Module 1 History of Malaysia

Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tunku Abdul Rahman is known as the Father of Independence ( Bapa Kermerdekaan) . He became the first prime minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1957 to1963, and of Malaysia from 1963 to 1970.

Tunku was born on February 8, 1903 in Alor Setar, the capital of the State of Kedah. He was the seventh prince of Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah, the twenty fourth Sultan of Kedah, and Che Manjalara. Said to be a robust and bright boy with a particular fondness for sports, Tunku received his early education at the Debsurin School, Bangkok and Penang Free School.On a Kedah Government scholarship, he went on to study at St. Catherine's College, Cambridge University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in law and history in 1925.

His leadership flair also unfolded in England. Realising the Malay students there were not represented by any organisation, he established the Kesatuan Melayu Great Britain (Malay Association of Great Britain) and became its first secretary. After returning home, he joined the Kedah Civil Service as a cadet in the Legal Advisor's Office, and then as a district officer in several Kedah districts. He proved unpopular among some British officials thanks to his outspokenness and tendency to introduce reforms in his quest to improve the living standards of the people. The political awareness he gained while making friends with people from various nations in England did not go to waste, when he was made chairman of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) soon after his return. On August 26, 1951, Tunku became the UMNO President succeeding Dato' Onn Jaafar. He travelled all over the country meeting people from all walks of life to promote unity. His efforts in overcoming the country's political problems by way of cooperation among the various ethnic groups saw the birth of the Alliance Party in 1955. Under his leadership, the Alliance won the country's first general election in July 1955. Tunku was then appointed the country's Chief Minister and Minister of Home Affairs. In 1956, he led a mission to London for a discussion with the British government concerning the independence for Malaya. The meeting resulted in the signing of the Independent Treaty at Lancaster House in London on February 8, 1956 and consequently, the independence of Malaya in August 31, 1957. 1957, the tunku (prince) became the first prime minister. Later, he was the principal architect of the alliance of Malaya with Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah, which in 1963 resulted in the creation of Malaysia. Abdul Rahman steered the federation through its first difficult years.

Yap Ah Loy

Yap Ah Loy was born in the Guangdong Province of southern China on the 14 March 1837.
His parents lived in the village of Tam Shui He was therefore by descent a Hakka Chinese. Yap Ah Loy left China via Macau for Malaya in 1854. On his arrival in Malaya, he found that the place was very much different from China. The scenery, with tall coconut and betel palms, and the small atap houses was a new and fascinating experience to him.
On his arrival at Malacca, Yap Ah Loy was given shelter by one of his clansman called Yap Ket Si. He was then taken to a tin mine in Durian Tunggal, where he stayed for 4 months. At the end of that period he left for Kesang where he found work in the shop of a relative named Yap Ng. He remained there for a year before arrangements were made to send him back to China via Singapore. Misfortune befell him when he lost all his money while waiting for the junk to set sail in Singapore for China. Instead of going back to Malacca he and another of his relatives named Yap Fook traveled on foot to Lukut in Selangor.
Career
Yap Ah Loy arrived in Lukut, in Selangor, in 1856 at the age of 19. He spent his early years in the peninsula as a miner and petty trader, but in 1862 his fortunes improved when his friend Liu Ngim Kong succeeded Hiew Siew to became the second Kapitan Cina of Kuala Lumpur, a position not only of leadership within the Chinese community but also of liaison with the Malay political system and, after British intervention in 1874, with British officials as well. He served as Liu's trusted lieutenant and became the third Kapitan Cina of Kuala Lumpur after Liu's death in 1869, after which he began to put together a sound administration and a strong fighting force.
When civil war broke out in Selangor in 1870, Yap Ah Loy was faced with internecine fighting among dissident Chinese groups as well as attacks from Malay factions. His decisive victory at Kuala Lumpur in 1873 proved to be the turning point in the war and left him in a strong political position. Until 1879 he was almost supreme in the interior of the state. As the acknowledged leader of the Chinese community he had been given the powers of a Malay ruling chief by the British except for the right to tax, a restriction he easily evaded. He achieved a striking post-war recovery in the mining industry and established Kuala Lumpur as the economic centre of the peninsula. Through his control of the tin market, his ownership of local "farms" & diverse business interests, he amassed a considerable personal fortune.
In 1879, the first British resident (government advisor) was assigned to Kuala Lumpur, and from that time the power of the Kapitan began to be undermined. None of Yap Ah Loy's successors approached his power and independence of action.
At the end of 1884, Yap Ah Loy fell ill with bronchitis and an abscess of the left lung. In March 1885, he made little recovery before but he passed away on 15 April 1885. The doctor examined Yap's body and later confirmed that his death was either due to heart failure or poisoning by the fumes of the charcoal brazier. The doctor also noticed the exceptional brightness of his eyes.
Significant contributions
Developer of Kuala Lumpur.
Built the Sze Si Yeah Temple
Introduced the first steam pump into Malaya.
Kept peace among the 10,000 Chinese in town with the aid of only 6 policemen.
He founded the first Chinese school in Kuala Lumpur, in 1884.
The developer of Kuala Lumpur
During his post as the Kapitan, he started the development of Kuala Lumpur, which has been the modern capital city of Malaysia since 1963. His contribution changed Kuala Lumpur from a undeveloped estate into a famous gambling city, especially concerning the upgrade in the condition of the roads. Even today, Kuala Lumpur owes much to his leadership due to his efforts on its behalf.

