The Malayan Union and its Impact
THE Malayan Union, which the British Labour Government inaugurated in post-war Malaya on April 1, 1945, lasted slightly more than two years. Although it was a shortlived constitutional experiment, it led to dramatic political developments.In present-day Malaysian history textbooks, the Malayan Union is regarded as having awakened political activity, and heightened ethnic consciousness and nationalism among the peninsula’s different ethnic groups.For the Malays, their opposition to the Malayan Union led to the birth of the United Malays National Organisation or Umno – which was inaugurated on May 11, 1946 in Johor Baru – and the emergence of Datuk Onn Jaafar as its first president.
Umno obtained support from all strata of Malay society in opposing the Malayan Union – the aristocrats, the radical Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (Malay Nationalist Party or MNP), Islamic groups, civil servants, rural leaders like the penghulus (village heads), and even the police and ex-service personnel.
Umno opposed the Malayan Union because it restricted the Malay rulers’ powers and Malay special privileges, and granted citizenship and equal rights to non-Malays who qualified on birth, residential and other terms.
Umno demanded a return to the prewar political structures, set up in the Malay states according to treaties signed with the Malay rulers under which the British “protected” the Malay states and advised the rulers in all matters except Islam and Malay customs.
The protests and demonstrations against the Malayan Union saw Malay women breaking tradition by joining marches and carrying placards. Many Malays wrapped white cloth around their songkok (cap) as a symbol of mourning. Umno urged Malay civil servants to boycott the Malayan Union government by refusing to carry out any work. Also at Umno’s urging, the Malay rulers boycotted Sir Edward Gent’s inauguration as Malayan Union governor.
Non-Malays were also prompted to fight for their rights, and organised political parties such as the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) and the Malayan Democratic Union, which came under an umbrella organisation – the All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) – headed by prominent Chinese leader Tan Cheng Lock.
Several trade unions and women’s groups aligned with the then semi-legal Communist Party of Malaya also joined the AMCJA.
For the first time, politics during the Malayan Union led to the formation of a multi-racial alliance between the non-Malay AMCJA and the Malay-based Pusat Tenaga Raayat (Putera), a coalition under the MNP’s leadership that comprised its youth and women wings, and Malay cultural bodies.
Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmy became Putera-AMCJA president, with Tan as deputy president.
This followed the MNP’s departure from Umno over differences regarding Umno’s flag. The MNP decided to team up with the AMCJA to fight for an independent United Malaya with equal citizenship for all, and an elected Parliament in which the Malay rulers would become constitutional monarchs.
The coalition’s parties also agreed that Malay would be the national language, and all citizens would be known as “Melayu” nationals.
The proposed “Melayu” nationality was controversial, but it was quite different from bangsa Melayu and was not a racial but a national identity. The Malays opposed the term “Malayan” because it was associated with the Malayan Union, so Putera’s non-Malay partners agreed not to use it. At the same time, the term “Malaysian” did not yet exist.
The AMCJA-Putera “People’s Constitution” which incorporated these points was a blueprint for Malaya’s future.
Many observers were surprised that Chinese and pro-communist groups were willing to make such major concessions to accommodate the MNP’s Malay nationalism, and equally surprised that the MNP was willing to accept non-Malays as equal citizens if they demonstrated their loyalty to Malaya.
However, the British government rejected the AMCJA-Putera proposals, and decided to concede instead to the demands of Umno and the Malay rulers. The British were not yet ready to grant self-government and independence and attempted to negotiate a deal that would not endanger its political, economic and military interests.
Umno and the Malay rulers had taken up their grievances with the Colonial Office in London by writing petitions to British members of Parliament and waging a public relations campaign.
This followed the MNP’s departure from Umno over differences regarding Umno’s flag. The MNP decided to team up with the AMCJA to fight for an independent United Malaya with equal citizenship for all, and an elected Parliament in which the Malay rulers would become constitutional monarchs.
The coalition’s parties also agreed that Malay would be the national language, and all citizens would be known as “Melayu” nationals.
The proposed “Melayu” nationality was controversial, but it was quite different from bangsa Melayu and was not a racial but a national identity. The Malays opposed the term “Malayan” because it was associated with the Malayan Union, so Putera’s non-Malay partners agreed not to use it. At the same time, the term “Malaysian” did not yet exist.
The AMCJA-Putera “People’s Constitution” which incorporated these points was a blueprint for Malaya’s future.
Many observers were surprised that Chinese and pro-communist groups were willing to make such major concessions to accommodate the MNP’s Malay nationalism, and equally surprised that the MNP was willing to accept non-Malays as equal citizens if they demonstrated their loyalty to Malaya.
However, the British government rejected the AMCJA-Putera proposals, and decided to concede instead to the demands of Umno and the Malay rulers. The British were not yet ready to grant self-government and independence and attempted to negotiate a deal that would not endanger its political, economic and military interests.
Umno and the Malay rulers had taken up their grievances with the Colonial Office in London by writing petitions to British members of Parliament and waging a public relations campaign.
They received support from prominent former British government officers like Sir Richard Winstedt and Sir Frank Swettenham.
