Pakistan Tourism Essay

Dented with political crisis and economic instability Pakistan has been unable to promote its tourism industry to the world. This does not mean that Pakistan is not a tourism destination. From scenic landscapes to a diverse culture, Pakistan has tremendous potential in terms of tourism. Before the economic crisis struck the world and when the economic and political climate of the country was stable, Pakistan received more than 500,000 tourists. From the ruins of civilizations such as Moenjodaro, Taxila and Harappa to the peaks of the Himalayan hill stations which stand at above 7000ft, Pakistan has lots to offer. Lahore, the second largest city is the cultural and fashion hub of Pakistan. The Lahore fort, Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Gardens and the Tomb of Jahangir are key Mughal architectural icons of the city. The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum ranked Pakistan as one of the top 25 tourist destinations due to its abundance of World Heritage sites such as Moenjodaro, Taxila, Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi, monuments of Thatta, Fort and Shalimar Gardens and the Rohtas Fort (www. tourism. gov. pk ). K2, the world’s second highest mountain attracts numerous mountain climbers from across the globe each year. The northern part of Pakistan boasts a large amount of forts and ancient architecture such as the Chitral and Hunza valley also known for their scenic beauty. Other peaks such as Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi are also renowned and are supported by remote resorts which provide an ideal summer get away for tourists (Rehmat Karim Baig, 2005). The country also hosts various festivals and fairs that are aimed at attracting tourists. The ski resorts in the northern part have annual skiing championships. Moreover, paragliding shows, the cholistan jeep rally, Kalash festival, Silk Route festival and Polo Festivals are held regularly. Trekking, Skiing, rafting, hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, fishing, bird watching and camel safaris are some unique experiences Pakistan has to offer in terms of adventure tourism. With a classic topography including towering mountains, narrow passes and beautiful glaciers the country is heaven for the adventure centered tourists (www. pakistan4ever. com). Pakistan also offers spiritual tourism for various religions and ethnicities such as Buddhists and Sikhs form neighboring countries. The Indus Valley gave rise to various civilizations and gained fame throughout the world. Sport tourism is also a major attraction. The Shandur Polo Festival is the most attracting sports festival for both local and foreign tourists. Other sports include white water rafting, rock climbing, angling and mountain biking (Mujahida Noreen, 2002). Tours and Packages are easily accessible for tourists which include day trips to heritage sites, city trips, summer and winter packages. Apart from the hill stations and culturally diverse landscape, Pakistani cities of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi are an adventure in themselves. From the lively shopping districts of Karachi to the scrumptious meals in Lahore, each city has its specialty. Pakistani tourists on the other hand are major contributors to the tourism revenue. The northern hill stations of Ayubia and Nathiagali are renowned for there scenic beauty, tranquility and adventures. Lahore is the fashion capital of Pakistan and offers numerous shopping and food service facilities. The ‘Food Street’ in Lahore is most renowned because of its delicacies. Tourism in Pakistan is endless, with so much to offer, the country is a haven for tourists of all kinds. Visit Pakistan and you will never regret it (Government of Pakistan, UNDP, and WTO, 2000). References 1. Mujahida Noreen. (2002). Tourism in Pakistan. Univeristy of Michigan: National Institute of Pakistan Studies. 2. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. Retrieved May 10, 2010, from www. tourism. gov. pk 3. Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide. Retrieved May 10, 2010, from www. pakistan4ever. com 4. Rehmat Karim Baig, (2005). â€Å"Mountaineering and Tourism Promotion in Chitral†, proceeding Report -Seminars on Mountain Tourism, pp. 31-3. 5. Government of Pakistan, UNDP, and WTO. (2000). Tourism Master Plan-Pakistan, Madrid.

