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CHAPTER 2 : POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AFTER INDEPENDENCE

2.0 Definition of nation-building :
 Process of constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state. This process aims at the unification of the people
within the state so that it remains politically stable and viable in the long run. Nation building can involve the use of propaganda or major
infrastructure development to foster social harmony and economic growth.

 Process whereby a society with diverse origins, histories, languages, cultures and religions and religions come together within the
boundaries of a sovereign state with a unified constitutional and legal dispensation, a national public education system, an integrated
national economy, shared symbols and values, as equals, to work towards eradicating the divisions and injustices of the past; to foster
unity; and promote a countrywide conscious sense of being proudly South African, committed to the country and open to the continent
and the world.

 A distinctive concept which relates to the development of politics characterised by stability and the people’s firm commitment to it. To
achieve this, nation building involves the utilisation of skills of social and political engineering. The index of nation building is the
degree of political cohesion and integration.

2.1 The Formation of Malaysia

2.1.1 Factors for the formation of Malaysia
 Independence through unification
 Understanding for development
 Ethnic balance and unity
 Collective fight against communism
 Economic Cooperation
 United in International Relations

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2.3 The Emergency Period 1948-1960
 Communism: came to Malaya during
the 1920s through a branch of the
Kuomintang Party;
 Malayan Communist Party (MCP) was
established in 1930;
 Membership: majority Chinese;
 Main goal: overthrow British & form
Communist Republic of Malaya;
 Formed the Malayan Races Liberation
Army @ Three Stars;
 Formed the Min Yuen (supply & spy
units):
Obtain food & medical supplies
for MCP guerrillas in the jungle;
Obtain info on British activities.
Declaration of Emergency
16 June 1948: British HC, Sir Edward
Gent, declared state of Emergency in
Perak & Johor;
17 June 1948: state of Emergency
declared for whole of Malaya;
23 July 1948: MCP was officially
outlawed.
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Reactions towards MCP and Communism
 Malays:
Against communism;
It was contrary to the teachings
of Islam.
 Indians:
Suspicious towards the MCP;
Members were mostly
Chinese.
 Chinese:
Most were against the MCP;
Focused towards improving
their socio-economic
condition.
Briggs Plan
 Introduced by Sir Harold Briggs;
 Aim: relocate Chinese squatters from
the edge of the forest to new villages
& launch starvation movement against
the MCP;
 Began on 1st June 1950;
 By February 1952: >400,000 squatter
Communist uprising in Malaya
 MCP failed to spread their ideology
through subtle means;
 Resorted to violence & guerrilla
tactics;
 Also influence by change in MCP
leadership & the Asian Congress of
Communist Youth;
 June 1948: MCP launched an armed
revolt in Malaya;
 1948 – 1951: MCP attacked estates,
mines, police stations & the public;
Aim: cripple the economy of Malaya.
Military Measures
 6 Oct 1951: Sir Henry Gurney was
killed by communists;
 1952: Replaced by Sir Gerald
Templer;
 Used military tactics:
Deployed 13 battalions of
English soldiers, Malays &
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Emergency Laws 1948: gave police &
army power to arrest/detain suspected
communists w’out trial;
Roadblocks & curfews were imposed in
active areas;
Intro of the National Registration
System:
Citizens aged 12 > must register
& own an ID card.
The British implemented several
measures to combat the MCP.
Psychological Warfare (Templer
Plan)
 Initiated by Sir Gerald Templer
Made citizenship easier for non-
Malays;
Grant pardon to MCP members
who surrendered;
Rewarded those who provided
info on communist activities;
Distributing pamphlets calling
for the MCP to surrender;
Introduced the “White Area”
and “Black Area”;
Enforced curfews in areas where
soldiers were hunting
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relocated to +400 new villages;
 Restrict the Chinese from supplying
food, medicine & info to MCP
guerrillas hiding in the jungle;
 Assessment: weakened the Min Yuen
activities & forced the communists out
of the jungle.
Baling Negotiations
 28 & 29 December 1955 at Baling,
Kedah;
 Govt representatives: Tunku Abdul
Rahman, David Marshall & Tan
Cheng Lock;
 MCP representatives: Chin Peng,
Chen Tien & Rashid Maidin;
 Negotiations failed:
 MCP’s request to be legally
recognised was rejected by the govt;
 Govt’s counter offer & call to lay
down their arms was rejected the
MCP.
Gurkhas;
Training 67,000 special
Malay soldiers;
Formed a home guard system
with 210,000 members;
Recruit help from the
Commonwealth military.
 British launched aggressive attacks
on the communists;
 Prevented food from being smuggled
to MCP guerrillas.
End of Emergency Period
 Reasons for MCP’s failure:
 Govt tactics;
 Lack of local support;
 Lack of protection & support from
other communist countries.
 31 July 1960: Tunku Abdul Rahman
officially proclaimed the end of the
Emergency.