The British finally agreed to the Malay demands for the return of sovereignty to the Malay rulers, and a tightening of citizenship laws for Chinese, Indians and others. In return, Umno and the Malay rulers agreed to the British proposal to set up the Federation of Malaya as a mutually acceptable frame of government to replace the Malayan Union.
Dr Cheah Boon Kheng is a retired professor of history of Universiti Sains.
CONCLUSION : Between the pure and the internalize the lessons of life based on the practice of collaboration in life is national security be guaranteed by the existence of a cohesive society. Unity with each other will create a peaceful, no problem misunderstandings resulting welfare is threatened.
Resources:
Link: http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/echoes_of_the_past/the_malayan_union_and_its_impact.html
Faktor – faktor penubuhan
The British finally agreed to the Malay demands for the return of sovereignty to the Malay rulers, and a tightening of citizenship laws for Chinese, Indians and others. In return, Umno and the Malay rulers agreed to the British proposal to set up the Federation of Malaya as a mutually acceptable frame of government to replace the Malayan Union.
Dr Cheah Boon Kheng is a retired professor of history of Universiti Sains.
CONCLUSION : Between the pure and the internalize the lessons of life based on the practice of collaboration in life is national security be guaranteed by the existence of a cohesive society. Unity with each other will create a peaceful, no problem misunderstandings resulting welfare is threatened.
Resources:
Link: http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/echoes_of_the_past/the_malayan_union_and_its_impact.html
Faktor – faktor penubuhan Malaysia
Pembentukkan Malaysia ditubuhkan di atas faktor – faktor tertentu. Antara faktor – faktor tersebut ialah mengelak ancaman dan pengaruh komunis, memberi kemerdekaan kepada Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei dan Singapura, kemajuan ekonomi bersama, mempercepatkan proses kemerdekaan, dan menjaga kepentingan kaum bumiputera.
- Mengelak ancaman dan pengaruh komunis.
Sebab utama penubuhan Malaysia ialah untuk menentang kegiatan komunis yang kian bertambah di Singapura dan situasi politik pada tahun 1950–an. Ejen – ejen komunis telah meresap masuk ke sekolah cina dan kesatuan sekerja. Pada tahun 1954, komunis telah menganjurkan satu permogokan di sebuah syarikat bas. Mogok ini merebak menjadi rusuhan.Selain itu, Parti Tindakan Rakyat ( People’s Action Party – PAP ) di bawah pimpinan Lee Kuan Yew yang memerintah Singapura waktu itu sedang mengalami kemerosotan akibat komunis yang merampas pucuk pimpinan PAP. Fenomena ini dapat dilihat apabila PAP kalah dalam pilihan raya kecil di kawasan Hong Lim kepada Ong Eng Guan dari Parti Rakyat Singapura ( United People’s Party – UPP )pada bulan Mei 1961 dan pilihan raya di kawasan Anson kepada Parti Buruh pada bulan Julai 1961. Akibatnya, Lee Kuan Yew mengusir golongan berhaluan kiri dari PAP.
Pengaruh komunis turut berkembang sehingga satu parti berhaluan komunis iaitu Barisan Sosialis dibawah pimpinan Lim Chin Siong ditubuhkan. Keadaan ini telah membimbangkan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu dari segi urusan politik dan ekonomi sekiranya PAP digulingkan. Tunku Abdul Rahman bimbang komunis meresap masuk ke Tanah Melayu. Diharapkan dengan gagasan Malaysia, hasrat komunis menguasai Singapura gagal dan seterusnya dapat menyekat pengaruh mereka.
- Memberi kemerdakaan kepada Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei dan Singapura.
Melalui penubuhan Persekutuan Malaysia, negeri – negeri seperti Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, dan Singapura akan mendapat kemerdekaan yang lebih awal daripada yang dijangkakan. Ini memandangkan negara- negara berkenaan masih lagi berada di bawah penjajahan British sewaktu cadagan ini ditimbulkan. Dalam hal ini, Sabah dan Sarawak diletakkan dalam status cadagan negeri jajahan, manakala Singapura dan Brunei diletakkan sebagai negeri naungan.
Pada tahun 1951, Liga Belia Demokratik Cina Seberang Laut yang berhaluan komunis ditubuhkan tetapi dibubakan semasa Darurat. Walau bagaimanapun, satu pertubuhab komunis sulit iaitu Persatuan Belia maju Sarawak telah bergerak di kalangan kesatuan sekerja, pelajar dan petani. Mereka menghasut masyarakat Cina menengtang British. Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak ( SUPP ) telah dipengaruhi oleh komunis. Lalu, kerajaan British melancarkan operasi pisang untuk menyekat pengaruh komunis dalam SUPP tetapi gagal. Diharapkan melalui gagasan ini, kestabilan politik yang diperolehi dapat menentang ancaman komunis.
Tunku Abdul Rahman percaya dengan menbawa masuk Sabah, Sarawak ke dalam Malaysia akan lebih memudahkan dan menpercepatkan kenerdekaan dua wilayah ini. Di samping itu, kaum buniputera boleh menikmati layanan yang lebih baik apabila menyertai Persekutuan sebagaimana yang dinikmati oleh orang Melayu di Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.
