1. Malaysia: Colonial Era / The Era of Emergency / Malayan Union
Malaysian Studies
Chapter 1:
Malaysia: Colonial Era / The Era of Emergency / Malayan Union

2. Colonization 5 different countries, 446 years
Changes our people – socially, culturally & economically
All the changes gave us the courage and will to rule our own country, once again

3. Colonization
Portuguese
Dutch
British
Siam
Japanese

4. Colonization PORTUGESE Malacca,1511-1641 130 years
Opposed by Malays in Malacca & Acheh
Traces – language (pro, anti-, mono-, poli-, auto-, supra) and dance

5. Colonization DUTCH Malacca, 1641-1824 183 years
Traces – none (focused on Indonesia)
Opposed by Malays and Bugis

6. Colonization BRITISH Malay Peninsula, 1824-1942, 1945-1957 130 years
Hugely influenced the people’s way of life (political, social, economic)
Opposed by everyone

7. Traces – Buddhist religion and art
Colonization
SIAM
States north of the Malay Peninsula – Perlis, Kedah & Kelantan,
88 years
Traces – Buddhist religion and art

8. Colonization JAPANESE Entire country, 1942-1945 3½ years
Greatly influenced the people esp. in relations between races
Opposed by the whole country

9. Important Events Acquisition of Penang Island 11 August 1786
Francis Light & Sultan Abdullah
Agreement
Kedah will be protected by British from Siam
Penang Island given to British
Result
First British colonized state in Peninsula Malaysia

10. Important Events Acquisition of Singapore 6 February 1819
Stamford Raffles
Exploiting the misunderstanding between Chief Military Officer Abd Rahman (Singapore) & Sultan Abdul Rahman (Riau)
Result
Another state colonized by the British

11. Important Events Anglo-Dutch Treaty, 1824 17 March 1824
British & Dutch
End rivalry between the two in the East
Result
Malay Archipelago split into 2
Reign of the Johor-Riau Empire ended
Shows that the destiny of this country was determined by foreign forces

12. Important Events
Before
After

13. The Era of Emergency Malayan Communist Party (MCP) Starts in 1920s
MCP’s objectives
Overthrow British
Establish Communist Republic of Malaya

14. Communism crept via Kuomintang Party
The Era of Emergency
Communism crept via Kuomintang Party
Underground movement
, MCP worked with the British to fight Japan through Malay People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA)

15. The Era of Emergency Japanese army surrendered in 1945
Opportunity seized by MCP to take over Malaya
They managed to do so for 14 days
The British returns on September 1945
The fight begins!

16. The Era of Emergency
MCP formed the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA) a.k.a the Three Stars
The three stars represents the 3 main races in Malaya – Malays, Chinese and Indians

17. The Era of Emergency
MCP also set up Min Yuen, a supply & public spy unit
Supplies – food and medical supplies, important information
Feared by the people – known to be very aggressive and brutal

18. The Era of Emergency How did we end it?
Declaration of Emergency and Emergency Laws
The Briggs Plan
Military measures
Psychological Warfare
The Baling Negotiation, 1955

19. The Era of Emergency Impact of Emergency
In 12 years ( ), many lives were lost:
MCP – 9,581, Civilians – 2,461, Security Force – 1,851
Injured – 1383, Missing – 807
*Numbers are the official recorded numbers*
Properties destroyed, crippled economy
Widened social gap among people
Worsened racial issue

20. This is one of the main reasons the British granted our independence
The Era of Emergency
Lessons
When we work together, we can overcome any difficulties and problems, peacefully
This is one of the main reasons the British granted our independence
We should not fight among ourselves when we’re fighting for the same reason

21. Latar Belakang Malayan Union
Selepas tamatnya Perang Dunia Kedua, British Kembali semula ke Tanah Melayu.
MATLAMAT
Menubuhkan sebuah negara bangsa.
Usaha terancang pihak British untuk menghapuskan budaya bangsa Melayu yang diwarisi sejak turun temurun.

22. The Malayan Union Started as replacement for the military rule
10th October 1945 – Malayan Union bill presented to the British Parliament
To rule all states of the Peninsular as one
Protect British’s economic interest in Malaya
Cut down administrative costs
1 April 1946 – officially inaugurated

23. The Malayan Union Key components in the Malayan Union
Made up of all states in Malaya - Singapore
British Governor assisted by Executive Council & Legislative Council
Malay Sultans powers & sovereignty are gone
“Jus Soli” (Sesiapa yang dilahirkan di Tanah Melayu dan Singapura berhak mendapat kewarganegaraan
Malayan Union)
Equal rights to all – voting rights & entry to government service

24. The Malayan Union Opposition to the Malayan Union
Easy granting of citizenship to non-Malays
Erosion of Malay Sultan’s powers & sovereignty
Sir Harold MacMichael
Former British officers such as Frank Swettenham, R.O. Winstedt, George Maxwell and Cecil Clementi Smith oppose the Malayan Union

25. Orang Melayu menentang MU
Mempertikai kan cara Sir Harold Mac Michael mendapatkan persetujuan daripada Raja-Raja Melayu
Sir Harold Mac Michael tidak memberikan masa kepada Raja-Raja Melayu untuk berunding seperti yang dilakukan kepada Sultan Perak
Raja- Raja Melayu bersetuju dengan Malayan Union berdasarkan dasar setia kawan kepada British
Sir Harold Mac Michael mengancam

26. The Failure of The Malayan Union
Strong opposition from the Malays
No strong support from the non-Malays
Wrong timing
Wrong introduction / execution
Opposition from former British officers
The Malayan Union dissolved in July 1946

27. Conclusion Malaysia was colonized for 446 long years
We were easily colonized because we didn’t improve ourselves to adapt to the new world
The Emergency Era gave us many important lessons on living in a unique country
The Malayan Union taught to be alert to changes around us

28. Conclusion
Apart from that, it also teaches us to be loyal to our Rulers and country
A comprehensive plan is needed to accommodate all of the people in our unique country

29. To be continued…