LESSON 4
THE FORMATION OF MALAYSIA
1.0 Introduction
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The idea of the formation of Malaysia had been sounded since 1950’s but it could not be
materialized. However, after an important speech of Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime
Minister of Malaya on 27 May 1961 in Singapore, the idea was followed up with further action
until Malaysia was materialized in 1963. Do you know which countries to be merged with Malaya
under the idea of the formation of Malaysia? The countries are Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and
Brunei. It was not an easy task to materialize the idea. Many problems had to be faced to make
the formation of Malaysia became a reality. Thus, in this topic, we will see how the formation of
Malaysia was achieved.
2.0 Learning Outcomes
By the end of the topics, you should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify the factors that contributed to the formation
Analyze the problems towards the formation
Discuss the steps towards the formation
Elaborate the issue of the separation of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia
3.0 List of Topics
3.1 The Reasons Behind the Idea of the Formation of Malaysia
3.2 Reaction Towards the Formation
3.3 Steps Towards the Formation of Malaysia
3.4 Separation of Singapore and Malaysia
4.0 Terminologies
4.1 Imperialism
A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of military
force, or other means
4.2 Unanimously
Fully in agreement
4.3 Referendum
A general vote by the people on a single political question which has been referred to
them for a direct decision.
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5.0 Topics
5.1 The Reasons behind the Idea of the Formation of Malaysia
5.1.1
Presentation
The idea was to unify Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei with Malaya to be under
one nation which is called Malaysia. Do you know that there are several reasons behind
the idea to form Malaysia? Among them are:
a) Independence through the merger
For your information, only Malaya has got independence after 31 August 1957. Thus,
by merging with Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei would also get their
independence from the British.
b) Collective Efforts to Contain Communists Activities
All countries were not yet free form the communists’ threats. Thus, by the merger, the
task to fight the communists would be greater and stronger rather than fighting the
communists alone.
c) Ethnic Balance and Unity
This reason was emphasized very much by Tunku Abdul Rahman but not by
Singapore. Since Singapore emphasized to merge with Malaya, Tunku had to find a
way to balance up the ethnic composition as majority of Singapore were Chinese.
Thus, Tunku emphasized to include Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei in the formation of
Malaysia.
d) Economic Cooperation for Development
By the merger, it would be able to foster economic growth for the country and hence,
ensuring progress for the people. With the collective revenue from various sources of
each individual country, it would enable the country to speed up its economic growth
as the economic potential in a country could be further developed. Thus, it would
bring prosperity to the people.
5.1.2
Activities
The formation of Malaysia had advantages and disadvantages. Do you agree with this
statement? Give your argument.
5.2 Reaction towards the Formation
5.2.1 Presentation
Forming Malaysia was not an easy task. The idea received various reactions from the
leaders and the people. Let us see the reactions towards the idea:
a) Malaya
The idea was generally accepted but there was also disagreement about the idea.
There was fear among UMNO leaders about the interests of the Malays if Singapore
be part of Malaysia. However, the fear was rested by the suggestion to include
Sabah and Sarawak in the merger. While, PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party) was said to
disagree with the idea because the Malays would be left out if Malaysia was
established.
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b) Singapore
The idea was well-accepted. The leaders and people were interested with the idea as
Singapore would be free from the British control if they joined Malaysia. However,
there was also apposition posted by United People’s Party (UPP), a socialist party
but it did not Lee Kuan Yew to proceed with merger.
c) Brunei
Its leaders interested however the people did not unanimously support the idea. The
people preferred Brunei to get independence on its own rather than joining Malaysia.
As a result of armed rebellion that was led by Ahmad M. Azahari, the king of Brunei
had to forget the idea in order to restore peace in the country.
d) Sabah and Sarawak
The reaction was most encouraging. The idea was well-accepted by the leaders and
the people as they realized that they would be free from the British imperialism if they
joined the Federation. However, there were concerns surrounded them. Firstly, there
was fear that the people from the Peninsular would dominate them politically.
Secondly, the non-Malays feared that they would be discriminated. Thirdly, the
Chinese feared that they would be left out in the economic competition with the
Chinese from Singapore. However, all the fears were removed after Tunku himself
made series of rally to explain the concept of the formation.
e) British Government
In general, the British accepted the idea even though they realized that they would
lose some more countries under their control. Behind their acceptance, they actually
wanted to secure their investments and economic interests in this region.
5.2.2
Reaction from Indonesia and Philippines
Indonesia and Philippines strongly opposed the idea. Indonesia through its president,
Sukarno, opposed the idea because it would fail his scheme to form a greater Indonesian
empire or known as Indonesia Raya. He also looked at the formation of Malaysia as a
new political structure introduced by the British to strengthen their position in this region.
This new political structure would ignore Indonesia’s interests. The peak of Indonesia’s
opposition was when it launched confrontation against Malaysia on 20 January 1963.
The Philippines, on the other hand, opposed the idea because it claimed Sabah as its
territory. By the merging of Sabah with Malaysia, it would complicate its effort to claim
Sabah. Its president, Macapagal, broke off diplomatic ties with Malaysia as a sign of
protest to the idea.
5.2.3
Activities
From the reactions to the idea of the formation of Malaysia, we can see that the idea was
generally accepted by the majority of the population. In your opinion, why the population
accepted the idea?
