When did Malaya become part of the Brisish Empire?

Europeans arrived in Malaya in 1511, when the Portuguese seized Melaka from the Malays. The Dutch seized Melaka from the Portuguese in 1641. By the 1700s the Dutch controlled trade for most of the region. By 1786, the British acquired Penang Island and established a settlement called George Town there. Gradually the British acquired control over more of the area to protect its shipping lanes between China and India. In 1824 the Dutch surrendered to the British their possessions on the Malay Peninsula. In 1826, the British formed a colony called the Straits Settlements that included Melaka and the islands of Penang and Singapore. In 1840 the sultan of Brunei ceded the southern part of his territory, now called Sarawak to the British. By 1914, the British had direct or indirect colonial control over all of Malaya. I hope that this has been a help to you.

First, settlements round the coast. Penang, Singapore, Malacca.

Then, protectorates among the inland Sultanates.

Then (early 20th century) the federation - basically a civil service without sovereignty. Went a long way towardsdirect rule. But that was it.