The Genesis of Malayan Chinese Civil Society's Struggle for Constitutional Equality, in Particular Jus Soli

Abstract: Chinese civil society actors' struggle for the place of the Chinese in an independent Malaya was fundamentally underpinned by their pursuit of the principle of equality and vision of a multicultural nation. The equal application of the principle of nationality by right of birth (jus soli) was central to this struggle, yet most mainstream scholars have simply labelled them as extremists or chauvinists. The Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) was conventionally regarded as being representative of the Chinese community, although its intercommunal compromise on citizenship rights, as espoused in the Federal Constitution, fell short of the community's aspirations. In fact, concerns over the inability of the highest levels of the MCA leadership to defend these interests caused an internal split, triggering communal efforts to unite outside the party structure. A pivotal national-level assembly, attended by delegates of Chinese associations Malaya-wide in 1956, saw four key demands being approved for submission to the Reid Constitutional Commission, as endorsed by representatives of 1,094 associations. This article examines the specific context and process which brought about this assembly, as well as the roles of specific Chinese leaders in March and April 1956 who were involved in its organisation. Despite failing to have their demands met, contestations over differing views of what constitutes the nation continue to shape post-independence ethnic politics, thus suggesting the need for further scholarly attention to this pivotal event.