Employee selection and training

Employee selection and training The role of industrial/organizational psychology in selecting and training employees Industrial psychology refers to the application of psychological concepts in solving problems in the workplace. In most cases such a process entails coming up with solutions to problems associated with performance of employees in addition to dealing with other organizational concerns. Industrial psychology also concentrates on conducting studies on different sets of behavior expressed in an organization as seen in the nature of interactions between workers and management.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Employee selection and training specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Psychology can be applied in an organization’s training programs through identification of causes of internal conflicts and the solutions to such conflicts. Evaluating and developing techniques for employee selection and appraisal techniques can be achiev ed using industrial psychology. A psychologist helps in designing a selection and training program for an organization through assessing corporate leadership skills and strategies for employee motivation (Stone and Mark 1997). A number of surveys have been carried out to determine the use of industrial/ organization psychology in the U.S. it is established that the use of psychologists in private companies, government organizations and agencies is on the rise. It has also been established that large organizations are the major users of the concepts in organizational psychology as evident in General Motors Corp, PepsiCo, Inc, IBM, ATT among others. They have at least one psychologist working with them. A number of companies seek psychology consultants for assistance instead of hiring psychologists. The government is known to employ psychologists. An example is evident in the federal office of Personnel Management which has a numerous psychologists working with them. The military also has employed psychologists to work with them an example being in the U.S. Army Research institute. In all these organizations, the psychologists mostly work in the areas of performance appraisal, personnel selection, organizational and leadership psychology. After analyzing an organizations problem, a psychologist employs different techniques to address the problem and suggest possible solutions. An example of such a technique is the use of engineering psychology. This technique addresses the human problems in an organization by using design in an organization’s machinery which in most cases takes into account human limitations. This is evident in the large American corporations whose sole objective is to make profit. The ethical concerns evident in such a process is changing employee’s perception to be more in line with profit making thus a diversion from a number of moral concepts (Malhotra 2007).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another technique used is personnel psychology as evident in the military. This technique concentrates on the differences between individuals. In the long run it deals with specifics of selection and recruitment. The ethical concern is evident in the ability of such a process to alter the goals and ideologies of the personnel to be in line with those of the nation. Motivation and leadership is a commonly used technique in non military sectors of government as evident in government departments. The legal concern is that such a process is not grounded on law. The utility of the scientific selection of employees Experts in the field suggest that in order to select and hire the best employees, a hiring strategy that is scientifically based should be used. These strategies deliver appropriate results if properly implemented. These strategies ensure that an organization creates a job benchmark that is reliable especially in terms of statistics. Another advantage of using the scientific based employee selection strategy is that an organization implements an un-biased employee selection program. Selecting and hiring the best talent available in the field is an added advantage that this strategy promises. It is worth noting that if such a strategy is used, an organization’s performance is likely to improve. In the process an organization is likely to reduce its employee turnover which usually arises from employees who do not qualify for certain tasks. Another important factor in the exercise of selecting and training employees scientifically is putting in place a strategy that accurately determines the best investment ventures. To attain favorable results on such investments it is appropriate to highlight specific job requirements. It is also important that an organization conforms to a training program that will bring about overall improvement in performance. It is advis able that an organization identifies growth opportunities in an effort to meet societal needs. This can be achieved through the use of personality instruments that are powerful enough to detect an individual’s needs. After this process, an organization formulates a customized strategy geared towards managing an employee’s talent.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Employee selection and training specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There are cases where scientific selection and training of workers can not be applied as is the case when an assumption is made concerning the presence of a capitalist system which in turn leads to an automatic increase in profits and efficiency of workers. It is however possible to employ scientific selection technique in an organization where there is a clear definition of authority and task specialization (Malhotra 2007). References Malhotra, N. (2007). Review of Market ing Research. New York, NY: M.E. Sharpe Stone, P. Mark, C. (1997). Organizational Psychology. Brookfield, VT: Ashgate

