before Federal Council
1955

 This system seem perfect to reduce the

pressure of MCP
Members:
9 members
5 local people (3 Malays, 1 Chinese and 1
Indian)
4 British officers

Appointed by High Commissioner by the

Consent of Conference of Malay Rulers
Under the High Comm. supervision

Dato Onn bin Jaafar

Home Affairs

Dato Mahmud Mat

Lands, Mines and

Communications

Dato E.E.C.
Thuraisingam
Dr Lee Tiang Keng

Education

Tengku Yaacob

Agriculture and Forestry

Health

Local Government Elections, 1951-52

The idea was 1st mentioned by the British
High Commissioner, Sir Henry Gurney in
Feb 1950
In June 1950, the Select Commission made
its report, recommending that local
elections should be held for the 3
municipalities and 19 towns
The 1st election to the municipal council of
Georgetown was held on Dec 1, 1951.
Give the right to vote but did not establish
political freedom and representative

 Elections to the local councils were held

under the order of the British High
Commissioner in Penang and Melaka and
the Malay Rulers-in-Council in the other
states in the Federation.
The Mentri Besar of the states in which the
local Councils existed had the power to
appoint up to 1/3 of the members of the
Councils.
There was no fixed term of office for a
Council.

 The election of the Municipal Council of

Kuala Lumpur in Feb 1952 was a greater
significance
UMNO-MCA made the announcement in
Jan 1952 that they would contest the KL
elections on a common front.
The UMNO-MCA Alliance was a temporary
that was negotiated by the local officials of
the two parties for the sole purpose of
contesting the elections
UMNO-MCA won 9 out of 12 seats while
IMP only secured 2; and the remaining 1
was won by an independent.

First Federal Election 1955

The Alliance, which won most of the seats for the
elections that had been conducted was expected
to emerge from the 1955 elections to the Federal
Legislative Council with the largest number of
elected seats 51 out of 52 seats
The Alliance announced that it would press on 2
issues- independence and amnesty for the
communist guerillas
It proposed that Malaya be granted complete
internal self-govt in 2 years whereby the British
High Commissioners veto would be abolished
All portfolios except relating to defense and
foreign policy would be in the hand of the local
people

 The negotiation between the British govt

and the delegation representing the
Alliance and the Rulers began in Jan and
ended in Feb 1956 with the following
concessions: The members of the Executive Council other
than the Chief Secretary and the AttorneyGeneral should be appointed by the High
Commissioner after the consultations with the
Chief Minister
The Financial Secretary, Minister of Economic
Affairs and Secretary of Defense who were
officials should be replaced by unofficial on the

 The Chief Secretary should only confine his

duties to administrative work and matters of
external affairs
The British advisors to the Rulers in each states
should be withdrawn
A Constitutional Commission should be
appointed as soon as possible to draft a
constitution providing for full self-govt and
independence within the Commonwealth by
Aug 1957, if possible
* The Agreement of Feb 1956 displayed
sophistication on the part of the British govt

 The British govt used elections as a test of

unity in the country with the promise that
independence would be granted if the
citizens of the country were united.
Tunku led a team to London in Feb 1956 to
negotiate for Malayas independence.
The British promised to grant
independence on condition that a
commission is formed to outline and draw
up Malayas new Constitution.

Constitution of Federation of
Independence Malaya 1957
Lord Reid headed the Reid Commission to
draw up a constitution for independent
Malaya.
Comprised of the following members:

Lord Reid (Britain)

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

Submitted its Constitution Draft on Feb 1957.

The total of 131 memorandums were received
by the Commission; particularly pertaining to
the issue of jus soli.

Principles
Head of Government
Shall be the PM, who shall be
appointed by the King from among
Members of Parliament.
PM is to form a Cabinet, which he
shall head and they will be
responsible to the Parliament.

 Parliament
To be composed of 2 Houses: Dewan
Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
Members of Dewan Rakyat will be
elected every 5 years in the general
elections.
Members of Dewan Negara will be
appointed by the King, including 2
members who will be nominated by
each state legislature.

 State level
Sultan/Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall be
the Head of the State
Menteri Besar is the Head of the State
Govt
Members of the State Govt will be
elected every 5 years in a state general
elections.
There should be a clear division between
the power to make law between the
State and the Federal Level.

 Citizenship

All person born on or after the Merdeka Day

would acquire automatic citizenship.
All those aged 18 and above, born in the
Federation and had lived 5/7 years in the
Federation may also apply for citizenship if
they can demonstrate their understanding of
the Malay language and is willing to take an
oath of allegiance.
All those born outside the Federation but have
lived in the Federation for about 8/12 years
may also apply for citizenship if they can
demonstrate their understanding of the Malay
language and is willing to take an oath of
allegiance.
Dual citizenship was forbidden.

Other provisions
Special positions and rights of the Malays
should be reviewed by the Legislature
after 15 years.
Malay shall be the official language after
1967.
Islam shall be the official religion but the
practice of other religions is to be
guaranteed.
Rights and freedom of movement,
assembly and speech are guaranteed
subject to certain limitation and

FORMATION OF MALAYSIA

 The idea was aired

by Tunku Abdul
Rahman based on
three important
theories security
theory, population
balance theory and
the expansion
theory.

