Malaysia

Group 3
Shaneen Pahimnayan
Lindbergh Jhyn Caspe
Mar Joy Cuevas
Nicka Abellera
Joey Gems Rosauro

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 MAP OF MALAYSIA

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. It consists of 13 states and 3

federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two regions:
Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo’s East Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia shares
land and maritime border with Thailand and maritime border with Singapore,
Vietnam and Indonesia. East Malaysia share land and maritime borders with
Brunei and Indonesia, as well as maritime border with Philippines and Vietnam.
Kuala Lumpur is the national capital, and the country’s largest city, it is also
known as the legislative branch of the federal government.

GEOLOGICAL FEATURES OF MALAYSIA

Malaysia is characterized by diverse geographical features. It has coastal

plains, mountain ranges like the Titiwangsa and Banjaran Bintang, tropical
rainforests like taman negara located in pahang and borneo rainforest, and
numerous islands. The country is also known for its rivers, including the longest
one, the Rajang River in Borneo. The Peninsular Malaysia has the Strait of
Malacca, while East Malaysia on Borneo is rich in biodiversity and has the
South China Sea coast.

The tropical areas like PAHANG and BORNEO agriculture, with crops
like palm oil and rubber. Coastal area like west coast of peninsular malaysia
support fishing, while urban areas like kuala lumpur, penang and johor thrive
due to trade and tourism.

The varied landscape also

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 Impacts cultural practices, as different regions may have distinct
traditions based on their geographical characteristics. An example of how the
varied landscape in Malaysia influences cultural practices is seen in the state of
Sabah, located in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. The indigenous
communities, such as the Kadazan-Dusun, practice rituals and celebrations
closely tied to the fertile land and agricultural cycles. Harvest festivals, like the
“Kaamatan,” are significant events reflecting the connection between the people
and the land.

PRECOLONIAL OR EARLY SETTLERS

Out of Sundaland Migration Theory

A study from Leeds University published in Molecular Biology and Evolution,

examining mitochondrial DNA lineages, suggested that humans had been
occupying the islands of Southeast Asia for a longer period than previously
believed. Population dispersals seem to have occurred at the same time as sea
levels rose, which may have resulted in migrations from the Philippine Islands
to as far north as Taiwan within the last 10,000 years.The population migrations
were most likely to have been driven by climate change – the effects of the
drowning of an ancient continent. Rising sea levels in three massive pulses may
have caused flooding and the submerging of the Sunda continent, creating the
Java and South China Seas and the thousands of islands that make up Indonesia
and the Philippines today.

A 2009 genetic study published by the 2009 Human Genome Organization Pan-
Asian SNP Consortium found that Asia was originally settled by humans via a
single southern route. The migration came from Africa via India, into Southeast
Asia and what are now islands in the Pacific, and then later up to the eastern and
northern Asian mainland.

Genetic similarities were found between populations throughout Asia and an

increase in genetic diversity from northern to southern latitudes. Although the
Chinese population is very large, it has less variation than the smaller number of
individuals living in Southeast Asia, because the Chinese expansion occurred
very recently, following the development of rice agriculture – within only the
last 10,000 years.

Oppenheimer locates the origin of the Austronesians in Sundaland and its upper
regions. Genetic research reported in 2008 indicates that the islands which are
the remnants of Sundaland were likely populated as early as 50,000 years ago,
contrary to a previous hypothesis that they were populated as late as 10,000
years ago from Taiwan.
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Yunnan Migration Theory

The theory of the Proto-Malay people originating from Yunnan is supported by

R.H Geldern, J.H.C Kern, J.R Foster, J.R Logen, Slametmuljana, and Asmah
Haji Omar. The Proto Malay (Melayu Asli) who first arrived had agricultural
skills while the second wave Deutero Malay (mixed blood) who arrived around
1500 BC to dwell along the coastlines had advanced fishery skills. During the
migration, both groups intermarried with peoples of the southern islands, such
as those from Java (Indonesian), and also with aboriginal peoples of Australoid,
Negrito and Melanesoid origin.