Chemistry IA design format Essay Example for Free

Chemistry IA design format Essay 1.0.1- Focus Question- If the mass of magnesium reacted with hydrochloric acid is changed will the temperature of the solution increase and the total mass decrease. 1.0.2- Hypothesis- If the mass of magnesium that is reacted with hydrochloric acid is changed the temperature of the solution will increase and the total mass will decrease. 1.0.3- Theory- The reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric reaction is written as follows, Mg(s)+ 2HCL (aq)—— (MgCl2(aq)+H2 (g) (Ng, 2008, pg 1). This reaction goes through two distinct changes that both have an effect on the energy change in the reaction. Enthalpy refers to changes in energy in a compound (Assut, 2008, pg 1). Two distinct changes can occur. An endothermic change occurs when the energy being absorbed is grater then the energy being released whereas and exothermic change is when the energy being released is greater than the energy being absorbed. Energy is absorbed when bonds are broken and energy is released when they are formed (Newton, 2008, pg1). Energy change cannot be directly measured. However energy change affects the physical force of heat. Therefore a heat change is indicative of an energy change. If the heat increase in the solution the change will be exothermic and if the heat decreases the reaction will be endothermic. In respects to the formula Magnesium forms an ionic bond with chlorine to form the salt magnesium chloride. When this bond is formed energy is released in the form of an endothermic change, this energy drop would be quite small however because the bond is ionic and does not take much energy to create since magnesium and chorine bond easily. However the second change is that hydrogen breaks off from chlorine in the hydrochloric acid and hydrogen is released as a gas. The breaking of bonds would absorb energy therefore forming an exothermic reaction. Hydrogen and chorine however form a very strong covalent bond. Covalent bonds form between atoms with similar electronegative forces and are there for take a lot of energy to break ( Anissimov, 2008, pg 1) Since the endothermic change is weak and the exothermic change is strong it can be predicted that the overall change will be exothermic and therefore the solution will heat up. Temperature change in a chemical reaction can be measured with a device known as a calorimeter. A calorimeter measures the heat of the solution before the reaction has occurred and then again after the reactant has been added (Whel, 2008, pg 1). These two values can be mathematically manipulated to find the relative change in temperature. If two of the same substance have different masses it means there is more of the one substance. In a mass of a substance there is a certain amount of material that can be reacted. By increasing mass the amount of substance that may be reacted increases. Therefore if mass increased the amount that of substance reacted will increase as well providing there is enough of the reactant. This will in turn increase the energy change. Also if more of the substance reacts with the reactant more of the reactant will be used up. This means that if the magnesium is increased there will be more reaction with hydrochloric acid; this means that more hydrogen will be released as gas and the total mass of the solution will decrease. Henceforth the change in heat should be greater if their entire solution is lighter as more of the hydrochloric acid has been reacted and hydrogen lost as a gas. Mg(s)+ 2HCL (aq)—— (MgCl2(aq)+H2 (g) Mass will change for each sample, sample range will be 2g, 4g, 6g, 8g and 10g This will be calculated by subtracting the final heat of the solution by the initial heat of the solution. The data will be gathered by using a calorimeter This will be calculated by measuring the weight of the solution and subtracting the weight of the calorimeter and the magnesium. The original mass not including calorimeter and the magnesium will then be subtracted by this value to mind the change of mass in the solution. The temperature of the solution will be heated to 25c and the reaction started immediately. The room temperature will be controlled at 24c The volume of hydrochloric acid will be 40mls per sample. A 50ml calorimeter with electronic thermometer and a scale with milligram accuracy. The experiment will be ended when reaction is fully complete and reaction will be given 10 seconds to calibrate before results are taken Standard 5 replications of each sample will be performed. 1.1.2- Control used in comparison- The reacted samples will be compared against hydrochloric acid with no magnesium that is also 25 degrees Celsius. Since the temperature remains constant there should be no energy or mass change, this would mean that on a graph this would represent a straight line which others samples with energy changes (heat changes) could be compared to. Ng, H.N, 2008, Acid reactions, Vat.Gov.Un, Accessed 21/08/09, http://vat.maharashtra.gov.in/communicationcenter/QueryAnswerSubjectwise.php?start=3090&subId=0000000007. Asset, M.A, 2008, Chemical Enthalpy, Nasa.gov, Accessed 21/08/09, http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/enthalpy.html Newton, R.N, 2008, Energetics and bonding, Unknown sponsor, Accessed 21/08/09, http://www.webchem.net/notes/how_far/enthalpy/enthalpy_diagrams.htm Anissimov, T.A, 2007 Chemical bonding, Simon Frasier University, Accessed 21/08/09, http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/chembond/ Whel, L.W, 2006, Calorimeters, Stanford University, Accessed 21/08/09, http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/detectors/calorimeters.html The procedure of this experiment is a adaption of a previous class experiment. The source of the procedure is unknown, so thanks to Miss Crook for the inspirations for this design. Chemistry IA design format. (2017, Nov 16).

