History of Malaysia Formation

Muzium Negara Gallery D

The concept of Malaysia, a merger of four territories of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak, had its beginnings on 27 May 1961. It was announced by Tunku Abdul Rahman to a group of foreign correspondents at the Adelphi Hotel in Singapore. It was widely supported, especially by Singapore and the British Borneo territories.

History of Malaysia Formation

Malaysia was a model of the successful balancing the many needs of its diverse population and cultures. It was a timely strategy that would ease concerns of the worldwide balance of power within the framework of the Cold War. Thus it was no surprise that the concept of Malaysia had general international approval with only a few countries dissenting it at the United Nations.

The idea of merging was warmly endorsed by the Malaysian Solidarity Consultative Committee formed to collect and collate views and opinions concerning the creation of a Federation of Malaysia. A series of 4 such meetings were held to work out the constitutional, political and economic aspects of the new nation.

With everyone putting forward their ideas, many doubts were resolved, especially Bumiputra special rights for the indigenous peoples and the safeguarding of the legitimate interest of all other communities. Finally on 3 February 1962, a realistic framework for the formation of Malaysia was ironed out with the signing of a 44-point Memorandum agreed by all.

The final task involved the forming of a joint Anglo-Malayan Commission of Inquiry, headed by Lord Cobbold, the former Governor of the Bank of England. Known as The Cobbold Commission, it was tasked in February 1962 to ascertain the views of the people of North Borneo and Sarawak on the formation of Malaysia and to make its recommendation. The Commission found overwhelming support for Malaysia.

*Brunei however, declined to join the new federation.

Crucial talks were held in London. Led by Tunku Abdul Rahman and British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, this led to the conclusion of the Anglo-Malayan Agreement on Malaysia with specific targets to be achieved.

When Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Father of Malaysia or Bapa Malaysia, retruned from London, he announced that the birth of the new, independent and sovereign state of Malaysia had been set for 16 September 1963. He declared that in the new nation, there would be no distinction between race, religion, class or creed.

Tension followed the formation of Malaysia with

• Philippines braking off diplomatic relations with Malaysia, and
• Indonesia declared a Confrontation with Malaysia
• Singapore split from Malaysia to become an independent state in 1965.

Pragmatic diplomatic solution led to an agreement signed in Bangkok in 1966. This has allowed the neighbours to enjoy the best of relations ever since.

The fact that Malaysia has survived and infact thrived is proof that the spirit of harmony lives in Malaysia.

-- History of Malaysia Formation

British Business and Post-Colonial Malaysia, 1957-70: Neo-colonialism or Disengagement? (Routledgecurzon Studies in the Modern History of Asia, 21) (Hardcover)

by Nicholas White

This book explores the limits of the idea of 'neo-colonialism' - the idea that in the period immediately after independence Malaya/Malaysia enjoyed only pseudo-independence, because of the dominant position of British business interests.

Review
'White's excellent work will enliven the long-standing debate on Malaysia's neo-colonist state and underscore the origins of crony capitalism in Malaysia, an arrangement that continues to prevail and to undermine economic systems worldwide.' - Business History Review

History of Malaysia Formation