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Historical background & chronology related to the Federal Constitution

The establishment of the Federal Constitution began in the late 19th century when the British
colonised Malaya (Shamrahayu Aziz, 2013) as the following below:

1946 - Formation of Malaya Union

Following World War II, after the Japanese left Malaya, the British returned and established the
Malayan Union. The governor would have had the authority to overturn any decisions made by
the Legislative Assembly including the authority to pardon criminals. The State Legislative
Assemblies in each state could only pass laws on local concerns, which might be repealed by the
Malayan Union Legislative Assembly.

1946 - First Malay Congress

On 11 March 1946, the first Malay Congress was organised in protest against the British. The
Tanah Melayu Malay Congress is formed by the First Malay Congress, which brings together 41
Malay parties. The Congress was able to unite the Malays into a forceful expression, which
resulted in the abolition of the Malayan Union.

1948 - Formation of the Federation of Malaya

The formation of the Malaya Federation established on 1 February 1948, has the power to make
laws. Any bill passed by the Federal Legislative Assembly could be vetoed by the High
Commissioner.

1952 - First Election

The election is significant because it establishes the country's parliamentary system, which is a
key aspect of our present constitutions. The first general elections were held to elect members of
the Federal Legislative Assembly, which consisted of 52 elected members, 34 appointed
members, 12 government officers, and a chairman nominated by the High Commissioner with
the Council of Rulers' approval.
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1956- Constitution Committee was established

Lord Reid (United Kingdom) chaired the Constitution Committee, which included Sir Ivor
Jennings (UK), Sir William Makell (Australia), B. Malik (India), and Hakim Abdul Hamid
(Pakistan). Outsiders were appointed to create the constitution in order to avoid potential bias.
The committee was tasked with creating a central government by authoring the Federal
Constitution. The committee began its work in June 1956 and held a referendum that included all
Malayans, including individuals, political parties, government agencies, and others

1956- Constitutional Conference

A representative from the Federation of Malaya, consisting of four representatives of the Rulers,
the Chief Minister of the Federation (Tunku Abdul Rahman) and three other ministers, as well as
the British High Commissioner in Malaya and his advisers, attended a constitutional conference
in London from 18 January to 6 February 1956.

1957- Reid Commission

The conference recommended the formation of a committee to draught a constitution for a fully
self-governing and independent Malayan Federation. Queen Elizabeth II and the Malay rulers
agreed to this proposition. The Commission's report was completed on 11 February 1957. The
report was then reviewed by a working group appointed by the British Government

1957 - Constitution

The forming of the constitution was approved on 27 August 1957 and enforced on 31 August
1957. This constitution was altered in 1963 to accept Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore as new
member states of the Federation and to implement the Malaysia Agreement's agreed-upon
revisions to the constitution.

1963 - Federal Constitution

The Malaysia Act passed by the Federal Parliament to change the Federal Constitution. On
August 26 1963, the Malaysia Act was passed that amending in Article 1(1) and (2) to allow
Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore to enter the Federation of Malaya, as well as changing the name
of the Federation of Malaya to the Federation of Malaysia.