Welcome to our online travel guide on change and continuity in British Malaya! Let me begin with a short introduction on this very wonderful place. We, the British, arrived in 1786 and established our first colony in Penang, an area carved out from the Kedah Sultanate. Singapore became the second colony in 1819 with the signing of a treaty with the Sultan of Johore and Malacca was ceded to the British in the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 in exchange for Bencoolen on Sumatra. Slowly, we expanded our influence in the other Malay sultanates on the peninsula. In 1874, the entire Malay Peninsula was under the British influence, and thus became the British Malaya.
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Before we arrived, the heads of each Malay state (negri), was known as a Sultan. These Sultans were the ‘defender and arbiter’ of their own Islamic faith; and people perceived their Sultans as ones who were sacred and extremely dignified. Sultans even owned a set of regalia- which included musical instruments, the insignia of office, and even weapons.
This is how a Sultan will look like
The Sultans had the assistance of his ministers, and also had under them the Malay chiefs. Under these Malay chiefs were the village headmen, otherwise known as the penghulu. The positions these penghulu held were hereditary.
When we arrived, we implemented great changes to their political system. Their political system, which was based on the Mandala System, was decentralized, and we felt this was definitely not going to work out. Malaya would never be a successful country with such a political system. Our main goal was for Malaya to boom in terms of its economy, and our reason for colonizing this region of Southeast Asia was so as to expand their industries. We felt that with a centralized bureaucratic system, colonial administrative works could be handled more efficiently.
The Pangkor Treaty was signed with the Sultan of Perak in order to legitimize British control over the Malay Sultans.
With the emphasis on efficiency, we aimed to modernize the political system of Malaya. We applied indirect rule to the people, and in often times, allowed the local communities to participate in politics. We set up the British Residency System, and each Sultan was made to receive a British Resident. This was meant to be a partnership that was mutually beneficially for both parties. The British Residents were to oversee administrative and judiciary affairs, and were also to collect taxes. British Advisors were merely there to assist and guide the Sultans. We did not want to interfere too much into their politics, since our main aim only was to earn profits via commercial means. Thus, we left the religious matters for the respective Sultans to handle.
As British people, our colonial rule was not as repressive as the French or the Dutch’s rule, yet we yielded results similar or better than theirs. For this, we feel proud even till this very day. As fellow British folks, do visit Malaya to witness how we have transformed the political system of this place.
We made sure that the Sultans were still in control, and went through great lengths to ensure that the powers of the Sultans were not crippled entirely. The additions were only British Advisors and the British Residents that each Sultan had to receive. These British men served in this political system so as to guide the Sultans in their work, and also to allow Malaya to soar to greater heights. Other than this, the Sultans were still given the absolute power to take control of their individual states.
(P.S. We still do not know why the Sultans wanted to request for the restoration of their powers. We thought they already had more than the power they needed.)
We British men wanted to create an export-based economy, and it had to be based on rubber, palm and tin, since these were the coveted commodities that had the potential to be exported by mass in Malaya.
In the beginning, what attracted us was the natural resource of Tin and Gold, which was a necessity for us, since we saw our empire primarily as a economic concern.
Palm was introduced to the British colony of Malaya in 1910 by English banker Henry Darby. The first plantations were mostly established and operated by British plantation owners, such as Sime Darby. Palm was a necessity for us the British during the Industrial Revolution for use as an industrial lubricant. It’s important, useful, cheap and can be mass produced!
Rubber was planted throughout the Malay states.
Upon the arrival of the British colonial masters, planters were now able to raise capital from investors in London.
We introduced Rubber to the Malayan country side in 1877. Rubber was originally found in Brazil, and we cleared large areas of land for large scale rubber plantations. Simultaneously, local farmers saw the opportunities of rubber cultivation, and planted small groves of trees to supplement their own income. This gives rise to two types of rubber plantations in most producing countries: the estates, or plantations and the smallholdings.
Furthermore, we allowed unrestricted immigration of labour from China, India and the Dutch East Indies. Without this, there might not have been enough labour for such economic development to occur within the rubber and tin industries.
Upon arrival to Malaya, you will notice vast lands devoted to rubber plantations. Witnessing such a scene will be enough to make you feel proud of entire British colonial rule, proud of your fellow British men who made this possible. Without us, Malaya would never have been able to expand their rubber industry to such a high level. The opening of the Suez Canal will aid transportation, as you will now be able to arrive by ships that run on steam.
"With the arrival of the colonial powers, not only did the economy and political system change. But what we brought along with us, changed the very culture, the food.Its split into many different kinds with the arrival of the colonial masters. From traditional Malay food, it has evolved to Malay Indian food, Malay Chinese Food, Malay Eurasian food and Nyonya/Peranakan food. The people have retained their food culture to a large extent. However, along with the arrival of our fellow British men, we start to see transformations in these Malay delicacies. Some were showered with Western influence, upon which led to the creation of Malay Eurasian food. Allow me to now introduce to you, these gastronomic delights that will not only tickle your tastebuds, but also leave the taste of home lingering to the tip of your tongue.
