IGCSE History

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The creation of Malaysia

When Britain regained control of Malaya after the Second World War, the first priority was to protect the area from communist attacks. Britain decided to set up a Malayan Union uniting the nine Malay states but this was unpopular because equal rights were given to non-Malays and the position of the sultans was affected. Consequently, the Union was replaced by the Federation of Malaya in 1948. In the new constitution the position of Malays and the sultans were safeguarded. But no sooner had one problem been solved than another one emerged. In 1948 attacks by communist guerrillas began.

Guerrillas belonging to the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) began by attacking Chinese and Indian workers on rubber plantations. The British responded by declaring a State of Emergency and sending more forces to Malaya. In 1950, the Briggs’ Plan was put into operation. ‘New Villages’ were set up where workers could be protected and ration cards were issued to prevent communist guerrillas getting their hands on supplies. Rewards were offered for the capture of guerrillas and weed killer was sprayed on to the jungle to prevent them growing food. From 1952, ‘white areas’ of Malaya were declared. These had been cleared of communists. Despite some successes, the guerrillas were soon forced into the jungle.

Talks between the guerrillas and the Malayan government, led by Tunku Abdul Rahman, began in 1955 and in 1957 the guerrillas were offered an amnesty. But by then there were only about 1,500 guerrillas who were faced by more than 25,000 troops and police. Negotiations dragged on for several years and the State of Emergency did not come to and end until 1960.

Why were the British able to defeat the guerrillas?

After withdrawal from Palestine, the British were able to send experienced troops to Malaya. They soon outnumbered the guerrillas. RAF bombers were used to attack guerrilla camps. The Briggs’ Plan meant that villagers could be protected and rewards led to many communist being handed in. Almost 3,000 communists surrendered under the 1957 amnesty. The communists were also mostly Chinese and they soon lost the support of Chinese workers when they attacked rubber plantations.

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