**Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 1st Malayan Parliament**
**Definition:**
The Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 1st Malayan Parliament, were the elected and appointed representatives who served in the lower house of the Parliament of Malaya following the country’s first general election in 1959. They played a foundational role in shaping the legislative framework of the newly independent Malaya.
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## Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 1st Malayan Parliament
The 1st Malayan Parliament was the inaugural legislative body of the Federation of Malaya following its independence from British colonial rule on 31 August 1957. The Dewan Rakyat, or House of Representatives, is the lower house of the Parliament of Malaya, and its members were responsible for enacting laws, debating national issues, and representing the diverse population of the country. The first Parliament convened after the 1959 general election, which was the first nationwide election held in Malaya, marking a significant milestone in the country’s democratic development.
### Historical Context
The Federation of Malaya gained independence from British colonial rule in 1957, and the establishment of a parliamentary democracy was a key component of the new nation’s governance. The Federal Constitution of Malaya, which came into effect on 27 August 1957, provided for a bicameral Parliament consisting of the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) and the Dewan Negara (Senate). The Dewan Rakyat was composed primarily of members elected by the people, with some appointed members to represent specific interests.
The first general election was held on 19 August 1959, two years after independence, to elect members to the Dewan Rakyat. This election was crucial in legitimizing the new government and setting the tone for Malaya’s parliamentary democracy. The election was contested by several political parties, with the Alliance Party—a coalition of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC)—emerging as the dominant force.
### Composition of the 1st Dewan Rakyat
The Dewan Rakyat of the 1st Malayan Parliament consisted of 104 members. These members were elected from single-member constituencies across the Federation of Malaya. The electoral system used was the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency was declared the winner.
The members represented a broad spectrum of Malaya’s ethnic and regional diversity, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other indigenous groups. The Alliance Party secured a significant majority, reflecting the coalition’s widespread support across ethnic lines.
### Political Parties and Representation
– **Alliance Party:** The dominant political coalition, comprising UMNO, MCA, and MIC, which collectively represented the major ethnic groups in Malaya. The Alliance Party won 74 out of 104 seats, enabling it to form the government.
– **Pan-Malayan Islamic Party (PMIP):** Now known as the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), it was the main opposition party, advocating for Islamic principles in governance. PMIP won 9 seats.
– **Other Parties and Independents:** Various smaller parties and independent candidates won the remaining seats, representing localized interests and minority groups.
### Roles and Responsibilities of Members
Members of the Dewan Rakyat were tasked with several key responsibilities:
– **Legislation:** Drafting, debating, and passing laws that would govern the Federation of Malaya.
– **Representation:** Acting as representatives of their constituencies, voicing the concerns and interests of their constituents in Parliament.
– **Oversight:** Monitoring and scrutinizing the actions of the executive branch, including the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
– **Nation Building:** Contributing to the development of policies aimed at economic growth, social harmony, and national unity.
### Notable Members of the 1st Dewan Rakyat
Several members of the 1st Dewan Rakyat played prominent roles in Malaya’s early parliamentary history:
– **Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj:** The first Prime Minister of Malaya and leader of the Alliance Party, he was a member of Parliament representing the Kedah Tengah constituency. His leadership was instrumental in guiding Malaya through independence and the early years of nationhood.
– **Tun Abdul Razak Hussein:** Later the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, he was a key figure in the Alliance Party and served as a member of Parliament during the 1st Parliament.
– **Tan Cheng Lock:** A founding member of the Malayan Chinese Association and a prominent leader representing the Chinese community.
– **V. T. Sambanthan:** Leader of the Malayan Indian Congress and a significant voice for the Indian community in Parliament.
### Parliamentary Sessions and Legislative Achievements
The 1st Malayan Parliament held several sessions between 1959 and 1964. During this period, the Dewan Rakyat passed important legislation that laid the foundation for Malaya’s political, economic, and social development. Key legislative areas included:
– **Constitutional Amendments:** Refinements to the Federal Constitution to address emerging governance challenges.
– **Economic Policies:** Laws aimed at promoting economic development, including land reform and industrialization initiatives.
– **Social Policies:** Legislation focused on education, health, and social welfare to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
– **Security and Defense:** Measures to address internal security threats, including the ongoing communist insurgency.
### Electoral Boundaries and Constituencies
The 104 members of the Dewan Rakyat were elected from constituencies delineated by the Election Commission of Malaya. These constituencies were designed to provide equitable representation based on population and geographic considerations. The boundaries reflected the demographic distribution of Malaya’s diverse population, ensuring representation from urban and rural areas alike.
### Challenges Faced by the 1st Parliament
The 1st Malayan Parliament operated in a complex political environment marked by several challenges:
– **Ethnic Relations:** Balancing the interests of the Malay majority with those of the Chinese, Indian, and indigenous minorities was a delicate task.
– **Security Threats:** The communist insurgency, known as the Malayan Emergency, posed a significant threat to national stability.
– **Economic Development:** Addressing poverty and underdevelopment in rural areas required effective policy responses.
– **Nation Building:** Fostering a sense of national identity and unity among diverse communities was a priority.
Despite these challenges, the members of the Dewan Rakyat worked to establish a functioning parliamentary democracy and set the stage for Malaya’s future growth.
### Legacy of the 1st Dewan Rakyat Members
The members of the 1st Dewan Rakyat are remembered for their pioneering role in Malaya’s parliamentary history. Their efforts helped to:
– Establish democratic institutions and parliamentary procedures.
– Promote inclusive governance that recognized the country’s ethnic diversity.
– Lay the groundwork for Malaysia’s eventual formation in 1963, when Malaya merged with Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore.
– Inspire future generations of politicians and public servants committed to democratic principles.
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## List of Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 1st Malayan Parliament
The following is a representative list of members elected to the Dewan Rakyat in the 1959 general election. The list includes members from the major political parties and independent candidates, categorized by state and constituency.
### Perlis
– **Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj** (Alliance, Kedah Tengah)
– Other members representing Perlis constituencies.
### Kedah
– Members representing various constituencies in Kedah, predominantly from the Alliance Party.
### Kelantan
– Members from Kelantan, including representatives from the Pan-Malayan Islamic Party (PMIP).
### Terengganu
– Representatives from Terengganu, with a mix of Alliance and PMIP members.
### Penang
– Members representing urban constituencies in Penang, largely from the Alliance Party.
### Perak
– Members from Perak, including prominent Alliance Party politicians.
### Pahang
– Representatives from Pahang, mostly from the Alliance Party.
### Selangor
– Members from Selangor, including urban and rural constituencies.
### Negri Sembilan
– Representatives from Negri Sembilan, predominantly Alliance Party members.
### Malacca
– Members from Malacca, mostly from the Alliance Party.
### Johor
– Representatives from Johor, including key Alliance Party figures.
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## Conclusion
The Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 1st Malayan Parliament, were instrumental in establishing the parliamentary democracy of the newly independent Federation of Malaya. Their election in 1959 marked the beginning of a new era in Malaya’s political history, characterized by efforts to build a united, prosperous, and democratic nation. The legislative work and political leadership of these members laid the foundation for Malaysia’s subsequent development and remain a significant chapter in the country’s history.
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This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Members of the Dewan Rakyat in the 1st Malayan Parliament, detailing their roles, political composition, and contributions to Malaya’s early parliamentary democracy.