Anwar Ibrahim is inviting Trump to Malaysia to try and negotiate, using DIPLOMACY, for the Palestinian issue... Revoke the invitation in support of Palestine..
Malaysia’s decision to invite United States President Donald Trump to the upcoming Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur is part of Putrajaya’s strategic effort to push for Palestinian rights through diplomacy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night. - Malay Mail, 9/10/2025
FACT 1 - There are still 2 ASEAN member States, being Singapore and Myanmmar, that still refuses to recognize the State of Palestine. Anwar yet to be able to convince even convince Singapore and Myanmar on the Palestinian Issue. Has ASEAN even recognized the State of Palestine? Anwar, start convincing ASEAN member States first.
FACT 2 - Anwar Ibrahim is a VERY BAD NEGOTIATOR - To reduce US imposed Tariff from 24% to 19%, Malaysia had to agree (a) To invest RM1 Trillion in US, (b) Remove import duty for almost all US products; (c) Supply US with Rare Earth (despite Bukit Merah, Lynas and people's protest). Original Tariff was just 2-3%, and worse Singapore gets 10%, and Philippines gets 17%. Anwar is thus a BAD negotiator - and did not this RM1 Trillion 'agreement' just increase Malaysia's Debt/Financial Liability by RM1 Trillion - to now maybe RM2.5 Trillion? No information yet whether the Malaysian agreement with US was pre-approved by even Cabinet. Has Cabinet approved it NOW, and surely we must need Parliament approval if we are going to make such large financial commitment.
Finance
Minister Anwar's FAILURE - Failed to reduce Tariff(originally 2-3%),
and 'committed' to US purchases/investment worth over RM1 trillion,
eliminate import tax on 11,000 US products?
FACT 3 - There is DOUBT whether Anwar's position on Palestine is THE SAME with Malaysian peoples' stance. Our Malaysian position previously was strong - we did not just want to just stop the Killing or access to humanitarian aid > We wanted, at the very least, the total withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, West Bank and all occupied territories back to its 1947 Borders, as per he UN Partition Plan. We wanted Palestinians who have been displaced from their homes/land in Palestine to be able to return to their homes/land in Israel.....There have been many efforts of people including BOYCOTT campaigns and calls not to have dealings with certain companies, who have been identified with arms supply or financing Israel...
Malaysians
stance of Israel-Palestine maybe different from Anwar and government?
Blackrock, BOYCOTT, dealings with arm suppliers that kill Palestinians?
....a statement today by more than 30 experts and special rapporteurs led by Robert McCorquodale, a member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.
The statement also warns financial institutions investing in the arms companies involved in supplying weapons to Israel.
Among the investors named include Bank of America, BlackRock, Capital Group, Causeway Capital Management, Citigroup, Fidelity Management & Research, JP Morgan Chase, Harris Associates, Morgan Stanley and The Vanguard Group.
"Failure to prevent or mitigate their business relationships with these arms manufacturers transferring arms to Israel could move from being directly linked to human rights abuses to contributing to them, with repercussions for complicity in potential atrocity crimes," the experts said.
Many Malaysians campaigned for Malaysia not to proceed with the agreement with BlackRock - as part as the campaign in supporting the Palestine cause. Note, BlackRock and such companies were not not HIGHLIGHTED before as supporting Israel - but sadly, Anwar Ibrahim disappointed us all with going ahead with BlackRock - One point raised by the PM was that BlackRock was already in Malaysia but sadly that cannot justify Malaysia proceeding with deal, as that was before the call in 2024 naming the bad companies that support the evil Israel. Malaysia should have thereafter acted to get rid of Blackrock from Malaysia.
One of the other Companies highlighted by the UN experts was BOEING -
Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to purchase a total of 26 Boeing aircraft in two phases, a deal estimated to be worth close to US$19 billion, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. - Malay Mail, 1/8/2025
GENEVA (20 June 2024) – The transfer of weapons and ammunition to Israel may constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws and risk State complicity in international crimes, possibly including genocide, UN experts said today, reiterating their demand to stop transfers immediately.
