THE FEDERAL STATES OF MALAYSIA

JOHOR

Founded: 1528 (as Johor Sultanate) (official)

Admitted to the Union: September 16, 1963 (official)
Capital: Johor Bahru, Kota Iskandar (state administrative center)
Royal Capital: Muar
Nicknames:
- Abode of Dignity
- Jewel of Malaysia

Motto: To Allah We Surrender.

Anthem: Johor State Anthem
Name of Origin: The area was first known to the northern inhabitants of Siam as
Gangganu or Ganggayu (Treasury of Gems) due to the abundance of gemstones
near the Johor River. Arabic traders referred to it as ‫( َج ْو َهر‬Jauhar), a word
borrowed from the Persian ‫( گوهر‬gauhar), which also means "precious stone" or
"jewel". As the local people found it difficult to pronounce the Arabic word in the
local dialect, the name subsequently became Johor. Meanwhile, the Old Javanese
eulogy of Nagarakretagama called the area Ujong Medini (land's end), as it is the
southernmost point of mainland Asia. Another name, through Portuguese writer
Manuel Godinho de Erédia, made reference to Marco Polo's sailing to Ujong
Tanah (the end of the Malay Peninsula land) in 1292.
KEDAH

Founded: 1136 (as Kedah Sultanate) (official)

Admitted to the Union: August 31, 1957 (official)
Capital: Alor Setar
Royal Capital: Anak Bukit
Nicknames:
- Abode of Peace
- Rice Bowl of Malaysia

Motto: Prosperous Kedah, Delight For All.

Anthem: God Save the Crowned Sultan
Name of Origin:
- Kedah was also known as Kataha. This name was mentioned in many other
ancient literary works. Which meant that it was a fun place to be. On top of
trading, there was evidence that Kedah was a source for iron. Ancient
peeps found out how to smelt iron and this is probably why they called it
Kadaram because when it’s translated from Sanskrit to Tamil, it means
smelting place or iron.

KELANTAN
Founded: 1267 (as Kelantan Sultanate) (official)
1499 (as vassal state under Malacca Sultanate) (official)
Admitted to the Union: September 16, 1963 (official)
Capital: Kota Bharu
Royal Capital: Kubang Kerian
Nicknames:
- The Blissful Abode - Balcony of Mecca
- Land of Lighting

Motto: To God the Kingdom of Kelantan Surrenders.

Anthem: Thank You, Sultan
Name of Origin: There are a number of suggestions for the origin of the name Kelantan.
One theory proposes that the word Kelantan comes from a modified version of the word
gelam hutam, i.e. the Malay word for the cajuput, or swamp tea tree (Melaleuca
leucadendron). Other theories claim that the name comes from the Malay word kilatan,
"shiny or glittery" or kolam Tanah, "clay pool". Kelantan was called Kalantan (Thai:
กลันตัน) by the Siamese when it was under their influence. Another occasionally quoted
suggestion is that Kelantan derived originally from the Indian Kolaan Thana or Kolaam
Thana, which meant "Land of Kolaan" or "Land of Kolaam", the term kolaan or kolaam
referring to the floor paintings or diagrams in the numerous Hindu temples which dotted
the land in the very ancient days.
MALACCA
Founded: 1400 (as Malacca Sultanate) (official)
Admitted to the Union: August 31, 1957 (official)
Capital: Malacca City
Nicknames:
- The Historic State - The Venice of the East

Motto: Firmly United.

Anthem: Malacca, Onwards Come!
Name of Origin: According to the Malay Annals, Melaka was named after a tree.
Parameswara, a prince from Palembang, was out hunting when he saw a
pelanduk (mouse deer) kick one of his hound dogs. Astonished by the encounter,
Parameswara thought that the land would be a great place as a new site for his
Malay empire. He named the place after the tree Pokok Melaka (Indian
gooseberry) which he was resting under. Another theory is that the name Melaka
is related to a Hindu myth, where it was said that the name was derived from the
Sanskrit word "amalaka". Amalaka is the name of a tree, believed to be the first-
ever tree to grow in this world, and is often associated with wealth, health, and
power. Some people also believe that Melaka's name was derived from the Arabic
words "mulaqah" (which means meeting) or "malakat" (which means the
gathering of all trade). Melaka was once a very important trading harbor,
connecting traders from Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa, to name a few.

NEGERI SEMBILAN
Founded: 1895 (as part of Federated Malay States) (official)
Admitted to the Union: August 31, 1957 (official)
Capital: Seremban
Royal Capital: Seri Mananti
Nicknames:
- The Special Abode
- Nine State

Motto: Innocent and true.

Anthem: Bless the Great Ruler of Negeri Sembilan
Name of Origin:
- The name Negeri Sembilan is believed to derive from the nine (sembilan)
chiefdoms or Nogoghi in the Negeri Sembilan dialect (now known as luak)
settled by the Minangkabau. The size of Negeri Sembilan is now smaller
than the original size of Negeri Sembilan. The original 9 chiefdoms of
Negeri Sembilan, at Raja Melewar's accession in 1773. The earliest
inhabitants of Negeri Sembilan were the ancestors of the Semelai, Semai,
Semang, and Jakun peoples, who lived either as hunter-gatherer nomads
or as subsistence farmers.

