Kuala Lumpur
“The establishment of Malaya in 1957 which returned the autonomy of to the rulers of Malaya marked the real independence of the Malaya peninsula (except Singapore). Kuala Lumpur being a traditional Chinese mining town with a bit of colonial colour overlaid on it transformed to the capital of the whole Malaya Peninsula. Kuala Lumpur, acting not only as an industrial town but a political and cultural centre of the whole region, underwent significant changes to its urban form as well as demographics. After the joining of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore forming Malaysia in 1963, the Chinese population continued to reduce in percentage since the Malay population moved into Kuala Lumpur working in government sector or security services… The city expanded tremendously and exerted a high pressure to the city, causing underemployment and housing congestion. This buried the fuse of the racial conflict in 1969. However, in long term, shifting from mining town to capital of the nation significantly changed the urban form and the demographics of the whole city.”
– Benjamin Tung, “Independence of Malaya and the establishment of Malaysia,” 2014
Narratives
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Muzium Negara – Development of National Culture
Wai Yin Law
In 1898, Selangor Museum was constructed in Padang Besar by the British employing the architectural style of Queen Anne revival. The style was a derivative of Victorian architecture popular in British and North America. In WWII, Selangor Museum was partially destroyed. After Malaysia declared independence, the government decided to demolish the old museum and build a new Malaysian museum ...
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Masjid Negara – Symbol of National Religion and Identity
Wai Yin Law
Like most of the national projects built after Malaysia declared independence, Masjid Negara bears the name Negara or Merdeka, which mean Country and Independence respectively. Before the construction of Masjid Negara (National Mosque), there were already a few mosques in Kuala Lumpur. For instance, the Friday Mosque (Masjid Jamek) was built in the early city center by ...
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Malaysia – Independence and Onward: 1957 – Present
Leona Chak
With 1957’s independence, a new series of difficult decisions lay ahead of Malaya, the first of which was to determine exactly what territories would be included in the new state. In 1961, the term “Malaysia” came into being after Tunku convinced Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak to join Malaya in a federal union (Singapore later opted ...
Decolonization (1957-1966)/ Merdeka Park
Leona Chak
In 1932, 36-acres of land atop Petaling Hill, situated right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur was reserved to be made as ‘People’s Park’ under the Government Gazette No. 9287 dated 30 November, 1932. This is the historical place where the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag was raised for the very first time at ...
Decolonization (1957-1966) / Stadium Merdeka
Leona Chak
The European Colonization of Malaysia started in year 1511, when the Portuguese captured Malacca. The Portuguese were in turn defeated in 1641 by the Dutch, who colonized until the advert of British in 1824. During the World War II, Japanese had colonized Malaysia too in 1941 – 1945. These left many European and Japanese influences ...
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ University of Malaya
Cheung Wing Mei Carmen
On October 8, 1949, the University of Malaya was founded in a grand ceremony held at the Oei Tiong Ham Hall at Raffles College, Singapore. The university would primarily serve citizens of Malaya, Singapore and Borneo and it was hoped that it will become a great centre of learning, enlightenment, culture and humanity for Southeast ...
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Subang Airport
Cheung Wing Mei Carmen
The airport project in Subang was a vital component in Malaysia’s Second Five Year Plan because it manifested Malaysia’s national and trans-national aspirations. Tunku Abdul Rahman often referred to it as the gateway to malaysia through which the country and its citizens may be better connected to the rest of the world. In the 1930s, the ...
Historical Documents
DECOLONISATION (1957-1966)/ Records of Kuala Lumpur from 1880 to present
Cheung Wing Mei Carmen
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Map of Kuala Lumpur at 1957
Cheung Wing Mei Carmen
Overview – The Making of the Nation
Leona Chak
Independence of Malaysia/ Proclamation of Independence Memorial
Leona Chak
Declaration of Independence of Malaysia 1957
Leona Chak
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Records of Hari Merdeka (Independence Day)
Wai Yin Law
Kuala Lumpur / Historical Map and Photos 2
Marco K.C. Ng
Kuala Lumpur / Historical Map and Photos 1
Marco K.C. Ng
Kuala Lumpur (1960-1970) / Historical Map and Photos 1
Benjamin Tung
Kuala Lumpur (1960-1970) /Historical Video Clip 1
Benjamin Tung
Kuala Lumpur / Historical Map and photos 2
Selene L.J. Zhuang
Kuala Lumpur / Historical Map and Photos 1
Selene L.J. Zhuang
Bibliography
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Creating “Greater Malaysia”: Decolonization and the Politics of Merger
Cheung Wing Mei Carmen
Architecture and Urban Form in Kuala Lumpur: Race and Chinese Spaces in a Postcolonial City
Leona Chak
Chronicle of Malaysia: Fifty Years of Headline News, 1963-2013
Leona Chak
Defence and Decolonisation in South-East Asia: Britain, Malaya and Singapore 1941-1967
Leona Chak
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Building Merdeka
Wai Yin Law
Decolonisation (1957-1966)/ Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya: Negotiating Urban Space in Malaysia
Wai Yin Law
Kuala Lumpur / bibliography item 2
Marco K.C. Ng
Kuala Lumpur / bibliography item 1
Marco K.C. Ng
Kuala Lumpur (1960-1970) / bibliography item 1
Benjamin Tung
Kuala Lumpur (1960-1970) / bibliography item 2
Benjamin Tung
Kuala Lumpur / Bibliography Item 2
Selene L.J. Zhuang
Kuala Lumpur / bibliography item 1
Selene L.J. Zhuang