Malaysian Studies

MU1 3173
SEMESTER 2 2018

Assignment 2
GGEZ Group
Leader
Muhammad Rizky Ramadhan 700017551
Member
Filberth 700022589
Kelvin 700024901
Nathasya Dalia 700023805

Due date

October 15, 2018

Lecturer

Mr. Ariffin Mohamad

Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1

British Intervention in the State of Malaya ..................................................................................... 1

Long-term Effects of British Colonialism ...................................................................................... 1

Japanese Army Occupation............................................................................................................. 3

Malayan Union................................................................................................................................ 3

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Reference ........................................................................................................................................ 6

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Introduction
Before the Malaya gained its Independency in 1957, there were so many struggles that the
country had to face. Even before and after the World War II was over in 1946 (Rahim et al.,
2013), he interference from British became on of the factors. This report was aimed to discuss
the factors of the British intervention in the state of Malaya, the long-term effects of British
colonialism in the Country until nowadays, the successful occupation to Malaya by Japanese
army and its factors, and last approach by the British to Malaya through Malayan Union and its
dissolution.

British Intervention in the State of Malaya

The factors of British intervention in the state of Malaya are gold, glory and gospel
(Washinton State University, 2011). Firstly, it was gold which meant the British invaded the state
of Malaya with intention to exploit the Malaysian resources, that includes tin ore, gold, latex and
many other more. During the fall of Constantinople in the year of 1453, the European people
gained spices that are cheaper in Malaya. Therefore, the Britain strived to find some more
resources that they could take from Malaya state. Finally, they ended up taking a lot of Malaya
resources that includes the precious resources such as gold, silver and more ores in the mines.
Second factor was the glory which was about power, achievements and superiority. British had in
mind that the more countries that they conquer, the bigger force they had over the world. Last
factor behind British intervention in the state of Malaya was gospel. This meant that British wanted
to spread Christianity around the state of Malaya. The Britain believed that when they spread the
religion around the state of Malaya and to the whole world was like a ministry that they would get
reward.

Long-term Effects of British Colonialism

British colonialism in Malaysia resulting several long-term effects which is still exists
until this date whether it is beneficial for Malaysia or harmful for the country. The long-term
effect of British colonialism includes many aspects, such as social, government, education,
economy, and technology.

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 From social perspective, due to there is several races in Malaysia, British set up specific
rule for economic activities for each race which is “divide and control system” in order to
organizing the society, for example, in late 19th century, in order providing labor forces to new
emerging industry, such as tin mining and rubber plantation, British assigned Indian and Chinese
population to work in the plantation and mining industry respectively. Due to this system, it
created racial segregation that hinders integration of multiple racial in Malaysia and it is harder
to achieve one ideology (Ahmed 2017).

For government aspect, the effect of British colonialism which remains until today is the
system of law of Malaysia. Malaysia has retained a stable government, and the Malaysia
government system is modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system which is still uses by
United Kingdom with the head of state is the king (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) and the head of
government is the prime minister (Baten 2016).

In term of education, British introduced a new method of education system which is

English Education System following a Cambridge System, one of the most-known of its quality.
Later on, British applied this education system to replace the Malay education system, however it
is limited until primary school. In addition, meanwhile British colonizing Malaysia, British give
an opportunity for Malaysia student which is already approved by British representative in
Malaysia to pursue further education in British (Britannica n.d.).

In economy aspect, due to excessive exploitation and later on exported them out of the
county by British colonization, this event resulting rapid depletion of natural resources and also
the benefit of this mostly taken by British and only leaving very little for Malaysia people to
enjoy the benefit of the resources. This impact still last until today due to excessive exploitation,
however, in order for British to obtain the natural resources to the fullest with limited duration of
time, British build a lot of infrastructure, whether it is a factory, road, or bridge to accommodate
the process of exploitation in Malaysia. Some of the infrastructures from British era still useful
until now (Mitchell n.d.).

British colonization also helped Malaysia to develop itself by bringing technology uses
by British at that time such as railway, television, and machinery. This help Malaysia to grow in
technology aspect in short duration, and there is debate in this problem and its says without

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British colonization, Malaysia would probably leave a several decades behind from where they
are now (Mitchell n.d.).

Japanese Army Occupation

After Japan won many significant war Japanese became the great power in the northern
regional Asia. Japan look their self as the leader of Asia and have motto “Asia for Asian”. In
1939, Malaya was the resource of 60% of world’s tin and 40% of world rubber. This fact made
Japanese interested to invade Malaya. The invasion started on 8 December 1941 in Kota Baharu,
Kelantan, On 11 December 1941, the Japanese started bombing Penang. Jitra and then Alor
Star fell into Japanese hands on 12 December 1941. The British had to retreat to the south. On 16
December 1941, the British left Penang to the Japanese, who occupied it on 19 December. The
Japanese only need 39 Days to occupied Malaya and also Singapore. Japanese moved from one
city to another city smoothly they start from the north (Kota Baharu) and finish on Singapore
because the Japanese know that British is weak at the north side because the British really
concentrate in Singapore. Japanese easily occupied Malaya because that time Japanese have a
very good strategy Japanese army was superior compared to British force and British
underestimate the Japanese (UKessays n.d.) even though British army have a more advance
weapon.

The Japanese move using bicycle from one place to another place this help Japan to
secure all place even the place is quite hard to reach out. Japanese was very well prepared and
British was unprepared they did not expect that the attack will come from land/north (infantry
and artillery) British defense concentrated on Singapore by sending the main fleet to Singapore
to safeguard the territory the strategic focus on Singapore but Japanese give a big surprise
(UKessays n.d.). Japanese Propaganda also help japan to easily invade Malaya. The Japanese use
“Asia for Asian” as their slogan, Japanese advance propaganda helps them to secure the support
of local people to fight British. Japanese try to cooperate with local Malays by giving out
promise of protection and the priority among the racial in Malaya (UKessays n.d.).

Malayan Union
The Malayan Union was proposed by Sir Edward Gen in 1944 to have one unitary state
consisting of nine states with Penang and Melaka (Rahim et al. 2013). This was meant to

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simplify the administration of Malay Peninsula. Then in October 1945, Sir Harold McMichael
was tasked to gather the Malay state rules’ approval the same month as the plan was expressed.
On April 1946, the Malayan union is established with Sir Edward Gent as the governor. The
features of Malayan union were as the following.

1. The creation of one unitary state consisted of Federated Malaysia states, Unfederated
Malaysia States, with Penang and Melaka.

2. The position of Malay Sultans remained the same, but their power was conceded to the
British Crown. This was not including religion and customs matters

3. The state council was assigned to the local state however it was controlled by the central
government

4. The union capital is assigned in Kuala Lumpur lead by a British governor.

5. Singapore was excluded from the Malayan Union as a separate Colony under another
British Governor.

6. Based on Jus Soli principle, Malayan citizenship could be granted if:

a. The foreigner was minimum 18 years old and had been for 10 years out of 15 before
February 15th, 1942 staying in Malaya.

b. The person was born in Malaya after the Malayan Union established.

7. The citizens of the new union had equal right regardless the race including the admission
to the administrative civil service.

However, the Malayan Union was not accepted gracefully by Malays that led to its
dissolution. The factors (Ezez 2008) affected the dissolution of Malayan Union were:

1. The citizenship could be obtained easily to non-Malays. This was viewed as a thread to
the economics and politics for Malays.

2. The Malay Sultans only had power to managing the religion and customs matters. This
means that the Malay rulers were not involved to other matter such as economic and
politic.

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 3. Malays see McMichael as ‘method of intimidating’ to gain the agreement of Malayan
Union from the Malay Rulers. It was said that the action of McMichael was against the
Atlantic Charter. This motivated the Malays more to oppose the Malayan Union.

The Malays rose a strong protest to the Malayan Union. This was an unexpected
movement to the British. Then, the Malays formed a political force known as United Malays
National Organization (UMNO) on March 1st, 1946. The Malays protests kept arising that forced
The British to consider major races’ opinion before making amendments. Finally, the Malayan
Union was totally revoked after February 1st, 1948.

Conclusion
In conclusion, there three factors that motivated the British intervention which were gold, glory
and gospel. Moreover, there are so many long-term effects that British gave to Malaya such as in
social perspective, governmental aspect, education, economy and technology. Then, the Japanese
army occupation to Malay was successful because they were more prepared than the British even
though British got more weaponry advantages. Finally, the last approach through Malayan Union
put the Malays at disadvantages. This led the protest from Malaya people and brought Malayan
Union to its dissolution.

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Reference

Ahmed, Marwan. 2017. Creative Inovation Skills. January 17. Accessed October 13, 2018.
http://creativeinnovationskills1234.blogspot.com/2017/01/long-term-effect-of-british-
colonialism.html.

Baten, Jorg. 2016. A History of the Global Economy. From 1500 to Present. Cambridge University.

Britannica. n.d. Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed october 13, 2018.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Malaysia/The-impact-of-British-rule.
Ezez. 2008. "Features of Malayan Union Agreement 1946 - APRIL 6,
1947". Themalayatimes.blogspot.com. http://themalayatimes.blogspot.com/2008/10/features-of-
malayan-union-agreement.html.

Mitchell, Samanta. n.d. Blurt It. Accessed october 13, 2018. https://society-
politics.blurtit.com/2345318/what-are-the-effects-of-british-colonisation-in-malaysia-that-have-
lasted-till-today.
Rahim, Mohd Helmi Abd et al. 2013. "A “Memoryscape” Malayan Union 1946: The Beginning and Rise of
Modern Malay Political Culture". Asian Social Science 9 (6). Canadian Center of Science and
Education. doi:10.5539/ass.v9n6p36.

UKessays. n.d. Japanese Invasion of Mlaysia. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/history/the-rapid-

japanesse-invasion-of-malaya.php.
Washinton State University. 2011. BRITISH PERCEPTIONS AND INTERVENTIONS: BRITISH MALAYA
AND THE RISE OF CHINESE INFLUENCE. Washington State University.
http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Thesis/Fall2011/J_Lash_112511.pdf.