The Malay entrepôt state
As the only convenient and safe waterway through Southeast Asia, the Strait of Melaka has long served as a major link between the civilizations to the east and to the west. From the beginning of the Christian era, there is evidence of settlements along the Strait becoming involved in international trade. Communities vied with each other to attract this trade by creating the necessary facilities. Srivijaya, Melaka, Johor and Riau came to epitomize the Malay entrepôt state. Only with the founding of the British-controlled port city of Singapore by Stamford Raffles in 1819 did the Malay entrepôt state succumb to a new system of trade dominated by Western interests.
- Information in the full article includes
- The Malay entrepôt state
- Melaka
- Johor
- English country traders
- The founding of Singapore
