SEA; MALAYSIA Flashcards
What was the democratic form adopted by govt upon independence?
illiberal democracy
similarities between Malaysia and Singapore
1) Both British colonies were provided political tutelage
2) Political elite of both countries were western educated
3) Both faced threats from left wing, communists groups
4) Racial issues posed the biggest threat to political stability
When was the Malayan union scheme talked about?
1946
What was the Malayan union scheme?
British promised citizenship rights to Chinese and Indian immigrants who wanted to stay in Malaysia 1946
What was the outcome of the Malayan union scheme?
Outpouring of outrage amongst Malays as they were worried that immigrant communities may become political threat and this led to the formation of United Malay National Organisation (UMNO)
When was the Malayan Union Scheme dropped?
1948
citizenship rights for immigrants were tightened
When was the Malayan communist party banned?
1948
they fled to the jungle which led to the Malayan Emergency
Formation of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA)
1949
they were anti-communist Chinese businessmen
When was the first election?
1952
an evidence of British political tutelage
Who was the alliance party was made up of? How many seats did they win in the 1952 election?
The alliance party was a coalition made up of UMNO, MCA, MIC and they won 9 out of 11 seats
When were the next elections after 1952 and how many seats did the Alliance Party win?
1955, they won 51 out of 52 seats
What sort of monarchy was Malaysia and who ran it?
Constitutional monarchy led by Yang di-Pertuan Agong (head of state of Malaysia)
it was rotated amongst the 9 sultans of Malaysia
What is the best way to take care of each racial community’s interests?
Racial/ communal politics
which is politics along racial lines
What was the pricinple adopted regarding race?
“Avoidance principle”
they were private dicussions rather than open debate
Article 153
What was the bargain established in the Meredeka constitution?
Political dominance of the Malays in exchange for Chinese economic dominance
malays also wanted dominance in civil service and educational institutions
When was independence?
31 August 1957
Who was the political leader post independence?
Tunku Abdul Rahman
He was a british educated lawyer
How was the political system like post independence?
Due to sufficient political tutelage the political system was stable and the saw the alliance party dominate
comfortable wins for the alliance party in 1959 and 1964
Who were the challenges to the Alliance party?
These parties were far more radical than the parties in the alliance.
Democratic Action Prty (DAP)
Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
DAS fought for increased rights for the Chinese and challenged Malay rights
PAS argued for Malayasia to be an islamic state, challenged UMNO as the defender of Malay rights
1969
what were the results of the general elections?
The alliance party won 51.39% of the seats this is down from the 85.58% in 1964
PAS–> 8.33%
DAP–> 9.03%
When was the racial riots?
May 1969
What led to the outbreak of the racial riots
the trigger
Celebration of electoral results
What were the results of the racial riots?
May 1969
Decleration of state of emergency by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Malaysian parliament suspended and replaced by the National Operations Council
led to the resignation of Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1970
Who was Tunku Abdul Rahman replaced by in 1970 after the racial clashes in May 1969?
His deputy Tunku Abdul Razak
When was democracy restored?
February 1971
Movement towards maximum govt
Why did they pass the constitution amendment act?
entrench special position of the Malays using constituitional processes for political stability
What is the Bumiputera policy?
It is the quota set aside in universities, civil service and this special position is non-negotiable
Why was the New Economic Policy passed?
It was to uplift the malay population economically
very successful
Co-opting the opposition
When was the Barisan Nasional (BN) formed?
It was formed in 1973
they expanded the alliance to include some of it’s previous opponents
such as PAS
Was the strategy of co-opting the opposition successful?
Extremely successful, BN won 87.66% of seats in 1974 elections
Who became PM after Tunku Abdul Razak?
Mahathir Mohamad
Unlike the previous PMs, he was not affiliated to the monarchy
When was there a gradual increase in the political assertiveness of the Sultans’?
Late 1970s to early
What did Mahatir do about the political assertiveness of the sultans?
He led the government to remove the rights of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to veto legislatin + removed sultan’s immunity from criminal persecution
Who are the people/ group clashing within the UMNO?
Mahathir’s Team A vs. Tunku Razaleigh Hamzah’s S46’s Team B
Why did the court declare UMNO as illegal?
Due to the split within the party, leading to Mahathir to form UMNO Baru
How did Mahathir crush his opponents
through this he helped to maintain political stability
Mahathir used the internal security act (detention without trial)
When was Malaysia on the verge of another racial riot and political crisis and what are the consequences
1987: Operation Lalang-arrest of activicians and politicians
In 1988 how did Mahathir revamp the judicial system?
Mahathir sacked several senior judges (including the chief justice) eho challenged him (removing another layer of checks and balances)
How did they resolve the communist threat
the MCP (Malaysian communist party)
Helped by the British- Emergency declared by 1948-1960
MCP fled to thailand in the 1960s and received aid from the PRC, but not close to threatening the govt
1971: Five Power Defence agreement between UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia-bolstered defence capabilities in dealing with communist uprisings
Late 1980s: MCP surrendered
Role of military
No political role
It played no role in the decolonisation process and hence was not a political force at all
Govt had firm control over the military- role strictly limited to defense of nation
