[1] Established in 1877, the society is dedicated to the collection, recording and communication of geographic, historic and cultural information about Malaya, Singapore and Brunei.
A primary objective of the society is the encouragement of the study of the region by publishing a journal and undertaking other scholarly activity.
Although affiliated to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (RAS) it is completely autonomous, thanks to financial support from the governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei and other organizations.
In 1878, having sought and obtained an affiliation with the RAS, it became the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society with 150 founder members, many of whom were colonial administrators.
During the colonial period the society was supported by grants from the government and donations from the Sultans of the Malay States and also benefitted from various privileges, such as government-provided premises and printing facilities.