Crimes in the Straits Settlements before World War II

Not much has been done on research and writing on the history of crimes in colonial Malaya. Therefore, this study aimed to elaborate and discuss about the history of criminal activities and behaviours in the Straits Settlements (Penang, Melaka and Singapore) since the end of 19th century until the period of World War II. Some of the crimes that often occurred were crimes on property and crimes on human beings. Thus, this study attempted to examine the major factors that had led to all these crimes and investigated on what the English colonial administration had done in order to overcome the problem. In addition, this study also looked into criminal activities that had been done by the multi-racial local citizens who had and practised different cultures and religions in Singapore, Melaka and also Penang. The main question of this study is that whether there are close ties and causal relationship between the occurrence of crimes and the economic development in the Straits Settlements. In addition, this study also attempted to explain whether those crimes could be linked with the presence of the Chinese immigrants who had caused significant social and economic change in the Straits Settlements. Last but not least, this study also tried to explain the aspects that influenced the occurrence of crimes, apart from identifying the English colonial administration’s efforts in handling the problem