[3] The Dutch then established relations with the Sultanate of Johor in the early 17th century, and in 1641 they captured the Portuguese colony of Malacca (on the south-eastern coast of today's Peninsular Malaysia).

[4] A small Dutch-Malaysian Eurasian community, descended from the Dutch settlers in Malacca, persists to these days.

During his diplomatic service there he became closely acquainted with Malaysia's gibbons (he kept a few in his ambassadorial residence) and became sufficiently interested in this ape species to start the study of its role in ancient Chinese culture, the results of which he later published in his last book (Gibbon in China).

[5] On 3 December 1996, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad left to attend the Global Panel Conference at The Hague ahead of a two-day official visit to the Netherlands.

[7] On 25 September 2019, Mahathir Mohamad held a bilateral meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.