Selain itu, Penubuhan Malaysia juga bertujuan mengimbangi jumlah penduduk. Tunku Abdul Rahman menjangkakan Sabah, Sarawak, dan Brunei kalau digabungkan dengan Tanah Melayu akan membawa kepada faedah sosial. Penggabungan Tanah Melayu denagn Singapura menimbulkan masalah ketidakseimbangan kaum. Hal ini disebabkan ¾ daripada penduduk Singapura berbangsa Cina. Kemasukkan Sabah, Sarawak dan Brunei akan mengimbangi kadar kaum – kaum kerana 70% daripada Borneo Utara ialah bumiputera.
- Kemajuan ekonomi bersama.
Melalui Persekutuan Malaysia, negara-negara anggota akan dapat mengadakan kerjasama ekonomi dan perdagangan untuk faedah bersama. Secara tidak lansung, negara-negara anggota yang kaya dengan sumber ekonomi boleh membantu negara-negara anggota yang miskin dan kekurangan sumber ekonomi. Menurut Tunku, apa yang penting melalui Persekutuan Malaysia ialah ia dapat membantu mempertingkatkan pembangunan ekonomi. Ini kerana Sabah dan Sarawak ialah negeri yang masih mundur manakal Tanah Melayu, Singapura dan Brunei ialah negeri-negeri yang kaya. Dengan ini, kekayaan di negeri-negeri yang kaya akan dipindahkan ke negeri-negeri yang mundur untuk membiayai projek pembangunan. Ini kerana Tanah Melayu kaya dengan sumber bahan mentah seperti bijih timah, manakala Brunei pula kaya dengan sumber minyaknya.Pelabuhan Singapura pula akan lebih selamat sekiranya menyartai Persekutuan Malaysia.
- Mempercepatkan proses kemerdekaan.
Penubuhan gagasan Malaysia bertujuan mempercepatkan proses kemerdekaan bagi Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei dan Singapura. British berjanji akan memberi kemerdekaan yang lebih awal sekiranya Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei dan Singapura bergabung dengan Tanah Melayu bagi membentuk Malaysia. Penggabungan ini juga akan menamatkan penjajahan British di rantau ini dan menjamin kedaulatan dan keselamatan wilayah-wilayah itu daripada ancaman kuasa luar.
Pemberian kemerdekaan yang lebih cepat dapat mengelakkan hasrat komunis untuk bertapak di Tanah Melayu dan di negeri-negeri yang terlibat . Sekiranya negeri tersebut tidak diberi kemerdekaan , British bimbang gagasan malaysia akan dipengaruhi oleh komunis dan kepentingan ekonomi dan sosial pada masa akan datang akan hilang . Selain itu , british juga bimbang tentang keselamatan pelabuhan british di asia tenggara . British juga bimbang akan kuasa luar yang ingin menakluki Brunei , Sabah , Sarawak dan Singapura .
- Menjaga kepentingan kaum bumiputera.
Pembentukkan Persekutuan yang terdiri daripada Tanah Melayu, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei dan Singapura juga dalah untuk menjaga kepentingan dan kedudukan kaum bumiputera. Menurut Tunku Abdul Rahman, gagasan pembentukkan Malaysia perlu menggabungkan wilayah-wilayah Borneo seperti Sabah, Sarawak dan Brunei bukan hanya terhad kepada Tanah Melayu dan Singapura sahaja. Jika Tanah Melayu dan Singapura sahaja bercantum, ini akan menghilangkan majoriti penduduk Melayu. Ini kerana Singapura mempunyai 80% pendudduk bukan Melayu dan apabila bercantum dengan penduduk Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, penduduk bukan Melayu akan menjadi golongan terbesar. Percantuman antara Tanah Melayu dengan Singapura sahaja akan menjadikan peratusan masyarakat Cina menjadi 43.5%, sementara orang Melayu menjadi 43%. Ini kerana anggaran peratusan penduduk Tanah Melayu pada tahun 1960, adalah kira-kira 50% dan 36.9% orang Cina. Justeru , apabila penduduk Sabah dan Sarawak diambil kira, bilangan kaum bumiputera termasuk orang Melayu akan menjadi 46.3%, sementara orang Cina menjadi 42.4%. ini bermaksud, kemasukan Sabah dan Sarawak membolehkan kumpulan orang Melayu dan bumuputera kekal sebagai kumpulan terbesar.
Ulasan : Peristiwa penubuhan Malaysia memberi pengajaran kepada bakal pemimpin pada masa akan datang agar vtidak mementingkan diri dalam segala hal , sebaliknya kepentingan semua pihak perlu diamlbil kira . Dalam peristiwa ini , pemimpin Persekutuan Tanah Melayu tidak mementingkan diri , sebaliknya bersedia berkongsi kekayaan dan kemakmuran negara dengan wilayah wilayah jiran yang masih dalam taklukan penjajah.
Sumber : Pengajian Malaysia - Proses Pembentukan Malaysia
Penulis :
No comments:
Post a Comment