In line with recent calls from the Human Rights Council and the independent UN experts to States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, arms manufacturers supplying Israel – including BAE Systems, Boeing, Caterpillar, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oshkosh, Rheinmetall AG, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, RTX, and ThyssenKrupp – should also end transfers, even if they are executed under existing export licenses.
“These companies, by sending weapons, parts, components, and ammunition to Israeli forces, risk being complicit in serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian laws,”- UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
Now, in my opinion, under PM Anwar Ibrahim this government has been abandoning our previously strong position on Palestine - in fact Malaysia has shamelessly ignored even calls from Human Rights Experts of the United Nations to:- and, hence the deal with BlackRock and Boeing - and the presence of some of supporters of Israel in exhibitions in Malaysia. Inadvertently, Malaysia is supporting companies that finance or supply arms to Israel that is used to kill Palestinians and destroy their homes. Malaysia under Anwar may be seen as supporting Israel who are committing gross injustice against Palestinians. Anwar, do REPENT and go back to truly supporting Palestine -that includes boycotting companies that support Israel, and also taking action against countries like US that also use its Veto power to prevent UN from effectively acting to end this injustice in Palestine.
NOW, looking at the Anwar's justification for the invitation of TRUMP -
“When Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted independence, he and his delegation went to London to meet the British — the colonisers of our country, who oppressed our people, exploited our wealth, exiled our rulers, and demeaned Islam in our land. Yet diplomatic negotiations were important because the goal was independence.But, let us not forget that British finally agreed to Independence because of the long struggle for independence by the Malaysian people - some employed armed struggle, some used 'peaceful' means - like protest, strikes and of course the HARTAL(which UMNO and the Communist party stayed out).
“Vietnam, which was once colonised by France and America, went to Paris to negotiate peace. My colleagues and I want peace. Stop killing the children in Gaza, stop hurting their women, give them their rights and their freedom,” he said.
Vietnam - Has Anwar forgotten that the Vietnamese people won the war against the America, and the Americans were forced to flee Vietnam(the only country that defeated US). That 'negotiations' was after Vietnam won. That meeting was to finalize the surrender and independence.
So, the 2 examples that Anwar Ibrahim made to justify his upcoming meeting with TRUMP for the sake of Palestine is flawed, and can't be a Justification to meet Trump.
Many have tried to negotiate or use diplomacy with the US on this issue. US has continued to use its VETO power to even block the majority UN member States.
There are even UN Resolutions that Israel failed to comply but no actions from the UN because of the US Veto.
There is also International Court judgments... So Anwar's attempt to use NEGOTIATIONS with Trump for Palestine is useless.
Malaysia may no longer be acknowledged as a STRONG committed advocate for JUSTICE in Palestine. We just do not want a stop to the Killing and for humanitarian aid to flow BUT TRUE Justice for Palestine.
In my opinion, PM Anwar should just UN-INVITE President Trump to Kuala Lumpur - in solidarity with Palestine, and as a protest against Israel, and it's strongest ally the US.
Malaysia should push for the abolition of the VETO in the UN - that VETO, which has been used numerous times by US to effectively prevent action against by the UN against Israel.
Malaysia should push for a UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE that will immediately enter Gaza, and all occupied Palestinian territory (based on the map in 1947 for now) to force Israel to withdraw to its borders, and to thereafter ensure a democratic elections be held in Palestine to restore democracy, and form a government of the people by the people. [The presence of a UN Peacekeeping Force will end the killing...]
Anwar should abandon his plan for negotiations or a Diplomatic solutions by meeting Trump, considering the history of this issue.
Malaysia should cancel the contract to buy BOEING planes - and take steps to remove BlackRock from Malaysia...
Is Anwar meeting with Trump for personal reasons - to prove that he is a great PM, who managed to sit down will all major leaders of the world - now soon Trump? Najib met the US President - does Anwar also want a 'personal achievement' that he met Trump?
We should stand by our principles - do not kow tow to TRUMP...
Should Malaysians do a HARTAL - a peoples' action - where businesses close, workers don't work, etc as a STRONG PROTEST against Trump and the United States for the sake of Palestine, and also Malaysia? Did Anwar even ask Trump to get Israel, its 'good' friend, to release the 9 Malaysians still detained in Israel?
