Malaysia history spans over 2000 years — from Malay Sultanate of Malacca, Portuguese/Dutch/English colonization, to modern Federation of Malaysia.
Early Malay Kingdoms (100-1400)
Early Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms like Kedah Tua, Langkasuka, Pan-Pan. Indian and Chinese influence through trade.
Sultanate of Malacca (1400-1511)
Parameswara founded Malacca 1400. Converted to Islam around 1414. Most important trading centre in Southeast Asia. Ruled Sumatra and Malay Peninsula.
Colonial Era (1511-1957)
Portuguese conquered Malacca 1511. Dutch took over 1641. British ruled from 1786 (Penang). British North Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak).
Japanese Occupation (1941-1945)
Japan attacked December 8, 1941. Malaya and British Borneo fell quickly. Brutal 3.5-year occupation.
Malayan Emergency (1948-1960)
Communist insurgency (MCP) led by Chin Peng. British declared Emergency. Communist defeat 1960.
Independence and Formation of Malaysia (1957-1965)
August 31, 1957 — Federation of Malaya independent, Tunku Abdul Rahman first PM. September 16, 1963 — Federation of Malaysia formed (with Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore). Singapore left 1965.
Modern Malaysia (1965-today)
Rapid economic growth. Wawasan 2020 by Mahathir Mohamad (PM 1981-2003, 2018-2020). Asian financial crisis 1997. Pakatan Harapan won 2018 — first change of government. 34 million population, 3 main ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, Indian.