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Straits Settlements: Penang and Malacca were part of the Straits Settlements, a British colonial entity founded in the 18th century. Unlike states with sultans, they were ruled by the British without any other local rulers in charge.

British Protectorates: Sabah and Sarawak were initially independent sultanates, but they were brought under British control as protectorates later. While the British did not directly govern these states, they exercised influence through some Residents.

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Multiculturalism: These states were more diverse than those with sultans, due to the influence of various cultural groups due to their location strategically for trade.

Chinese and Indian Influence: Penang and Malacca, especially, had significant Chinese and Indian populations due to their historical role as trading locations. This created a rich blend of cultural influences, such as their cuisine, languages, and festivals.

Cultures: Sabah and Sarawak have a variety of indigenous communities, each with its own traditions, languages, and beliefs. These cultures were largely preserved, though they faced challenges from colonial policies and the influx of migrants.

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Economic Exploitation: These states were primarily seen as sources of resources by the British. They were heavily involved in the production of rubber, timber, and other commodities, with profits flowing primarily to the colonial power.

Social Disruptions: Not having traditional rulers led to significant social disruptions, as the British introduced their own systems, often not caring about local customs and practices.

Cultural Assimilation: The British promoted Western education and values, leading to a degree of cultural assimilation. This was found more in Penang and Malacca, where English became the dominant language in administration and education.

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Historical governance - Without a Sultan, the state might have envolved with more modern and centralized government system, focusing on democratic leadership.

Cultural Influences - The absence of a Sultan could shift cultural identity towards more contemporary, diverse influences rather than being tied to a traditional kingdoms.

Colonial impact -During colonial rule, some regions were governed without a Sultan or ruler, leading to more direct governance by colonial authorities. This influence might have led to a more modern administrative structure.

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Sultanate System: The sultans serve as the titular heads of state, while the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) acts as the head of government. This structure allows for a blend of traditional and modern governance.

Federated Malay States: In the late 19th century, states like Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang were all under British administration as the Federated Malay States, where the sultans still had some authority but were largely overseen by British Residents.

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Malay Traditions: Each state has its own customs and traditions, often celebrated through festivals, arts, and literature. For example, Kedah is known for its rice cultivation traditions, while Kelantan is famous for its arts scene, including wayang kulit (shadow puppetry).

Colonial Influences: Western cultural influences began to permeate these states during the colonial period, affecting education, law, and technology. This led to a mix of traditional Malay culture with Western practices.

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Economic Changes: The British introduced cash crops like rubber and tin mining, which transformed the economies of these states. The sultans played a role in facilitating these developments, although the benefits were not always equally distributed.

Social Structure: The colonial administration often disrupted traditional hierarchies. While sultans retained some power, the British implemented policies that sometimes affected local elites and altered social dynamics.

Cultural Preservation vs. Erosion: While the sultans helped preserve Malay culture and identity, colonial policies also led to the erosion of certain traditions, as Western education and values were promoted over local customs.

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1. Preservation of Traditional Authority:

In states like Johor, Kedah, and Selangor, the presence of sultans allowed for a degree of traditional governance to remain. The British often negotiated with these rulers, allowing them to keep some level of authority for recognizing British sovereignty.

2. Economic Integration:

Colonial policies often integrated these sultanates into the global economy, particularly through the rubber and tin industries. The sultans played a role in facilitating this economic development, which sometimes benefited their states.

3. Social Structure:

The sultans maintained a hierarchical social structure, which was somewhat preserved during colonial rule. This meant that traditional elites often kept their status, influencing local governance and societal norms.

4. Cultural Identity:

The sultans helped to keep Malay culture and identity, which was crucial in maintaining a sense of nationalism that would later play a part in the independence movement.

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1. Direct British Administration:

States like Penang and Malacca were directly administered by the British, leading to a more significant imposition of colonial rule without the rule from local rulers. This often caused a lack of local governance structures that could represent the interests of the populace.

2. Economic Exploitation:

The focus in these states was primarily on resource extraction for the benefit of the colonial powers, often leading to economic disparities and a lack of investment in local infrastructure or social services.

3. Social Disruption:

The absence of traditional rulers meant that social structures were more disrupted. The British often implemented a "divide and rule" strategy, which exacerbated ethnic divisions and led to tensions among different communities.

4. Cultural Erosion:

With less emphasis on local governance and traditional authority, there was a more pronounced erosion of local cultures and practices, as British policies often favoured Western education and values over local traditions.

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Historical Governance - The absence of a Sultan means abandoning traditional political systems that were in place before colonial rule. The Royals played a key role in maintaining stability and governance, and their absence can sometimes lead to a separation from historical political systems.

Cultural Influences - Sultans played an important rule on preserving and promoting traditions. In states without Sultan, there may have been less support for the promoting traditions, leading to a weaker connection to local history. So, their absence could result in fewer efforts to maintain cultural traditions.

Colonial Impact - The British ran these states completely by themselves, without local rulers, to control trade and resources. This meant more direct colonial rule and less focus on traditional local leadership.