In 1818, Melaka was returned to the Netherlands but by 1824, under the Treaty of London, Melaka was handed over back to Britain. Melaka, Penang and Singapore were given a unified administration in 1826 which was called the Straits Settlements while the British began to make their presence felt in the other Malay states across the Peninsular. By the early 20th century, the British had control over all the other Malay states while the Brooke family ruled Sarawak as the White Rajahs of Borneo.

The Japanese invasion in December 1941 brought World War II to the Malay states. By February 1942, British forces surrendered to the Japanese army. At the end of World War II, Britain resumed control again. In 1957, Melaka along with the other states that made up the Federation of Malaya achieved independence from British rule.