Answer the questions in Bold Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Answer the questions in Bold - Essay Example However, the deterrence of illness and injury, no matter how advanced, is unlikely to result in the total elimination of the need for further care. Where prevention is unsuccessful or not possible, the second step in the continuum is primary care. This is perhaps the most utilized part of the system, perhaps even overused, as people seek counsel at local doctors offices, and through other first-contact medical providers in their community. A large number of interactions at this level result in the satiation of the patients immediate healthcare concerns, eliminating the need to seek further types of care. When further treatment is required, secondary care services act as the next level in the continuum of care. Acute hospital services like emergency room visits, as well as appointments with specialists (that often require referrals from a primary provider) such as psychiatrists, and cardiologists. Tertiary care takes place when specialists and/or special hospitals (burn centers for example) are involved with inpatient care. Intensive rehabilitation services, and long-term inpatient care represent the next two continuum levels, respectively. The final stage in the continuum of care is comprised of end-of-life services such as hospices and palliative care treatments. As would be expected, comfort of the patient is the primary focus at the end of the healthcare continuum. Like any service, the success of delivering healthcare with consistently high quality across the continuum does not come without challenges. One of the most impactful determinants of care effectiveness is the geographic location of the population under study. As is the case with most industries, central hubs of operations tend to be placed in most populated areas (now commonly in the form of cities). While this approach is reasonable from a statistical perspective, the fact remains that this trend threatens rural populations with the unavailability

Describe Plato's philosophical analysis of the nature of knowledge, Essay

Describe Plato's philosophical analysis of the nature of knowledge, and explain what conclusions Plato drew for the methodolog - Essay Example Of importance to note is that, universals are made up of a system where particular laws are made under an ultimate law. Moreover, the virtues involved emanate from a general principle, over and above, the mathematical theorems of one fundamental truth. It is worth noting that the basic categories in, which universal are brought together revolves around beauty, truth, goodness (Cooper 2). Apparently, goodness is the greatness of the three. Understanding the nature of knowledge must entails the idea types which it belongs to, the eternal laws where it could be said to be a passing instance, as well as, the context in which it possibly fits in. For instance, the study of the earth entails perceiving its place with regards to the solar system, with the inclusion of it being a stage in the heavenly bodies, over and above, clarifying that its motion takes place in accordance to the gravity law (Cooper 3). Plato has his argument placed in the fact that knowledge cannot be achieved by use of experience but by reasoning, use of sense where they are meant to push the reasoning towards the consciousness of what it already has although at the extreme opposite, it could mislead the conscious. Apparently, experience has never been used to produce knowledge because the principles used in knowledge are universal and are very crucial in this doctrine as compared to experience that displays specific and casual ideas. In essence, experience must be preceded by something already in mind that could be used to interpret the necessary impressions of concerned human beings. Theory of Knowledge through Astronomy Consequently, Plato emphasis that human knowledge is inborn especially when he depicts an instance of a slave boy who was not educated and upon being asked question by some philosophers, he was able to think critically and hence attempted and displayed arithmetic and geometry knowledge. Through this instance, Plato argues that teaching only evokes what is already underlying. Si mply, a theory of knowledge is used to provide a clear conception of education (Meynell 13). In light of this, Plato uses dialectical reasoning particularly in astronomy where he is said to have attempted to use the elimination method giving the general analysis of astronomy. In fact, he emphasis on studying astronomy through mean of problems, over and above, eliminating the motion that is related to the stars in the sky. In the early days, Plato demonstrated a persuasive mode when he argues through writing on the use of embroidery in the sky as a model in studying other things that are associated to the nature of knowledge (Meynell 16). In reference to Timaeus, Plato is demonstrated in the modern world as a philosopher who expounded critically on the nature of knowledge. Apparently, he is quite impressed by the universal’s order and beauty especially through his mandate of explaining the universe in terms of purpose, and benefits (Meynell 19). Views of Aristotle about the na ture of change represent a departure from Plato It is apparent that there are distinct concepts of change evidenced by the transition of Plato philosophical concepts to Aristotle concepts. Nevertheless, this is arguably as a result of the ignorance of Aristotle complete system. Basically, Aristotle’

