The voices calling for independence
have long been heard. Unfortunately after Japanese surrender on
15 August 1945 after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
British colonialists came to the Malay Peninsular with the
intention of turning it into a colony.
In the Malay Peninsular, the
official power hand over from the Japanese to the British was
sanctioned on 22 February 1946 in Victoria Institution, Kuala
Lumpur. The British had
introduced the Malayan Union that offers equal rights in terms of
citizenship issues to all residents without considering race
and loyalty to the country. The election of Tunku Abdul Rahman
Putra in taking after Dato' Onn Jaafar who has resigned as the
Yang Dipertua of Umno on 26 August 1951 clearly lead to a
new era for the fight for independence.
It was soon clear that Malayan
Union brought forth deprivation and ostracizing the rights of
the Malays and indigenous bumiputra as the original settlers
of the country, as well as affecting the institution and
functions of the Malay rulers. Thus the British's initiation
of the Malayan Union received great oppositions from
the Malays as well as from the Council of Rulers. Datuk Onn
gathered 200 Malay representatives from the Pan-Malayan Malay
Congress on 1 - 4 March 1946 at the Sultan Sulaiman Club,
Kuala Lumpur. A committee made of delegates such as Dato Onn
Jaafar, Dato Panglima Bukit Gantang, Dato Nik Ahmad Kamil, Dato
Hamzah Abdullah and En. Zainal Abidin (Za'ba) was created.
The congress soon agreed with the
decision to form an organisation named United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO) or Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu
(PEKEMBAR) which will be presented in the future congress. In
the 3rd Pan-Malayan Malay Congress held in Johor Bharu, Dato'
Onn Jaafar soon announced the formation of UMNO on 11 May
1946. The purpose of the formation is to path the way for
Malaya's independence and sovereignty, to develop and preserve
the rights of the Malays and Malayans, to safeguard and defend
the religion and traditions of the Malays as well as the position
of the
sovereignty of the Malay rulers.
Their opposition succeeded in
altering the Malayan Union to the Federal Agreement which was
signed by the appointed Malay rulers on 21 January 1948 in
returning the Malaya Peninsular to the Malays; the sovereignty
of the rulers, preserved rights of the Malays as
well as citizenship. The struggle of the Malays succeeded in
forming the Federation of Malaya which consisted of 9 Malay
states which are Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Negeri
Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, and the Straits
Settlements of Pulau Pinang and Malacca. It is lead by a
British High Commissioner who has executive power and is
assisted and advised by the Majlis Mesyuarat Kerja Persekutuan
and the Majlis Mesyuarat
Undangan Persekutuan.
The position of the Council of
Rulers was given a better status including acting out the duty of
advising the High Commissioner regarding the underlying
principles of the Federation of
Malaya. The position of Resident was replaced by a Menteri Besar.
While the prerequisites for citizenship was tightened through
enforced laws and neutralized through application.
A step is closer for
the Malays to move forward in full unity to achieve
independence for Malaya. UMNO was guided by many great leaders
such as Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tun Abdul Razak, Ghaffar Baba, Dr.
Ismail, Aziz Ishak, Sardon Jubir and others who path the way
towards independence. The election of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in
taking after Dato' Onn Jaafar who has resigned as the Yang
Dipertua of Umno on 26 August 1951 clearly lead to a new era
for the fight for independence.
The struggle of the
Malays which had begun for a century since the fall of the
Malacca Sultanate saw the Malay people and the state monarchs
or local leaders relentlessly trying to restore the dignity of
their race and country. Their oppositions first began in
guerrilla warfare which were instigated by former members of
the Malacca Sultanate (1511) and Johor Sultanate, Raja Haji
(1782), Dol Said (1831), Datuk Maharaja Lela, Datuk Sagor
(1875), Datuk Bahaman, Mat Kilau (1891), Tok Janggut (1914),
Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong (1928), Datu Mat Salleh (1894),
Sharif Mashahor (1860), Rentap (1853) and others.
Another form of resistance by
the Malays in the pursuit of independence in the early 1900s were
initiated by religious groups such as Syed Syeikh al-Hadi,
Syeikh Tahir Jalaluddin, Hizbul Muslimin movement, Gunung
Semanggol religious centre, followed by Syeikh Abdullah
Fahim, a religious teacher in Kepala Batas in the 1930s as well
as Malay teachers particularly from Sultan Idris Training
College.
