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Category FAQs Search : International Division (INT), Ministry of Finance, Malaysia

Question: History of International Division (INT), Ministry of Finance, Malaysia

Answer: 1. During the 19th and 20th century under Residential System, the Federated Malay States were administered separately and independently by their respective Malay Rulers.
2. Each state had its own rules and regulations.
3. The role of the Residents was mainly advisory in nature.
4. The financial administration was conducted through the Bendahara.
5. Penghulu or village head man and other natives chiefs were responsible for the collection of revenue.
6. Requests for allocations of expenditure were submitted by the Residents to the Governor of The Straits Settlements for sanction.
7. Budgetary report was then sent to the Crown Colony Office in India.
8. With the transfer of Crown Colony Office to London in 1867, financial statements were sent to London for publication as an annual report in Parliamentary papers.
9. As the country progressed towards becoming a modern economy at the end of 19th century, the fragmented state of affairs was found to be uneconomical and inefficient to manage.
10. Federal Council Agreement was signed on the 25th October 1909 to led the formation of the Federal Council of the Federated Malay States, under which the states of Pahang, Perak, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan were administered by central body.
11. Members of the Federal Council were:
i. High Commissioner (President)
ii. Resident General (Alternate President)
iii. 4 Malay Rulers and their Residents
iv. 4 unofficial members who were nominated by the High Commissioner
12. The first Financial Commissioner was Henry George Bagnall Vane who was appointed in 1909 until 1915.


The Development Of Treasury Malaysia Year 1950 – Current
1. As a step forward to fully integrate and centralize the financial administration of all the states, Treasury Circular No.15 of 1951 was issued.
2. The circular defined the role and functions of the Federal Treasury including the Secretary to the Treasury and the Financial Treasury which is established as the department that controlled and exercised powers on all matters regarding revenue collection and expenditure.
3. Now, The Federal Treasury as a central agency is entrusted with the country’s financial management and economic development.
4. The mandate is carried out in collaboration with The Prime Minister Department, specifically The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the other ministries as well as Bank Negara Malaysia.
5. The collaboration helped the Government to restructure the country's economy which is always influenced by the international financial situation.

(Source: Laman Web Rasmi Kementerian Kewangan, Malaysia, 11 May 2025)

Source Link: https://www.mof.gov.my/portal/en/profile/history