Malayan Union (Twilight of a New Era)

The Malayan Union is the federation of the nine protectorates of the Malay Peninsula under supervision and protection the United Kingdom and Imperial Commonwealth Federation (ICF).

It as formed in 1934 on the union of the Federated Malay States and Unfederated Malay States. The British Malaya had loose administration that was finally consolidated with the formation of the Malayan Union. Rubber and tin production are its more important economic activities.

Organization of the Malayan Union
The Malayan Union keep many of the political institutions of the former Federated Malay States. A well-ordered system of public administration is established, the Malayan Civil Service. Public services (Police and Hospitals) and public works are extended.

These are at federal level:
 * Governor-General
 * Federal Council administers the Union. It was headed by the Governor-General, assisted by the Chief Secretary, the Sultans, the four state Residents and four nominated unofficial members.
 * Council of Rulers, it comprises the Governor-General, who acts as President, the nine rulers, and the Chief Secretary, Attorney-General and Financial Secretary as ex officio members. The sole functions of the Council are to consider legislation related to Islam (a function carried out by a subcommittee of the Council, comprising only the Muslim members) and to advise the Governor-General or the ruler of any state as necessary.

Each state has a:
 * State Ruler (Sultan, Raja or Yamtuan Besar) of each state,
 * British State Resident, named by the Governor-General and
 * a State Council for the purpose of administrating the State and advising the State Ruler. The State Council compromises the State Resident, who chairs the Council, native chiefs, and representatives of the Chinese community nominated by the Sultan. The council discussed matters of interest for each respective state such as legislative and administrative issues as well as revision of all sentence of capital punishment. The Resident and his staff (mostly consist of European and Malay) carried on with the administrative work.