The struggle that follows took
a new form through the pen and ink. Who comprises of Malay
novelists, story writers, poets and reporters particularly
from Utusan Melayu that gave much exposure regarding the fight
for freedom from colonialists. Among its pioneers were Zainal
Abidin Ahmad (Za'ba), A. Rahim Kajai, Ibrahim Yaakob, Ishak
Haji Mohamad, Ahmad Boestamam, Usman Awang, Shahnon Ahmad and many
more with some becoming fugitives from the British as well as
thrown in jail. Indeed when we track over the roots of the
fight for independence, it is apparent that it was path with
sweat, blood and tears.
Moving towards achieving
independence
While the undercurrent of
awareness in the fight for independence is strong, the
British
became worried should the Malays shift their support to the left
parties such as the National Malay Party of Malaya, Young
Malays Union, Aware Youth Movement, Conscious Women Movement
and Malayan Communist Party. Because of that, when
the Alliance Party, UMNO and MCA began to place insurmountable
amount of pressure upon the British to have a general
election, they have no choice but to give in.
The first Federal Election was
held on 27 July 1955. Several parties such as UMNO, MCA,
MIC, Nation Party, PAS and Labour Party took part for the 52
chairs contested. At the same time, to show a commitment
towards independence for all, UMNO cooperated with MCA (which
was formed on 27 February 1949) and MIC (formed in August
1946) to establish the Alliance Party in dealing with the
election.
The result of that they
succeeded in winning 51 chairs from the 52 chairs contested. This
became the foundation for an understanding in fulfilling the
demands of the British that independence is only achievable
when there is full cooperation and tolerance amongst the
different races in Malaya. The Alliance's assurance is
a promise for independence within four years.
On 1 August 1955, Tunku Abdul
Rahman formed the first Cabinet that was represented by 6 Malay,
3 Chinese and 2 Indian representatives. Tunku Abdul Rahman was
appointed as the Chief Minister and Minister of Home Affairs.
Among the line of members are Datuk Abdul Razak Hussain, Dr.
Ismail Datuk Abdul Rahman, En. H.S. Lee, En. Abd. Aziz Ishak,
En. Baba Leong Yew Koh, En. Sardon Haji Jubir, Tun
V.T. Sambathan, En. Sulaiman Datuk Abd. Rahman and En. Bba Ong
Yok Lin. They pledged duty on 9 August 1955.
Besides fulfilling
the criteria of tolerance between races, Tunku Abdul Rahman is
confronted with solving the issue of communist rebellion for
freedom. The British had pledged that as long as communist
threat is unresolved, independence will be delayed. In dealing
with the challenge, Tunku decided on diplomacy by having the
Baling Conference on 28-29 December 1956 with Chin Peng, the
Chief Secretary of the Malayan Communist Party. The endeavour
agitated the British who had been dealing with the MCP through
force.
British's agitation quickened
the process of granting independence, which revealed Tunku
Abdul Rahman's astuteness. At the same time, MCP rejected
vehemently Tunku's request
for its party to be disbanded and proceeded with an armed
rebellion that brought forth more suffering to the rural
community as well as threatening the nation's security and
economy.
On 18 January - 6
February 1956, Tunku Abdul Rahman headed a group of people to
negotiate independence for the Federation of Malaya.
The expedition was joined by
several leaders of the Alliance Party; Dato' Abdul Razak Hussein,
Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, Kolonel H.S. Lee, Tuan T.H. Tan and
Encik Bahaman Shamsudin and representatives from the Council
of Rulers; Dato' Panglima Bukit Gantang, Dato' Nik Ahmad
Kamil, Encik Abdul Aziz Majid and Dato Mohd. Seth.
On 8 February1956, the promise of Independence was realised with
the setting of the date 31 August 1957 as the Independence Day
for the Federation of Malaya. Returning from London, Tengku
Abdul Rahman made the Declaration of Independence at Padang
Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir, Malacca on 20 February 1956 and was
received joyously by the people.
While preparations were being
made to celebrate the birth of a newly independent nation, a
free-regulating official known as the Reid Policy Commissioner was
formed on 21 March 1956 to examine and legislate laws for the
Federation of Malaya. At 12.00 midnight on 30 August 1957, the
Union Jack flag was brought down in front of the Sultan Abdul
Samad building, Kuala Lumpur, and soon the new flag of
the Federation of Malaya was raised in replace and waved
proudly.
On the next day, the echoes of
independence were heard seven times throughout every nook of
Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, during the proclamation of
independence ceremony by Tunku Abdul Rahman. The result of a
struggle of the Malays and other races, at last on 31 August
1957, Federation of Malaya succeeded in breaking the chains
of colonization that has long plagued her lands.
