How did Malaysia become Malaysia?

The history of Malaysia's formation can be traced back to the 18th century when the Malay Peninsula and Borneo were divided into several Malay kingdoms and territories under British influence.

1. British Colonisation:

- In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the British East India Company established settlements and trading posts in the Malay Peninsula, gradually gaining control over the region.

- British dominance was formalised through the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, which divided the Malay Archipelago between the British and the Dutch.

2. Formation of the Straits Settlements:

- The British established the Straits Settlements in 1826, comprising Singapore, Malacca, and Penang.

- These settlements were administered directly by the British Crown and became a major hub for trade and commerce.

3. Unification of the Malay States:

- In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the British expanded their control over the Malay Peninsula and gradually brought the various Malay states under their rule.

- This process was facilitated by a series of treaties and agreements between the British and the Malay rulers, known as the Pangkor Agreement (1874), the Federation of Malay States (FMS) Agreement (1895), and the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.

4. Formation of the Malayan Union:

- After World War II, the British proposed the formation of the Malayan Union in 1946, aimed at unifying the Malay Peninsula under British administration.

- This proposal met with strong opposition from the Malay sultans and the local population, who feared the erosion of their rights and privileges.

5. Federation of Malaya:

- In response to the opposition, the British revised their plan and formed the Federation of Malaya in 1948, recognising the autonomy and sovereignty of the Malay states.

- The Federation comprised the eleven Malay states (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, and Terengganu) as well as the Straits Settlements.

6. Independence and Formation of Malaysia:

- The Federation of Malaya achieved independence from British rule on 31 August 1957.

- Subsequently, negotiations began to form a larger federation that would include the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (now Sabah), and Sarawak.

- On 16 September 1963, Malaysia was officially formed, uniting these territories into a single nation.

In summary, Malaysia's formation was a result of the unification of the Malay Peninsula and Borneo under British rule, followed by the decolonisation process and the establishment of an independent federation.