After Yap's death in 1885, the population of Kuala Lumpur increased greatly due to the construction of a railway line, initiated by Swettenham and completed in 1886, which increased accessibility into the growing town. In 1896, Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States due to its central position. It was however Yap who was responsible for keeping Kuala Lumpur viable as a town during its many setbacks in its early years. Although there are no public monuments commemorating Yap, according to the scholar on Malaysian history J.M. Gullick, "if you seek his memorial remember that you are in Kuala Lumpur."