Women and Stress at the Workplace. Why Do Women Face More Workplace Research Paper

Women and Stress at the Workplace. Why Do Women Face More Workplace Stress Than Men - Research Paper Example Therefore, work-related stress takes place when there is a disparity between the demands of the job and the potentials of an individual to meet those demands (Blaug, Kenyon and Lekhi, 2007). This paper seeks to illustrate the difference between stress faced by female and male managers as well as address the consequences of stress. The paper will also examine the role played by gender in stress at the workplace. The effects of work-related stress on healthy individuals are felt at most levels of a being such as physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioural. There exist clear links between work-related stress and a variety of physical and mental disorders, which illustrate how one’s health can deteriorate in the presence of strain. In 2010, women in corporate boards of 100 companies constituted 12.5%, which was a 9.4% increase, and per the American Psychological Association, 69% of employees reported work as a significant source of stress, with some indicating being less p roductive at work because of stress (American Psychological Association, 2010). ... Married women are more likely to report higher levels of stress compared to single women; with 56% of them indicating an increase in stress levels over the past 5 years compared to 41% of single women. Research indicates suggest that both genders, women and men, handle stress in a different manner all together. Response to stress by men is characterized by the fight -flight notion while in women; response leans towards tend-and-befriend. It is for this difference that creates different professional interactions, which defines how they function both at home and in the workplace. Consequently, gender makes a great deal of difference in life and business. Unfortunately, men seem not to be persuaded by the tend-and-befriend approach, thus arises a conflict that exerts pressure on women, which contributes to work-related stress. When faced with a stressing situation, a man’s response is strategic and will assess how best the situation can be salvaged while doubts crop up to questio n his capacity to handle the situation. The response to his doubts is normally influenced by personal confidence and knowledge. On the hand, women are naturally more communal in their thinking and often involve others to assist in solving a stressing situation. Women tend to build a community around them from which they seek advice, social support, and alliances that their safety is dependent on. The cause of stress at workplaces may be attributed to the workload present. The workload in the public sector is considered greater than that in the private sector, and all is dependent on the work being done. Some stressors are based on the work itself, with those that pose a significant risk being achievement, overload, and downsizing. Other sources of stress can be categorized as the role and

Malayan union to establish system

Malayan union to establish system In the year of 1945, after the Japanese surrendered and ended the Second World War. Although the Japanese taken Malaya for only three and half years (from 15th February 1942 till 15th August 1945), they had left a great impact on the country. Later, the British returned to Malaya and gave the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) the opportunity to rule the government. According to the history, the MCP only controls Malaya for 14 days because during their supervision, MCP members created trouble and chaos. The British returned to Malaya in September 1945 and set up the British Military Administration (BMA) to bring back peace to Malaya. The BMA system did not last long and British come up with another new system of administration known as the Malayan Union. On April 1, 1946 the Malayan Union officially came into existence with Sir Edward Gent as its governor. The capital of the Union was Kuala Lumpur. The idea of the Union was first expressed by the British on October 1945 (plans had been presented to the War Cabinet as early as May 1944) in the aftermath of the Second World War by the British Military Administration. Sir Harold MacMichael was assigned the task of gathering the Malay state rulers approval for the Malayan Union in the same