 Stamp commemorating the signing of theManila Accord | |
| Formation | July 1963 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation |
| Type | International defence organisation |
| Membership |  Malaya Philippines Indonesia |
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Maphilindo (forMalaya, thePhilippines, andIndonesia) was a proposed loosepolitical association under aconfederation ofMalaya,Indonesia, and thePhilippines.[1]
The original plan for a united state based on the concept of theMalay race was attempted byWenceslao Vinzons during the Philippines'Commonwealth era. Vinzons had envisioned a united Malay race, which he termed "Malaya Irredenta" (later another name for the union). In his 1959 bookSomeday, Malaysia, Major Abdul Latif Martelino (later operations officer in the infamousJabidah massacre) also cited the vision ofPresidentManuel L. Quezon for an integrated, pan-Malayan nation in the region. Quezon envisioned creating a better state which was united. Having a united race at the time would pave way for the development of the Malay. The united state would however, be achieved by the contribution of the people living in the region. Quezon was determined to make his intentions known to the people so that the vision could be easily achieved in the future.[2]
Maphilindo was initially proposed as a realization ofFilipino national hero Dr.José Rizal's dream of uniting the Malay peoples, seen as artificially divided bycolonial frontiers. Uniting the Malay people was highly prioritised resulting in many events occurring within the region. Dr.José Rizal significantly contributed to creating and officiating events designed to unite the people. In July 1963, PresidentDiosdado Macapagal, convened a summit inManila where the three countries signeda series of agreements to resolve controversies over the former British colonies ofNorth Borneo andSarawak joiningMalaysia. The treaties paved way for new developments in the region which would later contribute to the development of the country to what it is now.[3]
While the union was described as a regional association that would approach issues of common concern, it was also perceived as a tactic employed by thePhilippines andIndonesia to hinder the formation of the Federation of Malaysia asMalaya'ssuccessor state. The Philippines had its ownclaim over the eastern part ofSabah (formerlyBritish North Borneo), while Indonesia protested the formation of Malaysia as aBritish imperialist plot. The Indonesians and the Filipinos categorised the signing of the treaty betweenBritain and theFederation of Malaya as a plot for the former to establish a colony within their borders. The assumption later resulted in heated conflicts between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.[2]
The union was dismantled a month later[4] whenSukarno,President of Indonesia, adopted a policy ofKonfrontasi (Indonesian, "confrontation") with the newly constitutedMalaysia.[5] The Indonesians claimed that the Malayan Government had announced on 29 August that Malaysia would be formed on 16 September 1963, before the result of the referendum of the wishes of the people of Borneo was known.[6][7] The proclamation of Malaysia was postponed until September 16 to give theUN team time to report. The UN team reported in favor of Malaysia, but the Philippines and Indonesia refused to recognize the new federation. On 16 September, Malaysia severed diplomatic ties with the two countries. Indonesia retaliated by cutting off trade relations with the new nation.[7]
TheUS, underJohn F. Kennedy, appeared to have supported Maphilindo as it had hoped that it would reduce the chances of Indonesia turningcommunist.[8]
Remnants of Maphilindo can be seen in some remaining texts of the currentASEAN Declaration as the drafting process of the declaration had held several language and excerpts from the Manila Declaration, inputted by the Indonesian delegation in Thailand.[9] Both Indonesia's foreign minister,Adam Malik, and Philippine foreign secretary,Narciso Ramos, believe that Maphilindo failed to reflect the regional realities of the time and that anew organization was needed to do so better.[10]: 163‒164, [597] [11]: 31
