18/01/2023
HISTORY
Believed to be formed by the Sultanate of Malacca in 1400 AD, Malaysia, (known as Malaya up until 1963), once belonged to the Sultanate territories: among the East Coast of Malaysia and Sumatra. Favored for its location, Malaysia was the link between East Asia and the Middle East, seen today in commerce as well as tourism. Founded in the 14th century, Malacca emerged as a significant and wealthy state enhanced by trade between the various Arabic, Chinese and Indian settlements. In a turn of events, its wealth burst into the 16th century only to be snatched by the Portuguese. Unable to regain power, the son of the Sultan of Malacca established a new settlement, Johor.
Malacca’s colonial era did not go unchallenged by Johor—the eastern region’s newest and most powerful trading state. Dodging defeat, the state developed an alliance with the Dutch who joined forces with Johor to conquer the Portuguese. Multiple attempts to take Malacca failed, including two doomed battles in 1606 and 1608. It would take three more decades to succeed: Malacca fell into Dutch hands in 1641. But with the development of the Anglo-Dutch treaty, the region saw British colonization up until 1824. During this time—the longest period in Malaysia’s colonial rule—a local Malay uprising tried several times to rid Malacca of British control, without victory.
During the mid 1800s, the Straits Settlements rocketed due to the immigration of Chinese and Indian workers. Penang, Malacca, and Singapore were a handful of settlements controlled by the East India Company, named British state colonies in 1867. During this time, the British government reinforced the importation of tin from Malaysia. As a result, a mass Chinese immigration arrived with the tin boom. After the Sultan’s death in 1871, the British leapt into an agreement known as the ‘Pangkor Treaty of 1874’ in response to a power struggle over Perak’s resources. Britain won the upper hand and developed political control over most of Malaysia, with the help of government advisors.
For a time, Britain’s power over the region was unstoppable, with states, Brunei, Sarawak, and North Borneo among others, dominated by a foreign government. Johor was one of the last regions taken by British rule in 1914.
With a new century came the demand for rubber and a tin revival, boosting the industry across the Malay peninsula. The 1920s saw residents of Malaysia enjoy great fortune cut short by an economic depression in the 1930s. During this period, immigration bans arose in response to unemployment issues in the region. Still, Malaysia was already a stronghold for immigrants, such as the Chinese who had arrived when prosperity called, earlier in the 20th century.
While colonial Britain exploited Malaysia and its people, outrage bubbled beneath the surface. Using a variety of local media, Malay residents began to speak out and criticize the government. Political activism sprung up in newfound associations in favor of a Malay rule. Yet Malaysia’s freedom faced a greater threat: the arrival of World War II and the Japanese temporarily muted any chance at independence.
The Japanese invasion of the Malay peninsula saw British troops withdraw back to Singapore in January of 1942. With total surrender to the Japanese in February of the same year. Japan occupied the region until 1945 when after their surrender, World War II ended. It was a move that helped Malaysia on its way to independence. Upon Japan’s initial surrender, the British government attempted to join the Malaysian states into one: the Malayan Union. Refused by the Malay people, the states formed the Federation of Malaya instead.
Meanwhile, the pro-Malay organizations overshadowed by World War II, once again resisted Britain’s colonial rule in the name of nationalism. While often violent in nature, the activities, and attacks by some of these groups began to settle—upon the promise of independence from the British government. In 1955, the Reid Commission, responsible for the creation of a constitution for Malaysia, came into existence. With the commission signed off, Malaysia finally became an independent nation on August 31st, 1957, with its first Prime Minister holding office from 1957 until 1970. Malaysia was renewed by the support of Sarawak and Sabah, as well as Singapore; the latter would later become a separate state. The addition of these key regions saw the Federation of Malaysia created in 1963.
The 1960s were a rocky road for many; both Malay and non-Malays clashed in acts of political violence and uprising. May 1969 became infamous for the race riots, declared a state of emergency by the government. Though the tension between the Chinese and Malay ethnic groups would subside, parliament only reconvened in 1971.
The arrival of a new economic policy transformed the country from a poor state to a wealthy one, thanks to the development of industry and agriculture. This continued into the 2000s, when Malaysia gained new policies focused on its development.
Modern day Malaysia is now considered a prosperous country in Southeast Asia. Triumphs include a successful export-driven economy impacted by international and state relations, the export of textiles and rubber, as well as tourism. Despite all, the country has strived to erase extreme poverty rates and stop history repeating itself. State programs, to eradicate poverty and develop employment, spotlighted social harmony and robust annual growth. It is a milestone still felt today in society throughout Malaysia.
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Historical Points of Interest
National Monument
Address: Perdana Botanical Garden, Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50480, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: N/A
Operating Hours:
– Daily: 7:00am to 6:00pm
Admission Cost:
– Free of charge
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St. Paul’s Church
Address: 1935, Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, 7500 Malacca
Phone: N/A
Operating Hours: 24 hours daily
Admission Cost: Free of charge
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Istana Negara (National Palace)
Address: Jln Tuanku Abdul Halim, Bukit Damansara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603 – 6200 1000
Operating Hours:
– Not open to the public
Admission Cost:
– Not open to the public
https://malaysia.com/malaysia-history/
