Armenians in Malaysia

Early Days: The first Armenian to be recorded on the Malay Peninsula (what is today mostly considered Malaysia) was an elderly Armenian working as a caretaker to an East India Company store in the Kedah region/state in 1669. Small strands of settlement in the area continued over the decades, well into the early 1900s. The majority of the Armenians, being traders and businessmen, settled on the island of Penang/Pinang. The island was ideal for business since it was a port of call en route from India to the Far East and was owned by the East India Company, which meant it could allow the further expansion of commercial ventures. The Armenian population on the island of Penang fluctuated over the years, reaching a peak of 25 residents a few times over the years (Wright 17-22). Most of the Armenians—settlers or sojourners—came from Persia (now Iran) and India. By the 1930s the already small number of Armenians had begun dissolving. Overall, about 175 Armenians are known to have lived on the island of Penang, with more than half living less than five years on the island and only 32 living for 25 years or more on the island (Wright 16).

Even with their small numbers, Armenians had an impressive effect on the economy and community of Penang. During the early years of settlement, the Armenian community funded for and built the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The church was consecrated in 1824 and served for many years until its demolition in 1906. Two streets were named after the Armenian community: Arratoon Rd and Armenian St.—both of which are still around today. And two prominent businesses started by Armenians are still in business today: the E & O Hotel and A.A. Anthony & Company—although neither is owned or employs any Armenians.

Today: Malaysia has very few remnants of the its Armenian community from the past centuries. In Penang, a few tombstones engraved with Armenian scripture can be found in St. George's Cemetery and Western Road Cemetery. The two streets, Armenian St. and Arratoon Rd., still carry their respective names, although with no trace of Armenians on them. On the mainland, in Malacca, one can find two tombstones with Armenian scripture on them in Christ's Church.

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Nadia, Wright H. Respected Citizens: The History of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia Victoria, Australia: Amassia Publishing, 2003.