MPU 2163/ MPU

1153/ MPW 1133

HISTORY AND POLITICS

Colonial Era
The Struggle for Independence
 COLONIAL ERA
Malaysia was once a colonised land.
From 1511 until 1957 (446 years),
the Portuguese, Dutch, British,
Japanese and even Siamese.
But only the British and Japanese
succeeded in colonizing almost the
whole country and left an impact on
the people.
The factors for colonizing Malaysia
are closely tied to the vast natural
resources and other sources of
wealth.
The Malay Archipelago was also a
place to extend their political and
Christian faith.
PORTUGUESE AND DUTCH
COLONIZATION
The Portuguese led by Alfonso de
Albuquerque took over Malacca in
1511.
The main reason was to control the
maritime trade in the East and to
spread Christianity.
The Dutch defeated the
Portuguese and took over Malacca
in 1641 with assistance from Johor.
The Dutch were only interested in
the tin ore in the Malay Peninsula.
The Dutch left after an agreement
with the British in 1824.
BRITISH COLONIZATION

The Acquisition of Penang Island

and Singapore
On 11 August 1786, after an
agreement between Francis
Light and Sultan Abdullah to
protect Kedah from Siamese
threat, Penang Island came
under the occupation of the
British.
On 6 February 1819, Stamford
Raffles occupied Singapore as
a new base for the British
ANGLO-DUTCH TREATY
The treaty divided the Malay Archipelago into
two different geo-political areas.
It was signed on 17 March 1824 with main aim
of ending the rivalry between the British and
Dutch, especially in the East.
The term had been agreed upon was
territoriality: the Dutch handed over Malacca to
the British in exchange for Bencoolen
(Bangkahulu).
The areas south of Singapore continued to
belong to the Dutch while the British controlled
the north.
Also agreed to eradicate pirate activities.
With this exchange, three important ports in the
Malay Peninsula Penang, Singapore and
Malacca, were now under the control of the
British.
In 1826, these three territories became known
as the Straits Settlements.
BRITISH INTERVENTION
Before 1873, there had been several cases
of indirect intervention in the affairs of
the Malay States.
There were several reasons of the
intervention:
a) Internal weaknesses: gave the British the
chance and excuse to intervene by
installing an advisor (and later Resident).
b) The presence of important economic
resources
c) Strong competition among the
Western powers for colonies to meet
the economic needs of their country.
To make the administrative system more
efficient, every Malay state that was
conquered, had a British Resident.
Direct intervention began in Perak
through Pangkor Treaty in 1874.
 Resident System

- J.W.W. Birch in Perak

- J.P. Rodger in Pahang
- Frank Swettenham in Selangor
(advisor of Sultan)
- J.G. Davidson in Selangor
- James Brooke in Sarawak
- W.I. Tatham in Sungai Ujong, N.
Sembilan
Federated Malay States

Federation Agreement in 1896,

Selangor, Perak, Pahang and
N. Sembilan were known as
Federated Malay States.
Factors:
a) To address Pahangs financial
problems
b) For the purpose of efficiency
and uniformity in
administration
c) To check the Residents power
d) For security
Federated Malay State Treaty

The treaty was the acceptance by the

rulers with the title of Resident-General.
The role: to advise on all aspects of
government except on issue relating to
Islam and Malay customs.
First Resident-General was Frank
Swettenham.
Durbar: a Conference of Malay
Rulers, to create a better
relationship between the rulers and
the British officers.
First conference in Kuala Kangsar, 1897
and second in Kuala Lumpur in 1903.
Federal Executive Council
The aim: to increase the
power of the rulers and the
residents in the states.
Consisted of:
a) High Commissioner
(President)
b) Resident-General (Secretary)
c) Four Sultans
d) Four Residents
e) Four unofficial members
Effect: gradual weakening of the
power of the Sultan and the
State Executive Council.
Non-federated Malay States

