What distinguished the Unfederated Malay States from the Federated Malay States administratively?

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The Unfederated Malay States were administered through British Advisers without executive powers, while the Federated Malay States were governed through British Residents under Agreements that shaped administration but later clarified federal and state functions.

In the Unfederated Malay States, British protection began in 1909 for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis after Siam transferred rights to Britain, and a British Adviser was appointed to each state with no executive powers. Executive authority in these states rested with the local State Government led by the Menteri Besar, while the Sultan and State Council passed and enacted legislation with the Adviser attending. By contrast, the Federated Malay States of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Pahang were placed under British authority through Agreements from 1874 onwards, where the Ruler preserved sovereignty but accepted advice of a British Resident on general administration matters except Islam and Malay custom.
British officers had different roles under protection versus federation
In the Unfederated Malay States, the British Adviser attended the Sultan and State Council and did not hold executive powers, leaving execution to Malay officials under the State Government. In the Federated Malay States, the British Resident advised the State Ruler on most matters of general administration, again excluding matters relating to Islam and Malay custom.
Executive authority sat with different bodies
In the Unfederated Malay States, executive authority rested with the local State Government, with the Menteri Besar as head. Legislation was passed and enacted by the Sultan and the State Council, with the Adviser attending their meetings.
Federal and state functions were clarified later in the federated system
The Federated Malay States did not initially define the functions of federal versus state government in the earliest Agreements, even after a federation was established. A Federal Council was established in 1909, and its legislative authority was outlined only later in 1927 under an Agreement involving the High Commissioner and the four Rulers, followed by Sir Cecil Clementi’s reforms that divided federal and state functions and transferred some departments to state control.
A single coordinating authority operated across Malaya
Across all territories, the Governor of the Straits Settlements—serving also as High Commissioner for the Malay States—coordinated policy and administration for Malaya. He exercised authority in the Federated Malay States through Residents and in the Unfederated Malay States through the British Advisers, with the Federal Secretary in Kuala Lumpur also playing a role in the federated administration.

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What distinguished the Unfederated Malay States from the Federated Malay States administratively?

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