Malaysia: The Road to Independence, Part 1 Quiz

Answer: To keep the population in its place

It was a British effort to eliminate the state and nation that has been built since the Age of the Malacca Sultanate. Suggestions were made for the Union at the House of Commons in London on October 10th, 1945. Having been approved by the British Parliament in January 1946, the Union was to be formed on April 1st, 1946.

Answer: To produce a smooth administration

Before WWII, the British used a system where Malaya was partitioned into three separate parts, the Federated Malay States, the Non-Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements. However, the British government had seen flaws in this system and decided to replace it with a unified and more organized system.

Answer: Governor

A governor was to become the head honcho of the Malayan Union. Sir Edward Gent was the first Governor of the MU. A governor was to be chosen by the British government. An Executive and Legislative Council were to be established as well.

Answer: It was important as a free port

As the crown jewel of the British Empire, Singapore was extremely important to the British as it was a key stop for ships travelling to and from South-East Asia.

Answer: Jus Soli

Jus Soli (Latin term for 'right of the soil') means that someone who is born in a given country has a right to citizenship of that country. That meant in Malaya, those born there are automatically citizens. There were also conditions given to those who lived in Malaya from another country. on reaching the age of 18 they become citizens, as do those who have resided in Malaya for 10 to 15 years.

Answer: He threatened to make the Malay kings would stand down from their thrones

Sir Harold MacMichael had threatened Malay kings that he would make them step down form their thrones if they did not accept the Union, as had happened to Sultan Badlishah of Kedah.

Answer: They feared that Islam would be threatened

The British have given loose citizenship to the commerce that would threatened the status quo of Malays as indigenous people. Moreover, the Malay population feared that their numbers would decrease and that their economy and education systems would be in jeopardy.

Answer: UMNO

"Angkatan Pemuda Insaf" (API), "Angkatan Wanita Sedar" (AWAS), Barisan Tani Malaya (BATAS), the Malayan Nationalist Party" and other radical Malay groups supported the MU.

Answer: The British would grant Malaya its independence

The reasons why these groups and commercial interests supported the Union:

1) A policy to unify the Malay states into a political unit could facilitate administration

2) The equal basis of the Malayan Union would eliminate the protection of the rights of Malays.

3) The 'open citizenship' policy would allow them to retain their original citizenship.

4) The British would give them their independence.

Answer: Utusan Melayu

"Utusan Melayu" was one of the newspapers that showed continuous protest by the local population.

Other papers that opposed the Union included "Majlis" and "Warta Negara".

Answer: Sending telegrams and letters of protest to the Colonial Office in London

As the associations were brought back, their members started sending telegrams and letters of protest to London.

Answer: The United Malays National Organization (UMNO)

After the congress held on 1st to 4th of March, 1946, and with the participation of 41 associations from across the Peninsula, the United Malays 'National Organization (UMNO) was formed

A second congress was held at the end of March the same year to protest against the declaration of the Malayan Union.

Answer: The Atlantic Charter

The Atlantic Charter of the 14th of August, 1941, was an agreement between Britain and the United States and included an undertaking by Britain to give colonies the chance to prepare for self-government after the war.

(It was signed aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, the very same ship sunk by the Japanese during the invasion of Malaya).

Answer: True

Former British officers, like Sir Frank Swettenham, Sir R.O. Winstedt, Sir George Maxwell and Sir Cecil Clementi, supported the Malayan Federation and denied the policy of occupying Malaya.

Answer: The concept of a constitutional monarchy was to be created

The usual contrast is between a constitutional monarchy and an absolute monarchy. In a constitutional monarchy the monarch is subject to the law and his/her actions are limited by a parliament (or equivalent). In an absolute monarchy, the monarch is subject to nobody and does very largely as he pleases.

Answer: Citizenship terms were tightened

Citizenship terms were tightened at the point that the "jus soli" policy was to be applied for people of the Malay kings in the Malay States and British citizens at the Strait Settlements (Melaka and Penang Island).

Moreover, the British recognized the supremacy of the Malay population and that the institution of the Malay kings be maintained.

Answer: He felt that his successor was unfit to rule Sarawak

The aged king felt that his successor, Anthony Brooke, was unsuitable for ascending to the throne in Sarawak. After sending Gerald MacBryan to get public opinion from local leaders, Sarawak was handed over to the British government on the 8th of February, 1946.

Answer: The Japanese invaded Sarawak

As the hoped for independence neared for the locals of Sarawak, along came the Japanese!
The Constitution was foiled by invading troops and an occupation that lasted for four years. And by the time the Second World War ended, Vyner Brooke was too old and weak to continue his role as Rajah. Therefore, the Constitution was no more.

Answer: A collusive group of young and educated locals

The 'Rukun Tiga Belas (13)" was a group of young and educated locals who acted against the British as a response to the Circular No. 9 letter (action will be taken on those who are involved in protests).

One such member of the group, Rosli Dhobi, stabbed the Governor of Sarawak, Sir Duncan Stewart, in Sibu on the 3rd of December, 1949. He and three of his comrades were hanged. Their sacrifice was in vain as there was no cooperation between leaders of Sarawak.

Answer: Slow, divided and ineffective

The political associations were only minor socioeconomic associations. There was also not much of clear and open opposition by the locals. Thus, the associations were all defunct.