The Formation of Malaysia
Tunku Abdul Rahman in a speech
given before the Society of Foreign Press at a hotel in Singapore
on 27 May 1961, suggested a plan to form Malaysia which will
consist of the
Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah. Among
other things, it is intended to impede the spread of
communism, as well as to balance the ratio of populations,
improve the country's economy, and hasten independence for
Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah. Singapore received the
suggestion well, while Brunei declined the offer. Sarawak and
Sabah declined at first but later agreed to join after given
the assurance to be able to rule independently.
To give freedom and
justice for all sides, on 17 January 1962 a commission was
announced to observe the views of the people and was known as
the Cobbold Commission. The commission consisted of 5 members,
and was chaired by Lord Cobbold and joined by two
British Government representatives, Sir Anthony Abell and Sir
David Watherston, while the two representatives from the
Federal of Malaya were Datuk Wong Pow Nee and Encik Mohamed
Ghazali Shafie and Mr. H. Haris acted as the Secretary.
Throughout February-April 1962, the
Commission have gathered 4000 people and received 2200
memorandum from various parties which were made of political
parties, members of government and guest assembly, religious
leaders, workers union and the public for their opinions. On
the whole, more than 80 percent of the assembly agreed with
the idea and on 21 June 1962, the report was sent to the
British government.
A unified decision was reached
between the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, Tunku
Abdul Rahman with Harold Macmillian, the Prime Minister of
Britain to have a negotiation in London. The negotiation was
held for two weeks. On 9 July 1963, an important agreement
was signed at the Commonwealth Relation Office at Malborough
House, London. The agreement for the formation of Federation
of Malaya was signed by
representatives of the British government, Federal of Malaya,
Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. The British was represented by
Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Macmillian, Mr. Ducan Sandys and
Lord Landsdowne.
The Federal of Malaya government
was represented by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun
Abdul Razak, Encik Tan Siew Sin, Datuk V.T. Sambathan, Datuk
Ong Yoke Lin and Dr. Lim Swee Aun. Sabah was represented by
Datuk Mustapha bin Datuk Harun, Mr. Donald A. Stephen, Mr. W.K.H.
Jones, Encik Khoo Siak Chiew, Mr. W.S. Holley and Encik G.D.
Sundang. Representatives from Sarawak were Encik P.E.H. Pike,
Temenggung Jugah, Datuk Bandar Abang Haji Mustapha, Encik Ling
Beng Siew and Datuk Abang Haji Openg. Whereas Singapore was
represented by Encik Lee Kuan Yew and Encik Goh Keng Swee. Both
countries agreed to return the sovereignty of Sabah, Sarawak
and Singapore to the
Malaysian government and Malaysia will be formed on 31 August
1963.
During the discussions of
Malaysia's formation was to become a reality, Philippines and
Indonesia gave great oppositions to such an idea. Philippines
claimed that Sabah is a part of its territory while Indonesia
had plans to include it in the formation of Indonesia Raya, and
tried to hinder it through force by proclaiming a
confrontation on 20 January 1963 with the 'Ganyang Malaysia'
slogan. Indonesian army was dispatched to Malaysia's borders
in Sabah, Sarawak and Johor.
This great challenge faced by the
citizens of Federal of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak
does not hamper their spirits in seeing a country unified. The
plan for the declaration to be made on 31 August 1963 was
forced to be postponed. Lawrence Michelmore of the
United Nations once again carried out a gathering of opinions
from the people of North Borneo and Sarawak. On 14 September
1963, reports were released and confirmed a majority of the
people supported to join the Federal of Malaya. Thus, on 16
September 1963, the idea of a unified country became a reality
with the birth
of nation called Malaysia.
The proclamation was made at
Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. The proclamation of Malaysia's
formation was read in front of the Yang Di Pertuan Agong, the
Council of Rulers, and Governors of Penang, Malacca, Singapore
and Sabah. Leaders from three new states were also present, En.
Lee Kuan Yew, Mr. Donald Stephens and Mr. Stephen Kalong
Ningkan. However, Singapore's ties lasted only for two years
before it had to separate in 1965.
The Meaning of Independence
The independence achieved does
not only mean a physical freedom from colonization but also a
freedom in spirituality and mentality. The meaning of
independence is of being free from the hold of foreign forces
and to thrive in creating a dignified nation. The strength of
politics to achieve independence must be backed up by
deep knowledge in order to hasten the nation's
development.
Looking back to the Malays' fight of freedom from 1511 to the
World War II era 1941-1945, the country went through 3 stages
of struggles. The first stage, through military or guerrilla,
persuasion through religious groups and later by nationalists
through the pen. All three stages of battle went
on separately until a suggestion to have the first Malay
Congress on 1-4 March 1946, which combined all three stages in
a more systematic and orderly manner. Hence formed UMNO during
the council which strengthened the fight for
nation's freedom.
