Federation of Malaya Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malay)
1948–1963
Flag (1950–1963) Coat of arms (1950–1963)
Anthem: God Save the King / Queen (1948–1957) Negaraku (1957–1963)
Location of the Federation of Malaya (dark blue)
Status	British protectorate (1948–1957) Independent monarchy as member state of the Commonwealth of Nations (1957–1963)
Capital and largest city	Kuala Lumpur 3°8′N 101°41′E / 3.133°N 101.683°E / 3.133; 101.683
Common languages	Malay (official), English
Government	Federation as British protectorate (1948–1957) Federal parliamentary elective constitutional monarchy (1957–1963)
Monarch
• 1948–1952	George VI
• 1952–1957	Elizabeth II
• 1957–1960	Abdul Rahman
• 1960	Hisamuddin
• 1960–1963	Putra
High Commissioner
• 1948	Edward Gent
• 1948–1951	Henry Gurney
• 1952–1954	Gerald Templer
• 1954–1957	Donald MacGillivray
Head of government
• 1955–1957	Tunku Abdul Rahman (as Chief Minister)
• 1957–1963	Tunku Abdul Rahman (as Prime Minister)
Legislature	Federal Legislative Council (1948–1959) Parliament (since 1959)
• Upper house	Dewan Negara (Senate) (since 1959)
• Lower house	Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) (since 1959)
History
• Established	1 February 1948[1]
• Independence	31 August 1957
• Malaysia Agreement	16 September 1963
Currency	Malayan dollar (1948–1953) Malaya and British Borneo dollar (1953–1967)
Time zone	UTC+7:30 (Malaya Standard Time)
Preceded by Succeeded by Malayan Union Crown Colony of Malacca Crown Colony of Penang Malaysia
Today part of	Malaysia

