TMA1 CONTENT POINTS

QUESTION 1
Rise of Malacca
a) Malacca’s strategic location in the Straits of Malacca provided
protection for ships during rough seas and enabled it to develop into a safe
port.
b) Located in the middle of sea trading routes then dependent on monsoon
winds, especially between main economic powers India and China.
Malacca became a world trade centre for Indian and Arab merchants from
the west and the Chinese from the east.
c) Economic factors – abundant natural resources such as spices, rattan
and timber, gold and tin.
d) Political and administration – Earlier Malacca rulers nurtured strong
diplomatic ties with China, a major power at that time. China’s political
protection helped Malacca ward off possible attacks from the stronger
Siam and Majapahit empire.
e) Strong leaders expanded Malacca’s power base and influence to the
whole of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra and curbed piracy. This
provided peace, stability and security in the region and enabled trade
expansion.
f) Malacca had efficient administrative structures and a good legal system.
g) Malacca had a good financial and taxation system where the taxes
imposed were regarded by traders as fair and reasonable.
h) The cultures and customs of people from different countries were
respected, encouraging traders from diverse backgrounds to carry out their
business activities in Malacca.

Fall of Malaccca
Malacca reached supremacy under Sultan Mansur Shah’s reign but started
declining after Sultan Mahmud took over the throne. Both internal and external
factors contributed to the decline. Among internal factors were weak and
inefficient leaders, corruption, unfair taxes imposed on traders, power struggle
among the Malacca elite and disunity among the people.

a) Weak leadership after the death of Sultan Mansur Shah led to territories
under the control of the sultanate breaking off and forming autonomous
units.

b) Power struggle after the death of chief minister Tun Perak and the
appointment of Tun Mutahir.

c) Misunderstandings among the elite, especially between the old guards
(Sultan Mahmud’s group) and new guards (Sultan Ahmad’s group).

d) Lack of unity among the people caused by the misunderstandings between
the Malays and Indian Muslims in Malacca.

e) Widespread corruption and injustice and oppression felt by the people.
Tun Mutahir was more interested in personal wealth accumulation.

f) Weaknesses in Malacca’s defence system. Malacca did not have a strong
fort.

g) High and unfair taxes enraged merchants and traders who then moved to
other ports such as Aceh, Bentan, Pattani and Brunei to carry out their
business activities.

h) External factors – the successful crossing of the Cape of Good Hope in
1488 made it easier for ships to sail from the west to the east. Hence,
European powers took an interest in the eastern trade, leading to European
colonial expansion to the east.

i) Portuguese invasion of Malacca in 1509 and 1511 with much superior
ships and weapons.

QUESTION 2

a) Factors leading to the formation of Malaysia in 1963
1. Only Malaya was an independent nation while Singapore, Brunei, Sabah and
Sarawak were still under British control. These territories were considered too
small to be independent entities. It was felt that a merger with Malaya would
bring early independence to these territories.

2. The British were agreeable to a merger of these territories and granting
independence as there were many similarities between Malaya, Singapore, Sabah,
Sarawak and Brunei, in terms of the legal system, economy, history, financial
structure and people.

3. Political uncertainty in Singapore with the Socialist Front posing serious
challenge to PAP’s dominance. The governments of Malaya and Britain were not
in favour of the socialist forces winning in the elections and taking over
Singapore’s administration.

4. Rising communist threat in these territories. There was a greater danger for
Malaya and Singapore if the communists in these places join forces. By merging
and granting independence to these territories, the communists could be easily
defeated.

5. The British were confident their economic and social interests in these territories
would be protected with the merger and independence of these territories.

6. Alliance government in Malaya realized merger must not be only with Singapore
because the ethnic balance will change with Malays losing the majority. The
merger proposal was to also bring in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei to protect the
indigenous people, preserve the ethnic balance and maintain their majority.

7. Sharing of economic recourses for mutual benefit. Through merger, these member
states will have better economic and trade cooperation which was expected to
benefit all. In particular, it was expected to bring progress to the economically
less developed Sabah and Sarawak.

8. Common stand in foreign policy and international relations.

9. Other events before the formation of Malaysia.
a) Internal opposition: Though there was general agreement for the merger, some
groups within these territories were against the move.
b) External opposition: Indonesia and the Philippines were against the merger.
c) Cobbold Commission was formed to investigate the views of the people in
Sabah and Sarawak towards the merger. Commission reported that 80 per cent
of residents in the two states were in favour of the merger.
d) A referendum was held in Singapore with 71 per cent of the residents
favouring a merger.
e) Inter-government committee (Landsdowne Committee) was formed to prepare
the basic framework of a new Malaysian Constitution.
f) Malaysia agreement signed in July 1963

a) Though initially in favour of the merger, Brunei opted out of the federation
for the following reasons:

1. Several requests of Brunei were not acceded. They include the allocation of
parliamentary seats, control of oil revenue, financial autonomy, investments, and
low tax rates.

2. Strong opposition from the Brunei People’s Party, which wanted Brunei, Sabah
and Sarawak to unite to form a North Kalimantan government. The party’s
leader, A.M. Azahari, was able to influence the people of Brunei to oppose the
merger.

3. Armed rebellion by the Brunei People’s Party on 8 December 1962. Though the
British put down the rebellion, there were fears Brunei’s entry would cause
political problems.

4. Brunei feared it would lose a large part of its wealth, especially oil revenue, if it
joined the federation.

5. Concerns over the power and status of the Sultan of Brunei after merger. Brunei
wanted the Sultan’s seniority in the Council of Rulers to be considered from the
time he was installed as the Sultan of Brunei and not when Brunei joined the
federation.

Major reasons for the separation of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia:

1. Several misunderstandings arose between PAP and the Alliance leaders causing
tense relations between the Federal Government and Singapore, especially on
issues relating to the economy, party politics and ethnic relations.
2. Singapore’s concern over lack of economic development after merger.
3. PAP attempted to contest and take over the role of MCA in the Alliance
government. PAP has been constantly criticizing the MCA as not being capable of
representing the Chinese or bringing development to the community.
4. Several PAP campaigns were seen as intruding into issues of Malay privileges
and raising ethnic tensions, which led to riots on 21 July 1964.
5. Lee Kuan Yew’s “Malaysia for Malaysians” campaign had stirred up emotions
and angered Malay nationalists, with the potential of racial disturbances.
6. Tunku Abdul Rahman’s efforts to reduce tensions failed and Singapore was
formally separated from Malaysia.