month. In a short period of time, he managed to obtain all the Malay rulers approval. The reasons for their agreement, despite the loss of political power that it entailed for the Malay rulers, has been much debated; the consensus appears to be that the main reasons were that as the Malay rulers were of course resident during the Japanese occupation, they were open to the accusation of collaboration, and that they were threatened with dethronement. Hence the approval was given, though it was with utmost reluctance. The Key Features of the Malayan Union :- 1)The Malayan Union gave equal rights to people who wished to apply for citizenship. It was automatically granted to people who were born in any state in British Malaya or Singapore and were living there before 15 February 1942, born outside British Malaya or the Straits Settlements only if their fathers were citizens of the Malayan Union and those who reached 18 years old and who had lived in British Malaya or Singapore 10 out of 15 years before 15 February 1942. The group of people eligible for application of citizenship had to live in Singapore or British Malaya for 5 out of 8 years preceding the application, had to be of good character, understand and speak the English or Malay language and had to take an oath of allegiance to the Malayan Union. 2)The Sultans, the traditional rulers of the Malay states, conceded all their powers to the British Crown except in religious matters. 3)The Malayan Union was placed under the jurisdiction of a British Governor, signalling the formal inauguration of British colonial rule in the Malay peninsula. 4)Moreover, even though State Councils were still kept functioning in the former Federated Malay States, it lost the limited autonomy that they enjoyed as they administered some local and less important aspects of government and the Federal government in Kuala Lumpur controlling vital aspects. State Councils became an extended hand of the Federal government that had to do its bidding. 5)Also, British Residents replacing the Sultans as the head of the State Councils meant that the political status of the Sultans were greatly reduced. 6)Equal rights for all citizens regardless of race origin.This includes the entry into government service and the right to vote in the general elections. 7)Made up of the nine Malay states,Penang Island and Malacca. The Failure of Malayan Union plan is due to :- The Malays generally opposed the creation of the Union. The opposition was due to the methods Sir Harold MacMichael used to acquire the Sultans approval, the reduction of the Sultans powers, and the granting of citizenship to non-Malay immigrants and their descendants-especially the ethnic Chinese, not only because of their racial and religious difference but also because their economic dominance was seen as a threat to the Malays. The United Malays National Organization or UMNO, a Malay political association formed by Dato Onn bin JaHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onn_JaafarHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onn_Jaafarafar on March 1, 1946, led the opposition against the Malayan Union. Malays also wore white bands around their heads, signifying their mourning for the loss of the Sultans political rights. However, ex-Malayan government officials criticised the way these constitutional reforms were brought about in Malaya, even saying that it went against the principles of the Atlantic Charter. They also encouraged Malay opposition to the Malayan Union. The fact that people were allowed to hold dual nationalities meant there was a possibility that the Chinese and Indians would be loyal to their home country, rather than Malaya. After the inauguration of the Malayan Union, the Malays, under UMNO, continued opposing the Malayan Union. They utilised civil disobedience as a means of protest by refusing to attend the installation ceremonies of the British governors. They had also refused to participate in the meetings of the Advisory Councils, hence Malay participation in the government bureaucracy and the political process had totally stopped. As a result of the opposition from the local people the Malayan Union was not implemented .Summarized below are the factors which lead to the failure of the Union. 1)Strong opposition from the Local Malays. The suggestion to set up the Malayan Union stirred up a strong sense of nationalism among the Malays. 2)No strong support from the non-Malays. The non-Malays were not interested in the Malayan Union because it excluded Singapore. 3)Wrong timing. Communal feelings and hostility still existed between the Malays and the Chinese as result of the Japanese Occupation. The conditions in Malaya then were still not really peaceful. Social and economic problems were obvious. The Malayan Union was accused of putting the Malays at a disadvantage and favouring the non-Malays. Malay loyalty to their ruler and state was still strong. 