Malaysian StudiesChapter 1:

Malaysia: Colonial Era / The Era of Emergency / Malayan Union

Colonization

5 different countries, 446 yearsChanges our people – socially, culturally &

economicallyAll the changes gave us the courage and will

to rule our own country, once again

Japanese

DutchPortuguese

Colonization

Siam

British

Colonization

PORTUGESEMalacca,1511-1641

130 yearsOpposed by Malays in Malacca & Acheh

Traces – language (pro, anti-, mono-, poli-, auto-, supra) and dance

Colonization

DUTCHMalacca, 1641-1824

183 yearsTraces – none (focused on Indonesia)

Opposed by Malays and Bugis

Colonization

BRITISHMalay Peninsula, 1824-1942, 1945-1957

130 yearsHugely influenced the people’s way of life

(political, social, economic)Opposed by everyone

Colonization

SIAMStates north of the Malay Peninsula – Perlis,

Kedah & Kelantan, 1821-190988 years

Traces – Buddhist religion and art

Colonization

JAPANESEEntire country, 1942-1945

3½ yearsGreatly influenced the people esp. in relations

between racesOpposed by the whole country

Important Events

Acquisition of Penang Island11 August 1786

Francis Light & Sultan AbdullahAgreement

Kedah will be protected by British from SiamPenang Island given to British

ResultFirst British colonized state in Peninsula

Malaysia

Important Events

Acquisition of Singapore6 February 1819 Stamford Raffles

Exploiting the misunderstanding between Chief Military Officer Abd Rahman

(Singapore) & Sultan Abdul Rahman (Riau)Result

Another state colonized by the British

Important Events

Anglo-Dutch Treaty, 182417 March 1824British & Dutch

End rivalry between the two in the EastResult

Malay Archipelago split into 2Reign of the Johor-Riau Empire ended

Shows that the destiny of this country was determined by foreign forces

Important Events

Before After

The Era of Emergency

Malayan Communist Party (MCP)Starts in 1920s

MCP’s objectivesOverthrow British

Establish Communist Republic of Malaya

The Era of Emergency

Communism crept via Kuomintang PartyUnderground movement

1945-1948, MCP worked with the British to fight Japan through Malay People’s Anti-

Japanese Army (MPAJA)

The Era of Emergency

Japanese army surrendered in 1945Opportunity seized by MCP to take over

MalayaThey managed to do so for 14 days

The British returns on September 1945The fight begins!

The Era of Emergency

MCP formed the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA) a.k.a the Three Stars

The three stars represents the 3 main races in Malaya – Malays, Chinese and Indians

The Era of Emergency

MCP also set up Min Yuen, a supply & public spy unit

Supplies – food and medical supplies, important information

Feared by the people – known to be very aggressive and brutal

The Era of Emergency

How did we end it?Declaration of Emergency and Emergency

LawsThe Briggs Plan

Military measuresPsychological Warfare

The Baling Negotiation, 1955

The Era of Emergency

Impact of EmergencyIn 12 years (1948-1960), many lives were

lost:MCP – 9,581, Civilians – 2,461, Security Force

– 1,851Injured – 1383, Missing – 807

*Numbers are the official recorded numbers*Properties destroyed, crippled economy

Widened social gap among peopleWorsened racial issue

The Era of Emergency

LessonsWhen we work together, we can overcome

any difficulties and problems, peacefullyThis is one of the main reasons the British

granted our independenceWe should not fight among ourselves when

we’re fighting for the same reason

Latar Belakang Malayan Union•Selepas tamatnya Perang Dunia Kedua, British Kembali semula ke Tanah Melayu.

The Malayan Union

Started as replacement for the military rule10th October 1945 – Malayan Union bill

presented to the British ParliamentTo rule all states of the Peninsular as one

Protect British’s economic interest in MalayaCut down administrative costs

1 April 1946 – officially inaugurated

The Malayan Union

Key components in the Malayan UnionMade up of all states in Malaya - Singapore

British Governor assisted by Executive Council & Legislative Council

Malay Sultans powers & sovereignty are gone“Jus Soli” (Sesiapa yang dilahirkan di Tanah Melayu dan Singapura berhak mendapat kewarganegaraan

Malayan Union)Equal rights to all – voting rights & entry to

government service

The Malayan Union

Opposition to the Malayan UnionEasy granting of citizenship to non-Malays

Erosion of Malay Sultan’s powers & sovereignty

Sir Harold MacMichael

Former British officers such as Frank Swettenham, R.O. Winstedt, George

Maxwell and Cecil Clementi Smith oppose the Malayan Union

The Failure of The Malayan Union

Strong opposition from the MalaysNo strong support from the non-Malays

Wrong timingWrong introduction / execution

Opposition from former British officers

The Malayan Union dissolved in July 1946

Conclusion

Malaysia was colonized for 446 long yearsWe were easily colonized because we didn’t

improve ourselves to adapt to the new world

The Emergency Era gave us many important lessons on living in a unique country

The Malayan Union taught to be alert to changes around us

Conclusion

Apart from that, it also teaches us to be loyal to our Rulers and country

A comprehensive plan is needed to accommodate all of the people in our

unique country

To be continued…