Towards Independence
Although UMNO stuck to its "Malays first" policy, in 1955 the new leader, Tunku Abdul Rahman, forged a united position between UMNO, the moderate Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malayan Indian Association. This merger was called the Alliance, and it was to sweep into power under the rallying cry of Merdeka (Freedom) for an independent Malaya . With British backing, Merdeka was promulgated on August 15, 1957. The first Prime Minister was Tunku Abdul Rahman. The new constitution allowed for the nine Malay sultans to alternate as king, and established a two-tier parliament - a house of elected representatives and a Senate with delegates from each of the states. Although the system was, in theory, a democracy, the Malay-dominated UMNO remained by far the most influential party. Rahman committed the country to economic expansion and full employment, and foreign investment was encouraged. After full self-government was attained by Singapore in 1959, its leader Lee Kuan Yew wanted Singapore and Malaya to be joined administratively. Rahman initially agreed, although he feared the influence of pro-Communist extremists in Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP). He campaigned hard for the inclusion of Sarawak and North Borneo in a revised federation, to act as a demographic balance to the Chinese in Singapore.
Pengerangbj says "How to go to Pengerang kelong" languagesaja says "is teh spoken langague used
"
Your Tip for Malaysia
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Malaysia - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Malaysia - visit the main Malaysia forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Malaysia webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
