FEDARETION OF MALAYSIA
History of Malaysia
Malaysia grew to prominence in Southeast
Asia due to its strategic position for
trade and commerce during the end
of the 16th century. The political and socio-economic landscape since its
independence has helped propel the nation to achieve a dynamic economy.
Malaysia has a rich legacy of history, from the early days of Hindu,
Buddhist and Islamic civilisations to colonial imperialism and
independence.
The Early Civilisations
Malaysia’s warm climate and wealth of natural resources have attracted the
indigenous tribes or better known as Orang Asli around 3,000 BC. They
probably set foot from Tibet and China to the south. However, it was the
Malay Sultanate Kingdom in Melaka during the 15th Century that made the
nation a trading and commercial hub that attracted people from the world
over. This was also the time when Islamic influence became stronger and the
Sultans and the Malays started to embrace Islam as their religion.
Colonial Imperialism
The popularity of Melaka has attracted the Europeans, particularly the
Portuguese. They captured Melaka in 1511 but soon, in 1641, the Dutch took
over the reign. The disposed Malay rulers fled to the south and they
established a new Sultanate. The British which established its own footing
in Singapore, Penang, Kuching, Jesselton, became the next colonial
imperialist when they signed the 1825 Anglo-Dutch Treaty that defined
Netherland East Indies (Indonesia) and British Malaya. It was the British
who then brought in the Indian and Chinese immigrants to work in rubber
plantations and tin mines. The British continued to rule Malaya until World
War 2.
World War 2 and Independence
The British was defeated by the Japanese during the World War 2 but then
their rule was short-lived when the Japanese was defeated by the Allied
Forces. The British returned but the political landscape had changed. The
Malays were united and protested against the Malayan Union formed by the
British as they felt it was taking away their Sultan’s
political rights. The protest was
led by the United Malays National Organisation or UMNO formed by Dato’ Onn
bin Jaafar. The Federation of Malaya was formed to replace Malayan Union and
gave back the political rights to the Sultans. On August 31, 1957, Malaya
gained independence and Tunku Abdul
Rahman became the first Prime Minister.
Malaysia After Independence
In September 16, 1963, Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore formed Malaysia.
The first few years after independence, the country's history were marred by
a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippines
claims on Sabah, and Singapore's departure from the Federation in 1965 and
the racial riot in 1969. However, no matter what turbulence the country was
facing, Malaysia grew stronger under the National Front Coalition government
led by UMNO. During the 22-year leadership of Prime Minister, Tun Dr
Mahathir Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its
economy from dependence on agriculture to expansion in manufacturing, oil
and gas, services and tourism industry.