Demographics of MalaysiaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The demographics of Malaysia are represented by the

multiple ethnic groups that exist in this country. Malaysia's

population, as of July 2010, is estimated to be

28,334,000, which makes it the 41st most populated

country in the world.[1] Of these, 5.72 million Malaysians

live in East Malaysia and 22.5 million live in Peninsular

Malaysia.[2] The Malaysian population continues to grow at

a rate of 2.4% per annum.According to latest 2010

census, among the three largest Malaysian

groups Malays and Bumiputera Fertility rates are at 2.8

children per woman, Chinese 1.8 children per woman,

and Indians 2.0 children per woman. Malay fertility rates

are 40% higher than Malay Indians and 56% higher than

Malay Chinese. In 2010, the Malays were 60.3%, Chinese

22.9%, and the Indians 7.1% of the total population. The

Chinese population has shrunk to half of its peak share

from 1957 when it was 45% of Malaysia, although in

absolute numbers they have multiplied more than

threefold.[3]

The population distribution is uneven, with some 20

million of 28 million citizens concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, which has an area of 131,598 square

kilometres (50,810.27 sq mi).

Contents

  [hide] 

1 Demographic trends and key rates

o 1.1 Population distribution by states and territories

o 1.2 Population age distribution trends for 2001–2010

o 1.3 Key demographic rates

2 Vital statistics

o 2.1 UN estimates [20]

3 Ethnicity

Demographics of Malaysia 

Indicator Rank Measure

Economy

GDP (PPP) per capita 58th $15,568

Unemployment rate Unknown 3.0%*

CO2 emissions 51th 7.07t†

Electricity consumption 31nd 93.80GWh

Economic Freedom 68th 2.98

Politics

Human Development Index 61rd 0.761

Political freedom Unknown 4

Corruption (A higher score means less (perceived) corruption.)

↑ 60rd 4.3

Press freedom 122th 56.00

Society

Literacy Rate 39th 92.5%

Number of Internet users 26rd15,635,925

users

E-readiness 38th 5.87±

Ease of Doing Business 18th Unknown

Health

Life Expectancy 65th 74.2

Birth rate 82th 20.74‡

Fertility rate 78th 2.64††

Infant mortality 124th 16.39‡‡

Death rate 181st 4.5‡

HIV/AIDS rate 81st 0.40%

Quality-of-life 36th 6.608±

Notes

* including several non-sovereign entities↓ indicates rank is in reverse order (e.g. 1st is lowest)† per capita± score out of 10‡ per 1000 people†† per woman‡‡ per 1000 live births

o 3.1 Bumiputras

3.1.1 Malays

3.1.2 Other Bumiputras

o 3.2 Non-Bumiputeras

3.2.1 Chinese

3.2.2 Indian

3.2.3 Others

4 Languages

5 Citizenship

6 Religion

o 6.1 Islam

7 Education

o 7.1 Primary education

o 7.2 Secondary education

o 7.3 Tertiary education

o 7.4 International schools

8 Healthcare

9 Major cities

10 Notes

11 External links

[edit]Demographic trends and key rates

Demographics of Malaysia, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands.

Censuses were taken in Malaysia in 1970, 1980, 1991, and 2000, with the one in 2000 taking place between 5

and 20 July.[4] The total population is approximately 28 million.[5] The population distribution is highly uneven,

with some 20 million residents concentrated in Peninsula Malaysia.[6] 70% of the population is urban.[7] Due to

the rise in labour-intensive industries,[8] Malaysia is estimated to have over 3 million migrant workers, which is

about 10% of the Malaysian population.[9] The exact numbers are unknown: there are a million legal foreign

workers and perhaps another million unauthorised foreigners. The state of Sabah alone had nearly 25% of its

2.7 million population listed as illegal foreign workers in the last census. Sabah based NGOs estimate that out

of the 3 million population, 2 million are illegal immigrants.[10]

Additionally, according to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and

Immigrants (USCRI), Malaysia hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately

155,700. Of this population, approximately 70,500 refugees and asylum seekers are from the Philippines,

69,700 from Burma, and 21,800 from Indonesia.[11] The USCRI named Malaysia as one of the ten worst places

for refugees on account of the country's discriminatory practices toward them. Malaysian officials are reported

to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs RELA, a volunteer

militia, to enforce its immigration law.[11]

[edit]Population distribution by states and territories

StatePopulatio

n(2000)

Population[2]

(2010, est.)

