MALAYA PEOPLE HAVE ROSE TO OPPOSE MALAYAN UNION!!! - APRIL 6, 1946

The opposition towards the constitution of British orientated colonization, Malayan Union on past 1st of April 1946 has done by the Malaya people especially the inhabitants in multiple ways. Owing to this scenario, mass media have played an enormous role to voice out the opposition continuously. Malay newspapers such as Utusan Melayu, Majlis, and Warta Negara have been widely used for the purpose. Beside that, Malaya people have also held peace demonstrations when Sir Harold MacMichael was send to Malaya to make the Malay Rulers approve the formation of the Malayan Union. The demonstrations were held actively at the northern part of peninsula Malaya in capital states such as Kota Bharu, Kelantan and Alor Setar, Kedah.

In addition, Malay organizations that have inhibited during Japanese colonization were activated again to oppose the establishment of Malayan Union. They sent telegrams and opposition letters to London. On 23rd of January, Dato’ Onn Ja’afar has requested for the inhabitants to congress and this has resulted in the constitution of United Malay Organisation (U.M.O). The first Malay congress was held from 1st to 4th of March 1946 at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru, and Kuala Lumpur. The congress was attended by approximately 41 organisations from the peninsula Malaya.

Doto’ Onn Ja’afar has grabbed a fundamental victory by gathering and uniting the Malaya people from all states of Malaya via this congress. The outcome was the formation of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO). Dato’ Onn Ja’afar became its first president and Johore Bharu became a hive of political activities. While, the second Malay congress was officially held on 30th and 31st of Mac 1946 to oppose the proclamation of Malayan Union on the next day, 1st of April 1946.

Moreover, the gatherings were also held at main states like Selangor in order to show the opposition to several members of British Parliament such as L.D. Gammans and David Reese Williams during their visit to the country. On the other hand, the Malay Rulers gathered at Kuala Kangsar on 28th of April 1946 to voice out their opposition to those British Parliament members too.