A multicultural nation in South-East Asia with seprated geographically into two main parts, the eleven states on the peninsula (being the southern-most landmass of mainland Asia) and two states on the island of Borneo to the east. It was a federation formed in 1963 of then Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak (Singapore left the federation in 1973). It has a population of 38 million (2020). While Islam is the official religion, Malaysia is not an Islamic nation. While Christians make up only about 2% of the population, they are a rather visible lot.
The lands that make up Malaysia were once British colonies. Malaya gained its independence in 1957, and Singapore in 19##. The idea of a federated Malaysia was the brainchild of Tengku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaya.
Further Reading:
Syed Husin Ali, A People's History of Malaysia. With Emphasis on the Development of Nationalism. Petaling Jaya/Kuala Lumpur: Strategic Information and Research Development Centre and Pusat Sejarah Rakyat, 2018. A brief useful overview.
Sham Sani, et al., eds., The Encyclopedia of Malaysia. 15 vols. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, 1998-.
Barbara W. Andaya & Leonard Y. Andaya, A History of Malaysia. 3r ed.London: Palgrave, 2017.
Robert Hunt, Lee Kam Hing, and John Roxborogh, eds., Christianity in Malaysia. A Denominational History. Petaling Jaya: Peladuk Publications, 1992.
Chronology of Major Events:
1400 - Beginning of the Melaka Sultanate. It is probable that Nestorian traders may have been among those traders who frequent the port though they have left no visible signs of their influence.
1511 - Melaka conquered by the Portuguese under Alfonso de Albuquerque; this marks the beginning of Roman Catholic presence in the country.
1545 - Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier arrives in Melaka on 25 September.
1641 - The Dutch conquers Melaka, marking the beginning of Protestant (largely Reformed) presence in the country; Christ Church is built for Presbyterian worship.
1662 - The first Malay language New Testament is published by Daniel Bower.
1762 - Second Malay Bible by Melchior Leidekker is published by the Dutch East India Company.
1786 - Francis Light occupies Penang for the English East India Company EIC).
1805 - First chaplain in Penang is appointed by the EIC.
1819 - The College General is established.
1815 - The London Missionary Society sets up its base in Melaka, with William Milne as its first missionary.
1816 - Penang Free School is founded by Robert Hutchings.
1823 - First translation of the Bible into Chinese is produced in Malaya.
1824 - The Anglo-Dutch Treaty signed in London separates the English and Dutch spheres of influence between Malaya and Indonesia. Melaka becomes part of the Straits Settlements.
1839 - Benjamin Keasberry arrives in Singapore, founding schools and a press, and educates the sons of the Temenggong Ibrahim of Johore. He also produces the second Malay language Bible with the assistance of Abdullah bin Kadir.
1843 - Sophie Cooke arrives in Singapore, runs the Chinese Girl's school and helps found the Christian Institute, Sailor's Rest, and YWCA.
1847 - The Borneo Church Mission in Sarawak is founded; its first missionary is Francis McDougall (he was later appointed Bishop).
1860 - John Chapman, from Bristol, arrives in Malaya and founds the first of the Open Brethren churches.
1874 - The Pangkor Treaty is signed, opening the way for more intensive British involvement in the affairs of Malaya, leading eventually to complete colonization.
1881 - Roman Catholic Mission in Sarawak begins with the coming of the Mill Hill Fathers to Kuching.
1885 - Methodist mission begins with the arrival of W. Oldham.
1887 - William Shellabear begins his translation work.
1890 - Methodist Mission Press (later known as MPH) is founded.
1900 - The Basel Mission Society sends missionary to Sabah.
1901 - Wong Nai Siong and a group of about one thousand Foochow Methodist settles in Sibu, followed by another group in 1902.
1907 - First regular worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is held on 30 January in Kuala Lumpur.
1909 - Third Malay Bible, translated by William Shellabear is published by the British Foreign Bible Society — Separate dioceses for Borneo and Singapore are formed; Ferguson Davie being the first Bishop of Singapore-Malaya.
1913 - An Advisory Council was formed to work towards ecumenical cooperation, which became the Council of Churches of Malaysia in 1948.
1927 - First Mar Thoma Christian congregation meets for worship in Klang.
1928 - Inaugural meeting of the Borneo Evangelica Mission (BEM) and arrival of its first missionaries in Kuching.
1934 - First Assembly of God missionaries arrive in Malaya.
1938 - The first Baptist congregation is established.
1941-45 - Japanese occupies Malaya and Borneo; with expatriate missionaries incarcerated in Changi Prison in Singapore and Batu Lantang in Sarawak, leadership in the local churches devolves to Asian hands, a trend that would remain even as the expatriates resumed many of their previous roles after the war.
1947 - Lawas Bible School is opened.
1948 - The Council of Churches of Malaya and Singapore is formed but is advisor, not legislative in role. It became the CCM in 1973.
1946-60 - The Emergency brings scattered Chinese settlers into New Villages, providing the opportunity for more focused efforts by ex-China missionaries.
1957 - Malaya gains independence from Britain.
1960 - Bible Institute of Malaya, later changed to Bible College of Malaysia (BCM) is established by the AOG.
1962 - Lun Bawang New Testament is presented to SIB.
1963 - Malaysia is formed by the federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak — SIB (Sidang Injil Borneo or Evangelical Church of Borneo) is founded — First Evangelical Free Church (EFC) missionaries arrive in Malaysia.
1966 - Tamil, Sarawak, Chinese, and Sarawak Iban churches form independent Annual Conferences within the Methodist Church.
1968 - Yap Kim Hao becomes the first Asian to be elected Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia.
1969 - 13 May, racially motivated riots break out in Kuala Lumpur.
1970 - Roland Koh is elected the first Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, while Chui Ban It is consecrated Bishop of Singapre.
1972 - Miri Bible College is founded.
1973 - October, start of Bario revival.
1974 - Merger between BEM and OMF.
1976 - Election of the first Asian Lutheran Bishop — SIB Sabah is constituted.
1978 - Malaysian Care and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) are founded.
1979 - Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM) is founded — Full Gospel Assembly (FGA) holds its first meeting.
1985 - The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is founded.
1987 - Fourth Malay language Bible is published by the Bible Society of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
2018 - New Malay translation of the Bible, Alkitab Versi Borneo, is published.
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