There are more than 200 countries in the world and among those countries, there are a few that are very popular, and Great Britain is among those few. It is a parliamentary democracy and the most sought-after tourist destination. When we talk about the things that one can visit in Great Britain, it could be the hustle and bustle of London, the charm and romance of Cardiff, the wild and mysterious Scottish highlands, and more.
Many countries are influenced by their culture and they started implementing changes to become like Great Britain. One good example is Malaysia, which is very much influenced by the English culture. Let’s talk about some important things happening in Malaysia influenced by Great Britain.
- English Language
Malay language is the most widely used language in Malaysia, with English coming in second. Despite being the official language of the Malaysian Parliament, English was the dominant language in the country during the 1960s. After gaining independence from the United Kingdom, Malay became the official language of Malaysia. The English language used in Malaysia today is known as Malaysian Standard English (MySE), which is based on British English.
English language is mostly spoken within the urban areas of Malaysia and to your surprise; English is a compulsory subject in primary and secondary education, which is proof that Malaysian culture is highly influenced by Great Britain.
- Architecture
As you know Malaysia was under the British before they gained independence in 1957 but the British left never lasting influence, especially if we talk about the country’s architecture. The British-styled architecture is depicted in many of the old buildings. Some of the good examples of British-influenced architecture include:
- Royal Selangor Club, which is Mock Tudor-styled
- Carcosa Seri Negara, which is based on neo-Gothic and Tudor Revivalist architecture
- St Mary’s Cathedral, the best example of English Gothic architecture
- Hotel Majestic, an example of neoclassical and art deco
The British were the first to introduce concrete and stone that made way for tall building construction in the country. Before concrete and stone, timber was used that you can’t expect to be used for tall structures. Also, they introduced construction materials like bricks, metal roofs, and stucco-plastered walls in Malaysia.
- Horse Racing
The influence of the British on horse racing in Malaysia is significant, as they were the ones to bring this sport to the country initially. Despite being a foreign sport, horse racing has become a beloved part of Malaysian culture and is now widely popular. It’s worth noting that the inaugural horse racing event in Malaysia took place in 1842, organized by William Henry Macleod Read in conjunction with the founding of the Singapore Turf Club.
In the beginning, the horse racing events were dominated by ponies brought by traders from China and Australia started showing their interest and later on made way for the establishment of Penang Turf Club. Since then there has been no looking back for this sport. People not only come to horse racing events to watch but they also put huge sums on ponies to win money.
Horse racing is not the only sport to earn money based on your luck as you can play online casinos to win huge sums and try your luck. If you are wondering where to play online casinos, don’t worry as you can take the help of the internet. Type Malaysia casino online in the search bar of any search engine and this will bring websites that offer you to play online casinos.
- Food
Several British dishes are now part of Malaysian cuisine too and you can’t take credit for the same from the British people. The fish and chips that the British have are very popular among Malaysians. If you don’t know about this dish, then for your information, in this dish, a big serving of haddock has been fried, which is laid on a bed of piping hot chips. Not only in Malaysia, this dish is loved by people worldwide.
- Tea Plantation
The British heavily influenced the important activity of tea plantations in Malaysia. The largest tea plantation in the country, the BOH Tea Estate, was established in 1929 by British businessman J.A. Russell. It is situated in the Cameron Highlands of Pahang, Malaysia. Tea was grown in Malaysia before 1929 but became a commercial success after J.A. Russell set up the BOH Tea Estate.
In conclusion, the influence of Great Britain on Malaysia is evident across various aspects of the country’s culture, language, architecture, and even sports. From the widespread use of the English language in education to the lasting presence of British-styled architecture, the legacy of British rule has significantly shaped modern Malaysia.
Many examples indicate that Malaysian culture is highly influenced by the British, such as the love of people toward horse racing, tea plantations in the country, and restaurants serving British culinary tastes like fish and chips. This enduring British influence not only highlights the historical ties between the two nations but also demonstrates how cultural exchanges can shape and enrich the identity of a country over time.
