Abstract: The initial establishment of University Malaya cannot run from society’s demands towards the requirement for social sciences and the community. The objective of this study is to observe the initial establishment of University Malaya in general as well as to study specifically the history of Malay studies since the its inception in Singapore before its relocation to Kuala Lumpur. Since, the proposed 1948 Carr-Saunders Report to establish the mapping of the development of higher education in Singapore, among other issues, it was suggested that Universiti Malaya establish the Malay studies field. It will serve as a place which will mobilize the Malay culture and civilization. The implication of the suggestion brought forth the Malay studies department. All aspects of the establishment of Malay studies were analyzed based on the local society’s sociocultural perspective. This study uses data from work produced by early literary figures who were involved in early Malay studies and during the middle of the 1960-1990’s. Sources such as memoirs were also referred to observe the students’ and scholars’ experiences within the Malay studies field. Based on this analysis, it was found that Malay studies has expanded and has moved with time and is flexible in managing the field of Malay studies.