Turkiye will continue to assist in efforts to bring home the nine Malaysian activists detained by Israeli forces while participating in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens To Gaza (FFC x TTMG) humanitarian mission. - Malay Mail, 9/10/2025
It was ODD for PM Anwar to celebrate now the release of some by Israel, whilst 9 still are being detained by Israel. Should he have not waited for ALL to be released first...Or are we going to have another event when the other 9 'Hostages' are released.
Watching Astro Awani, I wonder who were the attendees - did they come there freely - or were they forced to attend to fill up the seats? In peaceful assemblies, we see people bringing all kinds of posters with different words - that seem to be missing at the event. How come there were NO non-Muslims (or maybe very few)? Were even all party/leaders of the Anwar's Madani government present?
Understand Palestine HR issues - push away people from other religions and prevent them from engaging with our cause since Palestinians include Christians, Jews, and even Baha’is.“The struggle for Palestine is for Christians, atheists, and anyone else. You just have to be human,”
Remember what TRUMP did to Malaysia - US, who advocated FREE TRADE where 'Tariffs' are inconsistent with that principle, increased the Tariff of Malaysian goods/products to 24% (then reduced to 19%) from what was about 2-4%. Despite all Malaysia offered - US did not bring back tariff rates to what was.. and Anwar is taking out the 'RED CARPET' for Trump despite being 'slapped in the face' by US?
I anticipate that there may be much PROTEST in Malaysia if and when TRUMP arrives in Malaysia - Anwar may be 'iron fisted' and prevent all protests - he already talked about 'lockdown' of Kuala Lumpur when Trump comes...
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim bergurau mengatakan Kuala Lumpur akan dikenakan sekatan pergerakan sepenuhnya atau ‘lockdown’ pada bulan depan sekiranya tiga pemimpin dunia datang ke negara ini.Mereka ialah Presiden Amerika Syarikat, Donald Trump, Presiden Russia, Vladimir Putin dan Perdana Menteri China, Li Qiang bagi menghadiri Sidang Kemuncak ASEAN ke-47 Oktober depan.- Kosmo, 10/9/2025
Will Malaysians be denied the RIGHT to tell Trump and the US how Malaysians truly feel - which may not be the same as how our PM Anwar feels?
Wonder whether PM Anwar's government will serve Trump alcohol? ...
‘What’s wrong with negotiating?’ Anwar defends Trump invite amid Gaza solidarity rally
BUKIT JALIL, Oct 9 — Malaysia’s decision to invite United States President Donald Trump to the upcoming Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur is part of Putrajaya’s strategic effort to push for Palestinian rights through diplomacy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.
Dismissing criticism of the invitation, Anwar said that engagement with world powers is necessary to achieve meaningful change.
“In the name of Asean, we want to invite Donald Trump. What’s wrong with negotiating? I am not surrendering, I want to negotiate,” he said at the “Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza” rally at the Axiata Arena here to loud cheers.
Anwar said he hopes his meeting with Trump during the summit later this month will help advance the cause of a sovereign Palestinian state.
He added that Malaysia would use the diplomatic platform to continue voicing support for the Palestinian struggle while maintaining a firm and principled stance.
“When Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted independence, he and his delegation went to London to meet the British — the colonisers of our country, who oppressed our people, exploited our wealth, exiled our rulers, and demeaned Islam in our land. Yet diplomatic negotiations were important because the goal was independence.
“Vietnam, which was once colonised by France and America, went to Paris to negotiate peace. My colleagues and I want peace. Stop killing the children in Gaza, stop hurting their women, give them their rights and their freedom,” he said.
Trump is expected to attend the Asean–US Summit and the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, which will be held alongside the 47th Asean Summit from October 26 to 28, the largest in the bloc’s history since its establishment in 1976.
Apart from Trump, several world leaders including President Vladimir Putin are expected to attend, along with leaders from Asia, Europe, Canada, Africa and Latin America. - Malay Mail, 9/10/2025
Anwar defends Trump invite, draws parallel with Malaya’s struggle for independence
The prime minister says he and Asean only want peace in Gaza and, therefore, diplomacy is vital.
