The Malaysian Youth Hostels Association (MYHA) was founded in 1955 and registered on 15 March 1957 under the Societies Act. The founding chairman was a young doctor by the name of Dr. J.H. Newton.

MYHA is a voluntary non profit youth organization and affiliated with the Malaysian Youth Council ( Majlis Belia Malaysia) and is a full member of the International Youth Hostel Federation based in England, United Kingdom. The Association receive an administration grant from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia and a donation tax exempt status under the Income Tax Act.