Decolonisation of British Malaya

Question 1

Anti-colonialism

Answer 1

Anticolonialism refers to the struggle against imperial rule in colonized countries, mostly during the first half of the twentieth century.

Question 2

Decolonisation

Answer 2

The action or process of a state withdrawing from a formal colony, leaving it independent. In Southeast Asia, this often occured after WWII with the rise of nationalism and a new perspective of home.

Question 3

Nationalism

Answer 3

A sense of national consciousness of being a seperate community as other nations, identifying with a community of people with shared experience, and are convinced by their shared destiny.

Question 4

Nation-states

Answer 4

A territory under one government in which citizens are not only an organised political community, but also united by things such as descent, language, culture, history, experiences, and destiny.

Question 5

Resistance

Answer 5

The refusal to accept or comply with something. Can result in use of force or violence to oppose someone, or an organisation that goes against authority.

Question 6

Sovereignty

Answer 6

The authority of a state to govern itself and to assume and enact authority within its boundaries.

Question 7

Independence

Answer 7

Freedom from being governed or ruled by an external force, such as a colonial power.

Question 8

State of Emergency

Answer 8

A situation of national danger or disaster, which often esults in the government suspending normal procedures, using a temporary system of rules to deal with the situation and regain control.

Question 9

Insurgency

Answer 9

An active revolt or uprising

Question 10

Self-determination

Answer 10

Right of a nation or people to determine its own form of government and destiny without external influences

Question 11

Atlantic Charter

Answer 11

The charter proclaimed the rights of all people to choose their own form of government and renounced the use of force in international relations. Such a proclamation revealed the Western colonialists’ (including the British) understanding that decolonisation was inevitable and that they had to in the near future be obliged to help and prepare the way for such a day.

Question 12

Myth about European superiority (WWII)

Answer 12

Japanese victory showed locals that western powers were not superior and undefeatable. Showed that Asian country could defeat a European colonial power, encouraging locals.

Question 13

Rift widened between ethnic groups (WWII)

Answer 13

The Japanese presented themselves as patrons to the Malays, but the Chinese were treated harshly because of the overseas Chinese aid to China where they supported Chinese troops in the Second Sino-Japanese War and WWII. Chinese also showed frequent aggression toward Japanese, for e.g. the MPAJA worked with the British to fend off the Japanese when they invaded.

Question 14

Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) (WWII)

Answer 14

Resistance army formed by the MCP whose main aim was to liberate Malaya from the Japanese. They had worked with the British to coordinate such efforts, but post-WWII would quickly reorganise themselves against the British as they sought to establish a communist Malaya.

Question 15

Rise of nationalist groups (WWII)

Answer 15

Malays sent to train in paramilitary organisations, such as the Pembela Tanah Air (PETA) and Kekuatan Rakyat Indonesia Istimewa (KRIS)

Question 16

Malayan Union Scheme (1946)

Answer 16

Malay states and the settlements of Penang and Malacca would come under a centralised government. Sultans to hand over political authority but retain control over religious matters. The scheme was a point of controversy as many local chiefs and Sultans were “rushed” into signing the agreement after WWII. The British had alleged that such dealings were amicable and “consultative”.

Question 17

Opposition of Malay Union Scheme (1946-1948)

Answer 17

British direct rule was set up through a central authority, but fears that Malays would lose their special privileges to the Chinese because of citizenship laws quickly arose. The UMNO, which only accepted Malay members, was formed at this time to lead Malay protests against the Malayan Union.

Question 18

Federation

Answer 18

It refers to a group of states with a central government but independence in internal affairs.

Question 19

Federation of Malaya (1948)

Answer 19

Formed in response to opposition against the Malayan Union by locals. Under the Federation of Malaya, political authority was restored back to the hands of the Sultans and chiefs. However, they had to take the advice of the British, who also retained control over defence and foreign affairs. Under this scheme, Malays continued to have automatic access to citizenship and enjoyed privileges while the Chinese had to pass stringent tests (e.g. Malay language and customs).

Question 20

All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA)

Answer 20

All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA), led by Tun Tan Cheng Lock presenting the MCA, with members from MIC to oppose the Federation of Malaya. These groups were frustrated by the terms of the Federation, which discriminated against minorities.

Question 21

Malayan Emergency

Answer 21

After WWII, the MCP (or CPM) organised strikes and use of propaganda to achieve their goals. From 1947, the MCP began attacking European mining and estate personnel. 3 estate managers were murdered on 16 Jun 1948, and two days later, a State of Emergency was declared; with the MCP declared illegal. This begins the starting an insurgency that latested 12 years.

