Directory_and_Chronicle_1933 — Page 1565

THE UNFEDERATED MALAY STATES

The Malay States not included in the Federation are Johore, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Trengganu.

Article 3 of the Johore Treaty of the 11th December, 1885, provided for the ap- pointment of a British Agent in Johore. By an agreement dated the 12th May, 1914, this was altered so as to provide for the appointment of a British officer to be called the General Adviser, whose advice must be asked and acted upon in all matters affect- ing the general administration of the country and on all questions other than those touching Malay religion and custom.

The States of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Trengganu came under British protec- tion on the 9th July, 1909, when, in execution of the Treaty of the 10th March, 1909, the Siamese Government transferred to the British Government all suzerainty, protec- tion, administration and control over these four States. British Advisers on that day took over from Siamese Advisers in Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan. In Trengganu, an officer styled the British Agent assumed duty.

The Sultan of Trengganu, later, expressed a desire that his State should be administrated upon an improved basis, and, by a Treaty with His Majesty's Govern- ment dated the 24th May, 1919, agreed to receive a British Adviser (in place of the British Agent provided for by an earlier Treaty of the 22nd April, 1910) and to ask and follow his advice upon all matters affecting the general administration of the country and all questions other than those touching the Mohammedan religion.

The Treaty of 1909 also provided for the loan of £4,000,000 by the F.M.S. Govern- ment to Siam for the purpose of building a railway southward from Bangkok to connect up with the F.M.S. Railways system via Kelantan. This sum was subsequently increased to £4,750,000, in consequence of a decision to connect up also via Kedah. The railway via Kedah was opened to traffic on the 1st July, 1918. A fast weekly passenger service between Bangkok and Penang was inaugurated on 2nd January, 1922. A train, with sleeping and restaurant cars attached, leaves Bangkok Noi every Monday morning, arriving at Penang on Tuesday evening, and returning from Penang every Thursday morning, arriving at Bangkok Noi on Friday evening. The distance is about 1,000 miles, It is expected that the Southern Siamese districts will develop greatly as the result of the railway communication.

In general terms, it may be said that the development of the Unfederated Malay States in the last decade has been even more remarkable than that of the Federated Malay States. Their revenue, for instance, in 10 years has more than quadrupled.

Although each of the five Unfederated Malay States preserves its individuality with the greatest solicitude, there is the friendliest feeling, not only amongst them, but also between them and the Federated Malay States and the Colony of the Straits Settlements; and in any matter which tends to their common advantage, yet does not affect their individuality, there is ready co-operation. The States differ from one another in many respects, both great and small. As examples of the difference in the smaller matters, it may be mentioned that Kedah, Perlis and Trengganu adhere to the Mohammedan calendar, whereas Johore and Kelantan have adopted the Christian calendar. The system of internal administration differs very greatly; on broad lines, however, the resemblance between the States is strong. They are all Mohammedan countries, and are governed by a Ruler who is advised by a State Council. (Johore has separate Legislative and Executive Councils; in the other States the Councils are both Legislative and Executive.) They use the coinage and the currency notes of the Straits Settlements. Their European officials are British officers, almost all of whom are lent, on deputation, to them by the Governments of the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States. Johore, Kedah, Kelantan and Trengganu have their separate issues of stamps. The small State of Perlis (which in earlier days was a part of Kedah, and which is still closely connected with it) uses the Kedah stamps.