4)Wrong introduction. The Union was drawn up in London without taking into account the situation and wishes of the people in Malaya. There was also strong objection to the use of political blackmail to get the agreement signed. 5)Opposition from former British administrators in Malaya. They urged the British to protect the interests and special rights of the Malays. The British had recognised this problem and took measures to consider the opinions of the major races in Malaya before making amendments to the constitution. The Malayan Union ceased to exist in January, 1948. It was replaced by the Federation of Malaya. References Zakaria Haji Ahmad. Government and Politics (1940-2006). p.p 30-21 Marissa Champion. Odyssey: Perspectives on Southeast Asia Malaysia and Singapore 1870-1971. Sejarah Malaysia. Malaysian Studies-Nationhood and Citizenship. Question 2 Discuss the factors that led to the formation of Malaysia and elaborate on the strong opposition to the merger from Indonesia and the Philippines. (50 marks) Sometime in 1955, and later in 1959, Singapore had suggested that it be merged with Malaya. This proposal, however, was rejected by Malaya. At the time, Singapores population comprised mainly Chinese and Malaya feared that this would affect its racial composition, which was predominantly Malay. There was also the fear that the Communists, whose activities were still rampant in Singapore, might influence Malaya and impede its struggle to be rid of the threat of Communism. Four years after Malayas independence, however, Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman took the region by surprise on 27th May 1961, when he made a speech stating his proposal to merge Malaya, Singapore and the Borneo territories of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. His sudden change of mind was influenced by the state of politics and economy in Singapore and the other territories. The Factors Leading to the Proposal of a Merger One of the reasons Tunku Abdul Rahman was keen on a merger with Singapore was for economic purposes. Singapore had a large number of industrial firms and a large population, which complemented its position as one of the more important trading ports in this region. The Borneo territories, on the other hand, boasted of richness in natural resources such as oil, natural gas and timber, and fertile agricultural grounds that produced pepper, rubber and much more. Tunku Abdul Rahman believed that a merger with these colonies would be of much value to Malaya. Tunku Abdul Rahman was also seeking to liberate these colonies from colonization. Malaya had already achieved its independence four years earlier. While Singapore practiced to a large extent, a self-governing policy, Sabah and Sarawak were still very much under British control. In Brunei, the Sultan maintained his autocratic powers but was compelled to receive advise from a British Resident. Tunku Abdul Rahman felt that a merger of these colonies with Malaya would speed up independence from the British. Another factor was the stronghold of Communism over Singapore. As time passed, their activities did not cease. Singapore was then led by Lee Kuan Yew, who, frustrated with the constant disputes and strikes in the mid-1950s, decided to woo some of the Communists into his government, hoping to find favour with them and eventually soften their blows. However, the Communists were adamant about continuing their activities and eventually formed their own party, known as the Barisan Socialis, after they were forced to resign from the government. Fearing that Malaya would be in grave danger should the Communists decide to support their allies in Malaya from across the straits, Tunku Abdul Rahman felt that a merger with Singapore would make it easier to deal with the Communists. Apart from Singapore, Communism was also thriving in Sarawak, where the communists formed an underground association, which exerted its influence on workers associations, students and farmers. There also existed cultural similarities between these territories. Singapore comprised a large Chinese population, while Malaya had a mixed array of Malays, Chinese and Indians. The initial fears expressed by some UMNO members about the Malays being outnumbered by the Chinese, were dispelled when they were convinced that ethnic balance would be restored once the Borneo Territories, which comprised most Malays and indigenous groups, merged with Malaya. Response from Singapore, the Borneo Territories and Brunei Singapore still retained its initial interest in Malaya and was therefore, eager to merge with Malaya when Tunku Abdul Rahman made the proposal in 1961. The only opposition came from the Communist-dominated party, Barisan Socialis. Despite this, Lee Kuan Yew actively campaigned to support the merger. His efforts paid off and a referendum held on 1 September 1962 indicated that 71.1% of the population of Singapore supported the merger. Singapore was promised autonomy in education, revenue and labour