Hang Tuah

Hang Tuah is a legendary warrior/hero who lived during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah of the Sultanate of Malacca in the 15th century. He was the greatest of all the laksamana, or sultan's admirals, and was known to be a ferocious fighter. Hang Tuah is held in the highest regard, even in present-day Malaysian Malay culture, and is arguably the most well-known and illustrious warrior figure in Malaysian history and literature.
Hang Tuah was first noticed by the Bendahara of Malacca, Tun Perak. A band of pirates ran amok, causing havoc in a village, and Tun Perak and his guards' attempts to quell the unrest resulted in further attacks on the Bendahara. The Bendahara's guards fled, but when Hang Tuah and his friends saw the commotion, they were reported to have killed the group of pirates, thus saving the Bendahara. Tun Perak was so impressed by the boys' courage that he recruited them to work at the palace, where the five youths rose in the ranks, eventually becoming feared members of the Sultan's royal guard.
Hang Tuah became the Sultan's constant aide, accompanying the King on official visits to foreign countries. On one such visit to Majapahit, Taming Sari, a famous Majapahit warrior, challenged Hang Tuah to a duel. After a brutal fight, Hang Tuah emerged as winner and the ruler of Majapahit bestowed upon him Taming Sari’s kris or weapon. The Taming Sari kris was named after its original owner, and was purported to be magical, empowering its owner with invincibility. It is said to be the source of Hang Tuah’s alleged supernatural abilities.
Hang Tuah also acted as the Sultan's ambassador, travelling on his Sultan's behalf to allied countries. Another story concerning Hang Tuah's legendary loyalty to the Sultan is found in the Hikayat Hang Tuah, and involves his visit to Inderaputa, in Pahang during one such voyage. The Sultan sent Hang Tuah to Pahang with the task of persuading the princess Tun Teja, who was already engaged, to become the Sultan's companion. Tun Teja fell under the impression that Hang Tuah had come to persuade her to marry him, not the Sultan, and agreed to elope with him to Melaka. It was only during the voyage home that Hang Tuah revealed his deception to Tun Teja.