Question 22

Briggs Plan (1950)

Answer 22

A resettlement plan devised by Sir Harold Briggs where Chinese squatters near jungles resettled into New Villages with barbed wire and police posts. This was in response to the guerilla tactics used by the MCP members which made it difficult for the British to overcome. Basic necessities and facilities were built in these villages with the aim of isolating communists. The plan was to stop them from getting supplies etc. and “starve them”, as well as preventing them from receiving information from the locals.

Question 23

Black area vs. White area

Answer 23

Black Areas and White Areas were created in September 1953 under the direction of Sir Gerald Templer. Black Areas, were areas in Malaya that represented high-risk environments for anti-colonial “terrorist” activity (e.g. Johor). These spatial zones were subject to a variety of repressive government policies, including but not limited to curfews, food restrictions and travel bans. White Areas, however, saw the relaxing of some repressive restrictions enacted under the Emergency orders – mainly curfews and food controls – it was also meant to symbolise to the public the benefits of resisting communism and working closely with the colonial authorities.

Question 24

Min Yuen

Answer 24

The Min Yuen was the civilian branch of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA), MCP. In resisting the British colonial occupation of Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, the Min Yuen was mainly charged with supplying communist revolutionaries with food, information, and medical supplies. Many communist sympathisers worked alongside these official Min Yuen members in the villages.

Question 25

Municipal Elections

Answer 25

Elections held for local government in a town or city - e.g. KL Municipal Elections took place in 1952, where UMNO and MCA won 9/12 seats

Question 26

Mandate

Answer 26

Refers to the authority to carry out a policy, regarded as given by the electorate to a party or candidate that wins an election.The Alliance was given authority from the people (i.e. “mandate) when they won 51/52 seats in the 1955 Elections - eventually leading to independence as the British recognised that different races can cooperate e.g. inter-communal cooperation. Alliance consists of MCA, MIC, UMNO.

Question 27

Merdeka

Answer 27

Literally translates to independence or freedom

Question 28

Bumiputra

Answer 28

Literally translates to sons of the land; often associated with bumiputra rights i.e. special privileges given to natives of the land (Malays)

Question 29

Merdeka Mission (1956)

Answer 29

Tunku Abdul Rahman led representatives to London to persuade the British government to grant independence to Malaya. Agreed to remove British advisors and call for a commission to prepare Malaya for independence.

Question 30

Reid Commision (1956)

Answer 30

Commission led by Lord WIlliam Reid to study how and on what terms should Malaya be granted independence. It proposed drafts for a constitution of Malaya, specifically addressing the special position of Malays as well as issues regarding language and citizenship. These recommendations were revisited by Alliance members later, with changes accepted. (e.g. making Malaya a secular country with Islam as official religion)

Question 31

Bumiputra

Answer 31

Sons of the land or the soil - refers to the indigenous Malays

Question 32

Chin Peng

Answer 32

Chin Peng was a Malayan communist politician and the long-time leader of the Malayan Communist Party

Question 33

Sir Harold McMichael

Answer 33

Pressured the sultans into agreeing with the Malayan Union Scheme in 1946

Question 34

Tunku Abdul Rahman

Answer 34

Malayan nationalist leader and party leader of the UMNO, after the resignation of Dato’ Onn Bin Jaafar. Gained British confidence that the three races can work together and led the Baling Talks to end hostilities in order to cut the drain on resources. He led talks in 1956 through the Merdeka Mission to prepare for Malayan independence. He became the first Prime Minister of Malaya in 1957.

Question 35

Dato Onn Bin Jaafar

Answer 35

Chief Minister of Johor, started the Peninsula Malay Movement in Jan 1946 to defend the rights of Malays, and eventually became the first chairperson of the UMNO.

Question 36

Tun Dato Sri Tan Cheng Lock

Answer 36

Founded the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) aiming to unite the Chinese and protect their political and economic rights. Led All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) to protest against terms charted in the Federation of Malaya (1948).

Question 37

General Sir Gerald Templer

Answer 37

Higher Commissioner to Malaya (Feb, 1952) and also Director Of Operations for Emergency efforts. His strategy was to use propaganda to capture the “hearts and minds” of people, now that the “fighting” has been done and containment policies are in place via the Briggs Plan. He worked on offering rewards to those who surrendered (and granted amnesty) or exposed communists. Under his leadership, a Member System was also put in place to grant local contribution and experience in politics and decision making.

Question 38

Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Answer 38

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, also known as the Supreme Head, Supreme Head of the Federation, Paramount Ruler or King, is the constitutional monarch and head of state of Malaysia. This title rotates across the various Sultans of the Malay states.