British subject (short-lived) incorporation of Singapore within Malaysia between 1963 and 1965. Similar arrangements also existed for the other states and colonies that made make up the Federation of Malaya from 1948: they too introduced citizenship statuses (which eventually became Malayan and later Malaysian citizenship) before achieving independence in 1957. In most other Commonwealth countries, the term Commonwealth citizen was used instead of British subject. On 1 January 1983, upon the coming into force of the "British Nationality Act" 1981, every citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies became either a British citizen, British Dependent Territories citizen or British Overseas citizen. Use
Constitution of the State of Penang Constitution of the State of Penang The Constitution of Penang, introduced in 1957, is the fundamental law of the Malaysian state of Penang. The constitution, which came into effect just before the independence of the Malayan Federation (now Malaysia) from the British Empire, concerns the formation and proceedings of the state government. It also establishes the Governor (Malay: "Yang di-Pertua Negeri") as the head of state who acts in the discretion of the Chief Minister, the head of government. The Constitution of Penang was drafted following the accession of the then British colony of Penang into the Federation of Malaya.