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Location Of Malaysia
Malaya became independent in 1957. It became Malaysia in 1961 when it incorporated Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore. Singapore seceded peacefully in 1965.
Malaysia
Was a colony of Portugal, Netherlands and Britain. Is a constitutional (elected) monarchy, composed of 13 states. Population of 24.4 Million; 58% Malay, 26% Chinese & 7% Indian. All Malays are Muslim. Is the site of the Petrona Towers and Tunku Abdul Rahman College.
Trade at Malacca
Malacca was an ideal location, half way along the sea route between India and China. As an entrepot, it became a center for trade:
Silk and porcelain from China. Textiles from Gujarat and Coromandel in India. Camphor from Bornea. Sandlewood from Timor Nutmeg, mace, & cloves from the Moluccas. Gold & pepper from Sumatra. Tin from Western Malaya.
Colonial Malacca
Alfonso De Albuquerque conquered Malacca in 1511 for Portugal. It remained Portuguese for 130 years. Trade brought great riches. Saint Francis Xavier visited during 1545-49. Found it to be a debaucherous cesspool of vice. Malacca fell to the Dutch in 1641. In 1826, it became a British colony. Christ Church (Dutch) 1753
Questions
Who founded Malacca? What is ideal about Malacca's location? Who conquered Malacca for the Portuguese? Which famous Jesuit missionary visited Malacca? Why did the British withdraw from the spice trade competition after 1623? What did they ultimately receive as compensation? What prompted the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824? The acquisition of what territories in 1961 led to Malaya becoming Malaysia? Malaysia is considered to be constitutional _____.
Residency System
The Residency System is established in Perak in 1874. The sultan agrees to accept a resident whose advice must be followed in all matters, particularly administration and revenue collection, other than religion and custom. In return, the British will protect the state against internal and external threats. Within a month, Selangor and Negri Sembilan accept residents. In 1888, Pahang followed suit.
Questions
What territories composed the Straits Settlements? James Brooke acquired a private kingdom in what territory? Why were British businessmen interested in obtaining direct British intervention in Malaya? What finally led to the Colonial Office agreeing to intervene? To what did a ruler agree when receiving a Resident? What did he gain in return? What were the two principal sources of disagreement that led to the murder of J.W.W. Birch and the Perak War?
World War II
British preparations for war in Malaya were sadly inadequate. The naval base at Singapore (fortified against attack by sea) fell in humiliation to a Japanese land campaign. The Chinese in Malaya were forced to take sides between the Communist and the KMT. The Chinese Communist in Malaya began an antiJapanese guerrilla war. The British supported Communist guerrillas thru Force 136 which provided training and supplies.
Malay Union
In 1945, the British proposed the Malay Union.
The union was to be composed of the nine Malay states plus Malacca and Penang, but not Singapore. The nine Malay Sultans would surrender sovereignty to the union. Laws would no longer require their ratification. There would be common citizenship for Malays, Chinese and Indians born in Malaya or who had been residents for ten years.
A massive protest movement led to the formation of the United Malay National Organization (UMNO).
Federation of Malaya
The strong reaction to the Malay Union led to a new structure in 1948, the Federation of Malaya.
Retrocession of sovereignty to the Malay states. Integration of the states and Malacca and Penang (but not Singapore) into the new federation. Citizenship rights restricted to Malays, only.
Questions
Which territories composed the Federated Malay States? Which ethnic groups increased in number and economic power prior to WW II? During WW II, what group did British Force 136 support? The creation of the Malay Union deprived Sultans of _______ and granted Chinese and Indians full ________. The United Malay National Organization (UMNO) was a reaction to _______. The Federation of Malaya restored _________ to the Sultans and limited citizenship to ________.
Independence Delayed.
The British were withdrawing from everything east of Suez. India and Burma had already been granted independence. Malaya was to be next. Chinese Communist insurgency began in 1948 leading to a declared state of emergency that lasted until 1960. The Chinese saw the new federation as imperiling their legal status. The Chinese revolution provided the model of insurgency and guerrilla warfare. The vehicle was the Malayan Communist Party (MCP).
Combating Insurgency
The British success in combating the insurgency was the product of :
The guerrillas never exceeded 10,000 and could claim the support of no more than 15-20% of Chinese population. The guerrillas were easily distinguished racially. The Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) was formed as political solution to unrest. Insurgents received little outside support. The Briggs Plan of 600 new villages and deportation of 10,000 Chinese back to China.
Independence 1957
Malaya granted independence in 1957, although the emergency last until 1960. Tunku Abdul Rahman was the first P.M. He was an English educated prince from Kedah. He served until 1970. He sought to give special attention to Malays to makeup for past neglect.
