Why the Malays opposed it
The Malayan Union met fierce resistance from the Malay community for several reasons:
- It removed the sovereignty of the sultans, who symbolised Malay identity and the states.
- The sultans' signatures had been obtained under pressure by MacMichael, which was seen as unjust.
- Jus soli citizenship threatened the special position of the Malays by giving equal status to immigrants.
Key idea
Opposition to the Malayan Union transformed scattered Malay associations into a united political force and gave birth to UMNO.
Forms of protest
Malays held demonstrations, wore white armbands of mourning and boycotted the installation of Governor Gent; several sultans refused to attend. Malay newspapers campaigned against the plan. Even retired British officials such as Frank Swettenham and R. O. Winstedt publicly criticised it. The many Malay associations came together at the Pan-Malayan Malay Congress, and on 11 May 1946 the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) was founded under Dato' Onn Jaafar.
Outcome
The sustained protests forced Britain to abandon the Malayan Union. After negotiations, it was replaced by the Federation of Malaya on 1 February 1948, which restored the sultans' position and tightened citizenship.
Remember
- Malays opposed loss of sovereignty and jus soli citizenship.
- UMNO founded 11 May 1946 by Dato' Onn Jaafar.
- Peaceful protests: armbands, boycotts, newspapers.
- Replaced by the Federation of Malaya 1948.