1960-1964
We can call the 60's as the Independence 'filling' years. I was in my primary school. The first King passed away and the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Hishamudin Alam Shah was installed as the second ruler. Shortly His Majesty too passed away and was replaced by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Putra. The first International competition for Quran recital held in Kuala Lumpur. Several major projects such as the maternity hospital, Parliament building, the National Museum, Stadium Negara were initiated. Syed Nasir Ismail, the new director of DBP launched the 'Use the National Language campaigns'. The University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur was established as a division of University Malaya Singapore, which eventually moved to Kuala Lumpur. A contingent of the Malayan armed forces joined the UN Command for peacekeeping duties in the Congo. Rubber and tin remained the major source of national income. Television in black and white make its debut. Strong opposition towards the Federation of Malaysia as proposed by the Tunku, was vindicated by the Lord Cobbold Report who confirmed the wishes of the people of North Borneo, Sarawak, Brunei and Singapore to join Malaya in the Federation. Brunei pulled out at the last moment, but Singapore remained. Indonesia's strong opposition lead President Sukarno to declare a policy of military 'confrontation' but was soon defeated. President Macapagal of the Philippines voiced some opposition and proposed the formation of a greater 'Malay' confederation -MAPHILINDO. The Alliance Party easily won the first Malaysian general election of 1964 and the People's Action Party (PAP) under Lee Kuan Yew retained control of Singapore.
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