5.3 Steps towards the Formation of Malaysia
5.3.1
Presentation
Admitting the various reactions towards the idea of the formation of Malaysia, the leaders
in Kuala Lumpur took all kinds of measure to ensure that the idea became a reality. In
Singapore, a referendum was conducted to see the public opinion about the merger of
Singapore with Malaya. The referendum showed that majority of Singaporean supported
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the merger. Besides that, UN also had made investigation to study the people of Sabah
and Sarawak preference. For that purpose, Cobbold Commission was established the
study towards the people of Sabah and Sarawak preference. The outcome of the study
was very positive in which majority of the wanted to join the formation.
UN also had established Lansdowne Committee to regulate new constitution and other
rules for the new nation of Malaysia as well as to look after the interests and rights of the
people of Sabah and Sarawak. The Constitution of the Federation of Malaya was made
as the basis for the regulation of new constitution of Malaysia. Then, the Malaysian
Agreement was signed in London on July 8, 1963. The initial date for the formation of
Malaysia was set on August 31, 1963 but it was postponed to September 16, 1963 due to
the continued opposition from Indonesia and Philippines. On 16 September 1963, the
Federation of Malaysia was officially proclaimed which included Sabah, Sarawak and
Singapore and Malaya.
5.3.2
Activities
Open page 53 of the master text book and read Table 3.3 for more details about the
steps towards the formation of Malaysia.
5.4 Separation of Singapore and Malaysia
5.4.1
Presentation
Do you know the story about the separation of Singapore from Malaysia? Let’s see what
had actually happened. After two years of the formation of Malaysia, a dangerous racial
division occurred between the Malays and Chinese in Peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore. The tension started through the People’s Action Party (PAP) of Singapore
and the Alliance Party of the peninsular Malaysia.
The ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ concept of Lee Kuan Yew (the leader of PAP) was among the
factors that contributed to the racial tension and division. The concept had blazed the
Malays’ feelings and caused their anger. Under this concept, no special rights of the
Malays as the original inhabitants of the land. Thus, the Malays considered that the
concept tried to challenge their status as the owner of the country. The concept stressed
that all races were equal. No races could claim to be more original than other races
The climax of the tension took place when two riots broke out on 21 July 1964 and 2
September 1964. The riots had worsened the understanding and relationships between
Lee Kuan Yew and MCA leaders as well as Tunku Abdul Rahman. The situation had
pushed Tunku to consider the separation of Singapore from Malaysia. Several efforts to
solve the problems failed. Finally, on 9 August 1965, Singapore left Malaysia officially
and formed a Republic.
5.4.2
Activities
The separation of Singapore from the Malaysia was inevitable. The conflicts that
happened had caused a big problem to Malaysia. Discuss, how far the issue of national
security played a big role to the decision of Tunku. You may visit the following website to
get more information.
http://www.slideshare.net/mrsirvinglong/chapter-9-1965-singapores-separation-frommalaysia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_in_Malaysia
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6.0
http://31august1957.blogspot.com/2007/07/separation-of-singapore.html
Lesson Summary
From this topic, we have learnt the reasons behind the idea of the formation of Malaysia.
The way towards the formation was not an easy way even though the idea was wellaccepted by the majority of the population. Many problems, internal and external were
encountered before the formation. The problem continued to happen even after the
formation of Malaysia in which we have seen the separation of Singapore from Malaysia.
However, the idea was finally achieved and remains until today. The formation of Malaysia
has brought many benefits to the countries involved.
7.0 Self Assessment
7.1 The idea of the formation of Malaysia was suggested by ____________
A. Lee Kuan Yew
B. Tan Cheng Lock
C. Tuanku Abdul Rahman
D. Tunku Abdul Rahman al-Haj
Answer: D
7.2 Lee Kuan Yew supported the idea of the formation because of __________
A. Singapore would get immediate independence
B. Economic benefits to Singapore through the formation
C. He could not afford to contain the communist activities alone
D. The promise of the Britis government to grant independence to Singapore
Answer: A
7.3 Why Tunku was so serious to merge Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei with Malaya?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Request from the people
To balance the composition of ethnic
Pressure from the British government
To stop Philippines from claiming those countries
Answer: B
7.4 Which of the following are true about the reactions towards the idea of the formation of
Malaysia?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Majority of people in Singapore did not support the idea
Indonesia and Philippines opposed the idea
The reactions in Sabah and Sarawak was most encouraging
PAS was together with Tunku in propagating the idea
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, IV only
None of the above
Answer: B
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7.5 Which of the following are among the steps taken to materialize the idea of the formation?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Referendum in Singapore
Establishment of Cobbold Commission to study people’s of Sabah and Sarawak
Establishment of Lansdowne Committee to draft new constitution for the Federation of
Malaysia
Collective effort by Tunku and Lee Kuan Yew to convince the people of Sabah and
Sarawak
I and II only
I, II, III only
II, III, IV only
All of the above
Answer: B
7.6 The ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ concept caused anger among the Malays because ___________
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
It denied the special rights of the Malays
It tried to challenge the status of the Malays as the owner of the land
It promoted equal rights to all races
Lee Kuan Yew tried to topple Tunku as the Prime Minister by introducing the concept
I, II, III only
II, III, IV only
I, III and IV only
All of the above
Answer:A
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