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…