Events Leading To The Declaration of Independence Date

While the undercurrent of awareness in the fight for independence is strong, the British became worried should the Malays shift their support to the left parties such as the National Malay Party of Malaya, Young Malays Union, Aware Youth Movement, Conscious Women Movement and Malayan Communist Party. Because of that, when the Alliance Party, UMNO and MCA began to place insurmountable amount of pressure upon the British to have a general election, they have no choice but to give in.

The first Federal Election was held on 27 July 1955. Several parties such as UMNO, MCA, MIC, Nation Party, PAS and Labour Party took part for the 52 chairs contested. At the same time, to show a commitment towards independence for all, UMNO cooperated with MCA (which was formed on 27 February 1949) and MIC (formed in August 1946) to establish the Alliance Party in dealing with the election. The result of that they succeeded in winning 51 chairs from the 52 chairs contested. This became the foundation for an understanding in fulfilling the demands of the British that independence is only achievable when there is full cooperation and tolerance amongst the different races in Malaya. The Alliances assurance is a promise for independence within four years.

On 1 August 1955, Tunku Abdul Rahman formed the first Cabinet that was represented

by 6 Malay, 3 Chinese and 2 Indian representatives. Tunku Abdul Rahman was appointed as the Chief Minister and Minister of Home Affairs. Among the line of members are Datuk Abdul Razak Hussain, Dr. Ismail Datuk Abdul Rahman, En. H.S. Lee, En. Abd. Aziz Ishak, En. Baba Leong Yew Koh, En. Sardon Haji Jubir, Tun V.T. Sambathan, En. Sulaiman Datuk Abd. Rahman and En. Bba Ong Yok Lin. They pledged duty on 9 August 1955.

Besides fulfilling the criteria of tolerance between races, Tunku Abdul Rahman is confronted with solving the issue of communist rebellion for freedom. The British had pledged that as long as communist threat is unresolved, independence will be delayed. In dealing with the challenge, Tunku decided on diplomacy by having the Baling Conference on 28-29 December 1956 with Chin Peng, the Chief Secretary of the Malayan Communist Party. The endeavour agitated the British who had been dealing with the MCP through force.

Britishs agitation quickened the process of granting independence, which revealed Tunku Abdul Rahmans astuteness. At the same time, MCP rejected vehemently Tunkus request for its party to be disbanded and proceeded with an armed rebellion that brought forth more suffering to the rural community as well as threatening the nations security and economy.

On 18 January 6 February 1956, Tunku Abdul Rahman headed a group of people to negotiate independence for the Federation of Malaya.

The expedition was joined by several leaders of the Alliance Party; Dato' Abdul Razak Hussein, Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, Kolonel H.S. Lee, Tuan T.H. Tan and Encik Bahaman Shamsudin and representatives from the Council of Rulers; Dato' Panglima Bukit Gantang, Dato' Nik Ahmad Kamil, Encik Abdul Aziz Majid and Dato Mohd. Seth.

On 8 February1956, the promise of Independence was realised with the setting of the date 31 August 1957 as the Independence Day for the Federation of Malaya. Returning from London, Tengku Abdul Rahman made the Declaration of Independence at Padang Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir, Malacca on 20 February 1956 and was received joyously by the people.

While preparations were being made to celebrate the birth of a newly independent nation, a free-regulating official known as the Reid Policy Commissioner was formed on 21 March 1956 to examine and legislate laws for the Federation of Malaya. At 12.00 midnight on 30 August 1957, the Union Jack flag was brought down in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad building, Kuala Lumpur, and soon the new flag of the Federation of Malaya was raised in replace and waved proudly.

On the next day, the echoes of independence were heard seven times throughout every nook of Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, during the proclamation of independence ceremony by Tunku Abdul Rahman. The result of a struggle of the Malays and other races, at last on 31

August 1957, Federation of Malaya succeeded in breaking the chains of colonization that has long plagued her lands.