Yes, many forget this piece of history
what freed from british empire? who adopted the people? did british empire abandoned the people?
we are basically at each other's throat, racial tensions had reached a boiling point to the point blood had spilled onto the ground.
to accept his history do a huge disservice to all people that involved.

The japanese occupation
During the japanese occupation of malaya, the slogan "asia for asians" and the promise of self-governance led malay to welcome the japanese with open arms.
However, others chose to resist, forming forces like the malayan people's anti japanese army (mpaja mostly chinese) and the indian national army (ina) to defend tanah melayu against the invaders.

Despite initial resistance, the british forces were defeated and eventually withdrew. At first, the occupation brought betrayal and targeted genocide toward mostly chinese and indians, often carried out by local informants collaborators mostly malay under japanese orders. But eventually, the japanese regime treated all locals equally—harshly. People soon realised that the promises of self-governance and prosperity were empty. Life under occupation was brutal and oppressive.

After japan's defeat
With japan’s surrender, a power vacuum emerged. Former resistance groups like the mpaja—many of whom were aligned with the communist party of malaya (mpc also mostly chinese)—rose in influence, leading to what is now referred to as the “13 days of terror” or the beginning of the malayan emergency.

During this period of lawlessness, the mcp attempted to seize control and establish a new government. They targeted collaborators, police officers, teachers, and informants who had assisted the japanese, enabled the occupation and genocide. Revenge attacks were carried out, often along racial lines against malay, leading to further bloodshed. The ina, which had opposed japanese rule, did not support the communists either, but among them also supported acts of revenge against the malay. However, the mcp also targeted the ina, adding to the chaos.

Eventually, the british military returned, reestablishing control through military administration and restoring some order.

The Road to Independence
Before independence, chinese, indians, and other non malay groups were not automatically granted citizenship in tanah melayu. The british pushed for inclusive citizenship through proposals like the malayan union and the federation of malaya, but these were met with strong opposition from the malays and umno (over simplification but it's one of the reason).

After world war 2, the idea of independence resurfaced but was initially rejected. The british government made it clear: independence would only be granted if a multiracial agreement could be achieved especially regarding citizenship and political cooperation.

The events of the "13 days of terror" or some called it "red terror" were used as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of division. This eventually led to negotiations involving 4 key figures from all major ethnic groups and a british. The result was the formation of a social contract, a compromise in which non-malays were granted citizenship, while malays were accorded special rights.

This agreement paved the way for tanah melayu’s eventual independence.

This post has been edited by junsheng: Apr 22 2025, 01:56 AM