THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA

1. THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA 16TH SEPTEMBER 1963

2. THE MERGING PLAN • The idea to unite Malaysia with neighbouring countries was raised several times. • Merger of Singapore suggested in 1955 by David Marshall – rejected by Tunku Abdul Rahman. • Lee Kuan Yew proposed the idea again in 1959 – unfavorable respond.

3. THE MERGING PLAN • 27th May 1961: Tunku Abdul Rahman suggested the merger of Malaya with: - Singapore - North Borneo: Sabah - Sarawak - Brunei

4. “Free through unification” was the main general factor of the proposal.

5. REASONS • Political Reasons • To curb communist threat • To boost and accelerate the independence of Brunei, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. • To create racial harmony

6. REASONS • Economy • To boost regional economy for people and countries • Social - To create Malaysian nation new identity based on shared cultural heritage

7. REACTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL • Tunku’s proposal triggered different reactions from the people in the five countries. Singapore • Lee Kuan Yew welcomed the idea. • However, there was a strong opposition from left-wing leaders: United People’s Party (UPP).

8. Singapore • People Action Party (PAP) lost in 2 by-elections (1961). • Lee Kuan Yew more determined to merge.

9. Brunei • Initially people not so keen. • Preferred Brunei to achieve own independence before joining Malaysia. • Some agreed to the idea of merging. • Sultan Omar Ali Sarifuddin was interested and thought the idea was excellent.

10. Brunei • Strong resistant came from A.M. Azahari – leader of Parti Rakyat Brunei. • Own suggestion: to unite Sabah and Sarawak with Brunei. • Staged armed revolution in December 1962 but controlled by Sultan with British’s help.

11. Sabah and Sarawak • Received encouraging response from the people. • Merging meant independence. • Communist threat could be controlled. • Contributed to racial balance.

12. Sabah and Sarawak • Worried about Malayan dominance, not fairly treated by the Malayan people. • Non-Malays worried about the status of own religion and language. • Sabahan and Sarawakian Chinese worried about the economic competition with Singaporean Chinese.

13. Malaya (Tanah Melayu) • Support for merging was generally acceptable. • Some were skeptical: worried the imbalance of Malay-Chinese ratio. • Inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak relieved them.

14. Malaya (Tanah Melayu) • PAS leaders claimed Malays would lose out if agreed to the idea – more interested with MAPHILINDO plan.

15. Britain • Despite losing their colony, overall they agreed. • Issue of awarding independence repeatedly raised by British officers. • Received support from British officers and the people. • Several obstacles emerged in the discussion

16. Britain • Tunku and peers had to convince the British in settling their concerns. • Plan almost spoilt: Governors of Sabah and Sarawak claimed people wanted to unite first before merge. • Cobbold Commission was formed to assess the opinion of people

17. TOWARDS THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA

18. Harmony Entourage to Sabah and Sarawak (June 1961) • Tunku wanted the people to understand the merging concept. • Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Sarawak People’ Party (SNAP) and Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA) expressed opposition.

19. Harmony Entourage to Sabah and Sarawak (June 1961) • United National Kadazan Organization (UNKO)’s leader: Donald Stephens publicly rejected the idea. • Tunku promised to give considerable autonomy to lead.

20. 2. Visit to Brunei (July 1961) • A.M. Azahari and his party not interested in merging idea. • Sultan formed special committee to assess public’s opinion.

21. 3. Singapore Conference (August 1961) • Should be decided by the people. • Singapore hold autonomy powers in education and labour. • Central government responsible for defense, internal security. • A referendum showed than more than 70% people agreed to merger.

22. 4. Borneo States’ Meeting (November 1961) • A meeting to discuss Borneo’s status as British colony. • To assess the people’s reaction towards the merging idea. • It too widened English-Malaya defence treaty to protect South East Asia from communism threats. • Proposal to assist to review Sultan Brunei’s opinion and to maintain British military base in Singapore.

23. 5. Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee (Middle 1961) • Was formed when most Borneo’s leaders expressed skepticism. • Meeting held to relay true intention and reasons of merging. • Received strong support.

24. 6. Cobbold Commission (August 1962) • Was formed to assess the feelings of the Sabahans and Sarawakians. • Committee consisted 2 British and 2 Malaysian. • Found 70% accepted the idea.

25. 7. Inter Government Committee (August 1962) • Was formed to plan the legislative of the new country. • Was headed by Lord Landsdowne. • Analyzed important matters – the report was accepted by committee as basis to formulate Malaysia.

26. 8. Singapore’s Referendum • Amidst opposition, PAP restore people’s confidence in merging by mentioning these matters: - promised the people not losing status of citizenship. - better international economic prospects.

27. 8. Singapore’s Referendum - easier to curb communist threat. • Referendum had shown 70% accepted the merging

28. 9. United Nation’s Mission (June 1963) • To assess the acceptance of the Sabahans and Sarawakians. • Tunku met President Sukarno and President Macapagal to explicate the idea. • Convinced them – the people agreed and accepted the idea.

29. 9. United Nation’s Mission (June 1963) • Referendum reflected positive reaction from the people – authenticate Cobbold’s report. • Despite this, Indonesia unwilling to back down on opposition.

30. FORMATION OF MALAYSIA AND ITS OBSTACLES

31. Malaysia Without Brunei • Brunei’s initial strong wish to join Malaysia did not become a reality. • Due to wishes not fulfilled:

32. Malaysia Without Brunei • Brunei given at least 10 parliamentary seats. • Autonomy on oil trade • Autonomy in financial • Maintain all investments

33. Malaysia Without Brunei • Maintain low tax rates • Continue own education and welfare programme • Security guaranteed • HRH seniority backdated to the date becoming Sultan not the date Brunei joining Malaysia

34. Malaysia Without Brunei • Although 6 wishes fulfilled, Sultan decided not to sign agreement. • A lost for Peninsula Malaysia and London.

35. External Resistant • Two countries opposed to the formation of Malaysia.

36. The Philippines • The Philippines claimed Sabah as a part of her. • Although the people of Sabah agreed with the merging, Philippines continued to contest. • Broke diplomatic relation.

37. Indonesia • President Sukarno declared confrontation on Malaysia (Ganyang Malaysia). • Reason: Malaya was not consulting her (as a neighbouring country) • The formation of Malaysia might weaken the spirit of Malays.

38. Indonesia • Launched military confrontation. • 1965: Sukarno was overthrown, replaced by General Suharto • August 1966: peace agreement was signed.

39. WITHDRAWAL OF SINGAPORE • Polarization between Malays and Chinese became obvious. • Election 1964: claim of Lee Kuan Yew – belittling MCA leaders. • Create conflict between MCA and PAP and UMNO - leaders and people

40. WITHDRAWAL OF SINGAPORE • Idea of campaign: all Chinese must support PAP to compel UMNO agreed to PAP’s demand. • Racist campaigning created tension led to riot. • 27th April 1965: Lee Kuan Yew launched “Malaysia for Malaysian”.

41. WITHDRAWAL OF SINGAPORE • Malays angry: proposed “Melayu Bersatu”. • Tan Siew Sin and T.H. Tan proposed Singapore to withdraw. • 7th August 1965: agreement of withdrawal was signed. • 9th August 1965: Singapore officially withdrew and formed a Republic