OPPOSITION TO THE MALAYAN UNION

WIDESPREAD PROTESTS

The Malayan Union proposals were published in January 1946. The people were not prepared for the changes. There were widespread protests in Malaya and England. MacMichael was accused of having used threats to get the agreement of the Sultans. The feelings of nationalism had been growing in Malaya. The Union increased the political consciousness of the Malays. The Malays opposed it strongly because they believed that their position as the native people of the country was threatened.


POSITION OF THE SULTANS THREATENED.

In the pre-war government the British ruled through the Sultans but now the British Governor would take full control of the administration. The transfer of power from the Sultans to the British Crown would make the protected states into a colony. The Sultans and the State Councils would have no more political importance. They would be left in charge of religious matters only. The Sultans would lose most of their powers and become mere figureheads.


A MASS MOVEMENT AGAINST THE MALAYAN UNION

Dato Onn bin Jaafar led the protest against the Malayan Union proposals. The Malays strongly supported him. He formed the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) to protest against the Union. The Malays started a mass movement of non-cooperation and went into mourning. They refused to attend the installation of Edward Gent as the first Governor. They also refused to attend the Advisory Concils.
The Malays held meeting through the country to safeguard their interests. The Union was also not supported openly by the Chinese and Indians. A group of protested against it. The British Government soon realized that the Malayan Union was a failure.


THE MALAYAN UNION ABOLISHED

The British Government withdrew the proposals of the Malayan Union because of the strong protests of the UMNO and the criticism in England. A temporary government took over the administration.
Meanwhile a committee was set up under Mr. Malcolm Macdonald to prepare a new constitution. This committee consisted of representatives of the Sultans and UMNO, and leaders of the Chinese and Indian communities. The committee eventually worked out a new constitution. It agreed to establish a federation instead of a union. In 1948 the Malayan Union was abolished.