Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957

This article examines the framing of the section on fundamental liberties in the 1957 Malayan constitution and analyses the underlying intentions and concerns of the framers and the various influences on the drafting process through an investigation of the primary constitutional documents. The se...

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Main Author: Fernando, Joseph M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM Press) 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:http://eprints.usm.my/41200/
http://eprints.usm.my/41200/1/IJAPS-131-2017-Art.-11-28.pdf
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author Fernando, Joseph M.
author_facet Fernando, Joseph M.
author_sort Fernando, Joseph M.
building USM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This article examines the framing of the section on fundamental liberties in the 1957 Malayan constitution and analyses the underlying intentions and concerns of the framers and the various influences on the drafting process through an investigation of the primary constitutional documents. The section on fundamental liberties sought to provide for the growth of a democratic way of life in independent Malaya (now Malaysia). The Reid Commission, which framed the initial draft of the constitution, provided strong constitutional safeguards for basic fundamental liberties and rights such as personal liberty; equality of citizenship; freedom of movement, speech, assembly and association; freedom of religion and rights in respect of education and private property. Such provisions in most post-war Commonwealth constitutions drew little controversy. The complex multiracial and multireligious Malayan environment, however, required the framers to balance the competing demands of the various communities, on one hand, and the powers of the state over the citizens, on the other.
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spelling usm-412002018-07-31T04:55:54Z http://eprints.usm.my/41200/ Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957 Fernando, Joseph M. P1-1091 Philology. Linguistics(General) This article examines the framing of the section on fundamental liberties in the 1957 Malayan constitution and analyses the underlying intentions and concerns of the framers and the various influences on the drafting process through an investigation of the primary constitutional documents. The section on fundamental liberties sought to provide for the growth of a democratic way of life in independent Malaya (now Malaysia). The Reid Commission, which framed the initial draft of the constitution, provided strong constitutional safeguards for basic fundamental liberties and rights such as personal liberty; equality of citizenship; freedom of movement, speech, assembly and association; freedom of religion and rights in respect of education and private property. Such provisions in most post-war Commonwealth constitutions drew little controversy. The complex multiracial and multireligious Malayan environment, however, required the framers to balance the competing demands of the various communities, on one hand, and the powers of the state over the citizens, on the other. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM Press) 2017 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.usm.my/41200/1/IJAPS-131-2017-Art.-11-28.pdf Fernando, Joseph M. (2017) Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957. International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS), 13 (1). pp. 1-28. ISSN ISSN: 1823-6243 http://ijaps.usm.my/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IJAPS-131-2017-Art.-11-28.pdf
spellingShingle P1-1091 Philology. Linguistics(General)
Fernando, Joseph M.
Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957
title Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957
title_full Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957
title_fullStr Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957
title_full_unstemmed Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957
title_short Fundamental Liberties In The Malayan Constitution And The Search For A Balance, 1956–1957
title_sort fundamental liberties in the malayan constitution and the search for a balance, 1956–1957
topic P1-1091 Philology. Linguistics(General)
url http://eprints.usm.my/41200/
http://eprints.usm.my/41200/
http://eprints.usm.my/41200/1/IJAPS-131-2017-Art.-11-28.pdf