1947
| Currency Rate to USD | 2.12 |
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | 70 |
| Population (millions) | 4.91 |
| Nasi Lemak Price | 15 cents |
| Teh Tarik Price | 5 cents |
| Urban Population Percentage | 14% |
Malayan Union Era
After WWII, British tried to reshape rule via the Malayan Union: easier pathways to citizenship for many, reduction of Malay rulers’ powers.
Cold War
After WWII, the world splits into blocs—capitalist West led by U.S., communist East led by USSR. People everywhere feel the pressure: fear of nuclear annihilation, propaganda, ideological influence in media and education, proxy wars in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Formation of Pusat Tenaga Ra'ayat (PUTERA)
The formation of Pusat Tenaga Ra'ayat (PUTERA) on 22 February 1947 marked the emergence of a radical, left-leaning Malay nationalist coalition in post-war Malaya, uniting progressive groups to advocate for immediate independence, social justice, and a multi-ethnic united Malaya, in opposition to both British colonial policies and conservative Malay elites.
Chin Peng Elected Secretary-General of the Malayan Communist Party
In the wake of World War II, the Malayan Communist Party faced a leadership crisis after secretary-general Lai Teck's betrayal.
Establishment of Malayan Airways
The establishment of Malayan Airways in 1947 marked a significant milestone in the aviation history of British Malaya, initiating commercial air services that facilitated post-war economic recovery, enhanced connectivity across the region, and formed the basis for Malaysia's modern national carrier.
Founding of Hin Hua High School
On 15 June 1947, Hin Hua High School was established in Klang, Selangor, by the local Chinese community in post-World War II British Malaya, providing Mandarin-medium secondary education to preserve cultural and linguistic heritage amid colonial influences and educational reforms.
Establishment of the Marine Police Force
On 1 September 1947, the British colonial government in Malaya established the Marine Police Force to address post-World War II maritime security challenges, including smuggling, piracy, and insurgencies, marking a key step in reorganizing colonial policing.
Adoption of the People's Constitutional Proposals by PUTERA-AMCJA
On 10 August 1947, the PUTERA-AMCJA coalition formally adopted the People's Constitutional Proposals during a congress, presenting a multi-ethnic vision for a united Malaya with democratic governance, equal citizenship, and protections for all communities against colonial reforms.
Public Presentation of the People's Constitutional Proposals, 1947
On 21 September 1947, the All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) publicly presented the People's Constitutional Proposals in Kuala Lumpur, offering a vision of a unified, multiracial Malaya with equal citizenship rights and democratic self-rule, in direct opposition to the British-backed Anglo-Malay Proposals that favored ethnic hierarchies and Malay privileges.
All-Malaya Hartal 1947
This nationwide general strike, organized by a coalition of non-Malay political and civic groups, represented a pivotal moment of resistance against British colonial constitutional reforms that favored Malay privileges at the expense of equal citizenship for all residents.
