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  Tin mining in Malaya under British rule. Photo: The internet The colonial era brought sweeping changes to Southeast Asia, particularly to the Malay States. The British, under the guise of administration and modernization, exploited the region's immense natural wealth, leaving a legacy of extraction and economic manipulation that shaped the future of the Malay States. When the British began their foothold in Malaya during the 19th century, they were primarily drawn by the region’s abundance of tin and later rubber. Tin was in high demand during the Industrial Revolution, and the Malay States were among the richest tin-producing regions in the world. British companies dominated the mining industry, employing a divide-and-rule strategy by importing Chinese laborers to work in tin mines, while sidelining the local Malay population from industrial opportunities. The profits flowed largely to Britain, while the Malay States saw little reinvestment into their communities. Rubber, introd...