Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains how Europeans adapted to life in Malaya and the general position of the Europeans in Malayan society. It focuses on the evolution of the Residential System from the period of British intervention to the formation of the Federated Malay States. The book provides an analysis of British imperialism at work, with chapters on finance, trade, tin, rubber, population and labour. It deals with the Malaysian economy in the 1800s and 1900s and combines the economic history of the country with modern economic trends. The book also deals with various case studies on administrative impediments to the Malay States in the years between 1896 and 1909, beginning with the situation in Perak; followed by Selangor; Negeri Sembilan; and Pahang. It presents an evaluation of British capital penetration in the Malay States.