Malayan Postal Union : Revenue Stamps

In 1896, the Federated Malay States were formed.  The first stamps of the Federated Malay States began in 1900, when the stamps of Negri-Sembilan and Perak were overprinted "Federated Malay States".

In 1901, a series of stamps of 12 denominations was issued, showing a jumping tiger or an elephants. Stamps of the same designs continued were issued until 1934 in a large number of varieties.

The stamps of the Federated Malay States ceased in 1935 and were replaced by stamps of the individual states. 

Prior to 1905, each states of the FMS had their own separate postal and telegraph laws. 

On the 1^st January 1905, FMS states enacted revised and unified postal and telegraph laws.  Each states postal departments were merged into a single Federal department. 

In 1907, Malayan Postage Union ( MPU ) was established embracing the FMS, SS and Johore.    Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu join MPU in 1909 after transferred from Siamese to British protection in 1909. 

In 1915, the FMS joined the Universal Postal Union ( UPU ), at the same time adhering to the International Insured Letter Agreement.

Only postage due stamps were issued with the inscription "Malayan postal union". Similar postage due stamps were used in Malaysia until 1966 and in Singapore until 1968 .

 

 

Federated Malay States : Postate Due Stamps

Postage due is the term used for mail sent with insufficient postage. A postage due stamp is a stamp added to an underpaid piece of mail to indicate the extra postage due.

The problem of underpaid foreign mail was one of the issues addressed by the 1874 establishment of the Universal Postal Union. The U.P.U. arrived at the decision that mail with insufficient postage should be marked with a "T" and from April 1, 1879 the amount missing would also be indicated in black. 

From October 1, 1907 the rules were changed. The amount to be charged instead of the amount missing would be indicated. The amount charged was usually double the amount that was missing. 

In 1859, first Postage Due Stamps was issued. It was affixed at the delivery office before being taken out to the recipients. Many other countries followed suit. 

Federated Malay States

On 20 January 1874, Sir Andrew Clarke, governor of the Straits Settlements, concluded with the Sultan of Perak the treaty of Pangkor whereby the Sultan agreed to "receive and provide a suitable residence for a British Officer to be called Resident, who shall be accredited to his court, and whose advice must be asked and acted upon on all questions other than those touching Malay Religion and Customs". The residency system was extended the same year to the states of Selangor and Negri Sembilan, and in 1888 to Pahang. 

To promote greater administrative efficiency, these four states were brought together in 1895-1896 to form the Federated Malay States. This structure was highly centralized, real power resting in the hands of the agents of the British Government, at first called the Resident-General, and later the Chief Secretary.

The British established the Federal Council in 1898 to administer the Federation. It was headed by the High Commissioner (The Governor of the Straits Settlement), assisted by the Resident-General, the Sultans, the four state Residents and four nominated unofficial members. This structure remained until the Japanese invaded Malaya on 8 December 1941.

For used in Federated Malay States ( Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, & Selangor)  and Straits Settlements ( Malacca, Penang, & Singapore):

Issue   : 1936 - 1638

Printer : Waterlow & Sons, Limited

Printing : Typography

Watermark : Multiple Script CA

Perforations  : 15 x 14