Historical Publications - Resources | Economic History Malaysia

Resources

Historical Publications

An extensive collection of British colonial archived reports and books, curated from Sultan Nazrin Shah’s personal repository, is available for viewing by interested researchers. This collection offers an unparallel perspective on the social, economic, and administrative aspects of the Straits Settlements (SS) of Penang, Melaka, and Singapore (and Labuan, a SS between 1907–1946), the Federated Malay States (FMS) of Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang, and the Unfederated Malaya States (UMS) of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Johor, as well as North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak, as these territories developed. Many of the publications contain valuable time series statistical data, interpretation, and commentary written by leading lights of the colonial era.

Features of the collection

Individual annual reports of the FMS, UMS, and the SS (1888–1938): These volumes document the administrative, social, and economic management of the states.
Straits Settlements Blue Book (1867–1938): A rich compilation of economic statistical data on trade, revenue and expenditure.
Mining reports (1903–1935): Insights into the mining industry, from production and infrastructure to labour conditions and the environmental impacts.
Agriculture reports (1902–1963): Detailed report on the rubber and crop cultivation, infrastructural development, agricultural methods, and labor conditions.
Colonial population census reports: In-depth population data for the FMS census of 1901, 1911, and subsequent British Malaya censuses to 1957.
Additional reports: Encompassing multiple sectors, including forest administration, education, medical and health, roads and railways, and specific reports on North Borneo and Sarawak.

A complete list of the archived historical publications can be viewed here.

Accessing the documents

This archive is an invaluable resource for students and academicians. To access these materials, please arrange a mutually convenient appointment date and time by email to Request_ehm@yahoo.com before your intended visit. Kindly provide your name, occupation, and institutional affiliation, as well as the publications that you are interested in accessing.

The Economic History of Malaysia project is situated on the third floor of the Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur. Users should kindly acknowledge the Economic History of Malaysia Project as the source of the historical publications in their research documents and publications.