Independence and Union:

In 1375 AH/1955 AD, a new constitution for Malaya was devised. Many of the responsibilities of the federal government were delegated to the House of Representatives. A general election was held in which Tunku ‘Abdur-Rahmaan led the Alliance party to landslide wins in the 1959 and 1964 general elections. He won fifty-one out of the fifty-two seats contested and was selected as the Malaya’s first chief minister.

In the London Conference 1376 AH/1956 AD, the Federation of Malaya was granted independence in internal self-government. A year later, it became an autonomous state in the Commonwealth. At the same time, Singapore was granted autonomy. Following riots and tensions in Singapore, a state of emergency was declared in 1380 AH/1960 AD.

Two years later, negotiations were held for the establishment of a Union between Malaya, Singapore and North Borneo. It was actually established in 1963. However, Borneo refused to join the Malayan Union. This union, which was called the Malayan Union, received strong opposition, especially from Indonesia.

The Philippines also opposed the Federation of Malaya as it held that the northern part of Borneo was one of the Molo islands which belong to it.
However, the two countries recognized the fait accompli with the passage of time, and in 1385 AH/1965 AD, Singapore left the Union and Malaysia became an independent state.

There is a group of countries in Southeast Asia that have Muslim minorities. Muslims in these countries suffer from harsh conditions, oppression, and religious persecution with respect to carrying out their religious rites and daily practices. Other countries have Muslim majorities, but suffer from the occupation of their territories, such as what is happening to Muslims in Pattani and East Turkestan.