Process

MALAYAN UNION

Malayan Union is the first event that leads to Malaya achieving its independent. It started after the Japanese occupation, British had returned to Malaya on September 1945. British had established British Military Administration or BMA, which they tried to form temporary government in Malaya.

Aim of British Military Administration are:

• To restore the country's economy

• Prepare for changes in the country's political structure

 On October 1945, The British announced a bold decision to end indirect rule in the Malay States by uniting all the states into a Malayan Union under a Governor with executive powers. It proposed to initiate a Malayan form of citizenship which would give equal rights to those who claim Malaya as their homeland. Behind of Malayan Union proposed, British actually tried to safeguard their investments in Malaya and Singapore, an efficient system of government was essential. With Malayan Union, this would ensure better economic growth and benefit the British economically. Furthermore, Malaya was an important source of revenue for the British.

Features of Malayan Union:

• 9 states, Penang and Malacca under the control of a Governor with its administrative capital at Kuala Lumpur  and aided ny an Executive and Legislative Council.
• Singapore separate British territorial colony under a British Governor General.
• The Governor responsible to new Governor - General of Singapore, Malayan Union and Borneo Territories.
• Citizenship no longer restricted to natives. Granted to non-Malays if 18 and above and had resided in Malaya for 10 out of 15 years before 15 February 1942. Also granted to those born in Malaya or Singapore before or after the formation of Malayan Union.
• Any person born outside Malayan Union but whose father was a citizen could become a citizen. Granted also to any person who had lived in the Malayan Union or Singapore for at least 5 out of 8 years immediately preceding their application for citizenship but must be of good character, could speak Malay or English, has taken an oath of allegiance to Malaya or Singapore and will live there.

However,  not all the citizen agreed with the Malayan Union since its like the British planned to take over the ruling of Malaya. Political parties and associations were formed all over the country to fight the Malayan Union proposals which were to come into effect on 1 April 1946 when civil government were to be restored.  

The reasons of opposition towards Malayan Union was:

• Sultan powers undermined. Could not be accepted by the Malays since Sultan were symbols of power and sovereignty. Local rulers not given the opportunity to study or to be part of Malayan Union where all matters was decided in London.
• Malays lost special rights status. Equal rights give to all irrespective of race or country of origin. This included entry into government service and right to vote. Citizens could also hold dual nationality.

After received many objections from Malay rulers and other associations,  the Malayan Union was officially terminated on the 31st January 1948.