Speaking at a “Solidarity with Gaza” event tonight, Anwar said diplomacy, even with those who are deemed to be adversaries, is sometimes necessary for the greater good.
“When Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted (to secure) independence (for Malaya), he brought a delegation to London to meet our colonisers, the ones who oppressed us and Islam.
“But diplomacy was important, because our goal was independence,” he told a crowd of more than 10,000 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Anwar said his call for dialogue with Trump was guided by a similar principle: the pursuit of peace.
He said he and the other Asean member states yearned for peace in Gaza, and for Palestinians to no longer suffer.
“If this means that we invite Trump, what’s wrong with negotiating? I’m not surrendering, I’m negotiating,” he said.
Anwar said he was not bothered by critics who mocked him for extending the invitation to Trump, stressing that political maturity and wisdom were needed when handling international issues.
“People insult me because I want to invite Donald Trump on behalf of Asean. They say I’m the most useless prime minister.
“But if you read history, you will find that Prophet Muhammad himself had negotiated with those who had mocked and rejected him.”
On Sept 27, Anwar defended the decision to invite Trump to attend the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this month, saying Malaysia will use diplomatic channels to continue voicing concerns over Palestine, including the atrocities in Gaza.
He said Malaysia “must be strategic in negotiations, maintaining a firm stance in defending truth and justice while pursuing diplomacy with wisdom”.
He had said this in response to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who urged the government to withdraw the invitation to Trump over Washington’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Mahathir had said the US continued to provide Israel with funds, weapons and military assistance “to perpetuate the killing of Palestinians”.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had also said the justification for inviting Trump was weak and unreasonable, describing him as a “great devil”.
Trump confirmed his attendance at the Asean Summit, scheduled for Oct 26 to 28, during a phone call with Anwar. - FMT, 9/10/2025
States and companies must end arms transfers to Israel immediately or risk responsibility for human rights violations: UN experts
20 June 2024
GENEVA (20 June 2024) – The transfer of weapons and ammunition to Israel may constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws and risk State complicity in international crimes, possibly including genocide, UN experts said today, reiterating their demand to stop transfers immediately.
In line with recent calls from the Human Rights Council and the independent UN experts to States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, arms manufacturers supplying Israel – including BAE Systems, Boeing, Caterpillar, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oshkosh, Rheinmetall AG, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, RTX, and ThyssenKrupp – should also end transfers, even if they are executed under existing export licenses.
“These companies, by sending weapons, parts, components, and ammunition to Israeli forces, risk being complicit in serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian laws,” the experts said. This risk is heightened by the recent decision from the International Court of Justice ordering Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah, having recognised genocide as a plausible risk, as well as the request filed by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. “In this context, continuing arms transfers to Israel may be seen as knowingly providing assistance for operations that contravene international human rights and international humanitarian laws and may result in profit from such assistance.”
An end to transfers must include indirect transfers through intermediary countries that could ultimately be used by Israeli forces, particularly in the ongoing attacks on Gaza. The UN experts said that arms companies must systematically and periodically conduct enhanced human rights due diligence to ensure that their products are not used in ways that violate international human rights and international humanitarian laws.
Financial institutions investing in these arms companies are also called to account. Investors such as Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung, Amundi Asset Management, Bank of America, BlackRock, Capital Group, Causeway Capital Management, Citigroup, Fidelity Management & Research, INVESCO Ltd, JP Morgan Chase, Harris Associates, Morgan Stanley, Norges Bank Investment Management, Newport Group, Raven'swing Asset Management, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, State Street Corporation, Union Investment Privatfonds, The Vanguard Group, Wellington and Wells Fargo & Company, are urged to take action. Failure to prevent or mitigate their business relationships with these arms manufacturers transferring arms to Israel could move from being directly linked to human rights abuses to contributing to them, with repercussions for complicity in potential atrocity crimes, the experts said.
“Arms initiate, sustain, exacerbate, and prolong armed conflicts, as well as other forms of oppression, hence the availability of arms is an essential precondition for the commission of war crimes and violations of human rights, including by private armament companies,” said the experts.
