Malaysian Studies

Malaysian StudiesThe formation of Malaysia and the reactions from Sabah and Sarawak citizen

[email protected]


INTRODUCTION OF THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA.

Federation of Malaya (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu) is the official name for this

country after the declaration of independence on 31st August 1957. Federation of

Malaya got its independent via a long efforts and chronology excluding Sabah,

Sarawak and Singapura. The states belong to Federation of Malaya are:

Johor

Melaka

Pahang

Negeri Sembilan

Selangor

Terengganu

Kelantan

Perak

Kedah

Pulau Pinang

Perlis

These states were the earlier states join the independence via the negotiation led by

Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj the first Prime Minister of Federation

Of Malaya (1957)

The ideas to form Malaysia came from many sides. They were :

British administration.

The people of South East Asia.

The people of Borneo.

Indonesia agreed with the beginning of the process.

Sir Malcolm Mac Donald proposed a large federation including

Singapore and Borneo.

1955 David Marshall, Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie and Tan Cheng Lock

suggested similar concept to form Malaysia.

1956 Tunku Abdul Rahman proposed independence and form

Malaysia including Borneo and Singapura. (Denied because Singapore

was excluded in the proposal)

[email protected]

THE STATES OF FEDERATION OF MALAYA


1959 Lee Kuan Yew agreed to intergrate and join Malaysia to get its

own independence and fight against communist.

27th May 1961 once again YMT Abdul Rahman proposed the form

Malaysia.

Tunku Abdul Rahman and his associates had a long and many obstacles to form

Malaysia even Federation of Malaya got its independence in 1957. After the

independence of Federation of Malaya (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu) the ideas to form

Malaysia were born from the leaders of each regions and states. Singapore itself

changed their opinions for several times. Sometimes Singapore agreed to join

Malaysia but denied by the British administration representative. In other situation,

British suggested Singapore to intergrate with Federation of Malaya but they

(Singapore PAP leaders denied). It happened several times, until the year of 1963

Singapore occasionally part of Malaysia. The Malaysian government was sign by all

the four countries including Britain. Malaysia a new country was born Proclamation

was born on 16 September 1963 with a new nation named MALAYSIA.

3. REACTIONS TOWARDS THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA.

[email protected]


The citizens of Sabah and Sarawak reactions. It can be divide into two

reactions :

They were encourage to form Malaysia

They were worried to form Malaysia

3.1 The people of Sabah and Sarawak encouraged to form Malaysia because :

Participate into Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawal would free them from the

British imperialisme.

The communist threat can be overcome under a new strong

government.

Aware that a new pupolation structure will be different. (Economical)

3.2 They were worried because :

They would loose their position in the administration of their states as

the Malays are dominant race in Malaysia.

Non Malay being discriminate. (Chinese, Indians and other ethnics in

Borneo)

Uneasiness among non- Malay and Malay politicians as the dominant

in the political groups.

Status of their religions (Christian, Budha, Hindu and other believers)

because Malaysia declared as an Islamic country where Islam is the

official religion.

Chinese citizens worried that they would flooded with economic

competition from their Singaporeans counterparts.

4. CONFLICT BETWEEN INDONESIA, PHILIPINES AGAINST MALAYSIA.

The formation of Malaysia has its own obstacles from a few countries for

different reasons. Those countries are Brunei, Singapore (after the declaration of

Malaysia), Indonesia and Pihilipines. Below are the obstacles among Indonesia and

Philipines towards the form of Malaysia.

[email protected]


4.1 Indonesia against Malaysia.

The climax was after the declaration of Operation Ganyang Malaysia

by President Sukarno. (after 16 September 1963)

He claimed Malaysia was not consulting Indonesia as a neighbouring

country.

Formation of Malaysia might weaken the spirit of Malays.

Launched military campaign – confrontation against Malaysia.

Economy confrontation and ideology war against Malaysia.

1965 Sukarno overthrown replaced by General Suharto.

August 1966 peace agreement between Malaysia and Indonesia after 3

years of confrontation.

4.2 Philipines against Malaysia.

The Philipines opposed the formation of Malaysia.

President Macapagal claimed Sabah as a part of Philipines territory.

People of Sabah agreed to join Malaysia but the Philipines continued

to protest. ( Including the decendant of Kesultanan Sulu)

Prsident Macapagal broke off diplomatic relationship with Malaysia.

CONCLUSSION.

The awareness of the local citizen and leaders from different political party of

Federation Of Malaya to form new country distributed new image of Malay leaders.

As a self governing country, Federation Of Malaya still under monitoring of British

government. The people reactions, also affected the nogetiation between Malaya and

British government. Before 1963, there were tough challenge towards the Malayan

leaders to form new country including Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.Malaysia itself

faced new distraction and confrontation between the other two governments,

Indonesia and Philipines. But by the enad of the negotiation to form new country,

YMT Tunku Abdul Razak the second prime minister finally succeeded to solve one

by one the chalengges among Malayan leaders. During 1963, there were agreement

with 5 countries. They were also helped the Malaysian citizens especially in military

business and headed towards a peaceful relationship between regions. Until 1965,

[email protected]


Malaysia faced a cold connection with Indonesia. The problems solved at 1965. The

acceptance of Sabah and Sarawak people contributed to a peaceful country where the

people can live peacefully.

937 words

End

References.

Malaysia studies, Dato’ Dr. Ivan Hoe,2012.

Pengajian Malaysia, Sejarah Negara Malaysia International Law Book

Services,2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-RuawIVKWY

References

[email protected]



Pengajian Malaysia, Sejarah Negara Malaysia International Law Book

Services, 2011.

Malaysian Studies, Dato’ Dr. Ivan Hoe, 2012.


[email protected]


Malaysian Studies

Documents

Transcript of Malaysian Studies