What defined the three distinct territories in Malaya before 1942?

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The Three Distinct Territories in Malaya Before 1942

Before 1942, Malaya was administratively divided into three distinct territorial groupings: the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States, and the Unfederated Malay States. Each of these entities operated under differing frameworks of British influence and local governance, shaping their respective legal and administrative structures.
The Straits Settlements

The Straits Settlements comprised Penang (including Province Wellesley) and Malacca, functioning as a Crown Colony directly administered by the British. This territory had a Governor, supported by an Executive and Legislative Council, indicating a more centralised colonial authority compared to other parts of Malaya.
The Federated Malay States

The Federated Malay States included Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Pahang. British authority here was established through Agreements dating from 1874. While these agreements nominally preserved the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers, they stipulated the mandatory acceptance of advice from a British Resident on matters of general administration, with exceptions for Islam and Malay customs.
The Unfederated Malay States

The Unfederated Malay States encompassed Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis. Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis came under British protection in 1909 following the transfer of rights from Siam. Each of these states had a British Adviser, but these advisers lacked executive powers. Johore, a distinct case among the unfederated states, had ceded control of its foreign affairs to Great Britain via an 1885 treaty and later appointed a British General Adviser in 1914. In these states, executive authority remained with the local State Government, led by the Menteri Besar, and legislation was enacted by the Sultan and State Council, with the Adviser attending meetings.

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What defined the three distinct territories in Malaya before 1942?

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