PAHANG
Founded: 1770 (as the Pahang Kingdom) (official)
Admitted to the Union: September 16, 1963 (official)
Capital: Kuantan
Royal Capital: Pekan
Nicknames:
- The Abode of Tranquility

Motto: O God the Gentle.

Anthem: Allah, Save Our Sultan
Name of Origin:
- The naming of Pahang relates to the ancient practice in Malayic culture of
defining territorial definitions and apportioning lands by water-sheds. The
term 'Pahang' in referring to the kingdom thus, is thought to originate from
the name of Pahang River.
- Another notable theory was espoused by William Linehan, that relates the early

foundation of the kingdom to the settlers from ancient Khmer civilization, and

claims its naming origin to the word saamnbahang (Khmer: សំណប៉ាហាំង) meaning

'tin', based on the discovery of prehistoric tin mines in the state.

PENANG
Founded: August 11, 1786 (official)
Admitted to the Union: September 16, 1963 (official)
Capital: George Town
Nicknames:
- Pearl of the Orient
- Silicon Valley of the East
- The Island of Pearls

Motto: United and Loyal.

Anthem: For Our State
Name of Origin:
- The name, Penang, comes from the modern Malay name Pulau Pinang,
which means The Island of the Areca Nut Palm (Areca catechu). The State
of Penang is also referred to as the Pearl of the Orient and Pulau Pinang
Pulau Mutiara (Penang Island, The Island of Pearls).
- Penang Island was originally known by native seafarers as Pulau Ka-Satu, meaning
The First Island, because it was the largest island encountered on the trading sea
route between Lingga and Kedah. Similarly, the Siamese, then the overlord of
Kedah, referred to the island as Koh Maak (Thai: เกาะหมาก).

PERAK
Founded: 1528 (as Perak Sultanate) (official)
Admitted to the Union: August 31, 1957 (official)
Capital: Ipoh
Royal Capital: Kuala Kangsar
Nicknames:
- Abode of Grace

Motto: Perak Peace Success.

Anthem: God Lengthen the Sultan's Age
Name of Origin:
- There are many theories about the origin of the name Perak. Although not
used until after 1529, the most popular etymology is "silver" (in Malay:
Perak). This is associated with tin mining from the state's large mineral
deposits, reflecting the Perak's position as one of the world's largest
sources of tin. The first Islamic kingdom established in the state was of the
lineage of the Sultanate of Malacca. Some local historians have suggested
that Perak was named after Malacca's bendahara, Tun Perak. In maps prior
to 1561, the area is marked as Perat. Other historians believe that the name
Perak derives from the Malay phrase "kilatan Ikan Dalam air" (the glimmer
of fish in water), which looks like silver. Perak has been translated into
Arabic as ‫( دار الرضوان‬Dār al-Riḍwān), "abode of grace".

PERLIS
Founded: April 20, 1843 (official)
Established: August 31, 1957 (official)
Capital: Kangar
Royal Capital: Arau
Nicknames: The West Coast, The Smallest State
Motto: None
Anthem: Amen, Amen, o Majestic Lord
Name of Origin: According to a Malaysian historian, Mohd Yusuf bin Adil, the name
comes from the Thai phrase "Phrao Loi" (Southern Thai: พร้าวลอย) which means Kelapa
hanyut (coconut washed ashore) since there were many coconuts found on the shores of
Kuala Perlis. The phrase has been shortened by locals until it sounded like "pereleh" or
Perlis. It has also been suggested Perlis may be a shortened form of a Malay word
"peroleh" (obtain) as the state was a "gift" from Kedah since it was a part of Kedah before
becoming a state on its own. According to Negeri Perlis Indera Kayangan: Sejarah
Pembentukan Sebuah Negeri Berdaulat by Ahmad Ismail, the name comes from a tree of
the same name, which may have gone extinct. Some researchers suggest the name is
derived from a Northern Malay dialect word "perelus" which roughly translates as "foot
falling into a crack", since Perlis is said to have a wide land filled with mud, and the
people's feet may sink into the mud. Additional suggestions include being named after
someone, or derived from the French word "perlite" which means "rock" due to a huge
rock near Sungei Perlis.
SABAH
Founded: November 01, 1881 (as British North Borneo) (official)
British Crown Colony: July 15, 1946 (official)
Admitted to the Union: September 16, 1963 (official)
Capital: Kota Kinabalu
Nicknames:
- Land Below the Wind
- Tip of Borneo

Motto: Let Sabah Prosper

Anthem: Sabah My Homeland
Name of Origin:
- One theory is that during the time it was part of the Bruneian Sultanate, it
was referred to as Saba because of the presence of a variety of banana
called Pisang saba (also known as Pisang menurun), which is grown widely
on the coast of the region and popular in Brunei. The Bajau community
referred to it as pisang jaba. While the name Saba also refers to a variety of
bananas in both Tagalog and Visayan languages, the word in Visayan has
the meaning of "noisy".
- Due to the location of Sabah in relation to Brunei, it has been suggested
that Sabah was a Brunei Malay word meaning upstream or "in a northerly
direction". Another theory suggests that it came from the Malay word
sabak which means a place where palm sugar is extracted. Sabah (‫ )صباح‬is
also an Arabic word which means "morning".
SARAWAK
Founded: 1599 (as Sarawak Sultanate) (official)
British Crown Colony: July 01, 1946 (official)
Admitted to the Union: September 16, 1963 (official)
Capital: Kuching
Nicknames:
- Land of the Hornbills

Motto: United, Striving, Serving.