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communists.

Impact of the emergency period

Positive Effects: Negative Effects:

Created unity among the citizens of
Malaya;
Proof to the British that Malaya was
ready for independence.
 Loss of life (9581 MCP members, 2461 civilians, 1851 members of the security
force);
 Loss of property;
 Economy was crippled;
 Widened the social gap;
 Increased racial tensions.

THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA

The idea was proposed several times:

 Since 1887: merge Malaya with Strait Settlements & Crown Colonies in Borneo;
 Proposed again in 1931(2) to protect British interests;
 Also suggested by Ghazali Shafie in 1954;
 Proposed by Tunku Abdul Rahman, David Marshall & Tan Cheng Lock in 1955;
 Suggested by Lee Kuan Yew in 1959;
 27 May 1961: serious proposal by T.A.R.

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 Sabah:
Chinese population
opposed
Bumiputeras were divided
Rekindled the spirit of
nationalism
Formation of political
parties (USNO, UKNO,
UCNO etc)
 Singapore:
Generally well accepted;
Support from People’s
Action Party (PAP) under
Lee Kuan Yew;
Opposed by the socialist
United People’s Party
(UPP);
UPP wanted independence
under a different ideology.
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REACTIONS TOWARDS MALAYSIA
 Sarawak:
Chinese community did not support the
idea
Bumiputeras were highly divided
Also renewed spirit of nationalism
Formation of political parties (SNAP,
SUPP, PANAS etc)
 Indonesia:
Strongly opposed the idea
Reasons:
T.A.R did not consult with Sukarno
Formation of Malaysia would prevent
Indonesia from creating Indonesia Raya
Accused Malaysia of being a neo-
colonialism plot
20 January 1963:
Indonesia launched the
Confrontation policy
 Brunei:
The Sultan supported the idea;
Others: wanted independence first before joining
Malaysia;
Parti Rakyat Brunei, led by A.M Azahari opposed the
idea:
Wanted to merge Brunei with Sabah & Sarawak to
form North Kalimantan.
Brunei eventually withdrew from the proposal:
Caused by dissatisfaction:
o Position of the Sultan within the Conference
of Rulers;
o Status of Brunei within Malaysia;
o Financial-related issues (oil).
 The Philippines:
Also opposed the idea
Reasons:
Pres. Macapagal claimed rights over Sabah
Accused M’sia as unstable & open to communist
subversion
M’sia cannot protect North Borneo from communists
Plans to establish MAPHILINDO
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Opposition was reduced

after several talks
Peace resumed after
Suharto came into power
Confrontation ended in
August 1966

STEPS TOWARSD FORMATION OF MALAYSIA

 Borneo Dialogue:  Malaysia Solidarity & Consultative Committee

Btwn governors of Sabah & S’wak, HC of Brunei & Chaired by Donald Stephen
the Commissioner-General in S’pore Explain the concept of M’sia to the people
Obtain feedback & ideas from the people

 Malaysia Solidarity & Consultative Committee  London Mission:

Chaired by Donald Stephen British invited Tunku to discuss the merger in greater
Explain the concept of M’sia to the people detail
Obtain feedback & ideas from the people

 Cobbled Commission  Inter-Governmental Committee

To ascertain the views/opinions of the people of Work out conditions for Sabah, S’wak & Brunei
Brunei, Sabah & S’wak regarding M’sia Formulate a constitution which takes into account
Make necessary recommendations Sabah, S’wak & Brunei’s demands

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Results:

 1/3 supported unconditionally

 1/3 supported but with conditions
 1/3 divided btwn becoming indpndnt first
before joining & those who want to remain
under British rule

 Singapore Referendum

on 1 Nov 1962
Gauge the views/opinions of the people of S’pore
Choose btwn 3 alternatives:
 Alternative A – agree to merger based on conditions in the Spore White Paper (397,626 votes)
 Alternative B – agree to merger unconditionally (9,442 votes)
 Alternative C – agree to merger with terms & conditions almost similar to those received by Sabah, S’wak & Brunei
(144, 077 votes)

 The Withdrawal of Singapore

Birth of Malaysia

 Originally set for 31 Aug 1963

 Changed to 16 Sept 1963
 To accommodate UN Mission to verify the wishes of the people of Sabah, S’wak & Brunei