Before 1909, Kelantan,

Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis
under the protection of Siam.
In Bangkok Treaty, the Siamese
handed over these states to the
British.
However it is rejected because of
the reluctance to accept a British
advisor.
When Johor accepted a British
advisor in 1914, these 5 states were
combined as the Non-Federated
Malay States in 1919.
 Decentralization of Power
Meaning: the distribution of central
power.
The important powers relating to
administration of finance and services
e.g. the railway, customs and postal
services distributed to the states.
The factors:
a) The dissatisfaction among the rulers
concerning their decision-making
power
b) The British intention to combine the
FMS with Non-FMS
c) The decline of the world economy
d) The struggle for power between the
Resident-General and High
Commissioner
e) In 1930s, the need to form a Malayan
Union
 Find out the answer for the
following statement:
The reasons of Japanese
invasion in Malaya
Factors of Japanese victory
The effects of Japanese invasion
The Japanese Occupation

Occupied Malaya for only three

and half years (15 February 1942
15 August 1945)
The entire country and Singapore
was defeated in only 70 days
Factors of Japanese victory:
a) A comprehensive plan
b) Excellent in training
c) Experienced leaders
d) Practical war tactics
e) The British was lacked the spirit of
war
f) Young and inexperienced soldiers
 The Effects of Japanese
Invasion
Social aspect:
- worsened the relationship among
races (against the Chinese and on the
side of Malays)
Economic aspect:
- much of the economic infrastructure
was destroyed and economic activities
were disrupted
Political aspect:
- the Japanese administration was a
period of misery for the local citizens.
- Asia for Asians slogan for the
Malays
- Malayan Peoples Anti-Japanese Army
(MPAJA) established.
THE ERA OF EMERGENCY

The primary objective of the MCP

was to overthrow the British
government.
Underground movement except
during the years 1945-1948.
The MCP formed the Malayan
Races Liberation Army (MRLA)
known as Three Stars (three races
in Malaya)
THE ERA OF EMERGENCY

The MCP set up a supply and

public spy unit known as Min
Yuen: to get food and medical
supplies for guerrillas in the
jungle and to obtain information
on British activities.
No support for communist
ideology because against Islamic
teachings.
Established Malayan Chinese
Association (MCA) to safeguard
the interest of the Chinese
THE ERA OF EMERGENCY

Communist uprising and

terrorism Sir Henry Gurney, the
High Commissioner, was shot
dead by communists.
THE ERA OF EMERGENCY

Impact: declaration of emergency,

the Briggs Plan, military steps and
psychological warfare.
The Baling Negotiation
 The declaration of
emergency

The Briggs Plan

Military steps

Psychological warfare (the

Templer Plan)
 On 16 June 1948, Sir Edward Gent, a
British Commissioner, declared
Perak and Johor emergency areas.
On 17 June 1948, emergency was
declared on the whole of Malaya
following the killing of 3 European
estate managers in Perak.
On 23 July 1948, the MCP was
officially outlawed.
 The Emergency Law of 1948 gave
powers to the police and soldiers to
arrest and detain communist
suspects without trial.
Imposed roadblocks and curfew
where communists activities were
rife.
The registration system was also
introduced where citizens aged 12
years and above must register and
own an identification card known as
identity card (IC).
 Sir Harold Briggs introduced
the plan by relocating the
squatter areas from the
forest to a new village.
 Launched starvation movement.
Aimed at restricting the Chinese
from supplying food, medicine
and information to the
communists.

Malaya Ration Card

 This plan was effective
because it weakened Min Yuen
activities and forced the
communists out of the jungles
 Sir Gerald Templer, a military
general, replaced Sir Henry
Gurney in 1952.
 He used firm military force
to fight the communists.
Among others, he used 13
battalions of English
soldiers, Gurkhas and
Malays.
Men of the British 2/9th Gurkha Rifles training in the Malayan
jungle, Oct 1941. Source: British War Museum
 Formed home guard systems with
210,000 soldiers.

The strength of the military team

enabled to launch more aggressive
attacks on the communists and
ensured food was not smuggled
out for the guerrilla communists
 Among them were making
conditions easier for non-Malays to
obtain citizenship.
 Pardoning MCP members
who surrendered.
 Rewarding people who
provided information on
communists terrorists.
 Giving out pamphlets calling the
communists to give up their fight.