Anthem: My Homeland
Name of Origin:
- The generally accepted explanation of the state's name is that it is derived
from the Sarawak Malay word serawak, which means antimony. A popular
alternative explanation is that it is a contraction of the four Malay words
purportedly uttered by Pangeran Muda Hashim (uncle to the Sultan of
Brunei), "Saya serah pada awak" (I surrender it to you) when he gave
Sarawak to James Brooke, an English explorer in 1841. However, the latter
explanation is incorrect: the territory had been named Sarawak before the
arrival of James Brooke, and the word awak was not in the vocabulary of
Sarawak Malay before the formation of Malaysia.

SELANGOR
Founded: 1743 (as Selangor Sultanate) (official)
Admitted to the Union: August 31, 1957 (official)
Capital: Shah Alam
Royal Capital: Klang
Nicknames: Abode of Sincerity, Most Developed State
Motto: By God's Protection.
Anthem: Your Royal Highness
Name of Origin: The origin of the name Selangor is uncertain. A common
suggestion is that the name refers to the Malay word langau, a large fly or blowfly
that is found in the marshes along the Selangor River in the state's northwest.
According to local lore, a warrior who escaped from Malacca after the Portuguese
conquest took a break from his journey north and rested under a tree here.
However, he was disturbed by a persistent fly, whereupon he decided to explore
the area. When he found the place to his liking and chose to settle there, he
named the place "satu (se) langau" meaning "a large blowfly". One suggestion is
that the name may have originated from a kind of tree found in Kuala Selangor
and along the Selangor River named mentangau. Another theory claims the
state's name is derived from the term Salang Ur where ur means "town" or
"village" in Tamil, meaning village of the Salang people. It has also been
proposed that the name is derived from a combination of salang (stabbing) and
jemur (dry in the sun), indicating that it was once a place where traitors were
stabbed (salang) then left to roast in the sun (jemur).
TERENGGANU
Founded: 1724 (as Terengganu Sultanate) (official)
Admitted to the Union: August 31, 1957 (official)
Capital: Kuala Terengganu
Royal Capital: Kuala Terengganu
Nicknames:
- Abode of Faith

Motto: Forward, Blessing, Prosperity.

Anthem: God Save the Sultan
Name of Origin:
- There are several theories on the origin of the name "Terengganu". One
theory attributes the name's origin to terang ganu, Malay for 'bright
rainbow'. Another story said to have been originally narrated by the ninth
Sultan of Terengganu, Baginda Omar, tells of a party of hunters from
Pahang roving and hunting in the area of what is now southern
Terengganu. One of the hunters spotted a big animal fang lying on the
ground. A fellow party member asked which animal did the fang belong to.
The hunter, not knowing which animal, simply answered taring anu (Malay:
'fang of something'). The party later returned to Pahang with a rich hoard of
game, fur, and sandalwood, which impressed their neighbors. They asked
the hunters where did they source their riches, to which they replied, from
the land of taring anu, which later evolved into Terengganu.
FEDERAL TERRITORIES OF MALAYSIA
KUALA LUMPUR

Established: 1857 (official)

City Status: February 01, 1972 (official)
FederalTerritory: February 01, 1974 (official)
Nicknames:
- KL
- The Garden City of Lights

Motto: Ready to Contribute towards an Excellent City.

Anthem: Progress and Prosper
Name of Origin:
- Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence" in Malay; Kuala is the point
where two rivers join together or an estuary, and Lumpur means "mud".
One suggestion is that it was named after Sungai Lumpur ("muddy river");
it was recorded in the 1820s that Sungei Lumpoor was the most important
tin-producing settlement up the Klang River.

LABUAN
Founded: December 24, 1846 (official)
British Crown Colony: 1848 (official)
Federal Territory: April 14, 1984 (official)
Capital: Victoria
Nicknames:
- The Pearl of Borneo

Motto: The Pearl of Borneo

Anthem: Progress and Prosperity
Name of Origin:
- The name Labuan derives from the Malay word labuhan which means
harbor.

PUTRAJAYA
Founded: 1921 (official)
Planned City Established: October 19, 1995 (official)
Federal Territory: February 01, 2001 (official)
Nicknames:
- Garden City
- Intelligent City

Motto: Garden City, Intelligent City.

Anthem: Progress and Prosper
Name of Origin:
- Named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman

Putra Al-Haj, the territory is entirely enclaved within the Sepang District of

the state of Selangor. Putrajaya is also a part of MSC Malaysia, a special

economic zone that covers Klang Valley. In Sanskrit, "Putra" (पुत्र) means son

and "Jaya" (जया) means "success" or "victory". The development of Putrajaya

started in the early 1990s.