Part of a series on the
History of Malaysia
Prehistoric Malaysia Prehistoric Malaysia
Early kingdoms Gangga Negara 2nd–11th century Langkasuka 2nd–14th century Chi Tu 2nd–6th century Pan Pan 3rd–5th century Kedah Tua 5th–9th century Pahang Tua 5th–15th century Melayu 7th–14th century Srivijaya 650–1275 Majapahit 1293–1500
Rise of Muslim states Kedah Sultanate 1136–present Samudera Pasai Sultanate 1267–1521 Brunei Sultanate 1368–present Malacca Sultanate 1402–1511 Sulu Sultanate 1450–1899 Pahang Sultanate 1470–1623 Aceh Sultanate 1496–1903 Pattani Sultanate 1516– 1902 Johor Sultanate 1528–present Sarawak Sultanate 1599–1641 Besut Kingdom 1780–1899 Setul Kingdom 1808–1916 Reman Kingdom 1810–1902 Kubang Pasu Kingdom 1839–1864
Colonial era Portuguese Malacca 1511–1641 Dutch–Portuguese War 1601–1661 Acehnese conquest of Perak 1620 Dutch Malacca 1641–1824 Pahang Kingdom 1770–1881 Straits Settlements 1786–1946 Siamese invasion of Kedah 1821–1826 Anglo-Dutch Treaty 1824 Burney Treaty 1826 Naning War 1831–1832 Kingdom of Sarawak 1841–1946 Separation of Perlis from Kedah 1843 Crown Colony of Labuan 1848–1946 Pahang Civil War 1857–1863 Larut Wars 1861–1874 Klang War 1867–1874 Pangkor Treaty 1874 Perak War 1875–1876 British Malaya / Borneo 1874–1946 Jementah Civil War 1879 North Borneo 1882–1946 Pahang Uprising 1891–1895 Federated Malay States 1895–1946 Anglo-Siamese Treaty 1909 Unfederated Malay States 1909–1946 Battle of Penang 1914 Kelantan rebellion 1915
World War II Japanese occupation of Malaya / Borneo 1941–1945 Malayan campaign 1941–1942 Bornean Campaign 1941–1942 Battle of Muar 1942 Parit Sulong Massacre 1942 Battle of Singapore 1942 Sook Ching 1942 Syburi 1942 Sandakan Death Marches 1942–1945 Si Rat Malai 1943–1945 Jesselton revolt 1943–1944
Formative era BMA of Malaya/Borneo 1945–1946 Crown Colony of N. Borneo 1946–1963 Crown Colony of Sarawak 1946–1963 Anti-cession movement 1946–1963 Malayan Union 1946–1948 Federation of Malaya 1948–1963 Sungai Siput incident 1948 Malayan Emergency 1948–1960 Batang Kali massacre 1948 Bukit Kepong incident 1950 Baling Talks 1955 Malayan Independence 1957 Singapore Self-governance 1959 ISA 1960 1960–2012 Communist insurgency in Sarawak 1962–1990 North Borneo Self-governance 1963 Konfrontasi 1963–1966 Sarawak Self-governance 1963 Formation of Malaysia 1963 Singapore in Malaysia 1963–1965 ASEAN Declaration 1967 Second communist insurgency 1968–1989 13 May incident 1969 National Operations Council 1969–1971 Declaration of Rukun Negara 1970 New Economic Policy 1971–1990 Peace Agreement of Hat Yai 1989
Barisan Nasional era Federal Territory of KL 1974 1977 Kelantan Emergency 1977 Pedra Branca dispute 1979–2008 South China Sea dispute (Spratly) 1980–present Federal Territory of Labuan 1984 Memali incident 1985 Operation Lalang 1987 Constitutional crisis 1987–1988 Royal Immunity Amendments 1993 Financial crisis 1997–1998 Reformasi Movement 1998–2022 1MDB scandal 2015–present
Multi-party era Pakatan Harapan takeover 2018 COVID-19 pandemic 2020–present Political crisis 2020–2022 Constitutional amendment 2021–2023 Green Wave 2022-present
Incidents Brunei revolt 1962–1966 North Borneo dispute (Philippine militant attacks) 1962–present Singapore race riots 1964 Brunei's Limbang claim 1967–2009 Penang Hartal riot 1967 13 May Incident 1969 Ligitan and Sipadan dispute 1969–2002 Kuala Lumpur flash floods 1971 Malaysian haze crisis 1972–present AIA building hostage crisis 1975 National Monument bombing 1975 Campbell Shopping Complex fire 1976 Sabah Air GAF Nomad crash 1976 Japan Airlines Flight 715 incident 1977 MH653 incident 1977 Dawn Raid 1981 1985 Lahad Datu ambush 1985 Memali Incident 1985 Sabah Emergency 1986 Ming Court Affair 1987 Penang terminal bridge collapse 1988 Taufiqiah Al-Khairiah madrasa fire 1989 Bright Sparklers disaster 1991 Highland Towers collapse 1993 Genting landslide 1995 MH2133 incident 1995 Pos Dipang mudflow 1996 Tropical Storm Greg 1996 1998–1999 Malaysia Nipah virus outbreak 1998–1999 Al-Ma'unah incident 2000 Sauk Siege 2000 2001 Kampung Medan riots 2001 2002 Taman Hillview landslide 2002 Tsunami in Malaysia 2004 2006–2007 Southeast Asian floods 2006-2007 Bukit Gantang bus crash 2007 Bukit Antarabangsa landslide 2008 2009 swine flu pandemic in Malaysia 2009 Attacks against places of worship 2010 Cameron Highlands bus crash 2010 Hulu Langat landslide 2011 Genting Highlands bus crash 2013 MH370 incident 2014 MH17 incident 2014 2014–15 Malaysia floods 2014–2015 Sabah earthquake 2015 2015 Plaza Low Yat riot 2015 Movida Bar grenade attack 2016 Kim Jong-nam's Assassination 2017 Darul Quran madrasa fire 2017 2018 Subang Temple riot 2018 2020-21 Malaysia floods 2021 LRT train collision 2021 2021-22 Malaysia floods 2021–2022 2022 Batang Kali landslide 2022 2023 Elmina plane crash 2023
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Early Malay nationalism Kesatuan Melayu Muda  • Defenders of the Homeland Japanese occupation of Malaya British Military Administration Malayan Union All-Malaya Council of Joint Action Federation of Malaya Sungai Siput incident Malayan Emergency Federal Legislative Council Malayan Forum Communities Liaison Committee Briggs Plan Member System 1952 local elections 1955 General election Baling Talks Barnes Report Razak Report Treaty of London Reid Commission F. of Malaya Independence Act Parti Perikatan Merdeka Day Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement Article 160 UN Security Council Resolution 125 Peace Agreement of Hat Yai
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The Federation of Malaya (Malay: Persekutuan Tanah Melayu; Jawi: ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو) was a federation of what previously had been British Malaya, comprising eleven states (nine Malay states and two of the British Straits Settlements, Penang and Malacca)^[2] that existed from 1 February 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957,^[3] and in 1963, Malaysia was formed when Malaya united with Singapore, North Borneo, and Sarawak.^[4]

History

From 1946 to 1948, the eleven states formed a single British crown colony known as the Malayan Union.^[5] Due to opposition from Malay nationalists, the Union was disbanded and replaced by the Federation of Malaya, which restored the symbolic positions of the rulers of the Malay states.

Within the Federation, while the Malay states were protectorates of the United Kingdom, Penang and Malacca remained British colonial territories. Like the Malayan Union before it, the Federation did not include Singapore, despite its traditional connections with Malaya.

The Malaya Agreement was formulated by the British–Malay Pleno Conference between June and December 1946. At the end of the meeting, the Pleno Conference produced a 100-page "Blue Book."^[6] It was signed on 21 January 1948 at King House by the Malay rulers, and by Sir Edward Gent as the representative of the British government.^[7] The Agreement superseded the Agreement creating the Malayan Union, and prepared for the establishment of the Federation of Malaya on 1 February 1948. The position of the Malay rulers was also restored.