A Mark 4 RAF Auster disseminating propaganda leaflets.

 Introduced the White and
Black Areas.
 Introduced curfews where
soldiers were hunting for the
communists.
 After experiencing a decline, the MCP
decided to negotiate with the
government of Malaya.

Held in Baling, Kedah on 28-29 Dec

1955.

Tunku Abdul Rahman, David Marshall

and Tun Tan Cheng Lock represented
the government while Chin Peng, Chen
Tien and Rashid Maidin represented the
MCP.
 Baling Negotiation (from left): Tan Cheng Lock, YTM Tunku Abdul
Rahman Putra Alhaj & David Marshall, represented the government.
The school, venue for Baling Negotiation
Chin Peng, Chen Tien & Rashid Maidin escorted to the discussion
room
Rundingan Baling discussion room
(1955)
 Chin Pengs letter
 The MCP asked to be legally
recognized but was turned
down.

The MCP rejected

governments counter offer
and refused to lay down
their arms.
IMPACT OF THE EMERGENCY
31 July 1960, Tunku Abdul Rahman
proclaimed the end of the
emergency
Reasons of MCPs failure:
a) The offensive acts against the
Malayan Union
b) The lack of protection from other
communist countries

Impact:
a) The number of people killed, injured
and missing
b) Properties were destroyed and
economy was crippled
c) Widened social gap among the
people
d) Racial issues worse
 Question
From your opinion, which
Colonial Era has a biggest
impact on the peoples in
Malaysia ? Discuss.
THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE
Malaysia was ruled by foreign powers
for about 446 years.
The opposition against colonialists
divided into two phases:
1. Opposition with bloodshed
- Since the Portuguese occupation
until the beginning of the 20th
century
- The struggle of the Malays
2. Opposition through a spirit of
nationalism
- From the early 20th century until the
achievement of Independence.
- Through literature and negotiations
The Armed Struggle Against
the Colonialists
Malacca Sultan Mahmud to win
back Malacca from the Portuguese
Naning Penghulu Dol Said
refused to pay taxes to the British
Selangor Raja Mahadi objected
the appointment of Tengku Kudin
by the British
Perak Sultan Abdullah, Dato
Maharajalela, Tok Sagor
restriction on the Sultan, sanction
against the collection of taxes,
sudden changes in administration,
ignorance of the customs and
religions
N. Sembilan Tengku Antah
Quarrels between Tengku Antah
and Dato Kelana
 Pahang Tok Gajah, Dato Bahaman J.P.
Rodgers introduced the post Tax collector
and magistrate which the locals lost their
source of income
Sarawak Sharif Masahor, Rentap, Banting
against James Brooke
Sabah Mat Salleh - imposition of taxes
and extension of British power
Kelantan Haji Wan Hassan (Tok Janggut)
the British appointed District officer in Pasir
Puteh, taxes
Terengganu Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong
the rebellion known as Peasants
Rebellion, taxes, against the religion,
impose pass for farmers
Malaya people of Malaya the Japanese
oppression
 THE STRUGGLE FOR
NATIONALISM
External influence and education
were the primary factors that
created a conscious need to fight
for independence.
Using the mind and words
The emergence of Malay
intellectuals
Negotiations
Used associations and the mass
medias
Asia for Asians
Young Malays Union (KMM) led
by Ibrahim Yaacob
 MALAYAN UNION
The British returned to Malaya in
September 1945 and proposed a
new system of administration
Malayan Union
It was a union of the Malay states
(federated & Unfederated)
including Penang, Malacca
Objective:
a) To ensure that the economic
interest of the British were
protected.
b) A single ruling system could cut
down the administrative cost of
the Malay states.
FEATURES OF THE MALAYAN UNION
Nine Malay states, Penang
and Malacca
The British Governor was the
chief administrator, assisted
by Executive Council and
Legislative Council
The rulers authority was only
in issues pertaining to Islam
The State Council was
retained for purpose of
managing the local
government
FEATURES OF THE MALAYAN UNION
Did not involved Singapore, it
still remained as British
colonial territory
Citizenship was based on jus
soli it was obtained if (a) the
foreigner was 18 and above
and had resided for 10-15
years before 15 Feb. 1924, (b)
a person who was born after
the forming of the MU
Equal rights for all citizens
regardless of race or origin
OPPOSITION AGAINST THE MALAYAN
UNION
The strongest opposition came
from the Malay
Individually: through the mass
media
Collectively: held demonstration to
show their objection
The reasons:
a) The granting of citizenship to the
non-Malays
b) Erosion of Malay rulers power and
sovereignty
c) Mac Michaels threats in getting the
rulers to sign the agreement
 Strong opposition from the Malays
No strong support from the non-
Malays
Wrong timing
Wrong introduction
Opposition from former British
administrators in Malaya

