Countries / Southeast Asia

History of Malaysia

9 notable historical events in Malaysia, in chronological order.

11th century

1025★★★★★
Chola invasion of Srivijaya
The fleet of the Chola king Rajendra I raids Srivijayan ports along the Strait of Malacca, weakening the maritime empire.
War· India, Indonesia, Malaysia

c. 1400 – 1511★★★★★
Founding of the Malacca Sultanate
Parameswara founds Malacca, which becomes the key port on the Strait of Malacca and a centre for the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia.
DynastyEconomyReligion· Malaysia

1511★★★★★
Portuguese capture of Malacca
Afonso de Albuquerque captures Malacca, ending the Malacca Sultanate and beginning European colonial presence in Southeast Asia.
WarPolitics· Malaysia, Portugal

1824★★★★★
Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824
Britain and the Netherlands divide their spheres in the Malay world, roughly creating today's Malaysia–Indonesia divide.
Treaty· Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Netherlands

August 31, 1957★★★★★
Independence of the Federation of Malaya
Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaims the Federation of Malaya's independence from Britain at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Politics· Malaysia, United Kingdom
September 16, 1963★★★★★
Formation of Malaysia
Malaya unites with Singapore, Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak to form Malaysia.
Politics· Malaysia, Singapore
August 9, 1965★★★★★
Singapore becomes independent
Singapore separates from Malaysia and becomes an independent republic led by Lee Kuan Yew.
Politics· Singapore, Malaysia
August 8, 1967★★★★★
Founding of ASEAN
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand sign the Bangkok Declaration, founding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
PoliticsTreaty· Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
c. 1975 – c. 1995★★★★★
Vietnamese boat people
Hundreds of thousands of people flee Vietnam by sea after 1975; many die at sea and others are resettled, mostly in Western countries.
Politics· Vietnam, United States, Australia, Canada, France, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand