Malaysian Studies Lesson 17

8/22/2019 Malaysian Studies Lesson 17

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THE FORMATION

OF MALAYSIA

16TH SEPTEMBER 1963


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The idea to unite Malaysia withneighbouring countries was raised several

times.

Merger of Singapore suggested in 1955 byDavid Marshall rejected by Tunku Abdul

Rahman.

Lee Kuan Yew proposed the idea again in1959 unfavorable respond.

THE MERGING PLAN


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THE MERGING PLAN

27th May 1961: Tunku Abdul Rahman

suggested the merger of Malaya with:

- Singapore- North Borneo: Sabah

- Sarawak

- Brunei


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Free through unificationwas the main

general factor of the proposal.


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REASONS

Political Reasons

- To curb communist threat

- To boost and accelerate the independenceof Brunei, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.

- To create racial harmony


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REASONS

Economy

- To boost regional economy for people and

countries Social

- To create Malaysian nation new identity

based on shared cultural heritage


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REACTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL

Tunkus proposal triggered differentreactions from the people in the fivecountries.

Singapore

Lee Kuan Yew welcomed the idea.

However, there was a strong opposition

from left-wing leaders: United PeoplesParty (UPP).


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Singapore

People Action Party (PAP) lost in 2 by-

elections (1961).

Lee Kuan Yew more determined to merge.


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Brunei

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.


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Brunei

Strong resistant came from A.M. Azahari

leader of Parti Rakyat Brunei.

Own suggestion: to unite Sabah andSarawak with Brunei.

Staged armed revolution in December 1962

but controlled by Sultan with Britishs help.


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Sabah and Sarawak

Received encouraging response from the

people.

Merging meant independence. Communist threat could be controlled.

Contributed to racial balance.


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Sabah and Sarawak

Worried about Malayan dominance, not

fairly treated by the Malayan people.

Non-Malays worried about the status ofown religion and language.

Sabahan and Sarawakian Chinese worried

about the economic competition withSingaporean Chinese.


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Malaya (Tanah Melayu)

Support for merging was generally

acceptable.

Some were skeptical: worried theimbalance of Malay-Chinese ratio.

Inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak relieved

them.


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Malaya (Tanah Melayu)

PAS leaders claimed Malays would lose

out if agreed to the idea more interested

with MAPHILINDO plan.


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Britain

Despite losing their colony, overall theyagreed.

Issue of awarding independence repeatedlyraised by British officers.

Received support from British officers andthe people.

Several obstacles emerged in thediscussion


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Britain

Tunku and peers had to convince the

British in settling their concerns.

Plan almost spoilt: Governors of Sabah andSarawak claimed people wanted to unite

first before merge.

Cobbold Commission was formed toassess the opinion of people


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TOWARDS THE

FORMATION OF

MALAYSIA


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1. Harmony Entourage toSabah and Sarawak (June 1961)

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.


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1. Harmony Entourage toSabah and Sarawak (June 1961)

United National Kadazan Organization

(UNKO)s leader: Donald Stephens publicly

rejected the idea.

Tunku promised to give considerable

autonomy to lead.


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2. Visit to Brunei (July 1961)

A.M. Azahari and his party not interested in

merging idea.

Sultan formed special committee to assess

publics opinion.


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3. Singapore Conference(August 1961)

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.


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4. Borneo States Meeting (November 1961)

A meeting to discuss Borneos status as Britishcolony.

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 inSingapore.


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5. Malaysia Solidarity ConsultativeCommittee (Middle 1961)

Was formed when most Borneos leaders

expressed skepticism.

Meeting held to relay true intention andreasons of merging.

Received strong support.


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6. Cobbold Commission (August 1962)

Was formed to assess the feelings of the

Sabahans and Sarawakians.

Committee consisted 2 British and 2Malaysian.

Found 70% accepted the idea.


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7. Inter Government Committee (August1962)

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.


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8. Singapores Referendum

Amidst opposition, PAP restore peoples

confidence in merging by mentioning these

matters:- promised the people not losing status of

citizenship.

- better international economic prospects.


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8. Singapores Referendum

- easier to curb communist threat.

Referendum had shown 70% accepted the

merging


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9. United Nations Mission (June 1963)

To assess the acceptance of the Sabahans

and Sarawakians.

Tunku met President Sukarno andPresident Macapagal to explicate the idea.

Convinced them the people agreed and

accepted the idea.


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9. United Nations Mission (June 1963)

Referendum reflected positive reaction

from the peopleauthenticate Cobbolds

report. Despite this, Indonesia unwilling to back

down on opposition.


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FORMATION OFMALAYSIA AND

ITS OBSTACLES


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Malaysia Without Brunei

Bruneis initial strong wish to join Malaysia

did not become a reality.

Due to wishes not fulfilled:


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1. Brunei given at least 10 parliamentary

seats.

2. Autonomy on oil trade3. Autonomy in financial

4. Maintain all investments


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5. Maintain low tax rates

6. Continue own education and welfare

programme7. Security guaranteed

8. HRH seniority backdated to the date

becoming Sultan not the date Bruneijoining Malaysia


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Although 6 wishes fulfilled, Sultan decided

not to sign agreement.

A lost for Peninsula Malaysia and London.


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External Resistant

Two countries opposed to the formation of

Malaysia.


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The Philippines

The Philippines claimed Sabah as a part of

her.

Although the people of Sabah agreed withthe merging, Philippines continued to

contest.

Broke diplomatic relation.


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Indonesia

President Sukarno declared confrontation

on Malaysia (Ganyang Malaysia).

Reason: Malaya was not consulting her (asa neighbouring country)

The formation of Malaysia might weaken

the spirit of Malays.


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Indonesia

Launched military confrontation.

1965: Sukarno was overthrown, replaced

by General SuhartoAugust 1966: peace agreement was

signed.


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WITHDRAWAL OF SINGAPORE

Polarization between Malays and Chinese

became obvious.

Election 1964: claim of Lee Kuan Yewbelittling MCA leaders.

Create conflict between MCA and PAP and

UMNO - leaders and people


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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.


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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 officiallywithdrew and formed a Republic

Documents

Malaysian Studies Lesson 17