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FEDERATION OF
MALAYAPERSEKUTUAN TANAH MELAYU
(PTM)
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FEDERATION OF MALAYA
The British finally agreed to replace the MU with a
new form of government, known as the
Federation of Malaya.
The new system of administration was officially
launched on 1 February 1948 despite being
opposed by certain groups.
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Protest against Malayan Union
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The New Constitution Proposal
A working committee was formed on 25 July
1946 to draw up a new constitution.
The committee members consisted of 6 British
officers, 4 representatives of the Malay rulers
and 2 UMNO representatives.
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Its Challenges
The British reinstated the rights of the
Malays because of pressure from the
Malays and former British administrators.
However, the constitution too was opposed
by other groups, especially the non-Malaysand Malay community itself.
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Opposition From AMCJA
Non-Malays objected as the working committeedid not include any non-Malay.
AMCJA (All Malayan Council of Joint Action)established on 22 Dec 1946 led by Tun TanCheng Lock, consisted of MIC, Malayan Peoples
Anti-Japanese Ex-Services Comrades
Association and the Pan-Malayan Federation ofTrade Union.
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Tun Tan Cheng Lock
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Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA)
Malays from the Parti Kebangsaan Melayu
Malaya (PKMM), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf
(API), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS)also protested, the Working Committee
compromised too much with the British and
the Malays will lose out.
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Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA)
Later, all these three parties joint together
to form Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA)
under the chairmanship of Dr. BurhanuddinHelmi.
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Opposition From AMCJA-PUTERA
PMCJA (AMCJA)-PUTERA launched hartal
a close shop strike through out Malaya
but was checked by the British
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AMCJA fought on six principles:-
1. Unification of whole Malaya, including Singapore
2. Self rule through a Central Legislation body
which members chosen by the people
3. Same citizenship rights for all who considerMalaya their homeland deserving of theirallegiance.
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AMCJA fought on six principles:-
4. The sovereignty of the Malay rulers can becontinued but should be based on the principleof constitutional monarchy;
5. Matters pertaining to the Islamic religion andcustoms should be left to the Malay community;
6. The Malays should be given special attention toadvance
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Four suggestions proposed byPUTERA:
1. The Malay language would be the officiallanguage of the country;
2. External Affairs and Defense be made the joint
responsibility of the Malayan Government andthe British;
3. The term Malay be used as the name forMalayan citizenship;
4. The national flag would contain the nationalcolours of the Malay people
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AMCJA-PUTERA Front
In March 1947, AMCJA amalgamated withPUTERA and led by Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmi toopposed PMT.
They formed the Peoples Constitution in April1947.
The British rejected it as being radical.
They accused UMNO as pro-British.
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AMCJA-PUTERA Front
On 20 Oct 1947, they launched hartal a
close shop strike throughout Malaya but
was checked by the British. The AMCJA-PUTERA coalition showed
that communities of different
backgrounds could join together for the
same cause.
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The Launch of the Federation ofMalaya
On 21stJanuary 1948, signatures of 9 Malayrulers were obtained, and in February 1948Federation of Malaya government replaced that of
Malayan Union.
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Features of the Federation of Malaya
1. The Federation of Malaya would comprise
nine Malay States and the Straits
Settlements of Penang and Malacca
2. Headed by a High Commissioner (HC)
appointed by the British;
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Features of the Federation of Malaya
3. A Federal Legislative Council and an
Executive Council to be under the
chairmanship of the HC;
4. The Malay rulers were returned their
rights over their own states;
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Features of the Federation of Malaya
5. The administration of Malacca and
Penang came under Resident
Commissioner
6. The Executive Council was to advise the
HC
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Features of the Federation of Malaya
7. A Council of Rulers was to be formed to
advise the HC esp. on matters related to
immigration8. Each state would have a State Council
9. Conditions for citizenship became more
strict and the special rights of the Malayswere recognized.
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CONDITIONS FOR AWARDINGOF CITIZENSHIP
The citizenship qualifications were
tightened.
Those who were born in the Federation orwhose father was a Federation citizen
would automatically become Federation
citizens. Those born in Singapore would
not become Federation citizens.
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CONDITIONS FOR AWARDINGOF CITIZENSHIP
Those eligible for application to become acitizen were:
Those born in the Federation and who hadlived there for 8 out of the 12 yearspreceding application;
Those who had lived in the Federation at
least 15 out of the 20 years preceding theapplication.
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