Compare the features of Malayan Union with the Federation of Malaya 1948 Essay Example

Malayan nationality were introduced by Malayan Union. Thus, many people will become Malayan citizens. Through the principle, people who were born in any British Malaya or Singapore’s States will automatically become the citizens of Malaya if they were living there before 15 February 1942. For people who were born outside British Malaya or Straits Settlements only if their fathers were citizens of the Malayan Union and those who reached 18 years old and who had live in British Malaya or Singapore, 10 out of 15 ears before 15 February 1942, the Malayan citizenship was obtained for them too.

Moreover, people who want citizenship and eligible for the application must possess good characteristics and fluent in English or Malay. Furthermore, they had to take an oath of allegiance to the Malayan Union. However, the Malays continue to show their objection after the inauguration of the Malayan Union. They refused to attend the installation ceremony of the British governors and refused to participate in the meetings of the Advisory Councils.

After British took measures the opinions of Malayan citizens, the formation on Malayan Union was cancelled out and it had been replaced by the Federation of Malaya. It is a federation that comprise nine Malay states of the Malay Peninsula and two of the Straits Settlements which are Malacca and Penang. This Federation of Malaya was formed in 1948 and became part of the British finally agreed to replace the Malayan Union with a new form of government, known as the Federation of Malaya, which was under the administration of a federal government in Kuala Lumpur appointed by the British Higher Commissioner.

The new system of administration was officially launched

on 1 February 1948 despite being opposed by certain groups. The launch of the Federation of Malaya was on 21st January 1948. The signatures of nine Malay rulers were obtained and in February 1948, Federation of Malaya government replaced that of Malayan Union. Upon of this replacing, a Federal Legislative Council and an Executive Council was under the chairmanship of the Higher Commissioner.

Moreover, the Malay rulers were returned of their rights over their own states. The administration of Malacca and Penang came under Resident Commissioner and the Executive Council was to advise the Higher Commissioner. A Council of Rulers was to be formed to advise the Higher Commissioner especially on matters related to immigration. Next, each state would have a State Council while the conditions for citizenship became stricter and the special rights of the Malays were recognize through the Federation of Malaya 1948.