Security Theory
Was tied up with the Singapore
problem - losing its political grip.
PAP candidates were thrashed by the
opposition candidates.
Tunku suggested that Malaya &
Singapore would make a better
position to combat communists
activities.

Population Balance Theory

Singapore was a Chinese domination,
would affect the population balance
between the Malays and the nonMalays in the Peninsula.
In Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei,
constituted the majority of the
population = strong enough to
counter balance the Chinese influx
from Singapore.

Expansion Theory
Around 1956, Tunku and some UMNO
leaders were well disposed towards
bringing the Borneo territories into an
enlarged Federation of Malaya.
Before 1961, Tunku approached the British
govt about the incorporation of British
Borneo but were informed that the
Federation could not have these territories
unless she agreed to also take Singapore
off Whitehalls hand.

Factors for the Formation of Malaysia

Independence through
unification.
Understanding for development.
Ethnic balance and unity.
Collective fight against
communism.
Economic cooperation.
United in international relations.

Reactions Towards the Idea

Singapo
re

Brunei

Sabah

Sarawa
k

Federation of Malaya
Basically the people of Malaya
supported the formation of
Malaysia.

Singapore
Singapore reacted with enthusiasm to the
proposed merger.
Lee Kuan Yew met with Tunku in Aug 1961
and reached agreement.
If Singapore joined Malaya, the central
govt would be in Kuala Lumpur, but
education, revenue and labor policies
would still be dealt with in Singapore.

Lee KY campaigned in
Singapore to get agreement
from the people for merger
with Malaya.
Although Barisan Sosialis
and other communistdominated groups
campaigned against joining
Malaysia, the majority
supported their Prime
Minister.

Sabah & Sarawak

At first reluctant to join Malaysia.
WHY?
Non- Malays feared that absorption into the
Malaya Federation would make the Malays in
Sabah and Sarawak even more dominant.
Malay leaders were equally worried that a
merger would make their states a small and
unimportant part of the larger federation.
Would be better to achieve independence and
then consider the merits of a possible merger.

Brunei
Was at first in favor of joining Malaysia.
Sultan Ali Saifuddin saw Brunei coming
under the protection of the much larger
Malaya.
Parti Rakyat (A.M.Azhari) wanted to see
the 3 Borneo territories join together and
form their own joint govt.
Started a revolt against the Sultan in Dec
1962; was defeated and fled to Indonesia.

 Brunei did sent observers in MSCC

but Sultan was not happy with the
Malaysia proposals.
Reasons:
Dispute over how much of its oil
revenues Brunei would be allowed to
keep if it joined Malaysia.
The Sultan thought he would have a
higher rank in the seniority list of
Sultans.
Position of Brunei in Malaysia.

Bruneis Withdrawal
the number of seats in the Legislature and in Parliament
the control on oil and other materials
monetary autonomy
Bruneis earlier investments
method of taxation
authority in the area of education and welfare
matters of religion
citizenship
the security of Brunei
the position of the sultan and the status of Brunei within Malaysia.

External Oppositions
Indonesia
The Philippines

Indonesia
Did not welcome merger but WHY?
Saw merger as an attempt by the British
to maintain its power in Southeast Asia
since the British bases would remain in
Singapore after Malaysia was formed.
Its territory, Kalimantan, shares a border
with Sabah and Sarawak.

 Launched Confrontation, an antiMalaysia campaign.

Despite UN survey, which reported that
the people of Sabah and Sarawak were
for merger.
Campaign turned violent with
widespread damage and loss of lives.

 Confrontation ended in 1966 when

President Suharto became the new
President of Indonesia.
The impacts:
Banned trade with Malaysia
Adversely affected Singapores entreport
trade with Indonesia

The Philippines
Claimed Sabah to be its territory.
Broke off diplomatic reasons with
Malaysia on the day it was officially
proclaimed.
Relations were only restored in June
1966 after President Marcos came to
power.

 While the Philippines did not engage

in warfare, they did break off
diplomatic relations with Malaysia.
Both the Philippines and Indonesia
opposition watered down through a
series of talks between both countries
and their leaders.
In Manila Conference 1963- Sukarno
and Macapagal agreed to tone down
their opposition to Malaysia ---MAPHILINDO!

Steps towards realizing

Malaysia

Malaysia Solidarity and Consultative Committee

Was formed in July 1961- comprised
representatives from the Malay States,
Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah; Brunei sent 5
observers.
Purposes:
To gather opinions and views of the
Malaysian proposal from potential member
states.
To disseminate information on Malaysia
proposal.
To initiate and encourage discussion on
Malaysia proposal.

Observations made:
Some representatives of the Borneo states
opposed Malaysia because of fear of Malay
domination.
Favored independence first then considered
merger with the Federation.
British Governors for Sabah and Sarawak, and
British High Commissioner of Brunei preferred to
have better relations
Opposition decreased after the 1st Meeting of
MSCC

The London Mission

The British govt invited Tunku Abdul Rahman
to discuss the merger in greater details and
also to prepare the way for follow-up
consultations with the Borneo states.
Views of the people of Borneo states must
be ascertained and it was also
acknowledged that the views and opinions of
the Sultan of Brunei were important and
must be sought.