The Failure of the

Malayan Union
FEDERATION OF MALAYA
Federation of Malaya was formed
on 1 February 1948
This new constitution proposal
consisted of 6 British officers, 4
representatives of the Malay
rulers and 2 UMNO
representatives
The committee proposed:
1) Protection for the sovereignty
and power of the Malay rulers
2) More stringent conditions for
citizenship for non-Malays
3) Special rights for the Malays
 OPPOSITION FROM AMCJA
On 22 December 1946, the All-Malaya Council
of Joint Action was established by the non-
Malays.
Principles of AMCJA:
a) Unification of the whole of Malaya (including
Singapore)
b) Self rule through a Central Legislation body with
members chosen by the people
c) Same citizenship rights for all who consider
Malaya their homeland deserving of their
allegiance
AMCJA, claiming to represent all the Asian
communities in Malaya, rejected the proposal
presented by the Malay rulers and UMNO
Opposition from PUTERA
A combination of:
API (Angkatan Pemuda Insaf) Ahmad
Boestamam
PKMM (Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya) - Dr.
Burhanuddin Al-Helmi
AWAS (Angkatan Wanita Sedar) - Shamsiah
Fakeh
These three parties joined together to form
Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA)
The principles:
- The Malay language as the countrys official
language
- External affairs and defense be made the joint
responsibility of the Malayan Government and
the British
- The word Malay be used as the name for
Malayan citizenship
- The national flag to have Malay national
colors.
 The combination of AMCJA and
PUTERA on 1947 was to oppose
the British
Formation of the Federation of
Malaya:
- established in 1 February 1948
- Headed by British High
Commissioner
- Comprised 9 Malay states, Penang
Island and Malacca
- Singapore was excluded but still
remained a British colony
- The Malay rulers were returned
their rights over their own states
- Condition for citizenship became
more strict and the special rights
of the Malays were recognized.
 PROBLEM OF UNITY
Diversity of origin
Culture
Language
Religion
The British government tried to
to overcome the problems
through the educational
system the Barnes Report.
In 1949, the British Government
set up an Inter-Ethnic
Relations Committee to solve
the racial problems.
Member System
The Growth of Political
Parties
Every party has its own objective
and ideology.
Alliance:
UMNO National United Malay
Organization (1946)
MCA Malayan Chinese Association
(1949)
MIC- Malayan Indian Congress (1947)

Radical/Socialist:
MCP Malayan Communist Party
(1930)
AWAS Angkatan Wanita Sedar
(1946)
API Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (1946)
PKMM National Malay Party of
Malaya
PETA Ikatan Pemuda Tanah Air (1947)
 Islam:
PAS Islamic Party of Malaya
(1951)
HISBUL MUSLIMIN Hizabul
Muslimin (1948)

Non-communal:
IMP Independent Malayan
Party (1951)
PARTI NEGARA - National
Party (1954)
NEGOTIATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE
City Council Elections:
- The British Government used elections as a test of unity in
the country.
- In the elections (Feb. 1952), UMNO teamed up with MCA and
won 9 out of 12 seats contested.

