The Formation Of Malaysia

THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA The Idea of Malaysia ♦David Marshall – Singapore unite with

Malaya – 1955 ♦Ghazali Shafei - 1954 ♦Tan Cheng Lock – 1955 ♦Lee Kuan Yew – 1959 ♦Tunku Abdul Rahman - 1955

♦ On 27 May 1961, Tunku revealed his aspiration to form

Malaysia, 5 years after his first open suggestion. ♦ The idea of unification announced by Tunku at the meeting with the Press, was given wide coverage in the regional newspapers. ♦ Brunei, British North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore finally followed up the action. ♦ The consultation was lasted for almost two years.

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

Reaction Towards the Idea ♦ Singapore:Lee Kuan Yew apparently was most

interested. ♦ Political changes in early 1961 changed the mind of part of the population. ♦ Had opposed by UPP (United People’s Party) – socialist party. ♦ Other threat was also the Anson bye-election- a left wing PAP (People’s Action Party) gave support to Labour Party candidate.

♦ Brunei: Although a large section of population were agreed to join

Malaysia, many of them preferred to be independent. ♦ Azahari, leader of Party Rakyat Brunei (Brunei’s People Party) wanted to unite with Sabah and Sarawak under the name of North Kalimantan. ♦ Sabah & Sarawak: They were aware the unification would mean they would be free from British imperialism. ♦ They were also aware that the population structure would be different in the new country. ♦ Contributing to the racial balance in Malaysia. ♦ Apprehensive about losing their position because of ‘Malayan domination’ especially among the non-Malays.

♦ Malaya: the Malaysia concept was generally accepted. ♦ PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party)– strongly against the

formation of Malaysia and claimed the Malays would lose out if Malaysia were established. ♦ They preferred MAPHILINDO concept, combined Malaya, Philippines and Indonesia. ♦ Britain: On the whole, the British accepted even though they would handed the countries back to the people.

Steps Towards the Formation of Malaysia ♦ Tunku and a specially-formed Committee made

visits to the countries to verify the uncertainty in the people’s thinking. ♦ Singapore Referendum ♦ UN Investigation ♦ Consultation with Britain, the Philippines and Indonesia. ♦ Settling the differences in the reports by the Malayan and British representatives to the Cobbold Comission.

BRUNEI’S WITHDRAWAL ♦ 1. 2. 3. ♦ 1. 2. 3. 4.

Three fundamental reasons for Brunei to join Malaysia: The speeding up of independence The strengthening of the wall of defense against the communist threat The provision of help to the less developed parts Claims of Brunei: The number of seats in the Legislature and in Parliament The control on oil and other minerals Monetary autonomy Brunei’s earlier investment

5. Method of taxation 6. Authority in the area of education and welfare 7. Matters of religion 8. Citizenship 9. The security of Brunei 10. The position of the Sultan and the status of Brunei within Malaysia