How did Malaya People react towards MALAYAN UNION? - APRIL 6, 1946

MANY reactions appear amongst people of Malaya after the establishment of Malayan Union. Majority of them comprise of inhabitants strongly opposed the constitution of Malayan Union due to the following several factors. Malaya people absolutely disagree with Sir Harold McMichael who has forced the local Rulers to sign the agreement paper to approve the formation of Malayan Union quickly without being given an opportunity to consider or discuss the matter.

Furthermore, Sir Harold McMichael has blackmailed the hesitated Malay Rulers about the agreement with being replaced as can be seen clearly in Sultan Badlishah’s case. However, there were some Rulers too who agree with the new British political arrangement, Malayan Union for their good relationships with British government such as Selangor Sultan and Johor Sultan.

Besides, other factor that has led to the protestation is Malayan Union made the Malays loose their status as the indigenous people for, equal citizenship right based on the principle of jus soli which will be given to immigrant populations namely the Chinese and the Indians as stated in the agreement. In addition, the local people also worried about their Islamic Religion and Malay customs which may face extinction as the development of the country in most aspects is kept securely under British’s control.

On the other hand, immigrant populations and radical Malays have encouraged the establishment of Malayan Union for countless amounts of benefits that they would gain via this new political arrangement. In brief, the advantages are: It fastens the independence process in our country, it supports the lives of immigrants in the country, it unites all the states of Malaya, It unites multiple Islamic organizations in the country to a single unit, and et cetera. The radical Malay parties and organizations available in the country are Malaya Malay National Party (Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS), and Barisan Tani Malaya (BATAS).

Moreover, Malayan Democratic Union (MDU) is a political party started in Singapore by Tan Cheng Lock. Thousands of immigrants gathered in the All Malayan Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) which was guided by Tan Cheng Lock to state their satisfaction regarding to the constitution of Malayan Union.