The General Elections:

- The Alliance Party won 51 out of the 52 seats contested.
- The System of Members was changed to the System of
Ministers.
- Tunku Abdul Rahman was appointed the first Chief Minister
of Malaya
- The Alliance was given the mandate to start negotiations for
independence.
 Negotiations for Independence

Tunku Abdul Rahman led a team to London in February 1956 to

negotiate for Malayas independence.
The team consisted of:
a) Four representatives of the Malay rulers
b) Representatives of Alliance
c) British representatives in Malaya

The British government agreed to declare independence for

Malaya on 31 August 1957.
Tunku Abdul Rahman announced the date in Padang Bandar Hilir
Malacca as soon as the team returned from London.
 Constitution of the Federation of Malaya
The Reid Commission headed by Lord Reid, to draw up a
constitution for independent Malaya.
The 1957 Malayan Constitution,based on the concepts of
constitutional monarchy and democracy have the following
principles:
1. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of Malaya while the rulers
are heads of their respective states.
2. The Malay are recognised as the sons of the soil and their
special rights are guaranteed in the Constitution.
3. The Malay language is to become the national language.
4. A person born in Malaya on or after Independence is
automatically a Malayan citizen.
5. Islam is made the official religion but freedom of worship is
guaranteed for non-Muslims.
 The Proclamation of Independence
The symbolization of Malayan independence took
place on the 31st August 1957 at the Selangor Club
Green (Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square).
The Union Jack was brought down and for the first time
the flag of independent Malaya, now known as Jalur
Gemilang was flown.
Tunku Abdul Rahman was the first Prime Minister.
The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku
Abdul Rahman, was the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of
the Federation of Malaya.
16TH SEPTEMBER 1963
THE MERGING PLAN

The idea to unite Malaysia with

neighbouring countries was
raised several times.
Merger of Singapore suggested
in 1955 by David Marshall
rejected by Tunku Abdul
Rahman.
Lee Kuan Yew proposed the idea
again in 1959 unfavorable
respond.
27th May 1961: Tunku Abdul
Rahman suggested the merger
of Malaya with:
- Singapore
- North Borneo: Sabah
- Sarawak
- Brunei
 Free through unification was
the main general factor of the
proposal.
 Political Reasons
- To curb communist threat
- To boost and accelerate the
independence of Brunei,
Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.
- To create racial harmony
 Economy
- To boost regional economy for
people and countries
Social
To create Malaysian nation new
identity based on shared cultural
heritage
Tunkus proposal triggered
different reactions from the
people in the five countries.
Singapore
Brunei
Sabah & Sarawak
British
Malaya
 Lee Kuan Yew welcomed the
idea.
However, there was a strong
opposition from left-wing
leaders: United Peoples Party
(UPP).
People Action Party (PAP) lost in
2 by-elections (1961).
Lee Kuan Yew more determined
to merge.
 Initially people not so keen.
Preferred Brunei to achieve
own independence before
joining Malaysia.
Some agreed to the idea of
merging.
Sultan Omar Ali Sarifuddin was
interested and thought the
idea was excellent.
 Strong resistant came from
A.M. Azahari leader of
Parti Rakyat Brunei.
Own suggestion: to unite
Sabah and Sarawak with
Brunei.
Staged armed revolution in
December 1962 but
controlled by Sultan with
Britishs help.
 Received encouraging
response from the people.
Merging meant independence.
Communist threat could be
controlled.
Contributed to racial balance.
 Worried about Malayan
dominance, not fairly treated by
the Malayan people.
Non-Malays worried about the
status of own religion and
language.
Sabahan and Sarawakian
Chinese worried about the
economic competition with
Singaporean Chinese.
 Support for merging was
generally acceptable.
Some were skeptical: worried
the imbalance of Malay-
Chinese ratio.
Inclusion of Sabah and
Sarawak relieved them.
 PAS leaders claimed Malays
would lose out if agreed to the
idea more interested with
MAPHILINDO plan.
 Despite losing their colony,
overall they agreed.
Issue of awarding
independence repeatedly
raised by British officers.
Received support from
British officers and the
people.
Several obstacles emerged in
the discussion
 Tunku and peers had to
convince the British in
settling their concerns.
Plan almost spoilt: Governors
of Sabah and Sarawak
claimed people wanted to
unite first before merge.
Cobbold Commission was
formed to assess the opinion
of people
 Tunku wanted the people to
understand the merging
concept.