They said the ongoing Israeli military assault is characterised by indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure, including through extensive use of explosive and incendiary weapons in densely populated areas, as well as in the destruction and damage of essential and life-sustaining essential civilian infrastructure, including housing and shelters, health, education, water and sanitation facilities. These attacks have resulted in more than 37,000 deaths in Gaza and 84,000 injured. Of these deaths and injuries, an estimated 70 per cent are women and children. Today, children in Gaza are the largest group of amputee children in the world due to grave injuries sustained in the war. These operations have also resulted in severe environmental and climate damages.
“The imperative for an arms embargo on Israel and for investors to take decisive action is more urgent than ever, particularly in light of states' obligations and companies' responsibilities under the Geneva Conventions, the Genocide Convention, the international human rights treaties, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” the UN experts said.
The experts paid tribute to the sustained work of journalists who have been documenting and reporting on the devastating impact of these weapons systems on civilians in Gaza, and human rights defenders and lawyers, among other stakeholders, who are dedicated to holding States and companies accountable for the transfer of weapons to Israel.
They have also engaged with States, as well as the involved businesses and investors on these issues.
The experts: Robert McCorquodale (Chair), Fernanda Hopenhaym (Vice-Chair), Pichamon Yeophantong, Damilola Olawuyi, Elzbieta Karska, Working Group on business and human rights; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Cecilia M Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Carlos Salazar Couto (Chair-Rapporteur), Michelle Small, Ravindran Daniel, Jovana Jezdimirovic Ranito, Sorcha MacLeod, Working Group on the use of mercenaries; Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism; Dorothy Estrada Tanck (Chair), Laura Nyirinkindi (Vice-Chair), Claudia Flores, Ivana Krstić, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls; Astrid Puentes, Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt; Marcos A. Orellana, Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes; Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing
The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
First all–race political action and the People’s Constitution 1 Aug 2007 12:00 am
©The Sun
(Used by permission)
by Fahmi Reza
ON Oct 20,1947,the whole of Malaya and Singapore bore witness to the first political action that involved the united action of people of all races – the Malaya–wide hartal.
The hartal, a general strike and the halting of economic activity, was effectively used in the Indian struggle for independence. It was used for the first time in Malaya by the left–wing coalition, Putera–AMCJA as a weapon against British colonialism.
Putera–AMCJA was a united front comprising two major political forces in Malaya: the Pusat Tenaga Ra’ayat (Centre for People’s Power) and the All–Malaya Council of Joint Action.
The AMCJA was a federation of political parties, labour unions, women’s associations and youth organisations that was inaugurated on Dec 22, 1946 in Kuala Lumpur.
The main organisations in the AMCJA was the Malayan Democratic Union (MDU), Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), Pan–Malayan Federation of Trade Unions (PMFTU),12–State Women’s Federation in Malaya, Malayan New Democratic Youth League (MNDYL) and the Malayan People’s Anti–Japanese Ex–Service Comrades’ Association.
Although dominated by left–leaning parties,the AMCJA was led by a prominent Straits–born capitalist,Tan Cheng Lock.
Putera was a coalition inaugurated on Feb 22,1947,consisting of Malay left–wing parties such as Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (Api), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (Awas), Barisan Tani Se–Malaya (Batas), Gerakan Angkatan Muda (Geram), Lembaga Persatuan Melayu Johor, and other smaller organisations.
Putera was led by Ishak Haji Muhammad, a journalist and nationalist who was also one of the founders of Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) in 1938.
Putera–AMCJA succeeded in bringing together all the political parties in Malaya except the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) in a popular people’s front to protest the Federation Constitution that was formulated by the British to replace the Malayan Union.
The coalition argued that the Federation Constitution was undemocratic because it was formulated in secret consultations between the colonial government and the Malay aristocracy,and sidelined the opinions and wishes of the Malayan people who sought democracy and self–governance.
For Putera–AMCJA, the British action of consulting only one party was part of a divisive “divide and rule” tactic. It held mass demonstrations throughout Malaya to protest.
