|
Part1
Section II – The Form of Government
4. The form of government of Malaya was probably more complicated and less suited to war conditions than that of any other part of the British Empire. This resulted in the main from the way in which it had grown up. Broadly, it was divided into three parts; i.e.
(a) The Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang with Province Wellesley. These formed a British Colony and were administered from Singapore - by the Governor acting through the Government of the Straits Settlements.
(b) The Federated Malay States Of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Paahang. These States were Malay territory and were governed by their own Sultans assisted by British Residents.. They were federated for certain centralised services which were administered by a Federal Government at Kuala Lumpur. The Governor of the Straits Settlements was also High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States.
(c) The Unfederated Malay States of Johore, Trengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis, These States also were Malay territory, incorporated in the British Empire by separate treaties. They were governed by their own Sultans with each of whom was a British Adviser. The Governor of the Straits Settlements was also High Commissioner for these States, with each of which he communicated direct through a Secretary for the Undeferated Malay States.
In pan-Malayan matters the High Commissioner could not deal with the four Federated States as one entity. He had to consult each, either direct or through the Federal Secretariat. More often than not, he had to deal with ten separate bodies i.e., the Colony plus the nine States and sometimes with the Federal Government as well making eleven. This naturally tended to cause delay when subjects affecting Malaya as a whole were under discussion.
5. The British Government had by various treaties promised to afford protection against external aggression of most, if not all, of these Malay States. This was a factor which had to be borne in mind in the conduct of the operations. In a country where there was so little national unity, it was natural that the Sultans should be inclined to consider the security of their own territory as of primary importance.
|
