Here's a breakdown:
* Historically: People from Malaya were often called Malays. This term, however, can be problematic as it refers to a broader ethnic group rather than solely those from the Malay Peninsula.
* After Independence: After Malaya gained independence in 1957, it became known as Malaysia. The term "Malay" still refers to the ethnicity, but the country itself became known as Malaysia.
* Present Day: Today, it is more accurate to refer to people from the Malay Peninsula as Malaysians. This encompasses the diverse population of Malaysia, including those of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other ethnicities.
It's essential to be sensitive and avoid using terms that might be considered outdated or inaccurate.
If you need to refer to people from the Malay Peninsula in a historical context, it's best to be specific about the period you are discussing and avoid using the term "Malay" in a way that could be misconstrued as referring to the ethnicity alone.