Tan Sri P. Ramlee

Tan Sri Dr P. Ramlee PSM, AMN (22 March 1929–29 May 1973) was a Malaysian film actor, director singer, and songwriter. Due to his contributions in the movie and music industry, as well as in the literary scene, he is often attributed as the icon of Malay entertainment in both Malaysia, Singapore as well as in Sumatra, Indonesia .
Ramlee was born Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh to Teuku Nyak Puteh bin Teuku Karim and Che' Mah Hussein at his grandmother's house (now opened as P. Ramlee House) in Counter Hall (now renamed as Jalan P. Ramlee), Penang, Malaysia. His father Teuku Nyak Puteh was a sailor from Lhokseumawe in the province of Aceh, Indonesia.
As a child, he studied in several schools, including the famous Penang Free School.P.Ramlee's big break came on 1 June 1948 when he was spotted by Tamil film director B. S. Rajhans. The director was impressed by Ramlee, and in 1949 he was cast in the film Nasib (Fate). Seven years later, Ramlee directed his first film Penarik Becha (The Trishaw Man). In 1957, Ramlee would act in the first of his Bujang Lapok (Dowdy Bachelors) comedic films that he acted along S. Shamsuddin along with Aziz Sattar, which are still popular among the modern Malay film watchers.
During his career he directed and acted in sixty-six films, and had more than 360 songs to his credit. Among his films that received awards are:
Best Musical Score for Hang Tuah — Third Asian Film Festival, Hong Kong (1956)
Best Male Actor for Anak-ku Sazali (My son, Sazali) — Fourth Asian Film Festival, Tokyo (1957)
Best Comedy Film for Nujum Pak Belalang (The Fortune Teller) — Seventh Asian Film Festival, Tokyo (1960)
Most Versatile Talent for Ibu Mertua Ku (My Mother In-law) — Tenth Asian Film Festival, Tokyo (1963)
Best Comedy Film for Madu Tiga (Three Wives) — Eleventh Asian Film Festival, Taipei (1964)
His final film was Laksamana Do Re Mi on 1972 and last songs and lyrics was Ayer Mata Di Kuala Lumpur on 1973 before his death.


Dataran Merdeka


Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) is appropriately named because it was at this place on August 30, 1957 at midnight, the Malayan flag as hoisted for the first time in the country's history upon gaining independence from the British rule. The flag raising ceremony was held at the very spot where the 100-metre high flagpole now stands. Underneath the flagpole area is Plaza Putra, an underground food, leisure and entertainment complex, as well as an underground parking bay. On the other end of the immaculately-turfed 8.2ha field lies a fountain area with elegant colonnades and colourful rows of zinnias and marigolds.
Literally Dataran Merdeka was formerly known as the Selangor Club Padang and was originally the cricket field of the Selangor club, now known as Royal Selangor Club.
The Sultan Abdul Samad building, just opposite the Dataran Merdeka, was constructed in 1897
Grandly overlooks the Dataran Merdeka is the most significant landmark built by the British. It houses several departments during the British administration. The unique Moorish-style building has a 41m clock tower.
The Dataran Merdeka was officially open on 1st January, 1990 in conjunction with visit Malaysia year 1990. It has also the starting line of The Amazing Race Asia 1.


History Church of St Francis Xavier , Melaka ( Malacca )

St. Francis Xavier Church is an old Portuguese Church, signifies the presence of Portuguese influence in Malacca. This particular church was built by a French priest in commemoration of St. Francis Xavier contribution of Christianity in Malacca.
A domineering twin-spired neo-Gothic structure was built on the site of an old Portuguese church by a French priest, Father Farvé, in 1856, in honour of St. Francis Xavier, a prominent 16th-century Catholic missionary also known as ‘Apostle of the East’.
Located on Jalan Laksamana, the church’s finishing touches were completed in 1859 by Father Allard, with the present-day presbytery built in 1874.
For quite some time, it became the largest church built by the MEP (Paris Foreign Missionary) in the Malay Peninsula. It was believed that the church was modelled after the Cathedral of St. Peter in Montpellier in Southern France, which closely followed the older church’s original construction, except for a portico which was added on in 1963.
To this day, St Francis Xavier’s Church still serves its function as a Catholic church, with regular mass services being held from time to time. Having been around for more than a century, the church’s building now leans slightly to the left.