The Bargain
The key feature of the bargain was that the Chinese would be allowed to prevail in the economic sector, but the Malays would control the political sector. The Malays received constitutional advantages:
Head of state (king) would be a Malay sultan. Malay would be the official language Islam would be the official religion Malays would receive preferences in land acquisition, educational assistance and civil service employment.
A Malaysian Malaysia
Tunku Abdul Rahman expelled Singapore from Malyasia in 1965 after Lee Kuan Yew called for a Malaysian Malaysia, i.,e., equal participation by all groups. Tunku Abdul Rahman sought a Malayan Malaysia. The wish by minority groups for equality continued and led to the 1969 riots.
1969 Riots
Abdul Rahmans Alliance Party lost 23 seats in the parliament when the opposition parties won a 51.5 % majority. A victory celebration by AntiAlliance forces in Kuala Lumpur led to rioting. Mob violence raged for four days. The King proclaimed a state of emergency, parliament was disbanded, civil liberties curtailed and the National Operations Council (NOC) under Deputy P.M. Tun Abdul Razak granted total authority for 21 months. Sedition Acts were passed prohibiting discussion of sensitive issues.
Dictatorial Desperation
How Mahatir retained power:
Operation Lallang (1987) arrested of 119 opposition leaders and closed three opposition newspapers. Eliminated judicial review of security and the operation of political parties in 1988. Accused the Jews of causing the currency crises of 1997. Charged Awar Ibrahim with corruption and sodomy in 1998.
Questions
Q1. What was the source of Chinese discontent that led to the insurgency? A1. The feared lose of legal status. Q2. The British success in combating the insurgency was based on what five factors? A2. (1). Less than 20% of Chinese population supported the insurgents. (2). Guerrillas easily distinguished. (3). MCA offered a political solution. (4). The insurgents received little outside support. (5). The Briggs Plan. Q3. Who was the first P.M. of the Federation of Malaysia? A3. Tunku Abdul Rahman.
More Questions
Q4. What was the Bargain? A4. The Chinese would prevail economically; the Malays would prevail politically. Q5. What was the purpose of the enlarged Federation of Malaysia? A5. To give Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah a secure home as Britain pulled out. Q6. Why was Singapore expelled from the Federation of Malaysia? A6. Lee Kuan Yew threatened the bargain by demanding a Malaysian Malaysia.
UMNO Logo
State Royalty
Nine Malay states have ruling sultans. The King (Yang diPertuan Agong) is elected by and from among the nine for five years. The Kings powers include ceremony, religious duties, appointments and delay of legislation. In 1993, Mahatir was able to gain passage of legislation placing the sultans under the law. The Attorney Generals consent is required to bring charges against a sultan and special court must be convened.
Legislature
The structure of Malaysias legislature is based on the British Westminster system.
The P.M. must be a member of the lower house and command majority support. Lower house is composed of 219 members of which 199 seats are held by the BN (National Front). The upper house is composed of 70 members, 26 appointed by state legislatures and 44 appointed by the king on recommendation of the P.M. The upper house is elected for 6 years; the lower house is elected for 5 years unless parliament is dissolved sooner.
Institutions
Military. Malaysia has maintained only a minimal national force. Instead, it has relied on the defense arrangements with British and AngloMalayan Defense Agreement (Singapore, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand). Women. Consistent with Islamic beliefs, women only play a very minor role in public affairs. There are a growing number of professional women and women have formed auxiliaries to political parties which give them some voice.
Democrtization
Malaysia is considered to be only semi-democratic due to the limitations on civil liberties such as the Official Secrets Act, Internal Securities Act and Sedition Act which prohibit all discussion of sensitive issues. The key issue is what are the rights of Malays in a polycommunal society. The success of the Malaysian economy has mitigated demands for equality.
Economic Development
The standard of living has improved immensely for the average person since 1957. From close to Zero, access to piped water, electricity and TV are all 100%. The Malay poverty level is < 17%. The New Economic Plan (NEP) of 1971 was a 20 year plan to eliminate prosperity as a function of race. It sought rapid growth in the Malay sector without weakening Chinese enterprise. The NEP also sought to increase the Malay share of capital ownership to 30%, reduce foreign share to 30% from 63% and allow a 40% Chinese share.
Questions
Q1. Name the two political party coalitions that have ruled Malaysia since 1957. A1. The Alliance and the National Front. Q2. Does the UMNO suffer from lack of funds? A2. No. It has large investments in various businesses. Q3. How is the King of Malaysia elected? A3. By and from among the nine Sultans.
More Questions
Q4. The Malaysian upper house (senate) is composed of 70 members. How are they selected? A4. State legislatures appoint 26; the king appoints 44. Q5. Why is Malaysia considered to be only semidemocratic? A5. The lack of civil liberties to discuss sensitive issues. Q6. Under the NEP, what was the goal for the Malay capital share of the economy? A6. 30%. Only 20% has been achieved.
The End