At each gathering, attended by thousands from all races, Putera–AMCJA leaders such as Tan Cheng Lock,Ishak Haji Muhammad, John Thivy, Philip Hoalim Sr, Dr Burhanuddin Helmy, Gerald de Cruz, Ahmad Boestamam, K. Ganapathy and Shamsiah Fakeh explained the importance of people from all races uniting to fight the Federation Constitution and to back Putera–AMCJA’s struggles.
The coalition also held mass meetings throughout Malaya to gain endorsements for resolutions opposing the Federation Constitution. Hundreds of telegrams and protest letters were sent to the British government. But the British did not pay heed to any of this.
The People’s Constitution
Putera–AMCJA realised they needed a stronger and more progressive programme to win mass support. From May 1947,it began drafting an alternative constitution to challenge the Federation Constitution.
On Aug 10, 1947, the People’s Constitution was completed, taking into consideration the opinions and aspirations of the different factions within the Putera–AMCJA pact. It was a comprehensive document that covered provisions for a democratic system of government, towards establishing a new nationality and an independent nation–state.
The Straits Times dubbed the People’s Constitution as “the first political attempt to put Malayan party politics on a plane higher than that of rival racial interests, and also as the first attempt to build a political bridge between the domiciled non–Malay communities and the Malay race”.
On Sept 21, 1947, the People’s Constitution was presented for the first time to more than 20,000 people who had gathered at Farrer Park, Singapore. Subsequently, Putera–AMCJA began a national campaign to explain the contents of the People’s Constitution to Malayans.
Meetings, mass gatherings, and demonstrations were held in various places to get the people’s support.
The constitution was published in four languages and disseminated throughout the states. Copies were also sent to the Malayan Union Government, the British Prime Minister and the Colonial Office in London.
Yet once more, the British refused to pay attention to Putera–AMCJA or to hold discussions. The colonial government also rejected all proposals in the People’s Constitution.
Malaya–wide Hartal
On Oct 6, 1947, Putera–AMCJA released a “Hartal Manifesto”. It called upon all those who regarded Malaya as their home to observe Oct 20, 1947 as a Day of Protest against the Revised Constitutional Proposals,by staging a Malaya–wide hartal on that day.
“October 20 has been selected as the Day of Protest because it is on that day that the British Parliament is scheduled to begin its autumn session, during which it is reported that a debate on the constitutional issue in Malaya will take place.
“On October 20, therefore, between the hours of six a.m. and midnight, all those who regard Malaya as their real home and who support the People’s Constitution issued by Putera–AMCJA, are asked not to carry out their usual occupations, but to remain indoors throughout the day and night.
“You are asked for one day to cease work in order to demonstrate to government that you reject the Revised Constitutional Proposals, and in order to carry our struggle for acceptance of the People’s Constitution one step further.
“October 20 is the day on which the people of Malaya will be called upon to stage the greatest political demonstration that this country has ever seen.”
The campaign to promote the hartal began on Oct 7. Its aim was to ensure the hartal’s success and to prove to the British that the masses were behind the hartal.
Full hartal instructions were issued on how it should be observed, and “12 Hartal Slogans” that pinpointed the reasons for the hartal were sent to the media, all the parties within Putera–AMCJA, and to the 30 Putera–AMCJA centres throughout Malaya to be translated and disseminated to the people so that they fully understood the hartal’s aim as a political act.
Committees were set up in each state to align and plan activities for the hartal. Propaganda corps were established to tour the towns, districts and kampung to put up posters and banners,as well as give out leaflets explaining the hartal and the People’s Constitution.
Thus, on Oct 20, 1947, beginning from 6am,the whole of Malaya underwent the hartal. Merchants shut their shops, labourers stopped going to the mines, factories, shipyards, and rubber plantations, farmers did not work their lands, fishing folk stayed ashore, housewives did not go to the markets, and the youth stayed away from amusement parks. Only colonial government offices, European stores and several other shops operated as usual.
It was estimated that the British colonial government suffered £4 million in losses from the nationwide strike that day.
According to the Putera–AMCJA, the hartal was also “a unique method of political education. It brought the constitutional issue into every home in the country, and confronted every man, woman and child with this issue. Even in the Government English schools, children in the fourth and fifth standards questioned their teachers about the hartal, asked about its nature and why the government was opposed to it”.
