1933 F.M.S. Survey Map of Singapore and Malaya (Malaysia)

A rare 1933 map of Malaya, modern-day Malaysia, issued by the surveyor general of the Federated Malay States (FMS). The map covers the Malay peninsula from the Thai/Siamese border to Singapore. This is a topographical map drawn to illustrate the developing road system. Roads, both extant and under construction, are highlighted in red. The map also details railway lines, cart tracks, light railways, and state boundaries. Hotels, rest houses, and golf courses are also identified. A table in the lower left identifies distances from Kuala Lumpur, wireless stations, and meteorological stations.

Roads of the FMS

In 1933, the roads of the Federated Malay States (FMS) were an expanding network crucial to the region’s economic development, particularly in the tin mining and rubber industries. The road system primarily consisted of narrow, gravel, or laterite roads that connected major towns, mining areas, rubber estates, and ports. These roads facilitated the movement of goods and resources, contributing significantly to trade within the states of Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang. While main roads were relatively well-maintained to support the region’s burgeoning automobile usage, rural areas still faced limited access with basic dirt paths. Despite the challenges of maintaining roads in the tropical climate, the network continued to grow, symbolizing the region’s efforts to modernize and boost economic activity during the British colonial period.

Publication History

This map is quite rare. We have been able to identify only one other example in the collections of the National Library Board of Singapore.