Malaysia's National Museum Takes Visitors Back To The Struggle For Independence

By Kurniawati Kamarudin KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Every year, the Malaysia's National Museum celebrates Merdeka Day (Independence Day) and month by holding exhibits to commemorate the significance of Aug 31, 1957. The exhibits have been instrumental in nurturing the patriotic spirit by taking visitors back to the period leading up to the country's independence and reliving the struggles of their ancestors in achieving it. This year's exhibition named "Satu Malaysia Satu Cerita" ("1Malaysia, One Story") is one of such exhibits that details Malaysia's journey towards becoming a sovereign nation. HISTORY The fight for independence was one that was crucial to the formation of a free and independent Malaysia. The exhibit, through the segment "Bersatu Kita Teguh" ("United We Stand"), brings visitors back to the bitter struggles of the earlier generation in fighting for freedom from the clutches of imperialism. The key to their success was in holding unity above differences, said the National Museum's Senior Curator, Roslelawati Abdullah. Leaders and freedom fighters put aside their differences in race, religion, political ideologies and ideals to jointly fight for the country’s independence. Together they dismantled the barrier that set them apart through the "divide and conquer" practice of colonialists, who segregated them into working to serve different economic needs. They then rebuilt their relationship on a foundation of trust, respect and unity. "This is explained in detail through the photographs and write-up that you can find at the exhibition. This is so that today’s generation can understand and appreciate the struggles and sacrifices of the older generations who fought for independence, she said. THE EMERGENCY The Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) took over Malaya from the Japanese who surrendered in 1945. It was a period that became a black spot in the country’s history. The CPM committed senseless murders and vandalised public property and had a free reign until the British returned to Malaya and declared Emergency in 1948. Under the measures, leftist parties such as the CPM were outlawed and the police were given the power to take actions to curb their activities. They also expanded the Malay Regiment, set up the Home Guard and War Working Committee and established new villages under the Briggs Plan and made military service mandatory. The Baling Talks was held in 1955 with CPM in the hopes of persuading them to lay down their arms. However, it failed when the party’s request to be recognised as a legitimate political party was denied. "The country's success in eradicating communist activities is a historical moment to be cherished by all peace-loving countries that practice parliamentary democracy system. "Today's generation who did not have to bear with the struggles of living during the period of Emergency also need to be grateful for sacrifices of our security forces, as it was what allowed us to enjoy the life of peace and prosperity that we enjoy today," said Roslelawati. UNITED WE STAND One of the more significant parts of the exhibition is that on the Malay nationalist movement. Things reached a boiling point when the British forced the Malay rulers to sign the formation of the Malayan Union in 1946, dissolve sovereignty and the powers of the monarchy and make it easier for the non-Malays to gain citizenship. This led to the formation of the United Malays National Organisation (UMN0) at Istana Besar, Johor on May 11, 1946. The objection against the formation of the Malayan Union eventually led to its dissolution on Jan 21, 1948. The Federation of Malaya was born in February 1948 after negotiations between UMNO, representatives of the Malay Rulers and the British. The federation comprised 11 states in the Malay Peninsula namely Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Penang and Malacca. A British High Commissioner was appointed by the British government to head the Federal Legislative Council and Executive Council. The declaration on Feb 1, 1948 marked the return of the sovereignty of the Malay states and the institution of Malay kings to Malaya's political system. The issue of citizenship for non-Bumiputera residents and Malay interests also found a clear position in the new Federation. (Bumiputera is a Malaysian term to describe the Malay race and other indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia). The Federation became the basic framework to the establishment of the system of the Federation of Malaya, which was declared in 1957. A committee named the Interracial Relations Committee was established in January 1949 in northern state Penang. In its early stages, the Committee consisted of Malay and Chinese leaders whose task was to unite people of all races. The participation of leaders and various races led to political change in Malaya and racial unity became the basis upon which independence would be achieved, Roslelawati said. MALAYA'S GENERAL ELECTION The rising dissent against colonialists forced them to yield and paved the way for a series of elections. The first election was the City of Kuala Lumpur's Election in February 1952, which featured a cooperation between UMNO (The United Malays National Organisation is Malaysia's largest political party) and the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) party that resulted in victory. The same applied to elections in cities like Johor, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan. The coalition between the two races became stronger when they organised the National Convention with 12 other organisations, in the bid to strengthen unity and understanding between the races to ease the ultimate goal of achieving independence. It was a huge victory when the Alliance Party, consisting of UMNO, MCA and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), which represented the three main races in the Federation of Malaya, won the Federal Legislative Council Election in 1955 that was held on July 27, 1955. "The election was the sole general election held in the Federation of Malaya prior to independence on Aug 31, 1957. This victory marked the end of the British rule on Malaya and the start of self-governance," she said. Roslelawati added that it also proved the willingness of the Malayan people to accept racial consensus in various parties. THE MERDEKA ENTOURAGE It became the Alliance Party’s manifesto to gain independence from the British rule and form a new government. To realise it, Tunku Abdul Rahman who was Chief Minister at the time led an entourage to London on Jan 1, 1956 to negotiate the terms to the country's independence. The three-week negotiation culminated in the signing of an agreement of Malaya's independence at the Lancaster House in London between Tunku and Colonial Secretary Sir Alan Lennox Boyd, who represented the British government. An independent commission called the Reid Commission was then formed to outline the new constitution with a focus on a strong federal government with autonomous power in certain fields. THE CRY OF FREEDOM The momentous cry of "Merdeka!" by Tunku Abdul Rahman was something that should be remembered and cherished by every Malaysian, said Roslelawati. The historical occasion was recreated using a life-sized photograph during the exhibition to help visitors better visualise the atmosphere back then. Visitors have the chance to even be part of the momentous occasion by having a photograph taken against the props and backdrop using the 'relief photography' technique. Other noteworthy displays at the exhibition include the first flag of the Federated Malay States, Tunku Abdul Rahman's vintage car, the latest Proton Perdana (Malaysia's automobile car model), the jersey of Malaysian football legend Mokhtar Dahari, the Eagle Aircraft 105B and the Moto3 trophy of motorcycle racer Khairul Idham Pawi. The exhibition, which runs from Aug 1 to Sept 30, is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily. --BERNAMA