HISTORY OF MALAYSIA TIMELINES
3rd Century BC - Several small Hindu kingdoms exist in the Peninsula Malaysia
7th Century - Under the rule of Hindu Empire of Srivijaya (Sumatra)
13th Century - Under the rule of Buddhist Empire of Sukhothai (Thailand)
1400 - Parameswara (a prince from Srivijaya) founded Malacca. Within a few years he converted to Islam and renamed his kingdom as Sultanate of Malacca. Few decades later, Sultanate of Malacca ruled Peninsula Malaysia, Southern Thailand, Sumatra and parts of Borneo.
1511 - Portuguese seized Malacca. Sultanate of Malacca broke up into smaller Sultanates all over Malay world.
1641 - Dutch ruled Malacca with helps from Malay Sultans. Buginese immigrants from Indonesia seized several Sultanates and Minangkabau immigrants (also from Indonesia) established their small kingdom in Peninsula Malaysia. Sultanates in northern Malaysia was re-conquered by Thailand.
1786 - British opened Penang Island.
1824 - British took over Malacca from the Dutch.
1877 - Millions of Immigrants from China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Yemen, Japan migrated to Malaya.
1891 - British ruled Sabah and sarawak (in borneo)
1909 - British ruled all over Malay Peninsula.
1941 - WWII. Occupied by the Japanese. 40,000 Chinese killed. Chinese established Communist Party of Malaya to oust the Japanese.
1945 - British came back and supported by Malays, Indians and elites among Chinese. But the Communists demanded independence. Many killings between Malays and Communist happened.
1946 - British annouced a plan for 'Malayan Union' a unitary state with a view of independence within a few years. Citizenship would be given to all regardless of race. Opposed by Malays. Malay Nationalists established UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) which favoured for independent of Malaya which will be run exclusively by Malays. Faced with strong Malay opposition, the British dropped the plan.
1948 - "Malayan Emergency" started as Communist Party demanded an independent country with equal rights among all races. Many terrorist acts done by Commmunists against Britons and Malays.
1949 - Moderate Chinese formed Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) which favoured a policy of colloboration with UMNO.
1952-1955 - UMNO-MCA-MIC (Malayan Indian Congress) Alliance won elections.
1955-1956 - The new ruling party (UMNO-MCA-MIC Alliance) and British hammered out a new constitution for a new country of Malaya/
1957 - Malaya achieved independence.
1961 - Malaysia was formed with inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak.