In 1948, the Malay Students Convention throughout the Malay Peninsula decided to establish the PENINSULA MALAY STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION or better known by the acronym GPMS.

The establishment of GPMS was initiated by five students from Raffles College and King Edward Medical College, Singapore. They were led by Aminuddin Baki, Abdul Wahab Arif, Mohd, Nor Marahakim, Abdullah Majid and a medical student, Siti Hasmah Mohd. Ali. These five were responsible for holding the convention and establishing the temporary committee of GPMS.

After the Japanese occupation, Malaya was in turmoil and the awareness of the Malay race which until today had been aware of has made the Preamble to the Constitution of GPMS. GPMS was built on the awareness of the Malay race, the Islamic religion and became the first national student association established in this country.

GPMS introduced the concept of guidance classes in this country in the 1950s. This Guidance Class activity was well received by students and the community. Starting in the 1960s, youth organizations in this country began to make guidance classes an activity of their respective associations.

In 1958, GPMS began exploring new activities by holding a Student Course. In this course, community service was introduced. GPMS members, especially from the University of Malaya, have approached the community and raised awareness that education is the key to national progress. From the success of this program, the Torch Movement project was intensified. Then in 1971, GPMS launched the Community Development Operation in several places in the country.

Now GPMS continues to contribute to the country through educational, welfare, religious and cultural programs. The entire program is aligned with the GPMS's purpose of 'protecting the rights, presenting all demands and improving the conditions of Malay students and all levels'.

29 Jun 1973 masyarakat Melayu umumnya telah menerima GPMS sebagai badan yang telah bergerak dan menggerakkan orang-orang Melayu untuk menyedari akan kepentingan pelajaran. Tidak syak lagi peranan yang telah dimainkan oleh GPMS menyuburkan semangat dan menjadi asas bertindak kepada pihak-pihak berkuasa dalam memajukan pesarana Melayu di negara ini. Tidak syak lagi apa yang telah dicapai pada masa ini terutama dengan lahirnya Universiti Kebangsaan dan telahpun mengeluarkan siswazah pertama telah membuktikan tentang hasrat dan cita-cita yang telah diabadikan dengan amalan tertentu.