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The generous environment of Malaysia no doubt accounts
for the fact that this place is considered to be one of the earliest
homes to mankind. Stone implements found at Lenggong in Perak
and the remarkable finds in the Niah Cave of Sarawak (a skull
dating from 40,000 years BC) support this theory. Lush tropical
forest full of wildlife and generous surrounding seas made Malaysia
an ideal place for the settlement and sustenance of small human
communities. The earliest of the present-day inhabitants of Malaysia
are the Orang Asli people of the Peninsula, the Penan people of
Sarawak and the Rungus people of Sabah, many of whom still pursue
a largely nomadic way of life. Their presence in the country probably
dates back to over 5000 years. These early settlers were probably
the pioneers of migration from China
and Tibet through Mainland
Southeast Asia and the Malay Peninsula to the Indonesian Archipelago
and beyond. The sea played an important role in the development
of Malaysia. Its inhabitants quickly acquired skill and reputation
as sailors and navigators.
A new phase in the historical development of Malaysia began around
the first century BC with the establishment of regular trading
contacts with the lands beyond Southeast Asia, specifically China
and the sub-continent of India.
Hindu and Buddhist elements of Indian culture which swept through
the land brought temples and Indian cultural traditions. Local
kings, who sent emissaries to the subcontinent, were impressed
by the efficiency of the Hindu courts and soon began to refer
to themselves as "rajahs." Today, the most tangible evidence of
the early Indian influence is in the Malay wedding ceremony, which
is very similar that of India. The temples of Lembah Bujang and
Kuala Merbok in Kedah are also visible remains of Indian tradition.
Until the 15th century, neighboring kingdoms in Cambodia
and Indonesia largely overshadowed
the Hindu kingdoms of Peninsular Malaysia. The lack of a strong
central power, coupled with the ever-present nuisance of pirates,
amplified the need for a secure and well-equipped port in the
region. Thus, the legendary port of Malacca was founded in 1400.
Its rise from a village of royal refugees to a wealthy kingdom
was swift. Perfectly located for trade it became the most influential
port of Southeast Asia within 50 years. At any one time, ships
from at least a dozen kingdoms, great and small, could be seen
in the harbor.
Islam penetrated the area along with Indian and Arab traders.
After the year 1400, Islam became a major influence. It was well
reflected in the conversion of the Malacca Malay-Hindu rulers
who since referred to themselves as "sultans". Islam spread onwards
from Malacca to other parts of the Malay Peninsula, to the Malay
states in Sumatra and along the trade routes throughout the Indonesian
archipelago. The Malay kingdom of Malacca included the entire
west coast of the Malay Peninsula, the kingdom of Pahang and much
of Sumatra. Most of the present Malay States of the Peninsula
can trace their genesis back to the Malacca sultanate. The century
of Malacca kingdom glory is considered as the Golden Age of Malay
culture. Once established as the religion of the Malays, Islam
profoundly affected Malay society and the Malay lifestyle.
Malacca soon attracted European powers as the wealthiest seaport
of the East. At the height of its power the city was ruined as
quickly as it built up. In 1511, the Portuguese assault began
a colonial period that lasted well into the 20th century. The
Dutch and eventually the British followed suite. At the end of
the eighteenth century the British colonized the interior of the
peninsula, as tin was discovered there. East Malaysia came into
British hands with the help of the adventurer James Brooke (who
was made Rajah of Sarawak in 1841) and the North Borneo Company
(which administered Sabah from 1882). Britain ruled over what
was then called Malaya until the Japanese invasion in 1942.
The Japanese invasion of Malaya and British Borneo shattered Western
colonial supremacy and unleashed the forces of incipient nationalism.
With the end of the Second World War in 1945, Britain resumed
control over Malaya, but local independence movement gained ground
during the war period and managed to organize a strong national
alliance. After a rough period of confrontation, independence
from the colonial rule was finally declared on August 31, 1957.
Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak
joined Malaya (the Malay Peninsula) in 1963 to form Malaysia.
However, only two years later, Singapore seceded and became a
separate republic. Afraid that the union would interfere with
their politics in the region, Indonesia and Philippines claimed
territory rights for East Malaysia provinces. Indonesia even launched
attacks against Malaysia in Borneo
and on the peninsula, all of which were unsuccessful.
During the 1960-70s Malaysia established an independent foreign
policy, by initiating the founding of ASEAN in 1967, by recognizing
Communist China in 1974 and identifying the nation with the non-aligned
countries of the Third World. During the last two decades, Malaysia
has undergone tremendous growth and prosperity, and has arguably
made significant progress in race relations. Many attribute the
country's success to the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister
Mahathir bin Mohammed, who has led the country since 1981.
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