Even though the hartal was a complete success in its execution, it failed to change British constitutional policy in Malaya. The British rejected the People’s Constitution and stayed committed to their agreement with the Malay aristocracy and defended their Federation Constitution.
On Feb 1, 1948, the Federation of Malaya was inaugurated to replace the Malayan Union.
Then, to crush Putera–AMCJA’s continued protests against the new Federation of Malaya, the British declared a state of Emergency throughout Malaya in June 1948.
Thousands of Putera–AMCJA leaders and members were arrested. Most were locked up in detention camps for several years while others were banished.
Most of the organisations affiliated to Putera–AMCJA were banned or dissolved. This was the turning point ad marked the beginning of the end of the constitutional independence struggle of the left in Malaya.
Fahmi Reza is the director of Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka, a short documentary film that chronicles the events that culminated in the Malayawide hartal day of protest against British colonial rule on Oct 20, 1947. - Malaysian Bar Website
| People's Constitutional Proposals[10] | Revised Constitutional Proposals[11] |
|---|---|
| A united Malaya including Singapore | A federation of the Malay states and the former Straits Settlements excluding Singapore |
| A popularly elected Central Government and popularly elected State councils | An appointed Executive Council headed by a British High Commissioner in Malaya and an appointed Federal Legislative Council of fifty unofficial members, fourteen official members and eleven free members (the Menteri Besar of the 9 Malay states and 1 representative each from Penang and Malacca). |
| A citizenship granting equal rights to all who made Malaya their permanent home and the object of their undivided loyalty | Birth qualifications, language test, and long residential terms imposed, effectively restricting the access to citizenship of domiciled non-Malays[6] |
| Malay Rulers to have real sovereign power responsible to the people through popularly elected Councils | Malay Rulers recognised as sovereign monarchs with inherent prerogatives, powers and privileges |
| Malay customs and religion to be fully controlled by the Malay people through special councils | Malay customs and religion placed within the sole jurisdiction of the Malay Rulers |
| Special provisions for the advancement of the Malays politically, economically and educationally | Special provisions for the advancement of the Malays politically, economically and educationally |
| Malay to be the official language | Malay recognised as an official language together with English |
| A national flag and anthem | A national flag was adopted with no provisions for a national anthem |
| Melayu to be the title of any proposed citizenship and nationality in Malaya | No provisions for a Malayan nationality was adopted |
| Foreign affairs and defence to be the joint responsibility of the government of Malaya and the government of Great Britain | All portfolios remained within the prerogative of the British High Commissioner and the government of Great Britain |
| A Council of Races to be set up to block any discriminatory legislation that is based on ethnicity or religion | No such provisions were provided for |
| Anglo-Malay sovereignty entrenched with the provision of a Conference of Rulers consisting of the Malay rulers presided over by the British High Commissioner, and a 55% reservation of Malay representation in the Federal legislature for the first 3 terms | A Conference of Rulers was formalised. Ethnic representation in the Federal Legislative Council was set with no provisions for an elected legislature |
All Malaya Hartal
The ACCC considered the Revised Constitutional Proposals as being autocratic and irresponsible and it threatened to delay the independence of Malaya indefinitely. A decision was made to co-operate with PUTERA-PMCJA (later PUTERA-AMCJA) because it had exhausted all constitutional channels of appeal (the ACCC was a participant in the Government Consultative Committee) and appeal to the British Parliament for the establishment of a Royal Commission to review and reverse the Revised Constitutional Proposals.[6]
Agitation against the Revised Constitutional Approvals grew throughout September with a successful hartal organised in Malacca and Ipoh in protest. Emboldened by the success, the ACCC decided to launch a country-wide strike and PUTERA-AMCJA was invited to support the strike. A decision was made to hold the strike, to be known as the All Malaya Hartal, on 20 October 1947 to coincide with the opening of the session of the British Parliament where the Revised Constitutional Proposals were to be tabled and debated.[6]
The hartal turned out to be a major success[13] although UMNO held counter demonstrations in the more rural areas like Senggaram and Bagan Datoh contributing to the rise in ethnic tensions and the cancellation of the planned strike in those areas.[6]
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