THE GROWTH OF NATIONALISM

Japanese occupation contributed to the development of nationalism in Malaya because the different treatment to different races made them realized that they themselves should shape their life - not foreign power. Even Japanese was defeated but their propaganda preached by them - Asian unity and the expulsion of Europeans had stirred up nationalist feeling.

After Japanese surrendered, British army came back and tried to govern Malaya named British Military Administration (BMA). BMA faced problem when their administration was disturbed by MPAJA those group wanted to take over the administration. BMA was dissolved and British introduced new administration named Malayan Union Malayan Planing Unit proposed that Singapore separated but other states of Malaya should be combined in one single administration unit.

MALAYAN UNION

WHAT WERE THE CONTENTS OF M.U?

1-Singapore was to become a separate colony with its own governor. 2- Penang & Malacca joined the nine Malay states to form M.U - under governor with the help of executive council and legislative council. 3- Sultans were to keep authority over religious matters but would lose all other political powers.

4- All citizens of the new M.U would have equal right- including admission to administrative civil service. 5- Citizenship would no longer be restricted to natives, it was to be opened to all without discrimination to race or creed.

WHY DID BRITAIN PROPOSE THESE CHANGES?

1-To unite all Malay states. - Malaya had 3 systems of administration Straits settlement, Federated Malay States and Non federated Malay states. 2-To make Malaya stronger -Important that the new country be able to defend itself against internal opponents and outside powers. :- must have stable and effective admin.

3-To protect their own interest

British had a great investment in Malaya :-make sure economic growth in Malaya :- efficient system of Government must be introduced. 4- To ensure future political stability. - British felt that citizenship should be given to non Malays to ensure political stability. - Their important of their economic life should be rewarded by giving equal right.

WHY DID THE SULTAN ACCEPTED THE CHANGES ?

- proposal on M.U - protested from Malays and many of them could not understand why the Sultan had agreed to them. Sultan of Kedah describing Mac Micheals use of threat: I was presented with a verbal ultimatum with a time limit, and in the event of my refusing to sign the new agreement. a successor who would sign it, would be appointed sultan

WHY MALAYS OPPOSED MU

1- Lack of consultation over the proposal - lack of time to discuss the proposal among themselves or took advice from their states councils. 2- Proposal for more liberal citizenship. -immigrant in Malaya according to the Malays -did not give their first loyalty to Malaya but loyal to their origin country. Due to dual citizenship allowed in the MU constitution.

3-Sultans lost their powers. 4-Existing special right and privileges of Malays would be lost.

The failure of the Malayan Union

1- Strong opposition from the Malays 2- No strong support from the non-Malays because it excluded Singapore 3- Wrong timing communal feelings and hostility still existed between the Malays and the Chinese. Condition in Malaya was not really peacefull. 4- Wrong introduction the constitution was drawn up in London without taking into account the situation and wishes of the people in Malaya. 5- Opposition form former British administrators in Malaya. They urged the British to protect the interests and special rights of the Malays