The Federation of Malaya was established in 1948, uniting several states in the Malay Peninsula under a single administration. It included the Federated Malay States and the Unfederated Malay States, aiming to promote economic development and political stability. The federation was a response to the growing demand for self-governance and was a precursor to Malaysia's eventual independence. In 1957, the Federation of Malaya gained independence from British colonial rule, leading to the formation of the Malaysian Federation in 1963. This marked a significant step in the region's history, as it laid the foundation for the modern nation of Malaysia, which now includes Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore.