MALAYAN UNION

1946

MALAYAN UNION (KESATUAN

MALAYA)
Soon after the Japanese occupation,
the British came back to Malaya and
introduced temporary military
government or BMA (British Military
Administration).
On 1st April 1946, the British
replaced BMA with the Malayan Union.

 British Military Administration

$10,000 Note

 Why British Introduced Malayan

Union?
To combine all scattered
administration into one.
The unification was to assist
administration and saved expenditure.
To enforce defence and boost
economic recovery and progress.

 Why British Introduced Malayan

Union?
To prepare for the locals for own
government.
British owed to the Chinese and the
Indians whom helped them in fighting
with the Japanese.

 FEATURES OF THE MALAYAN UNION

Except for Singapore, all Malayan
States were united under one central
government i.e. Malayan Union.
A British Governor would be
appointed in due course with the help
of Government Council and Judiciary
Council.

 FEATURES OF THE MALAYAN UNION

Rulers sovereignty would be
abolished - they would only have the
authority in Islamic affairs and
customs.
State council would be under the
central government

 All races would be given equal rights

Jus Soli Principle
Malayan citizenship was obtained if
(a) the foreigner was 18 and above
and had resided in Malaya for 10 out
15 years before 15 February 1942.
(b) a person who born in Malaya after
the forming of the Malayan Union.

 FEATURES OF THE MALAYAN UNION

Equal rights for all citizens
regardless of race or origin.
This includes the entry into
government services and the right to
vote in the general election.

 Opposition against the Malayan

Union
Harold Mac Michael succeeded in
getting the Rulers signatures through
intimidation.

 Opposition against the Malayan Union

Dato Onn Jaafar, a Malay nationalist,
led the
Malays to oppose:
Mac Michaels intimidation to the
Malay Rulers
Loss of Rulers powers
Effects on the position of the Malays

 Opposition against the Malayan

Union
March 1946, the Malayan Malay
Congress chaired by Dato Onn met in
Kuala Lumpur, attended by 41
organisations, opposed the formation
of the Malayan Union, held
demonstrations at major towns,
established the United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO) to protect Malay

 MALAYAN UNION DEMONSTRATION

 Opposition against the Malayan

Union
A group of former British officers like
Frank Swettenham also opposed

 Opposition against the Malayan

Union
Non-Malays formed the Malayan
Democratic Union (MDU), formation of
the Malayan Union undemocratic,
Singapore not included

 Opposition against the Malayan

Union
The British government ignored all
protests and Malayan Union was
proclaimed on 1 April 1946.
Edward Gent became the Governor
of the Malayan Union.
Malay Rulers boycotted the
installation ceremony.

 THE FAILURE OF MALAYAN UNION

The Malayan Union would eradicate
the power and sovereignty of the
Malays Rulers.
Sir Harold Mac Michael threatened
and forced the Malay Rulers to accept
the Malayan Union

 THE LOCAL UPRISE AGAINST THE MALAYAN

UNION
Dato Onn lead the Malays against the Malayan
Union and instilled national spirit among them.
He established Pergerakan Melayu
Semenanjung (Peninsular Malay Movement) in
January 1946 to defend the rights of the Malays.
He chaired the Pan-Malayan Malay Congress
meeting on 29th and 30th March 1946 in Kuala
Lumpur.