Note: I translate those labels as a hobby and do not guaranty the accuracy of my translations.
A bit of history for new collectors to help them understand labels from Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak or any other Malaysian states. Depending on the age of the label especially for Singapore label you can classify them as Malaysia as you can read below Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965 so technically labels pre 1965 where part of Malaysia. It is also the reason why you will see a label with a Malaysian factory name but made in Singapore as some of those factory where based in Singapore and part of Malaysia until 1965.
If you see a label with made, produce , manufactured in (F.M.S), F.M.S stand for Federation of Malayan States.
The country has its origins in the Malay kingdoms, which, from the 18th century on, became subject to the British Empire, along with the British Straits Settlements protectorate. During World War Two, British Malaya, along with other nearby British and American colonies, was occupied by the Empire of Japan.Following three years of occupation, Peninsular Malaysia was unified as the Malayan Union in 1946 and then restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948. The country achieved independence on 31 August 1957. On 16 September 1963, independent Malaya united with the then British crown colonies of North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to become Malaysia. In August 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation and became a separate, independent country.
Why Malaysian labels have text in Chinese and Arabic?
Malaysia is a multicultural and multiethnic country with a diverse population that includes Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups, among others. The inclusion of Chinese and Arabic on labels in Malaysia reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country. Malaysia recognizes Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) as its official language, but it also acknowledges Chinese and Tamil as minority languages. Additionally, Malaysia has a significant Muslim population, and Arabic is the language of the Quran, the holy book of Islam.
Here are some reasons for the presence of Chinese and Arabic on Malaysian labels:
Multicultural Population: Malaysia has a diverse population with different ethnic groups, and including multiple languages on labels is a way to cater to the various communities.
Market Reach: By including Chinese and Arabic, businesses can reach a broader audience and cater to the linguistic preferences of different consumer groups.
Religious Considerations: Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, and including Arabic may be associated with Islamic products or businesses. Islamic-themed products often include Arabic script.
Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing and respecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of the population is a way to promote inclusivity and avoid potential cultural misunderstandings.
In summary, the inclusion of Chinese and Arabic on labels in Malaysia is a reflection of the country's rich cultural and linguistic diversity. It serves practical purposes by reaching a wider audience and is often influenced by religious and cultural considerations.
Here's a list of links with some articles about the last match factory in Malaysia. Use google Chrome to translate the page to your prefered language.
https://news.seehua.com/post/973670 (note the video is interesting but in Chinese)
https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/news/nation/2023/04/23/561563
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I ship worldwide; shipping is from the United Kingdom by Royal Mail. https://www.royalmail.com/
I combine shipping costs if you buy multiple items; ask for an invoice BEFORE making payment.
Combined postage is calculated in USD based on the USD value of the order, weight, and mainly insurance costs (read below).
Worldwide (except the UK)
For orders with a maximum value of $25, postage is $3.75. Insured for $25.
For orders with a maximum value of $60, only by tracked, signed for delivery, postage is $11.22. Insured for $60.
For orders with a maximum value of $300, only by tracked, signed for delivery, postage is $15.32. Insured for $300.
For orders with a value above $300, postage is calculated based on the insurance cost via https://www.secursus.com
UK Only
For orders with a maximum value of $25, postage is $1.67 via Royal Mail 2nd Class. Insured for $25.
For orders with a maximum value of $60, postage is $3.75 via Royal Mail Signed for 2nd Class. Insured for $60.
For orders with a value above $60 and a maximum of $910, postage is $9.10 via Royal Mail special delivery Guaranteed by 1 p.m.Insured for $910.
If any letter is missing or damaged, please contact me before opening an eBay claim, as I keep records of everything posted for insurance purposes.