Deutero Malays

Combination of the colonial Kambujas of Hindu-Buddhism faith, the Indo-

Persian royalties and traders as well as traders from southern China and
elsewhere along the ancient trade routes, these peoples together with the
aborigine Negrito Orang Asli and native seafarers and Proto Malays
intermarried each other’s and thus a new group of peoples was formed and
became known as the Deutero Malays, today they are commonly known as the
Malays.

60,000-35,000 years ago (Paleolithic)

Niah Caves in Sarawak is an important prehistoric site where human remains

dating to ca. 40,000 years ago have been found. Archaeologists have claimed a
much earlier date for stone tools found in the Mansuli Valley, near Lahad Datu
in Sabah, but precise dating analysis has not yet been published. Humans used
to live like nomadic, they liver near lakes and caves and they mostly hunt and
gather. Perak man (11,000) was discovered to be the earliest anoatomically
modern human.

10,000–5,000 years ago – Neolithic (New Stone Age)

Archaeological finds from the Lenggong Valley in Perak show that people were
making stone tools and using jewellery. The archaeological data from this
period came from cave and rock shelter sites and are associated with
Hoabinhian hunter-gatherers. It is believed that Neolithic farmers made their
entrance in this region between 3–4000 years ago. Technological development
appered in this era, like the development of the porcelain stone and between
3,000 to 4,000 years ago they believed that human began farming. They also
started to settle in one place and the system to leaders began alongside with the

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division of labor among village. They said the the Haobinhian hunters and
gatherers live in this era in Malaysia.

2,500 years ago – Bronze Age

More people arrived, including new tribes and seafaring Austronesian. The
Malay Peninsula became the crossroads in maritime trades of the ancient age.
Seafarers who came to Malaysia's shores included Malayo-Polynesian people,
Indians and possibly Chinese traders among others. Ptolemy named the Malay
Peninsula the Golden Chersonese.

SUBSISTENCE STRATEGIES

The means of living or subsistence strategies in Malaysia have evolved over

time, reflecting the changing socio-economic and technological landscape. Here
is an overview of the different subsistence strategies that have been practiced in
Malaysia:

1. Foraging: In the past, some indigenous communities in Malaysia

practiced foraging as a means of subsistence. They relied on hunting,
fishing, and gathering wild plants and fruits to meet their basic needs.
2.
3. Shifting Cultivation: One study focused on the sustainability of shifting
cultivation in Sarawak, East Malaysia, from 1979 to 1989.
4. British administration did have an influence on shifting cultivation
practices among Malaysian indigenous communities during the colonial
period. Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture,
was practiced by some indigenous groups in Malaysia. It involved
clearing land by burning vegetation and cultivating crops for a few years
before moving to a new area. This allowed the land to regenerate and
maintain its fertility.

3. Traditional Wet Rice Cultivation: Structured rice cultivation began in 1664

when rice was grown using the waters of Sungai Korok. Neighboring countries
such as Thailand and settlers from Sumatra.
Wet rice cultivation, also known as paddy farming, became a dominant
subsistence strategy in Malaysia. It involves the cultivation of rice in flooded
fields or terraced paddies. This method requires extensive labor and the
construction of irrigation systems, such as canals and bunds, to control water
Flow.

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 5. Mechanized Agriculture: Seafaring Austronesian people, Malayo-
Polynesian groups, Indians, and possibly Chinese traders were among
those who interacted with the indigenous communities in Malaysia during
this time.
6. With advancements in technology and mechanization, Malaysia has
transitioned to modern agricultural practices. Mechanized agriculture
involves the use of machinery, such as tractors and combine harvesters, to
increase efficiency and productivity. This includes the cultivation of
various crops, including rice, oil palm, rubber, cocoa, and fruits.
5. Bronze Age: Seafaring Austronesian people, Malayo-Polynesian groups,
Indians, and possibly Chinese traders were among those who interacted with the
indigenous communities in Malaysia during this time.
The Bronze Age in Malaysia refers to a period when bronze tools and weapons
were used. During
This time, agriculture played a crucial role in subsistence, with communities
cultivating crops such as rice, millet, and yam. Bronze tools and weapons
facilitat

ETHNIC GROUPS OF MALAYSIA

Malaysia is home to various ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, Indians,

and indigenous peoples, each with their own distinct traditions, languages, and
customs.

Major Ethnic Group

• Malays: The Malays are recognized as the indigenous people of Malaysia and
form the largest ethnic group in the country. They are recognized as the natives
of the land, and the country’s constitution defines a Malay as a Muslim who
practices Malay customs and culture.
They have their own language, Bahasa Malaysia, and a unique cultural identity.
Malays are predominantly Muslim, and Islam plays a significant role in their
customs, traditions, and way of life.

Minor Ethnic Groups

• Chinese: Chinese Malaysians are the second largest ethnic group in the
country. Chinese people have been in Malaysia for centuries, with the peak of
this immigration in the nineteenth century. The Chinese community has
historically been involved in trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship, making
significant contributions to the economic development of Malaysia.

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• Indians: They now form the third-largest group in Malaysia, after the Malays
and the Chinese. They are primarily descendants of laborers descendants of
those who migrated from India to British Malaya from the mid-19 th to the mid-
20th centuries. Most Malaysian Indians are ethnic Tamils; smaller groups
include the Malayalees, Telugus and Punjabis. They are mainly Hindus

• Orang Asli: The Orang Asli, meaning “Original People,” are the indigenous
people of Peninsular Malaysia. They are divided into several subgroups,
including the Negrito, Senoi, and Proto-Malay, each with their distinct
languages and cultures.
They have a deep connection to the land and forests, practicing traditional
subsistence activities such as hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation. The
Orang Asli face unique challenges related to land rights, socio-economic
disparities, and cultural preservation.

ORGANIZING SOCIETY

From Monarchy
- Rajah, honorary title conferred on Hindus in India. Also known as rulers,
princes or chiefs.

The domination of Hindu culture imported from India. In the third century
B.C.E., Indian traders came to the archipelago both for its abundant forest and
maritime products and to trade with merchants from China, who also discovered
the Malay world at an early date. Both Hinduism and Buddhism were well
established in the Malay Peninsula by the beginning of the first century C.E.,
and from there, spread across the archipelago. Their local form of writing was
heavily influenced by India (Sanskrit as new writing system in Malaysia)
In 7th century, Srivijaya ruled a loose-knit maritime empire that controlled the
coasts of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaya, and Borneo. Srivijaya lived by trade,
welcoming annual trading fleets from China and India, and also traders from
further afield. They gained power through trading. Malacca Straits serves us
their way of delivering their spices that was sold in China and India as the
straits connects to the South China Sea and India. On 11 th century, their empire
declined and
On 13th century lost reign and was took over by the Malacca Empire ruled by
Sultan Mahmud Shah. Fought with scholars called Parameswara and also Islam
spread in this period.
16th century, Portuguese arrived led by Alfonso de Albuquerque together with
Tom Prise, the Apothecary of the king of Portugal.

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Another empire was founded by Sultan Mahmud Shah called the Johor. With
two failed attacks to chase the Portuguese out and to retrieve the Malacca state,
they conspired with Dutch Aceh Indian Company on 17 th century, they were
able to defeat the Portuguese. After the assassination of Sultan Mahmud Shah,
Abdul Jalil IV took the crown and became the ruler of Johor but was opposed
by Raja Kecil also known as Abdul Jalil Rahmat Shah, with the help of the
people of Johor, he obtains the thrown through match with Jalil IV. Later that
year, he was also replaced and dethroned by its people.
17th century, British involved in the East Indian Company. On 1786, they seized
the city of Penang and build a trading post called George Town. And also, in
Singapore.
Dutch and British signed an agreement called the Anglo-Dutch treaty in 1814.
1821, Siam or Thailand, invade Kada and it became their vessel.
British took authority of Sarawak on 1841
Kuala Lumpur was founded on 1857
On World War II, the Japanese invaded Malaysia- overpowered the unprepared
British and completed occupation in 1942
1946, Nationalist movement was established like United Malay Organization
that founded the Federation of Malaya. Gained their independence on Aug. 31,
1957
1969, faced a state of emergency
They became:
Parliament form of government on 1971 up until now

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