Their new empire began to grow and expand as they settled in the coast city of Penang. As trade began to grow, foreigners from the neighboring areas began to arrive taking part in its success. “Chinese, Indians, Arabs and Sumatrans streamed in” ( Miller 65). However, as immigrant numbers grew, every group except for Malays, were seen as competent and useful. The Chinese became the leading group, controlling businesses, markets and mine labor. This had caused conflict and civil war between the Chinese and Malay ethnic groups. Despite its early success, tensions and life in Malaya cities were becoming unruly which encouraged the British to seek modernity and formal government throughout. As infrastructure began to develop Kuala Lumpur became the centre, but again fear of domination grew between non-Malays and Malays. These conflicts persisted through the creation of the federal state 1948, independence in 1957. However, most conflict grew over economic disparities and mistreatment of the poor. The most important moves of leaders to provide stability politically and economically was proposing the joining of three other colonial states; Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. Singapore did not join, but with Sarawak, Sabah and Malaya the new Country of Malaysia was …show more content…
From the first Western formation of cities, the people of Malaya had little rights and power due to the Portuguese strategy to keep then out of the developed cities. All non-Portuguese groups lived in outlying suburbs and were ruled from a distance. This taught the people how vital it was to be able to have access to areas where trade, business and decisions were being made. This caused “war and actual attacks which beset Malacca”, but the Portuguese “sought refuge inside their fort”. This set the tone for the people Malaya to have influence in vital areas. When the English came into power during the 17th up until the 20th centuries, control of land became a way to achieve power. From 1870 to 1873 conflict between Chinese miners occurred in order to gain control of Kuala Lumpur. However, tensions ceased when“… Kuala Lumpur, which had changed hands several times before the resources of its enemy exhausted” (Miller 92). There was a desire to have immigrant’s voices heard as well as gain recognition to the true Malayan people. To have control over land through business and municipal seats, made groups feel valued and supported by society. Unfortunately , matters of race always crippled the colony for it seems to never cease. In decentralization of the Malaya created fears between the Chinese