This question is on the reasons for British colonisation in the Malay States.

1. Explain why the British intervened in Malaya after 1870. [O LEVEL 2015] [8]
Explain why the British intervened in Malaya in 1874. [O LEVEL 2020] [8]

The British intervened in Malaya to gain control of trade by acquiring raw materials and markets.
The Industrial Revolution led to improved manufacturing processes which led to a demand for raw
materials to produce more products. The demand for tin increased due to the growth of the tin
canning industry and depletion of tin mines in Britain led to British interest in the tin-rich Malay
States. Rubber was introduced in the Malay Peninsula in 1877. When the automobile industry
grew, worldwide demand for rubber rose. The British needed to exercise internal control of Malaya
to manage the growing rubber industry. Malaya became a major rubber producer. Improved
manufacturing processes meant surplus goods production and need for new markets through the
Straits Merchants. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 caused the Straits of Melaka to be the
shortest route between Europe and Asia, leading to greater trade. Hence, British had to establish
new bases for British ships patrolling to combat piracy as existing bases were not worth fending off.

The British intervened in Malaya due to political rivalry among European powers. In the 19th
century, European powers sought to gain prestige and glory through imperialism. The intense
rivalry led to the carving of spheres of influence, greater territorial control to secure trade routes,
raw materials and markets to dominate trade. In 1870, Germany became a unified powerful
country. Malaya was not colonized by British yet, causing fear that the newly-industrialized Germany
was looking for colonies in the region. Rumours were rife in 1873 that Germany was negotiating
bases in Pulau Langkawi and Northern Malaya for trading ports. Hence, the British intervened to
ensure they had access to markets before other European powers obtained a foothold there.

The British intervened in Malaya as a humanitarian mission to improve the welfare of the people.
The British believed in the superiority of European forms of law, education, government and
healthcare. They felt it was their duty to bring civilization and improve lives in Malaya, known as
the ‘White Man’s burden’. They blamed the unenlightened local leadership for causing Malaya to
be backward and in a state of misrule. The succession disputes and civil war in Perak disrupted
trade and caused untold misery for people in Perak. The establishment of British control would bring
law and order, better administration and trade conditions, increasing the revenue of the state
through political, economic and social stability. While some Europeans believed in this duty, many
saw this as an excuse to tap into the resources for the colonial power’s own benefit.

I agree that the British intervened in Malaya mostly for economic reasons to control trade to reap
profit and become wealthy. Britain only intervened in Perak as tin-mining was threatened by disorder.
Anarchy in little economic value states was not intervened. Trade was the root cause and all other
factors were offshoots. Obtaining prestige and status only appears when they control trade to become
wealthy, hence the British intervened to ensure Germany would not obtain a foothold there as they
wanted trade for themselves for power and glory. Gaining more resources and markets meant
depriving growth of rival powers. Humanitarian reasons were just an excuse to control economic
resources and trade. Thus, economic reasons were the most important.