Chapter 11: Nationalism and Malayan Union ​

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​Learning Objective

​Revising the main points on the Malayan Union topic.

Steps to Success

1. ​Read the readings provided.

2. ​Answer all questions at the end of the readings.

Readings on Malayan Union​

Make sure you take your own notes later from these slides. ​

​Early development of malaya nationalism before 1945

​1. The Malays were not happy with British rule. They were concerned about an increasing number of Chinese and Indians in Malaya who tried to obtain equal citizenship with the native Malays.

​2. There was also growing opposition to British who gave important posts to English-Educated Malays.

​3. They were also concerned about the economy being dominated⁴ by the Chinese and Indians.

​The Malayan Union

​Ø  When the British returned to Malaya in 1945, after the Second World War they felt that three types of government namely, the Straits Settlements, Federated Malay States and the Unfederated Malay States were no longer suitable. So the British decided to unite these three types of government under one central government.

Ø  This centralized government was to be known as the Malayan Union. 

​Reasons for the British proposal of the Malayan Union

​1. They wanted to create a strong, united country and prepare Malaya for self-government ⁷.

​2. They wanted to reduce administrative costs in governing Malaya separately.

​3. They wanted to give the non-Malays (Chinese and Indians) equal citizenship rights as the Malays as they had played an important role in the prosperity of Malaya.

​4. They wanted to protect their investments in Malaya which would be possible only if they had direct control over the whole of the Malay Peninsula.

​Features of the Malayan Union

​1.      The nine Malay States, Penang and Malacca were joined into a union known as the Malayan Union.

2.     Singapore was to remain a separate colony with her own governor.

3.     The Malayan Union was to have a centralized government at Kuala Lumpur.

4.     The head of the Malayan Union was a British Governor.

5.     The Governor of Malaya was given full power over all matters, assisted by an Executive Council and Legislative Council.

6.     The Sultans would lose all their political power but retain their titles, incomes and supreme authority over Islamic matters.

7.     All immigrants (Chinese and Indians) in Malaya would get citizenship easily and all citizens would have equal rights.

​Why was Singapore not included?

​·       If Singapore was included Chinese would outnumber the Malays in the Malayan Union.

·       Singapore also was an important military base of the British and so it was of great economic importance to the British.

​Reasons why the Malays protested against the Malayan Union

​1.    The British had not consulted ¹ the Sultans and native Malays before making such administrative changes in their country.

2.    The Sultan lost their political power and status.                   

3.    The non-Malays were given citizenship easily and would have equal rights as the Malays. This would mean that non-Malays could take over jobs reserved for them and finally also take over political control of Malaya.

4.    The Malays also angry that Harold MacMicheal obtained the signatures of Sultan by threats and not given enough time to study the proposal.

​Why were there criticisms about the granting of the rights of citizenship in the Malayan Union Constitution?

​1.    Because according to Malayan Union Constitution immigrants could become citizens of Malaya after a residential period of 10 yrs or more.

2.    This mean many Chinese would qualify to become citizens of Malaya.

3.    The Malays feared that the Chinese would outnumbered them. Malaya would cease to be Malay country.

4.     The Upper class Malays also feared the Chinese might compete with them for high administrative posts in government