MALAYSIAN STUDIES MPW 1133

UNIT TWO: POLITICAL PROCESS

TOPIC FOUR: MERDEKA!

UNITY was one of the main problems in the struggle for independence. This was largely
due to the diversity of origin, culture, language and religion. Every community wanted their
mother tongue to be made the national language and felt worried when the Malays wanted
Islam to be made the official religion. Meanwhile, the non-Malays who were born in Malaya
demanded they be granted citizenship.

The cause of the problem WAS not just the behaviour of the communities in the country but
it was the result of the British divide and rule policy that isolated them according to place of
residence and occupation.

There was no opportunity for interaction amongst them, a gap was thus created that
eventually undermined unity.

Both UMNO and MCA were communal parties but their top leadership had common ground
in that it was composed of English-educated Malay and Chinese elitists, representing the
conservative elements of both communities, which did not rule out cooperation at this level.

One of the ways to bring about integration in a multiracial society is through education.
Barnes Committee recommended a unified system of education that children of all races
should attend national schools.

Another means towards unity was the formation of the Inter Ethnic Relation Committee for
the purpose of open discussion of racial problems.

DATO’ ONN’s CHANGED OF STRUGGLE

IN line with this inter racial concept, Dato Onn Jaafar, the president of UMNO decided to
open the Malay party membership to the other communities. He proposed that the name of
the party, United Malays National Organization be changed to United Malayan National
Organization.

His proposal was strongly opposed by UMNO members, frustrated by the strong reaction,
Dato Onn resigned from his leadership post and eventually left the organization. Besieged
with spirits of unity, almost immediately he formed another party - Independence of Malaya
Party (Parti Kemerdekaan Malaya).

IMP attracted support of many important leaders from various communities including Tan
Cheng Lock, E.E.C. Thuraisingham and K.L Devaser.

ALLIANCE OF UMNO AND MCA

UMNO and MCA decided to form an alliance in Selangor to contest the Kuala Lumpur
Municipal Council election. Nine out of twelve seats were won by the inter-communal
alliance. MIC joined the Alliance later.

The first general elections were held in Malaya in 1955 and the Alliance swept to victory
winning 51 out of 52 seats. Tunku Abdul Rahman had said during the election campaign that
if the Alliance were elected it would aim for self-government within two years.

The success of the Alliance, which represented the three major communities of the country,
clearly showed that the people supported multi-racialism. It also signaled to the British that
there was no longer any reason to entertain doubts about political stability or to be hesitant
about granting independence to Malaya.

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MALAYSIAN STUDIES MPW 1133
UNIT TWO: POLITICAL PROCESS

In early 1956, talks on the independence of Malaya were held in London. It was agreed that
independence would be granted by 31 August 1957, if possible, which was the target date
set by Tunku Abdul Rahman. The British had laid out several conditions prior their
agreement: British troops must be allowed to remain in the country for security reasons, and
that Malayan government had to pay compensation to British officers who would have to
vacate their posts.

The announcement of independence was made at Padang Bandar Hilir (Melaka)

A Federation of Malaya Constitution Commission was formed soon after the London talks
held its first meeting in June 1956, headed by Lord Reid. The Commission received
suggestions and views from various organizations and individuals and as many as 131
written ones were taken into account into the making of the Constitution, which was known
as the Merdeka Constitution.

ACCOUNTED FACTORS
The Merdeka Constitution bears the following fundamental principles:

The Yang Dipertuan Agong is the head of Malaya while the rulers are heads of their
respective states.
The Malays are recognized as the sons of the soil and their special rights are guaranteed in
the Constitution,
The Malay language is to become the national language; English however, can still be used
on the Legislative Council for a period of 10 years after independence.
A person born in Malaya on or after Independence is automatically a Malayan citizen.
Islam is made the official religion of the Federation of Malaya, but freedom of worship is
guaranteed for non-Muslims.

PROCLAMATION OF MERDEKA!

After the ratification or agreement of the Merdeka Constitution, Malaya’s independence was
proclaimed and at the stroke of midnight on 31st August 1957, the Union Jack was lowered at
an impressive ceremony on the Selangor Club field in Kuala Lumpur and the flag of the new
independent Federation of Malaya hoisted in its place.

Malaya became the 82nd member of the United Nation.

On the 2nd September 1957, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Muhammad, of
Negeri Sembilan was declared the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di Pertuan Agong.

History of Selection of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Based on this criterion, Sultan of Johor, Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar, who was installed in
1895, was the longest reigning Ruler. However, the Sultan, who was 84 years old then, abdicated the throne
owing to his age.

Second in the order, Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdullah Al-
Mutassim Billah Shah who became Sultan of Pahang in 1932, also declined the [Link], the third
longest reigning Ruler, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad of Negeri Sembilan was
unanimously elected as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Tuanku Abdul Rahman took the throne of Negeri
Sembilan in 1933.
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