100 CE
Bujang Valley kingdoms flourish
Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms flourish in the Bujang Valley, Kedah, marking early Indianized civilization in the Malay Peninsula. #ancient #history #southeast-asia
Chronological Storyline (21 Milestones)
1400 CE
Malacca Sultanate founded
Parameswara founds the Malacca Sultanate, establishing a major global trading port and center for Islamic expansion in the region. #medieval #history #southeast-asia
Aug 24, 1511 CE
Portuguese conquer Malacca
Portuguese forces led by Afonso de Albuquerque conquer Malacca, ending the Malacca Sultanate and beginning European colonial rule. #early-modern #history #southeast-asia
Jan 14, 1641 CE
Dutch capture Malacca
The Dutch East India Company, allied with Johor, captures Malacca from the Portuguese after a prolonged siege. #early-modern #history #southeast-asia
Jul 17, 1786 CE
Penang settlement established
Captain Francis Light establishes a British East India Company trading settlement on the island of Penang. #early-modern #history #southeast-asia
Mar 17, 1824 CE
Anglo-Dutch Treaty signed
The Anglo-Dutch Treaty is signed, dividing the Malay Archipelago and establishing British dominance over the Malay Peninsula. #modern #history #southeast-asia
Sep 24, 1841 CE
First White Rajah of Sarawak
James Brooke is installed as the first White Rajah of Sarawak, establishing a unique British family dynasty in Borneo. #modern #history #southeast-asia
Jan 20, 1874 CE
Pangkor Treaty signed
The Pangkor Treaty is signed, introducing the British Resident system in Perak and marking formal British intervention in Malay states. #modern #history #southeast-asia
Jul 1, 1895 CE
Federated Malay States formed
The Federated Malay States is formed, uniting Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang under a centralized British administration. #modern #history #southeast-asia
Dec 8, 1941 CE
Japanese invasion of Malaya
The Imperial Japanese Army launches a surprise invasion of Malaya at Kota Bharu, beginning a brutal three-year occupation. #modern #history #southeast-asia
Sep 12, 1945 CE
Japanese surrender in Malaya
Japanese forces formally surrender in Southeast Asia, leading to the establishment of the British Military Administration in Malaya. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
Feb 1, 1948 CE
Malayan Union replaced
The unpopular Malayan Union is dissolved and replaced by the Federation of Malaya; the Malayan Emergency communist insurgency begins. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
Aug 31, 1957 CE
Malayan independence declared
The Federation of Malaya officially gains independence from the British Empire, with Tunku Abdul Rahman as the first Prime Minister. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
Sep 16, 1963 CE
Malaysia formed
Malaysia is formed through the merger of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak, despite opposition from Indonesia and the Philippines. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
Aug 9, 1965 CE
Singapore expelled from Malaysia
Singapore is expelled from the federation and becomes an independent republic following severe political and racial disagreements. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
May 13, 1969 CE
Racial riots in Kuala Lumpur
Severe racial riots erupt in Kuala Lumpur following a contentious general election, leading to the suspension of parliament. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
1971 CE
New Economic Policy introduced
The government introduces the New Economic Policy (NEP) to eradicate poverty and eliminate the identification of race with economic function. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
Jul 16, 1981 CE
Mahathir becomes Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad becomes Prime Minister, initiating an era of rapid industrialization, mega-projects, and economic modernization. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
Sep 2, 1998 CE
Asian Financial Crisis hits
The Asian Financial Crisis severely impacts the economy; Deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim is sacked and arrested, sparking the Reformasi movement. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
May 9, 2018 CE
Pakatan Harapan wins election
The Pakatan Harapan coalition wins the general election, ending the Barisan Nasional coalition's 60-year uninterrupted rule of Malaysia. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia
Mar 1, 2020 CE
Sheraton Move collapses Pakatan Harapan government
The 'Sheraton Move' political crisis results in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government and the appointment of Muhyiddin Yassin as PM. #contemporary #history #southeast-asia