Chapter 2 : The Formation of Malaysia

By: Nurhani Hazirah

Background on Formation of Malaysia
The idea was ignited through a speech delivered by
Tunku Abdul Rahman that was made in Singapore
He raised up the idea to generate a form of economic
and political alliance involving the Federation of
Malaya with the British-colonized regions of
Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei.
The idea was born from the awareness that Malaya
and the involved regions had been finding hard to
stand independently at the international level.
It indicated the need for cooperation among the
citizens to venture into political, economic and social
areas.
 Factors for the Formation of Malaysia
The thread and influence of the communist
because they were aiming to form a
government in Malaya
Granting independence to Sabah, Sarawak,
Brunei and Singapore. This is because those
countries were still under British rule.
To share economic benefits so that the joining
territories would be able to hold economic
venture and trading for mutual benefits.
 Preserving the rights of the Bumiputras in all
regions involved because the needed of
combining the residents to form a larger
population.
To defend the native communities in Sabah
and Sarawak because most of the positions
and economic activities were held by the
foreigners.
 Reaction of Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei
and Singapore
Sabah and Sarawak at first were against the
proposal. They thought of to gain their own
respective independence before forming an
affiliation
They would prefer to go for an affiliation which
involved only the 3 Borneo regions (including
Brunei) themselves.
They had second thoughts after being
enlightened with better explanations by Tun
Abdul Rahman on the Commonwealth Parliament
Conference in Singapore and also by their leaders
and the citizens accept the proposal
 Singapore were interested and felt the plan could
help secure the Peoples Action Party which led
by Lee Kuan Yew from the threat of left-wingers.
Brunei had been very interested in the formation
of Malaya but they were more ken to gain their
own independence before the affiliation took
place.
Brunei was more interested in combining the
Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei to form a
government.
They did not agree with the formation of
Malaysia because they were worried that Brunei
would lose a large portion of its wealth by
participating in the affiliation.
 Reaction of ASEAN countries
Indonesia at the 1st stage agreed with the idea
because it doesnt involved the country. But
few months later they protested and
condemned the formation because of some
reasons.
President Sukarno felt that Tunku Abdul
Rahman had turned had turned his back
because he made the announcement without
consulting him. (Melayu Raya)
 The Formation of Malaysia had failed Sukarnos
plans set up the empire of Indonesia Raya
(Melayu Raya)
Sukarno also claimed that the idea was being
formed to let the British dominated the rubber,
tin and oil in the regions involved.
He declared his policy to confrontation towards
Malaya with the slogan Ganyang Malaysia
The protest came to the involvement of the
military and they attacked some of the territories
in Sabah and Sarawak
The protest ended in 1965 after Sukarno was
toppled and replaced by General Suharto and the
president signed place agreement with Malaysia
 Reaction of ASEAN countries
Philippines didnt agree with the proposal
because they felt Sabah was rightfully their and
demanded the British to return it to them.
They claim that Sabah used to be under the Sulu
Sultanate but British turned a deaf ear to the
demands. The British reminded Philippines that
any demands would be opposed by the British.
The studies proved that Sabah and Sarawak
themselves had agreed and been willingly joining
the formation of Malaysia.
 Reaction of ASEAN countries
Brunei changes its mind on the matter
because several of its requests were not
agreed to by government of Malaya.
a. The control on oil and other minerals.
b. Autonomy in financial matters during early
stages following the formation of Malaysia
c. Method of taxation
d. The security of Bruneis position in Malaysia.
 Reason Singapore leave Malaysia
Very little economic progress was accomplished
and this greatly disappointed Singapore
Issues of party between People Action Party (PAP)
and Alliance Party towards the specials rights of
the Malays
The fight for the equality for the rights of
Malaysian. Malaysia for Malaysians
Finally in August 1965, Singapore leave Malaysia.
 Conclusion
The nation was once invaded and occupied by
foreign power. Malay community as well as
other races joined then cooperated in gaining
independence as a country.