A new chapter for Malaya
The only man who won all his polls since 1955 One and only
AFTER more than a century of colonial rule, the rise of nationalism saw the British loosening their grip on Malaya.
The first local elections was held in Malacca in November 1951 but all the nominations were returned unopposed. Elections for George Town municipal council in Penang a month later were the first popular elections in the Federation of Malaya. Kuala Lumpur held its municipal council elections in 1952.
This was followed by the introduc-introduction of a new Constitution.
The United Malays National Organisation (Umno), Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) and Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) formed a partnership known as Alliance.
The Malayan Union was formed on April 1, 1946. Umno was established the same year to oppose the Malayan Union, which curbed the powers of the Malay Rulers. MIC was set up the same year, and MCA in 1949.
The Malayan Union was replaced by the Federation of Malaya in 1948.
Nominations for the first federal election were on June 15, 1955, when a total of 129 candidates – 111 from seven parties and 18 independents – filed their nomination papers for 52 parliamentary seats.
After six weeks of campaigning, the Alliance swept 51 of the 52 seats.
The election cemented the coalition of different ethnic parties which agreed for Umno president Tunku Abdul Rahman to be appointed Chief Minister of Malaya. His Cabinet comprised six Malays, three Chinese and one Indian.
The Pan-Malayan Islamic Party, later known as PAS, was the only opposition party not wiped out, winning the Krian constituency in Perak.
The electorate rejected outright Parti Negara, led by former Umno president Datuk Onn Jaafar, the socialist Labour Party, People’s Progressive Party and other minor groups.
Helicopters and motor launches were among the modes of transport for bringing out ballot papers from rural areas to counting centres.
Newspapers reported that political parties tried building enthusiasm for the polls during the five-week campaign but only got lukewarm response from the 1.28 million eli- giblegible voters.
The 1955 election was the final step towards Independence. In 1957, the Federation of Malaya gained complete Independence from Britain.
Tunku subsequently led the Alliance to victories in the 1959, 1964 and 1969 general elections.
After the May 13 riots of 1969, the Alliance transformed into a larger coalition - Barisan Nasional - with Tun Abdul Razak Hussein leading it to victory in 1974.
Barisan has never lost control of the government although twice – in 1969 and 2008 - it failed to secure a two-thirds majority.
Throughout the decades, voting patterns reflected the prevailing communal moods.
Issues that determined the voting pattern in 1955 included the culmination of Malay nationalism, the rise of anti-colonial sentiments and socialist based parties; Communist insurgency and state of emergency (19481960); and education and better condition of life for working class. Tun Ghafar Baba. In 1955 and 1964, he stood for a state seat and in 1969, he contested a parliamentary seat. 1. The 1955 elections were the only general elections before Malaya’s independence in 1957. It was held to elect members of the Federal Legislative Council. 2. Tun Abdul Razak Hussein took over as second Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya on April 16, 1959, when he was sworn in before the King with his Cabinet. Prior to that, Razak was the caretaker Prime Minister. Tunku gave up the premiership as he wanted to concentrate fully in campaigning for the Alliance party. This was the only time in the history of Malaysian election where a new PM stood in during campaigning.
After the 1959 elections results were known, Tunku was sworn in as PM again.