BRITISH COLONIALISM IN

MALAYSIA“ the good, the bad & the

ugly“

by Ai Yamada, Maarhafizah Maaroff, Amirul Haji

Mohamad, Raffael Ignacio & Kurt Läubli

Accusation

Charge: the United Kingdom is accused of exploiting Malaya/Malaysia as its colonial ruler and hindering its progress

Ms. Maarhafizah Maaroff, QC

Ms. Ai Yamada, QC

Tan Sri Amirul Haji Mohamad

Datuk Seri Raffael Ignacio

Lord Kurt Läubli, Judge

Colonial History of Malaysia: a brief overview

16th century 18th century 20th century

The Good Aspects (1)

Better Education System

Introduced English Education System, a Cambridge System recognized for its quality.

Better education system compare to Malay education system, up to primary school only.

opportunities to pursue tertiary education

United Kingdom’s Financial Expenditure in Malaya & British

Borneo. (Figures in Pound Sterling millions, rounded to nearest thousand)

Category of Expenditure Fin. Years

1951-52 1952-53 1953-54

a) Colonial Development and Welfare .693 1.169 1.095

b) British Council .009 .014 .021

Source: FO/371/123259, “United Kingdom Financial Years in Colombo Plan Countries, Commonwealth and Sterling Area, 1951-54

The Good Aspects (2)

Flourish Malaysia Economy

open large rubber estates, oil palm estates, tin mines and large scale industrial establishments

Improved infrastructures & facilities i.e.

good roads, modern towns, schools, & economic prosperity.

The Bad Aspects

The British EXPLOITED Malaysian natural resources to fuel and sustain the empire in light of the Industrial Revolution.

The British DISRUPTED racial relations and institutionalized racial ideology

British built divisive race relationship?

1.For providing labor forces to new emerging industry, rubber plantation and tin mining in late 19th century, it was necessary to have many migrants from China and India!

2.By injecting abundant of labor forces, the British could achieved rapid economic growth in Malaya.

Government Structure

British gave an opportunity to learn English to Malays.

↓ Malays could hold higher bureaucratic

and political positions.

British reinforced the principle of Malay dominance in government.

Security Arrangements

When the communist insurgency occurred, British prepared future security arrangements because Malaya didn’t have any security mechanism at that time.

This security arrangements have been maintained in Malaysia until today.

Provided SECURITY ???

What Security???? Brits can’t even defend Malaya in

WW2. Whining COWARDS who surrendered

easily due to the easy life they had in MALAYA.

Capitulated in 10weeks…..and to make matters worse GUNS(in Singapore) were facing the wrong direction!

THE UGLY ( 1 )

BRUTAL SUPPRESSION OF OPPOSITION ( HARD – UGLY )

e.g. 1875-Perak(many Patriots Hanged & Exiled Sultan Abdullah),

1915 – Kelantan(Bangkok Treaty – divided Northern Malaya)Tok Janggut -

UGLY ( 1 ) BRUTAL SUPPRESSION OF OPPOSITION

( HARD – UGLY ) e.g. 1875-Perak

(many Patriots Hanged & Exiled Sultan Abdullah),

1948-Batang Kali Massacre 1948 - 24 Chinese villagers murdered in

Cold Blood By the 7th Platoon, Scottish Guards in B.K,

Selangor (detained 25villagers, thinking they were

communists ….. gunned them down) 1992 – BBC Documentary “ In Cold Blood” 2008 – GBP80m compensation

claim(30+50)

THE UGLY (2)

LABELLING & Colonial Mentalism (UGLY – SOFT)

* MPAJA – Malayan People Anti-Japanese Army

• After WW2, MPAJA Members (Malays, Chinese & Indian) were “Labelled” Communist

• Reason: to check Communist threat (at the same time British opposition)

Kurt‘s judgement

„I rule that the British are NOT guilty!!!“

Audience Poll:

Were the British guilty of exploiting Malaya / Malaysia?