The Role Of Indians In The Malaysians Constitutional Struggle, 1946-1948: A Reassesment

Abstract

This paper argues that the contribution of the Indian community in the Malaysian constitutional struggle of 1946-48 has not only remained unrecognised but has also been misinterpreted in modern historical writings. Authors writing on this period failed to consult all sources available and have simply repeated unsubstantiated generalisations about local Indians current during the period. This paper adduces evidence to reject the argument that the lack of Indian involvement in the Malaysian constitutional struggle was because they viewed themselves as a transient community in the country and were more preoccupied with the politics in India. More importantly, it is shown that the local Indian community, through the Malaysian Indian Congress, took an active lead in opposing both the Malayan Union proposals and the subsequent Federation agreement. The opposition was not grounded on parochial community concerns, but on the belief that these proposals held no promise for an immediate, independent and democratic Malaya (Malaysia).