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MPW 1133MALAYSIAN STUDIES

The Struggle for Independence

MS ROSMAWANI CHE DAUD

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LEARNING OBJECTIVETo generate understanding on the Struggle for

Independence of Malaya To instill patriotism among the students

LEARNING OUTCOMEAt the end of the session, students should be able to

explain the road, process and sacrifices towards Independence

LEARNING OBJECTIVE & LEARNING OUTCOME

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INTRODUCTION

THE ARMED STRUGGLE AGAINST THE COLONIALISTS

THE STRUGGLE FOR NATIONALISM

MALAYAN UNION

FEDERATION OF MALAYA (PERSEKUTUAN TANAH MELAYU)

NEGOTIATION FOR INDEPENDENCE

CONCLUSION

LESSON CONTENT

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Armed forces & struggle for nationalism

Malayan Union(factors, oppositions,

the failure)

Federation of Malaya (the new constitution, oppositions, member

system, unity problem)

Negotiations for Independence

(general elections, city council’s elections,

demands to the British

Independence

MIND MAP

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This is the history of the people’s struggle for independence

The process – from Malaya to Federation of Malaya

Malaysia obtained independence from the British on 31 August 1957

Younger generation tend to take things for granted and do not understand the struggle for independence by earlier leaders

INTRODUCTION

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o Malaccao Naningo Selangoro Perako Negeri Sembilano Pahango Sarawako Sabaho Kelantano Terengganuo Malaya

THE ARMED STRUGGLE AGAINST COLONIALISTS

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Started in 20th century when people were better educated. People see their minds rather than arms and force. Factors for nationalism;External influence – Young Turkish movement etcMass media – Al Imam, Saudara, Utusan Melayu etcOrganizations – Malays Union, KMM etc

It went stronger when Japanese came up with the slogan “Asia for Asians”

Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) or Young Malays Union The spirit of nationalism still continued even after the

Japanese defeated in the Second World War and the British returned to Malaya.

THE STRUGGLE FOR NATIONALISM

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MALAYAN UNION When ? – the period when Japanese surrendered and the return of

British in 1945. Malayan Communist Party (MCP) took over the government for

14 days. MCP created chaos and used violence.

Proposal to set up the Malayan Union British parliament proposed a proposal on Oct 10, 1945 To create a new system of administration for Malaya Main objective – to protect economic interest of British & to

cut down the administrative cost

Malayan Union features; 9 states Malay states, Penang Island and Malacca British Governor- Chief Administrator Did not involve Singapore “Jus soli” Equal rights for all

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Communist Era

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MALAYAN UNION Oppositions

Demonstrations were held to show their disagreement over the new government.

Malays were the strongest opposition. Why? The granting of citizenship to the non-Malays Erosion of Malay Ruler’s powers and sovereignty MacMicheal’s threat in getting the Rulers to sign the

agreement

The failure of the Malayan Union Strong opposition from the Malays No strong support from the non-Malays Wrong timing Wrong introduction Opposition from former British administrators in Malaya

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Malayan Union was replaced by FM on 1 Feb 1948 New constitution was proposed; Opposition

AMCJA – All Malaya Council of Joint ActionMembers were – MIC, Malayan People’s Anti Japanese Ex-

Services Comrades Association, Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions

Led by Tan Cheng LockThe fight was based on 3 principles

PUTERA Members were – API, PKMM, AWAS (non UMNO members) Fought for 4 principles

AMCJA – PUTERA teamed up in Mar 1947

FEDERATION OF MALAYA (PERSEKUTUAN TANAH MELAYU)

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Formation of the Federation of Malaya

• On 1 February 1948• The Federation of Malaya features• FOM comprised 9 Malay States, Malacca & Penang,

excluding Singapore• British High Commissioner as the Head• Condition for citizenship became strict• Special rights for the Malays were recognized• The state government had the right on matters

related to administration, land, health, education and agriculture.

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o Problem of Unity – different interests, language, origin, culture of the races lead to the unity problem. All races wanted their interests to be considered.

o Member System – a system to give opportunity to local people to be involved in the administrative system. Member system was to appoint local representatives to the post of head of dept. in the central government.

o The growth of political parties and struggle for independence – The Alliance (UMNO, MIC, MCA), PUTERA, PKM, PAS, IMP etc. The main objective is to protect the interests of community, and to get Independence.

The move towards the Independence

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o City Council Elections – as a test of unity in the country. The first election was the Georgetown City Council in Dec 1951, followed by KL City Council in Feb 1952. In this election, UMNO teamed up with MCA and won 9 out of 12 seats. This gave signs that 2 parties are willing to share power and compromise.

o Demands to the British – demand for election to be held. There were 2 different groups, one by Onn Jaafar and another was the Alliance (Parti Perikatan). British had decided that the election will be held in 1955. MCP was banned, made UMNO the only Malay party.

o 27 July 1955, the first general election was held for the whole of Malaya. The Alliance won 51 out of 52 seats.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE

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Negotiations for Independence

o Tuanku Abdul Rahman led a team to London in Feb 1956 to negotiate Malaya’s independence.

o The team consisted – 4 representatives of Malay Rulers and 1 British representative.

o The British promised to grant independence with a condition; a commission must be formed to draw up the new Constitution.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE

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London Talks

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Constitution of Federation of Malayao Reid Commission was set up to draw a new constitution.

Over 131 memorandum were taken into accounto The Constitution was effective on 27 Aug 1957.o Constitution’s characteristicso Constitutional Monarchy & democracy concepto Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) as the head of Federation of Malayao Malays are recognized as “sons of soil” or bumiputrao BM to be the national languageo Islam, the national religiono Citizenship – a person who was born on or after independence is

automatically Malayan citizen

Proclamation of Independence was made on 31 Aug 1957.

Tunku Abdul Rahman as the Prime Minister.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE

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Tunku Abdul Rahman announced Independence Day on 31 August 1957 at

Dataran Merdeka

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Tunku Abdul Rahman images

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o The struggle can be separated by 2 phases;oThe struggle through bloodshedoThe struggle through negotiation

oOppositions, nationalism and hunger of freedom.

oThe unity problem

oThe formation of the political parties - The Alliance (UMNO, MCA, MIC)

CONCLUSION

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THANK YOU