For example, in the 1930s following anti-Indian riots, and during World War II when the Japanese invaded, some ethnic Telugus fled from Burma to Malaya.

[5] Telugus along with other Indians from India's east coast and the Bay of Bengal arrived on the shores of ancient Suvarnabhumi (referring to Malay Peninsula and Lower Burma, meaning "Land of Gold" in Sanskrit) and other parts of Southeast Asia.

[6] Indians from the Godavari basin arrived in the ancient Malay peninsula, trading and settling down, thus influencing local customs and culture.

[8] Telugus who arrived during the British colonial era were mainly non-Brahmin Hindus from the Kamma, Reddy,[9] Gavara, Kapu (Telaga), Velama, Chakali, and Mangali castes.

[12][11] Bagan Datoh remains an important historical centre for Malaysian Telugus, with many Telugu cultural activities being conducted at Sri Venkateswara Temple.

[10] Exact numbers of the Malaysian Telugu population are not known, however Telugus are thought to be the second largest group of Indians in Malaysia after Tamils.

The Telugu Association of Malaysia was first formed in the Lower Perak District on 17 July 1955, under the banner of "Malaya Andhra Sangamu" and was officially registered on 17 February 1956.

[16] There was a resurgence in Telugu language education following political and financial support from the Malaysian government beginning in 2010.