while the central government would be operating in Kuala Lumpur. Its free entreport status would also be maintained. Like Singapore, Brunei was equally keen on the merger, since its ruler, Sultan Ali Saifuddin was hoping to gain protection from a larger country like Malaya. A.M. Azahari, the leader of the opposition party, Parti Rakyat, however, strongly opposed the merger and led a revolt against the government of Brunei, in which he was defeated. Azahari had an ulterior motive to merge all the North Borneo territories and place them under the reins of Brunei. Eventually, Brunei changed its mind after the Sultan realized that he wouldnt be given special rights above the other Sultans in Malaya and would have only limited oil reserves if Brunei merged with Malaya. The response from Sabah and Sarawak was not on par with that from Singapore and the initial response from Brunei, since both territories feared losing authority in the administration of their governments. Apart from this, the non-Malays feared that the Malays in Sabah and Sarawak would be even more dominant should the merger take place. To allay their fears, Tunku Abdul Rahman went to these territories in June 1961 and set up the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee (MSCC) to inform the people of the benefits of the merger. The Cobbold Commission When Tunku Abdul Rahman flew to London to discuss the formation Malaysia with the British government in November 1961, the British were very much in favour of it, but stipulated that the Borneo territories should agree with the merger. Hence, the British formed the Cobbold Commission led by Lord Cobbold, to investigate the reaction of the people in Sabah and Sarawak towards the merger. Two months later, after receiving thousands of letters, conducting thousands of interviews with the people of Sabah and Sarawak and countless public meetings, a conclusion was reached. Only one third of the population rejected the merger, hoping to join Malaya only after they achieved their independence. The other two thirds either supported the merger wholeheartedly or supported it on the grounds that their rights be maintained. Since the merger won the favour of the majority, it was approved by the British. On 16th September 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak became one nation, known as Malaysia. Once again, an official proclamation was made by Tunku Abdul Rahman at the Merdeka Stadium. Two years later, however, on 9th August 1965, Singapore broke away from Malaysia and formed its own government. Protest from neighbouring countries When Malaysia was formed, Indonesia and the Philippines disapproved of the new establishment due to their own ulterior motives. The Philippines claimed ownership of Sabah, stating that Sabah came under the Sulu Sultanate which belonged to the Philippines. As such, the Philippines did not acknowledge Malaysia as an independent country or the official declaration that took place on16th September 1963. The president of the Philippines, Macapagal had severed diplomatic ties with Malaysia. It was only sometime in June 1966, that the Philippines gave due recognition to Malaysia and acknowledged it as an independent country. Indonesia, on the other hand, was hoping to merge with Malaya to form Indonesia Raya and at the same time, establish an independent North Borneo Federation comprising Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. The Indonesian president at the time, Sukarno, was heavily influenced by the Communist party in Indonesia and subsequently declared a Confrontation policy of on Malaysia from January 1963 to August 1966 to voice his objection of the formations of Malaysia. During this period, Indonesia put a halt to all diplomatic relations with Malaysia and launched an attack. The first stops the Indonesians made were at Pontian, Labis, Muar and Kota Tinggi. Agents were sent to overthrow the Malaysian government and at the same time, create misunderstanding among Malays and Chinese. The confrontation came to an eventual end when Sukarno was replaced by Suharto as the president of Indonesia. Consequently, a peace treaty was signed between both countries in Jun 1966. Singapore decided to withdraw from Malaysia on 9th August 1965 to form her own Republic due to some disagreements, particularly about special rights of the natives. Hence, Malaysia today comprises Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Malaysia has now been enjoying independence for 53 years and is known to the world as a sovereign country. We are able to achieve economic, political and social stability and move rapidly towards a developed country. Although Malaysia is a plural society that consists of various races, they are able to live, co-operate and co-exist in harmony to build a strong and developed country. The understanding among the races, which creates unity in the country, plays a very important role in moulding Malaysia to be a politically stable country.