“I am at one with you …”

1. In September 1951, M. I. Merican criticized Dato’ Onn bin Ja’afar for his visionary views on “the attainment of self-government in Malaya within seven years.” The criticism was made in the former’s speech at the adjournment of the Kedah Council of State meeting on September 6, 1951 (see my earlier posting dated July 13, 2017).

2. His main argument was “the social, economic, educational and political position of the Malays was so precarious” at that time; hence his criticism of Dato’ Onn’s plan as being absurd. In the speech he quoted a Persian proverb: “Begin nothing without considering what the end may be.” I take him to mean that if self-government were to be attained too soon then the Malays would be at a serious disadvantage.

3. His speech focused on the improvement of the economic status of the kampong people. Urging the Government to improve their economic position and to train them in rural industries, he maintained that improving their economy would “result in raising their standards of living and affording facilities for their acquisition of social, political and educational progress.”

4. In term of the general sentiment prevailing at that time, M. I. Merican did not seem to follow the crowd. But his arguments were sound befitting a sensible and rational man. He argued that backwardness in commercial enterprise would place the economy of the rakyat at a very low standard and that would stifle the progress of their education.

5. But what came as a surprise to me was a newspaper report I came across in the Public Library in Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang. The report was published in the Straits Echo And Times of Malaya dated September 15, 1951 under the headline “All Sections In Federation Voice Support For IMP.” The first and second paragraph read thus:

KUALA LUMPUR Sept. 14. — Leaders of all communities in Malaya, representing all religious, social and economic sections of the population, have come forward in support of the Independence of Malaya Party, the formation meeting of which will be held at the Hotel Majestic, Kuala Lumpur, at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.

This is indicated by the large number of letters that have been received by Dato Onn bin Ja’afar, convener of Sunday’s meeting. The following arc extracts from some of the letters:—

6. Within a few days M. I. Merican seemed to have had a change of heart about “Dato’ Onn’s plan.” There among the extracts of letters was one written by him: Mr. M. I. Merican (Kedah State Councillor): “I am at one with you in your wise plan to obtain self-government as early as possible with all the safeguards for our protection and security……”

7. The attainment of self-government in Malaya within seven years as visualized by Dato’ Onn did come true when the Federation of Malaya achieved independence on 31 August 1957. He was indeed a leader with clear vision. Unfortunately, M. I. Merican did not live to see Independence Day.

Cutting from the Straits Echo, Sept. 15, 1951

rakyat = the (Malay) people