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No News Is Bad News
Even this Facebook image is factually incorrect ... at the time of signing (1957), Malaysia did not exist, only Malaya
Malaya (Malaysia) belongs to all Malaysians, irrespective of race or religion
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1, 2025: If Malaya (Malaysia) belongs to only Malays, as claimed by racial and religious bigoted morons, then why Chinese and Indian leaders were also the signatories of the Merdeka (Independence) Agreement?
So, to all the bigots, history and facts cannot be changed, whatsoever.
So, to all the bigots, you can go where ever you wish and rot till kingdom come.
And, who is to blame for the deteriorating national unity and the rise of racial and religious bigots in Malaysia?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a Merdeka news feature posted by The Coverage:
Malaysia’s Independence & Success Are Incomplete Without Acknowledging the Chinese and Indian Contribution
1 September, 2025
Forging a Nation Together: The Integral Role of Non-Malay Communities in Malaysia’s Independence and Success
Malaysia stands as a vibrant multi-ethnic nation, where Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups have collectively shaped its history, economy, and society. While the narrative of Malaysia’s independence often highlights Malay leadership, the contributions of non-Malays—primarily the Chinese and Indian communities—have been integral to both the fight for self-rule and the nation’s post-independence prosperity.
When we picture the struggle for Malayan independence, certain iconic images and names naturally come to mind. However, the journey to August 31, 1957, was not walked by one community alone. It was a collective march, a tapestry woven with the threads of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other indigenous cultures. The narrative of Malaysia’s birth and prosperity is incomplete without acknowledging the profound political, economic, and social contributions of its non-Malay citizens.
While the special position of the Malays and the Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak is constitutionally recognized and rightfully honoured, the nation’s foundation was built on a principle of partnership. This article seeks to shed light on the often-understated role of the Chinese, Indian, and other communities in the fight for Merdeka and in building the modern, successful Malaysia we know today.
The Political Architects: compromise and Consensus
The road to independence required a unified front. This was achieved through the Alliance Party (Parti Perikatan), a coalition that was the precursor to today’s Barisan Nasional. It brilliantly brought together three major community-based parties:
· The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA): Co-founded by Tun Tan Cheng Lock, the MCA was instrumental in representing the Chinese community. Tan Cheng Lock was a vocal advocate for independence and a key negotiator. The MCA’s alliance with UMNO demonstrated a crucial political compromise, showing that the communities could work together for a common goal.
· The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC): Under the leadership of Tun V.T. Sambanthan, the MIC mobilized the Indian community to support the independence movement. Sambanthan, alongside his counterparts, was a signatory to the Malayan Independence mission to London in 1956, symbolizing the inclusive nature of the struggle.
Chinese leaders through the MCA provided financial backing and organizational support, while Indian representatives in the MIC advocated for labor rights and political representation. The London Agreement of 1956, signed by representatives of all major ethnic groups, symbolized this unity and paved the way for Merdeka (independence) on August 31, 1957.
The Economic Backbone: From Tin Mines to Plantations
Long before independence, immigrant communities were the engine of Malaya’s economy, which was one of Britain’s most valuable colonies.
· Chinese Contributions: Chinese entrepreneurs and laborers were central to the tin mining industry, which was a primary source of wealth for the colonial administration. They also dominated commerce, trade, and early banking, establishing crucial business networks that would form the bedrock of the future Malaysian economy. Figures like Loke Yew, a prolific miner and philanthropist, contributed significantly to the development of Kuala Lumpur and other urban centers.
· Indian Contributions: The Indian community, largely brought by the British, provided the labour force for the rubber plantation industry. Rubber became Malaya’s “white gold,” fueling its economic growth and making it a strategic global player. The sweat and toil of Indian estate workers directly funded the infrastructure and institutions that would become the independent nation of Malaysia.
This economic foundation provided the revenue that made self-governance a feasible and attractive prospect for the local population.
Post-independence, non-Malays have been instrumental in transforming Malaysia from a resource-based economy into a regional powerhouse. At independence, the Chinese dominated commerce, controlling trade, mining, and small businesses, which formed the economic core. Their entrepreneurial spirit drove rapid industrialization; by the 1960s, Chinese-owned enterprises were key to export growth in tin and rubber. Even today, Chinese Malaysians contribute significantly to tax revenue and sectors like manufacturing, real estate, and technology.
Indians, meanwhile, laid the literal foundations of Malaysia’s infrastructure. Recruited en masse for British plantations, they toiled in rubber estates, which became Malaysia’s economic lifeline, exporting vast quantities and funding development.
They built roads, bridges, railways, and ports that connected the nation and facilitated trade.Post-1957, many transitioned into professional fields, contributing to finance, law, and medicine, while Indian-owned businesses bolstered small-scale industries.
Other non-Malay groups, including indigenous Orang Asli and Borneo natives, have supported resource extraction in timber and oil, though their roles are often overshadowed.
Collectively, these contributions helped Malaysia achieve “Asian miracle” status, with sustained growth rates averaging 8% annually in the 1990s. Non-Malays also excel in scientific output, with Chinese and Indians leading in fields like engineering and biomedicine since the 1980s.
The Chinese and Indian communities laid the economic groundwork that enabled Malaysia to thrive post-independence. At the time of Merdeka, the Chinese dominated commerce, controlling tin mining, trade, and small businesses. Their entrepreneurial networks drove export revenues, with tin alone accounting for 20% of Malaya’s GDP in the 1950s. Chinese business leaders invested in early industrialization, setting the stage for Malaysia’s manufacturing boom in the 1960s and 1970s.
Indians, primarily Tamil laborers, were the backbone of the rubber industry, which generated over 30% of export earnings at independence. Their toil in plantations and infrastructure projects—like railways and ports—connected Malaya to global markets. Post-independence, many Indians transitioned into professional roles, contributing to finance, law, and education, while Indian-owned businesses bolstered small-scale industries.
A Shared Legacy for a Shared Future
The story of Malaysia’s independence is not a solo but a symphony. The melody of the Merdeka cry was powered by the voices of countless unsung heroes from all communities—the politician who negotiated, the labourer who tilled the land, the teacher who educated, and the soldier who defended.
Recognizing the non-Malay contribution does not diminish the role of the Malay community, which was undoubtedly central and paramount. Instead, it enriches our understanding of the nation’s history. It reminds us that Malaysia was founded on a delicate, courageous, and ultimately successful experiment in cooperation.
As Malaysia continues to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, this history serves as a powerful reminder. The nation’s greatest strength has always lain in its diversity. By honouring the full, shared history of its independence, Malaysians of all backgrounds can find common ground to build a future that is as successful and harmonious as its founding fathers and mothers envisioned on that historic day in 1957.
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