Cobbold Commission
Was formed in Jan 1962; comprised
of 5 members (3 British officials and
2 Malayan officials)
Function was to get the views of the
people of Sabah and Sarawak and to
make recommendation.

about one third of the population in each

territory strongly favoredMalaysia without

too much concern about terms and conditions.
Another third, many of them favorable to the
Malaysia project, ask, with varying degrees of
emphasis, for conditions and safeguards
varying in nature and extent.The remaining
third is divided between those who would
strongly prefer to see British rule continue for
some years to come.
(Report of the Commission of Inquiry to North Borneo and
Sarawak)

Inter-Governmental Committee
IGC was formed to work out the
details by which Sarawak and Sabah
were to become constitutional states
within the Federation of Malaysia.
Chaired by Lord Lansdowne and
assisted by Tun Abdul Razak.
Had met 24 times to look at the
rationale behind the merger of Sabah
and Sarawak in Malaysia.

 IGC report was published in Feb

1963, after having accepted by both
state legislatures.
Five main working Committees were
formed to deal with the Constitution,
Finance, Legislature, Judiciary and
the structure of government.

Federation of Malaya-Singapore Agreement

Aug 1961- agreement was achieved between
the Federation of Malaya and Singapore.
Nov 1961- the govt released the
Memorandum called Singapore White Paper.
PAP asked its legislature to make their stand
over the control over defense, external affairs
and internal security; and Singapore maintain
autonomy over education and labor policies.

 In Nov 1961, the govt released

the Memorandum called
Singapore White Paper with some
of the following terms:
Singapore would become a new state
within the Federation.
It would have 15 seats in the Federal
House of Representatives and 2 seats in
the senate.
It would have wide state power over
education and labor policies.
Dual citizenships for the Singaporeans
Singapores Head of State will be called
Yang di Pertuan Negara and will be
appointed by YDPA

SINGAPORE REFERUNDUM
Alternative A
Based on the
terms set forth
earlier in the
White Paper
Nov 1961.

Alternative B
Singapore
would be
subjected to
the policies of
the Federation
- only English
and Malay
would be used
for official
purposes, and
possibly
education.
Only those
born in
Singapore or
descended
from the
Singaporeborn would
become
citizens of
Malaysia.
There would

Alternative C
On terms no
less favorable
than those of
the Borneo
states

 Alternative A received the majority of

the vote at 73%.
The pro-communist Barisan Sosialis were
strongly against the idea of referendum
and called for boycott.
The media campaign fielded by both
sides was extremely heated, many of the
leaders on both sides broadcast radio
shows in several languages. The voter
turnout was extensive, around 624,000
had been eligible to vote, and around
561,000 voters turned up, which yielded
a turnout of 90%.

THE BIRTH OF MALAYSIA

The Malaysia Bill was passed by a
vote of 73 for and 15 against.
The precise date when the
Federation of Malaysia was come into
being was delayed due to final
haggling.
United Nations representatives were
sent to conduct another survey on
the Sabah and Sarawak local people
reactions.

 Majority of the people agreed to merge as

compared to their first reaction conducted in the
Cobbold Commission.
This was due to the role played by the Alliance.
Furthermore, Sabah and Sarawak preferred
Malaysia as compared to joining the Philippines or
Indonesia.
Despite all the initial obstacles, the new nation was
proclaimed at midnight of 15 September 1963.

The Expulsion of Singapore.

Towards the final days of the negotiation
process, Singapore appeared to show
withdrawal syndrome.
Malaysia did not start off well. Right
from the beginning, the P.A.P. and the
Alliance Party in Kuala Lumpur did not
get along well with each other.

 Racial polarizations began to emerge

because the Singapore leaders were
unrestrained unlike their
counterparts in Malaya who
understood the need for racial
tolerance and accommodation.

 Lee KY launched
Malaysian
Malaysia
campaign.
Singapore form
United Opposition
Front to fight for
equal rights and
Malaysia for
Malaysians.

 In May 1965, PAP formed a

Convention on Malaysian Unity,
which combined various opposition
parties in Malaysia.
UMNOs right wing viewed the
Convention as a plot against Kuala
Lumpur.

 Racial riots between the Malays

and Chinese erupted in Singapore on
July 21, 1964.
23 people were killed and 454 were
injured in the riots.
The price of food heavily skyrocketed
when transport system was disrupted
during this period of unrest, causing
further hardship.

 On August 7, 1965, Prime Minister

Tunku Abdul Rahman, seeing no
alternative to avoid further
bloodshed, advised the Parliament of
Malaysia that it should vote to expel
Singapore from Malaysia.

On that day, a tearful Lee

Kuan Yew announced that
Singapore was a sovereign,
independent nation and
assumed the role of prime
minister of the new nation.
"For me, it is a
moment of
anguish.
All my life, my
whole adult life,
I have believed
in merger
and unity of the
two territories."