Sarawak United Peoples Party

(SUPP), Sarawak People Party
(SNAP) and Barisan Rakyat Jati
Sarawak (BARJASA) expressed
opposition.
 United National Kadazan
Organization (UNKO)s leader:
Donald Stephens publicly
rejected the idea.

Tunku promised to give

considerable autonomy to
lead.
 A.M. Azahari and his party not
interested in merging idea.

Sultan formed special

committee to assess publics
opinion.
 Should be decided by the
people.
Singapore hold autonomy
powers in education and labour.
Central government responsible
for defense, internal security.
A referendum showed than
more than 70% people agreed
to merger.
 A meeting to discuss Borneos status
as British colony.
To assess the peoples reaction
towards the merging idea.
It too widened English-Malaya
defence treaty to protect South East
Asia from communism threats.
Proposal to assist to review Sultan
Bruneis opinion and to maintain
British military base in Singapore.
 Was formed when most
Borneos leaders expressed
skepticism.
Meeting held to relay true
intention and reasons of
merging.
Received strong support.
 Was formed to assess the
feelings of the Sabahans and
Sarawakians.
Committee consisted 2 British
and 2 Malaysian.
Found 70% accepted the idea.
 Was formed to plan the
legislative of the new country.
Was headed by Lord
Landsdowne.
Analyzed important matters
the report was accepted by
committee as basis to
formulate Malaysia.
 Amidst opposition, PAP
restore peoples confidence in
merging by mentioning these
matters:
- promised the people not
losing status of citizenship.
- better international
economic prospects.
 To assess the acceptance of
the Sabahans and Sarawakians.
Tunku met President Sukarno
and President Macapagal to
explicate the idea.
Convinced them the people
agreed and accepted the idea.
 Referendum reflected positive
reaction from the people
authenticate Cobbolds report.
Despite this, Indonesia
unwilling to back down on
opposition.
 Bruneis initial strong wish to
join Malaysia did not become
a reality.

Due to wishes not fulfilled:

1. Brunei given at least 10
parliamentary seats.
2. Autonomy on oil trade
3. Autonomy in financial
4. Maintain all investments
5. Maintain low tax rates
6. Continue own education and
welfare programme
7. Security guaranteed
8. HRH seniority backdated to
the date becoming Sultan
not the date Brunei joining
Malaysia
 Although 6 wishes fulfilled,
Sultan decided not to sign
agreement.

A lost for Peninsula Malaysia

and London.
 Two countries opposed to the
formation of Malaysia.
 The Philippines claimed Sabah
as a part of her.
Although the people of Sabah
agreed with the merging,
Philippines continued to
contest.
Broke diplomatic relation.
 President Sukarno declared
confrontation on Malaysia
(Ganyang Malaysia).
Reason: Malaya was not
consulting her (as a
neighbouring country)
The formation of Malaysia
might weaken the spirit of
Malays.
 Launched military
confrontation.
1965: Sukarno was
overthrown, replaced by
General Suharto
August 1966: peace
agreement was signed.
 Polarization between Malays
and Chinese became obvious.
Election 1964: claim of Lee
Kuan Yew belittling MCA
leaders.
Create conflict between MCA
and PAP and UMNO - leaders
and people
 Idea of campaign: all Chinese
must support PAP to compel
UMNO agreed to PAPs
demand.
Racist campaigning created
tension led to riot.
27th April 1965: Lee Kuan Yew
launched Malaysia for
Malaysian.
 Malays angry: proposed Melayu
Bersatu.
Tan Siew Sin and T.H. Tan
proposed Singapore to
withdraw.
7th August 1965: agreement of
withdrawal was signed.
9th August 1965: Singapore
officially withdrew and formed a
Republic