In Malay cuisine fresh aromatic herbs and roots are used, some familiar, such as lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots, kaffir limes and fresh chilies. Both fresh and dried chilies are used, usually ground into a sambal or chili paste to add hotness to dishes. There are however, less commonly known herbs and roots that are essential in Malay cooking; Dishes like – Nasi Lemak, Beef Rendang, Satay, Samabal udang.
Indian food is now not only very Malaysian; unique and new versions of Indian food, not found in India, have ultimately been created. Indian cuisine can be divided into two mainstreams, North Indian and South Indian cuisine. A typical North Indian meal would consist of breads - made from wheat flour such as Chapatis or Rotis [unleavened bread], Parathas [unleavened bread fried on a griddle] - served with vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries. South Indian cuisine boosts the very best fish and vegetarian meals! Nasi Biryani, Mutton Korma, Tandoori Chicken are just to name a few.
The Chinese brought with them not only their skills, culture, languages and customs but also the various provincial styles of Chinese cuisines. Chinese cuisine in Malaysia is mainly Cantonese, Hokkien, Hainanese, Teochew and Hakka styles of cooking. Chinese cuisine is generally milder compared to Malay or Indian fare. But thanks to the influence from this multiethnic country, Chinese cuisine in Malaysia, has taken on a spicier touch, often reinventing classic Chinese dishes. Many Chinese dishes are unique in Malaysia and not found in China. Hainan Chicken rice, Chilli Crab, Steamed Pomfret etc.
Malay Eurasian cuisine was inspired by both the Dutch and the British. Bergedel, a dish consisting of potato patties and ground beef, can be related to the Dutch influenced islands of Batavia, or today's Indonesia. While other Eurasian dishes are imports from the British East Indies like the mulligatawny Soup - Spicy Chicken soup. The word mulligatwny orignated from the tamil word Milagu-Tannir, which means Pepper water. There is the popular Kedgeree of Khichri, which is Smoked Haddock and Curried rice, which is a famous British East Indian meal, which is usually served during breakfast time.
Other popular dishes that was imported from our lands are dishes like Brown Beef stew, Pork Chops, Fish & Chips, Oxtail Stew, Chicken Pot Pie, Scotch Eggs, Shepherd's Pie, Tuna Mornay, Salisbury Steak and many other mouthwatering British-malayan dishes from the British Isles. Taught to the Malayan Housekeepers by early British Colonists.
Akin to the Peranakan in Indonesia, these descendents of mixed Chinese-Malay had forsaken their Chinese mother tongue and spoke the local Malay language, assimilated Malay customs, culture and dress. Descendants of this early Peranakan community in Malaysia then married within their own community of Babas and Nyonyas establishing a strong hybrid culture proud of it's heritage. Foods include Laksa, Enche kabin, Chicken kapitan and Kankung Belacan.
Before we came, the main religion was Islam. This was accompanied by a few other religions, mainly Hinduism and Buddhism. Under the British influence, we have helped to spread the message of Christianity. Now, these are the four main religions that exist in British Malaya in the present day.
Central Market has created a corner to display multi ethnicity and zoned the stalls based on the features of each race. It was built in 1928 and became Kuala Lumpur’s greatest fresh produce market. It is strategically located with public transportation links to all major destinations and hotels while the KL Sentral railway station is only 1 ½ km away. Malaya’s very own Covent Garden.
The mosque is an unspoiled place that heaves in peace and tranquility, together with its coconut palms and curved steps touching the water's edge. Built in 1909, this mosque is a must see when you come to Malaya. This mosque was designed and build by a British Architect A. B. Hubbock, and it boasts highly of its Moorish features. It is acclaimed to be one of the oldest Mosques of Kuala Lumpur.
Islamic influences in the design of graceful arches and minarets, make this one of the most distinctive railway stations in the world. Built in 1910 by the very same person who build the Majid Jamek Mosque, this structure carries itself with pride, flaunting its moorish features which eccentuates its elegant styles.
This hindu temple is the oldest, richest and most ornamented Hindu Temple in Kuala Lumpur. The intricately adorned portico of deties, decorated with gold and precious stones, depicts stories from early Hindu history. Built in 1873, it holds true to history and is a sight to behold. This temple is the starting point of the Thaipusam festival procession, however, footwear must be removed before entering the temple.
Located strategically in the center of the Dutch Square, this fountain was built during the colonial period to commemorate Queen Victoria. It’s bronze; not very huge nor high but it does stand out as it’s the only fountain in the Square. Queen Victoria Fountain is one of the last traces of the British colonial era in Malaysia. This monument represents the glorious days of the British people in Malaysia.
Why come to Malaya?
With the opening of the Suez Canal, British women and children can now take a trip to accompany their husbands in Malaya. As seen from this online travel guide, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful aspects the original Malaya, those that have not been tampered by modernity. Furthermore, you will also be able to marvel at the prowess of the British modernity, how Malaya has been transformed by the British into a modern state.
For further enquiries, you may contact us at 04malaya@gmail.com. Also, feel free to leave your questions/comments on the tagboard on the extreme left. We will be more than glad to reply to your queries.
Thank you for visiting our travel guide, and we hope to see you in Malaya next time. (:
