[Image: Detail from ‘Malaysia and its Neighbours’ map, printed in the current volume, p.vi]

Download PDF: BDEEP Series B Volume 8 – Malaysia [2MB]

Volume Details: First published by The Stationary Office in 2004. Electronic version reproduced with permission of the editor under an Open Government Licence.

Editor Details: AJ STOCKWELL is Emeritus Professor of Modern History at Royal Holloway, University of London. He edited the BDEEP country volume on Malaya (1995).

Selection from Introduction:

The documents in this collection tell the story of the making of modern Malaysia from the records and perspectives of British policy-makers. They narrate developments from the achievement of Malayan independence in 1957 to the inauguration six years later of a greater state incorporating Malaya, Singapore, Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak. In so doing they reveal how statements of intent became detailed plans and the extent to which these plans were brought to fruition. That some called it a ‘Grand Design’ suggests a coherent scheme of decolonisation and, in so far as it was, it appeared to be effective; after all, Britain managed to withdraw from remaining  dependencies in Southeast Asia while retaining interests and influence there.” (p.xxxv)