Malaysia History Trivia

1. Relatively speaking, Kuala Lumpur is a very young city. It was founded in 1857 at the confluence of which two Malaysian rivers?

From Quiz History of Kuala Lumpur

Answer: Gombak and Klang

The Klang River is Kuala Lumpur's primary river while the Gombak is a tributary. The constant flooding of these rivers gave the city its name: Kuala Lumpur translates to muddy confluence. The Klang River is very polluted, which is not ideal for the main river in a city of millions. Heavy industries lie along the Klang which contributes substantially to its pollution.

From Quiz Malaysia: The Road to Independence Part 2

Answer: A system that trains local residents and other communities to self-government

Introduced in 1951, the Member System allowed the British to teach potential members of associations to learn about self-government. Dato' Onn Jaafar came up with the idea.

From Quiz Malaysia: The Road to Independence, Part 1

Answer: To keep the population in its place

It was a British effort to eliminate the state and nation that has been built since the Age of the Malacca Sultanate. Suggestions were made for the Union at the House of Commons in London on October 10th, 1945. Having been approved by the British Parliament in January 1946, the Union was to be formed on April 1st, 1946.

From Quiz Malaysian History: Malaysia 1963

Answer: Lord Brassey

Lord Brassey, director of the British North-Borneo Company (SBUB), was the one who originally planned to unite Sarawak and Sabah with the Malayan states on the peninsula. Sir Malcolm MacDonald, the Governor General of South-East Asia planned to add Singapore to this entity. Dato' Onn Jaafar suggested the name of the unified country was to be called Malaysia. Suggestions were being for the Federation of Malaya to be unified with Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Singapore. Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, realized the idea and made Malaysia into what it is now. He announced the commencement of the plan in Singapore on May 27th, 1961.

From Quiz Malaysian History: Malaysian Nationalism till 1945

Answer: Use of the death penalty

The British did not carry out many executions. Tax collecting was a typical British routine in their colonies. Remember that this had been one of the factors in the American Revolution and other revolts across the British Empire. British attempts to convert the Malayans to Christianity caused bitterness and resentment and met with little success. The Sultans also did not have as much power over their people as the British.

From Quiz Malaysian History: Nationalism in South-East Asia

Answer: To occupy, annex and rule other countries

Imperialism involves a country expanding its territory and influence by colonizing or occupying other nations for its own benefit. Ancient imperialism began during the Greek and Roman times. Modern imperialism began when European empires began moving out to sea to find new land in Africa, the Americas and Asia.

From Quiz Malaysia: 2

Answer: Penang

Penang or Pulau Pinang ('pulau' means 'island' in Malay) means Betelnut Island. Its capital is George Town. Its twin city is Adelaide, Australia which was founded by Captain Francis Light's son. Langkawi is a resort island. Kelang is a port. Singapore is an independent country.

From Quiz Malaysia: 1

Answer: Aurea Chersonesus

Aurea means Golden. Therefore, Golden Chersonese.

From Quiz History of Singapore and Malaysia,1840-1970

Answer: Change of foreign policy in Britain

Prior to 1841, when the Whigs (Liberals) were in power, the Empire had a non-aggressive foreign policy towards South-East Asia. This policy was changed to a more expansionist approach when the Tories (Conservatives) won the 1841 general election. One outcome was intervention in Perak.

From Quiz Malaysia and Singapore

Answer: Malacca

The founding of Malacca and the ensuing dynasty and then sultanate started the ball rolling in this peninsula. ("Malacca" is the name of both a place and a dynasty). Acheh and Bantam are in Indonesia. Temasek was another name of Singapore.

From Quiz History of Kuala Lumpur

Answer: Tin

Chinese prospectors founded a number of tin mines in the area. At first, such an endeavor seemed impossible because the area was heavily jungled and full of disease-bearing mosquitoes but eventually successful tin mines were established. These lucrative tin mines would be the cause of several conflicts within the city as different factions sought the power and wealth they created.

From Quiz Malaysia: The Road to Independence Part 2

Answer: North Rhodesia and Kenya

North Rhodesia and Kenya, two countries which were nearing independence, were used as prime examples for Malaya in its path to self-government.

From Quiz Malaysia: The Road to Independence, Part 1

Answer: To produce a smooth administration

Before WWII, the British used a system where Malaya was partitioned into three separate parts, the Federated Malay States, the Non-Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements. However, the British government had seen flaws in this system and decided to replace it with a unified and more organized system.

From Quiz Malaysian History: Malaysia 1963

Answer: The threat of the Socialist Front

The Socialist Front threatened the position of Lee Kuan Yew and his People's Action Party (PAP). This concerned him, as the Front would spoil plans by the British to give sovereignty to Singapore. Joining an independent country such as Malaysia would give Singapore freedom automatically.

From Quiz Malaysian History: Malaysian Nationalism till 1945

Answer: The British wanted to make the state of Naning part of their territory.

Dol Said refused to allow the British to acquire Naning as a territory of their own. He started resisting after defying orders by the British to send one tenth of his resources to Melaka. In 1831, the British sent 150 soldiers to attack Dol Said, but he successfully resisted them with the help of Rembau, Sungai Ujong, Syed Shaban, Remai and Rechat. However, in 1832, 1200 British soldiers eventually gained the upper hand and Dol Said was defeated and sent to Melaka.

From Quiz Malaysia: 2

Answer: Perlis

This is the only state in Malaysia ruled by a Raja. Others are mostly either by Sultans, Governors or Yang Di Pertua ('Heads'). Its capital is Kangar.

From Quiz Malaysia: 1

Answer: The Straits of Malacca

The Straits of Malacca are one of the most important maritime trade routes in the world. Since the Middle Ages, this has been a prime maritime route for trade between China and India.

From Quiz History of Singapore and Malaysia,1840-1970

Answer: James W W Birch

This resident was murdered by the locals soon after his appointment because of his high-handedness and arrogance in handling the affairs of Perak. Legend has it that some Malays secretly snuck under the toilet while he was using it and speared him in the groin.

From Quiz Malaysia and Singapore

Answer: Palembang

Parameswara was a Srivijayan Prince from Palembang.

From Quiz History of Kuala Lumpur

Answer: Yap Ah Loy

Yap Ah Loy was the third but most important Kapitan Cina in Kuala Lumpur. The Kapitan Cina was a title given to men who was more or less responsible for the domestic life in Kuala Lumpur. Yap Ah Loy established law and order in Kuala Lumpur. He opened a number of schools and businesses. This allowed Kuala Lumpur to become a permanent residence for tin workers and prospectors. Prior to this, the city was lawless and unstable. He also rebuilt the city after it was ruined in the Selangor War. Today, one of Kuala Lumpur's main roads, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, is named after him.

From Quiz Malaysia: The Road to Independence Part 2

Answer: It was part of British decolonization

With independence around the corner, the British were preparing to provide the population of Malaya the means to run self-government and to decolonize the nation, as it was a pressing matter from the United Nations. The System was also to lessen the tensions caused by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP)

From Quiz Malaysia: The Road to Independence, Part 1

Answer: Governor

A governor was to become the head honcho of the Malayan Union. Sir Edward Gent was the first Governor of the MU. A governor was to be chosen by the British government. An Executive and Legislative Council were to be established as well.

From Quiz Malaysian History: Malaysian Nationalism till 1945

Answer: attacking Brooke's forces at Fort Nanga

Rentap attacked Fort Nanga, Skrang, in retaliation for Brooke's actions towards Sarawak. Brooke assumed that the Iban population of Sarawak were nothing but savages or pirates. For the attack on Fort Nanga, the British burnt Rentap's home villaga. After a three-hour battle at Sadok, Rentap's forces fled. He died in hiding in 1863.

From Quiz Malaysian History: Nationalism in South-East Asia

Answer: It provided a shortcut for trade ships to reach Asia and the Pacific from Europe

The Suez Canal was built by the French (using Egyptian labourers), and was originally opposed by Britain. However, in 1876 (seven years after the Canal opened), the Khedive (ruler) of Egypt had to sell all his shares in the Canal company to pay off debts, and his shares were immediately bought by the British government. (This didn't give Britain complete control over the Canal, but from 1882 on they stationed troops in Egypt and the country came under indirect British rule as a protectorate, with the Khedive still in control of internal affairs).

From Quiz Malaysia: 2

Answer: Kedah

Penang and Perlis were once a part of Kedah. It is ruled by a Sultan. Its capital is Alor Star. It once paid tribute to the King of Siam. It came under the British after the Anglo-Siamese Treaty.

From Quiz Malaysia: 1

Answer: Portuguese

The Dutch gained control of Malacca in 1641 before it came under the British through the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824.

From Quiz History of Singapore and Malaysia,1840-1970

Answer: One week

The British could easily have repelled the Japanese forces, but lack of co-ordination among the confused British troops and bad judgment by the commanders led to their defeat.

From Quiz Malaysia and Singapore

Answer: Sultans

The Sultan is the name given to the head of state and is still used today. The Laksamana was the person in charge of the armed forces or the navy. Bendahara was the chief minister in the era of the Sultans while the Temmengong the head of the police.

From Quiz History of Kuala Lumpur

Answer: Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square is where the British relocated all of their government buildings in the late 19th century. The British gained control in 1874 under a management system where the local sultan would still be in charge, even though the city was under British rule. The British greatly expanded the economy and commerce sector in the area and modernized Kuala Lumpur. Most of the credit is given to British Resident Frank Swettenham who instituted modernization and sanitation reforms. Merdeka Square was the place were independence was declared in 1957. Today, it is home to a cricket grounds and several parades and festivities.

From Quiz Malaysia: The Road to Independence Part 2

Answer: An effort by all races in Malaya to work through negotiations together in a spirit of political tolerance

Every race had its own demands and problems. The "pakatan murni" was an attempt to unite the various races of Malaya.

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