Federation of Malaya

The Federation of Malaya was a country in Southeast Asia that existed from 1948 to 1963. It was established on February 1, 1948, succeeding the Malayan Union and earlier British Malaya. Comprising eleven states, including nine Malay states and the Straits Settlements of Penang and Malacca, it was initially a self-governing colony of the United Kingdom. The Federation gained full sovereignty on August 31, 1957. On September 16, 1963, it was superseded by Malaysia when it united with Singapore, North Borneo, and Sarawak. The former Federation of Malaya is now known as Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia.