THE DREAM OF MALAYAN UNITY: PRESIDENT DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL AND THE MAPHILINDO

Abstract

In July 1962, a proposal to form a greater Malayan Confederation was proposed by President DiosdadoMacapagal. This proposal was to include the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya and the British territories of Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneo. The proposal would have been a realization of a Malaya Irredenta which was dreamed of by visionaries like WenceslaoVinzons who once made an oration advocating for the unity of Malayan people working toward a common destiny. The opportunity came near as colonial powers were liquidating their possessions in post-World War II Asia, Already an earlier association, the Association of Southeast Asia was formed in 1961 and this association included non-Malay countries. The Malayan confederation which would be called MAPHILINDO was to be different. On August 5, President Macapagal issued his declaration calling for the creation of MAPHILINDO. The formation of the MAPHILINDO was met with jubilation as it was the realization of a centuries-old vision and the culmination of the anti-colonial struggle. The organization however floundered because of significant problems among the three countries. It led into a diplomatic crisis that had the possibility of widespread armed conflict. MAPHILINDO floundered and was later superseded by the present Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Despite its stillbirth the formation of the MAPHILINDO demonstrated fraternal relations in dealing with problems and issues among the three states of Malay origin.