It is the responsibility of the new generation to remember and
to appreciate the meaning of independence. Our duty today is
to fill our minds with higher knowledge so that the
independence achieved can be guarded and preserved. Without
knowledge, the recent independence that we have will
be weakened.
The people must
ready themselves to face all challenges to fortify an
independent race. Since the Malaysian people have faced great
challenges, independence must be appreciated
and be occupied with preserving political strength, economy,
social, religious, language, culture and artistic heritage.
All the gaps of development, economically and socially among
races must be drawn closer and made firm for each to enjoy the
meaning of independence. The unity built since the efforts
to attain independence must be carried on and inculcated for a
stronger public.
This fortunate land has given birth to many capable leaders while
the nation struggled in handling troubles of every kind such
as poverty, low education level, the unity of races and even
communist threat during the proclamation of the Emergency
state since 1948. By introducing the New Economic
Policy 1970-1990, the Green Book and Red Book rogrammes, plans
in elevating the understanding of bumiputra economical state
with other races, must be harmonized. The education policy
which began from Penyata Razak and Rahman Talib till now has
succeeded in freeing the people from the sphere of
ignorance to a modern society.
A few policies have been introduced such as Looking to the East
policy, Industrial Policy, Company Policy and Wawasan 2020
have made Malaysia a developing nation.
Independence has made us free and
self-governing to plan for our next direction. We are free in
terms of economy, politic, peace, culture and religion. Free
in the true meaning of creating our own mould and our
own wishes to build the essence of sovereign Malaysia.
Delving into the meaning
of independence by going through the tapestry of history will
rouse the people that the fight for freedom never really ends.
In truth the glory achieved is to be a reminder for the new
generation to follow through with the excellence attained. The
sacrifices of previous generations must be an inspiration to us all
to work even harder in becoming a developed and modern
race.
52 years of Independence
After 52 years
of Independence, Malaysia has developed in style. A
development that was attained so quickly and dynamically. The
stability of the economy and unity of races is the key to the
flawlessness of independence passed. The people benefited
from the distribution of political stability, a wealthy
economy and social justice that is the same and equal.
Education continues to aim the people to become modern,
civilized and respected. Malaysia is well recognised in the world
as a progressing nation that is developing and stable.
A few landmarks such
as producing the first national car Proton Saga that
instigated the nation's automobile industry, the building of
the Kuala Lumpur Twin Tower that has been
certified as the tallest building in the world, Sepang
International Circuit which succeeded in bringing up the
nation's name in the Formula One car racing sport as well as
Petronas in developing automobile related expertise, as
well as other achievement milestones that should make the
Malaysian people proud.
The preparation to face
the cyber space era has been made by building the Multimedia
Super Corridor which is comparable to Silicon Valley in the
United States.
The achievements of Malaysian citizens are also worth
noting, when a group of mountain climbers succeeded in
reaching the top of Mount Everest on 15 May 1997, swimming
across
the English channel on 3 August 2003, diving expedition in the
north pole in 2003 and a solo expedition in conquering the
Antarctica continent in 2004. On October 10, 2007, the first
Malaysian astronaut has been sent to the International Space
Station (ISS).
The voice of Malaysia
was heard internationally once before, when Malaysia pioneered
in opposing the Apartheid Policy in South Africa. The peace
attained in our nation has instigated for the United Nations
to bring forth such missions of peace to countries such as
Congo (1960-1963), Somalia (1993-1994), Bosnia
(1993-1998), Cambodia (1991-1994), Angola (1991) dan Timor
Leste (2006). All the achievements of the country were
instigated by the leaders and people's aspirations which were
joined together in creating an excellent, glorious
and indomitable Malaysia. Now all the efforts made by every
level of society are a very valuable gift in celebrating 52
years of Malaysia's Independence. Facing a new challenging
era, the citizens of Malaysia must be vigilant. When
before, the citizens of the country are shaken by the a new
colonization ideology through the influence of the mind,
economy, social, tradition and culture, now, a new excuse has
emerged in trying to colonize weak and underdeveloped
nations which have been done in the past and to return in new
form.
We are also surrounded by an
explosion of communication technology and globalization era that
demands the sacrifice and responsibility of the people to
continue to defend the independence that we already have. The
world without borders was introduced to all citizens
that required us to be more aware with the
surroundings. Therefore, The Islamic Hadhari concept was
introduced as guide to the people to develop the nation with
full faith in God, to be learned, to live harmoniously, for a
fair distribution of wealth, to be civilized and
ethical.