The Federation became independent from British colonial rule and became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations on 31 August 1957.^[2][8] In 1963, the Federation was reconstituted as "Malaysia" when it federated with the British territories of Singapore, Sarawak, and North Borneo; a claim to the latter territory was maintained by the Philippines.^[9][10] Singapore separated from Malaysia to become an independent republic on 9 August 1965.^[11]

List of member states

•  Johor
•  Kedah
•  Kelantan
•  Malacca^[12]
•  Negeri Sembilan
•  Pahang
•  Penang^[12]
•  Perak
•  Perlis
•  Selangor
•  Terengganu

System of government

The government of the Federation of Malaya was headed by a British High Commissioner with executive powers, assisted and advised by the Federation of Malaya Executive Council and the Federation of Malaya Legislative Council.

• The Federation of Malaya Executive Council comprised 7 official and 7 unofficial members.
• The Federation of Malaya Legislative Council comprised the High Commissioner as the Council President, 14 official and 50 unofficial members representing the Straits Settlements, business groups and all races. Additionally, 9 State Council Yang Di Pertua (heads of state), Chief Ministers and 2 representatives from the Straits Settlements became unofficial members.
• The Malay Conference of Rulers would advise the High Commissioner on immigration issues. The British Resident was replaced with a Chief Minister in each state of the federation.

Federation of Malaya Legislative Council

Dato' Onn bin Jaafar Mentri Besar of Johor, and President of the United Malays National Organisation, unpacking the State and Federation of Malaya Agreements with Dr. W. Linehan, C.M.G. Adviser on Constitutional Affairs, for the signatures of His Highness the Sultan of Johor, 1948

The Federation of Malaya Legislative Council held its first meeting in the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Hall, Kuala Lumpur in 1948. It was opened by the British High Commissioner Sir Edward Gent. Attendees included the British Minister of State for Colonial Affairs, Lord Listowel. The membership of the Council was structured to include:

• the British High Commissioner (as President);
• 3 ex officio members (namely the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary, and the Attorney General);
• 11 "State and Settlement Members" (the President of the Council of State of each Malay state, and a member elected by each of the Settlement Councils)
• 11 official members; and
• 34 appointed "unofficial" members.

The unofficial members were required to be either Federation citizens or British subjects.

In 1948 the ethnic composition of the council was made up as follows:

• 28 Malay representatives, including all the chief ministers,
• 14 Chinese representatives,
• 6 Indian representatives, and
• 14 Europeans (the ex officio and official members).

Dato' Onn Jaafar stressed at the first meeting that the citizens of the Federation of Malaya did not want the interference of external powers in the affairs of the Federation; the Chinese representative Ong Chong Keng asserted that the Chinese people would be loyal to the Federation of Malaya. At this first Council meeting, several minor committees were formed:

• the Standing Committee on Finance;
• the Election Committee; and
• the Committee of Privileges.

The first session passed the Kuala Lumpur City Bill, the Transfer of Power Bill, and the Loan and Debt Bill.^[14]

Registration of PKMM rejected

In 1950, the Federation of Malaya Government rejected the registration of the Malay Nationalist Party of Malaya (Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya, PKMM) as a legitimate political party. PKMM had two wings, namely Angkatan Pemuda Insaf and Angkatan Wanita Sedar. Initially, PKMM did not have communist leanings. After Mokhtaruddin Lasso was elected as the first PKMM president in October 1946, this party was influenced with communism. The Young Malays Union (Kesatuan Melayu Muda, KMM) merged with PKMM, and Burhanuddin al-Helmy became the second PKMM president. Burhanuddin led PKMM toward the formation of Melayu Raya, a merger of Indonesia and Malaya. In December 1947, Ishak Haji Mohamed became the third PKMM president and PKMM switched from communism to nationalism. PKMM tended against United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and colonisation. PKKM established the Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA), a conglomeration of radical Malay Political Parties and then merged with the All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) which thoroughly opposed the 1948 Federation Agreement for the foundation of the Federation of Malaya. PKMM accused officials selected in the Federation of Malaya of being "puppets" of the "Colonial Office". For PKMM, there was no basis in "preparing Malaya as a democratic government".^[15]

Demographics

Evolution of Malaysia

See also

• Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957
• Federal Legislative Council
• Peninsular Malaysia
• Malayan Emergency
• Reid Commission

References

External links

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Federation of Malaya Agreement

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957

• Colonial administration records (migrated archives): Malaya at The National Archives (Pg. 52)
• The UK Statute Law Database: Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957 (c. 60)
• United Nations Treaty Collection: No.10760: Agreement relating to Malaysia
• Media related to Federation of Malaya at Wikimedia Commons