British Military Administration (Malaya)

British Military Administration of Malaya
1945–1946
The Empire of Japan surrendered to the British Empire in Kuala Lumpur in 1945.
The Empire of Japan surrendered to the British Empire in Kuala Lumpur in 1945.
StatusInterim military governance
CapitalKuala Lumpur (de facto)
GovernmentMilitary administration
Historical eraPost-war
2 September 1945
• British Military Administration established

12 September 1945
• Formation of Malayan Union

1 April 1946
CurrencyMalayan dollar British Pound
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Japanese occupation of Malaya
Japanese occupation of Singapore
Si Rat Malai
Malayan Union
Colony of Singapore
Colony of Malacca
Colony of Penang
Today part of

The British Military Administration (BMA) was the interim administrator of British Malaya from August 1945, the end of World War II, to the establishment of the Malayan Union in April 1946. The BMA was under the direct command of the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia, Lord Louis Mountbatten. The administration had the dual function of maintaining basic subsistence during the period of reoccupation, and also of imposing the state structure upon which post-war imperial power would rest.[1]

  1. ^ F. S. V. Dommison, British Military Administration in the far East (London, 1956)