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2.4 13th May 1969 Incidents

 Happened after 1969 Elections – the opposition party Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Gerakan recorded encouraging victories.
 Election campaign became heated until discussion revolved around the racial issues and profiles of certain individuals.
 DAP and Gerakan organised an unauthorised grand scale parade on 11 and 12 May 1969
 UMNO (led by Datuk Harun Idris – Selangor Chief Minister), which felt challenged also held a parade upon their success in forming the
government after elections.
 The provocative parade of both parties ignited the sentiments of every race resulted to fights and riots.
 Racial riot happened in Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding area (Selangor)

Strategy to solve conflict The implications of 13th May Incidents

a) Imposing a curfew a) Declaration of emergency

b) Controlling the news in radio and television b) Formation of MAGERAN on 17th May 1969
c) Filtering the publication of newspapers c) Establishment of the National Unity Department
d) Arresting people who supporting the riot d) (JPN) and the National Goodwil Council (MMN)
e) Making election campaign illegals e) Establishment of the National Advisory Council
f) Declaring journals publish by political parties illegal (MAPEN) on 29th Jan 1970

2.5 Plural Society in Malaysia

Racial Composition before Independence Racial Composition After Independence

 After Malaya achieved independence, the total

Before the discovery of tin ore sites by Long Jaafar in population was 7.38 million:
1848, Malay formed the majority of the population.
Small number of Chines Traders and Indian workers i. Malay Peninsula – 6.28 million
came to work in coffee and sugarcane plantation. ii. Sabah – 0.41
Mid 19th Century – British Colonial Policies bought iii. Sarawak - 0.692 million
extra manpower to work in the various growing

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economic sectors.
•1921 - The Malay population shrunk from 54% to 49%.
•1931 - Declined to 45%

2.6 Unity and National Integration

Definition

Unity Integration

 Refers to the uniting of various groups that have  A process of uniting groups with different
different social and cultural backgrounds backgrounds into one entity bound by
common norms, values and interests.
 Uniting Sabah, Sarawak and the Penisula into one
country or federation, for example is an effort at  Integration is a situation of spontaneous
achieving national unity. Understanding

 “A process of uniting the members of a society and  The process of uniting various groups in the society through a
the country as a whole through national ideologies common identity by putting aside major differences without
so that the members of the society can build up an ignoring groups‟ original identity, such as the good
entity, common values and a sense of belonging”. norms and values;
(INTAN, 1982).
Unity & Integration

“Defined as the implementation of a process to produce a national identity among groups divided culturally,
socially and geographically in a political
unit.”
(Mardiana and Hasnah, 2014)

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Challenges and Problems

1 Communities lived in villages according to their respective races.

Segregation of Residential Areas and Settlements Felt safer, avoid disputes and misunderstandings.
Resulted from the British „divide and rule‟ policy.

2 Housing by race followed the separation of races in different

Racial Segregation in the Economic Sector economic sectors.
It did not make is possible for each race to meet up and mingle.

3 No single education formed by British - Malay (Malay and English

The Separation of the Education System vernacular schools), Indian (Tamil schools in estate) and Chinese
(own schools, teachers and textbooks are brought from China).

4 Every races endevoured to preserve their own identity,

Differences in political principles and Influences language and culture.

5 Malay were envious of the luxuries and success of Chinese.

Economic Issues Chinese and Indians were envious of the Malay‟s privileges.

6 Difficult to foster unity if every race could not tolerate the

Differences in Beliefs and Religions religious beliefs of other races.
7 Each ethic group has their own newspapers.
The Use of Vernacular Newspapers It hard for the ethnic to understand the language, culture and
sensitivities of other races.

8 Japan adopted an anti-Chinese bias and gave Malays the

Racial Sentiment Remained Strong (Japanese Rule) opportunity to take part in administrative sector.

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The strategies

Political efforts Economic Efforts Social efforts

National Ideology (Rukun Negara) New Economic Policy National Education Policy
Federal Constitution Vision 2020 National Culture Policy
Alliance Party National Social Policy

RUKUN NEGARA as National Ideology

WHEN? WHY?

• Achieve sense of unity

Created after the racial riot 13th May1969. • Preserve democratic way of life.
• Under the leadership of MAGERAN • Create a just society
• Create society with liberal approach
• Build a progressive society

WHO? WHAT?

National Consultive Council (MPN) is responsible for its Belief in God

formulation • Loyalty to King and Country
• Supremacy to Constitution
• Sovereignty of the Law
• Courtesy and Morality

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