Fort Cornwallis


Fort Cornwallis is an old star-shaped British fort located on the northeastern coast of Penang, Malaysia. It is named after the late 18th century Governor-General of Bengal, India.
The fort is one of the first European structures in Penang. Fort Cornwallis is probably the only remaining fort built by the British in this part of the world. It was named after the Governor-General of Bengal, Charles Marquis Cornwallis.
Fort Cornwallis was built by Captain Sir Francis Light after taking possession of the island from the Sultan of Kedah in 1786. It was originally built with a nibong in Malay means palm trunk. stockade with no permanent structures, covering an area of 417.6 square feet (38.80 m2).
In 1804, the fort was rebuilt with bricks and stones by Indian convict labour during Colonel R.T. Farquhar’s term as Governor of Penang. Fort Cornwallis was later completed in 1810 during Norman Macalister’s term as Governor of Penang at the cost of $80,000.
Even though the fort was originally built for the Royal artillery troops and the military, its function, historically, was more administrative rather than defensive.
For example, further to the appointment of the first Supreme Court judge, Sir Edmond Stanley, the Supreme Court of Penang was first housed at Fort Cornwallis and opened on 31 May, 1808.
In its entire history, the fort had never been engaged in any battle. Apart from being used for the British Royal artillery troops, the fort was once occupied by the Sikh Police of the Straits Settlements during the 1920s.
Inside Fort Cornwallis there is a very special a brass cannon with an interesting story, the Seri Rambai Cannon .This cannon was presented to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch. However, it was given to the Acheen and installed at Kuala Selangor. Finally, this cannon was seized by the British and installed here in 1871. According to a local believe, childless women can conceive by placing flowers in its barrel and offering special prayers.
Today, it has become one of Penang's prime tourist attractions


Kota Darul Ehsan


Kota Darul Ehsan marks the Sultan of Selangor’s move to yield Kuala Lumpur to the Federal Government.
One of the most distinctive landmarks in Selangor, Kota Darul Ehsan is the biggest arch in Malaysia, and it is the division between the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian state of Selangor. Erected on route 2, of the Federal Highway, is magnificent arch on your way from Kuala Lumpur to Petaling Jaya, or vice versa.
The arch was commissioned by the late Sultan of Selangor, Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah on 1 February 1974. The arch's design incorporates influences from Moorish architecture. This can be seen in the domes on the arch. Kota Darul Ehsan also features two cannons on each face of the arch. This arch symbolizes the sacrifice of the Selangor state to the federal government. Giving away Kuala Lumpur to the Malaysian Federal Government to form a Federal Territory by the State of Selangor. This arch was officially opened in 1981. Kota Darul Ehsan means Town of Benevolence.
The arch’s Moorish influence is flanked by cannons on both sides and subtle light effects which bathes the arch in a warm glow at night.

Pasir Salak

Pasir Salak is the place where Malaysia's modern history began, Malaysia's cultural heritage. It's where the spirit of independence from the British got shape, where democracy was in Malaysia was born and therefore an important piece of the Malaysian heritage. .
I have visited the complex two times and I found it most rewarding. So let's see what Pasir Salak really is.
The complex was built in 1987 in honor to the people who helped to shape Malaysia as it is now. It is a reminder for the present and future generations of the sacrifice made by chiefs and warriors of Perak in defending their dignity, customs and religion.
The Pasir Salak Historical Complex was built in remembrance of the struggle of Datuk Maharaja Lela against the British rule. Pasir Salak was also the place where J.W.W. Birch was killed by Datuk Maharaja Lela. British intervention in Perak resulted in the resentment among the local people which in return led to the opposition of colonial rule.
This History complex is located in the State of Perak, about 80km from Ipoh i.e. the capital of Perak. Unlike the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur which houses a variety of antiquities from all over Malaysia dating back to early civilization to the recent past, the Pasir Salak History Complex is based on a form of recorded history. The museum has 42 high quality dioramas which depicts/captures historical events from the early 14th Century to the 19th Century.