Area(k

m2)

Pop. density[2]

(2010, est.)

Urban pop. %[2]

(2010, est.)

Bumiputera (%)

Chinese (%)

Indian (%)

Johor 2,740,625 3,305,900 18987 174 66.2 57.1 35.4 6.9

Kedah 1,649,756 1,966,900 9425 209 40.8 76.6 14.9 7.1

Kelantan 1,313,014 1,670,500 15024 111 36.1 95.0 3.8 0.3

Malacca 635,791 771,500 1652 467 69.2 63.8 29.1 6.5

Negeri Sembilan

859,924 1,011,700 6644 152 56.6 57.9 25.6 16.0

Pahang 1,288,376 1,534,800 35965 43 42.9 76.8 17.7 5.0

Penang 1,313,449 1,596,900 1031 1549 80.9 48.5 40.9 10.6[12]

Perak 2,051,236 2,460,800 21005 117 60.5 55.87 31.35 20[13]

Perlis 204,450 240,100 795 302 35.7 85.5 10.3 1.3

Sabah 2,603,485 3,214,200 73619 44 49.3 80.5 13.2 0.5

Sarawak 2,071,506 2,506,500 124450 20 49.9 72.9 26.7 0.2

Selangor 4,188,876 5,037,600 7960 633 88.3 58.9 27.8 13.3[14]

Terengganu

898,825 1,050,000 12955 81 51.2 96.8 2.8 0.2

FT Kuala Lumpur

1,379,310 1,722,500 243 7088 100.0 38.6 46.5 13.4

FT Labuan 76,067 95,500 92 1038 78.1 79.6 15.8 1.3

FT Putrajaya

45,000 65,000 148 439 100.0 94.8 1.8 2.7

Source: National Census 2000,[15] Department of Statistics Malaysia.

Putrajaya data is for 2004, and the official 2010 estimate is added into Selangor's population.

Population estimates are rounded to the nearest hundred.

[edit]Population age distribution trends for 2001–2010

Year< 15 Years

(%)15 - 64 Years (%) > 64 Years (%) Population (in millions)

2001 32.7 63.4 3.9 24.12

2002 31.9 64.1 4.0 24.72

2003 31.2 64.8 4.0 25.32

2004 30.4 65.5 4.1 25.91

2005 29.7 66.1 4.2 26.48

Year< 15 Years

(%)15 - 64 Years (%) > 64 Years (%) Population (in millions)

2006 29.2 66.5 4.3 26.83

2007 28.7 66.9 4.4 27.18

2008 28.2 67.3 4.5 27.54

2009 27.7 67.7 4.6 27.90

2010 27.2 68.1 4.7 28.25

Data from July 2010.[16]

[edit]Key demographic rates

Population growth rate ^: 1.542% (2012 data)

Age Structure^:

0–14 years: 29.6% (male 4,118,086/female 3,884,403)

15–64 years: 65.4% (male 7,838,166/female 7,785,833)

65 years and over: 5% (male 526,967/female 667,831) (2011 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the

region

Human sex ratio :

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15–64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2012 est.)

Infant mortality rate :^ 14.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 data)

Life expectancy  at birth:

total population: 74.04 years (at 1:1 male-to-female ratio)

male: ^ 71.28 years (2012 data)

female: ^ 76.99 years (2012 data)

Total fertility rate:

2.64 children born/woman (2012 est.)

2.70 children born/woman (2010 est.),

2.98 children born/woman (2008 est.),

3.01 children born/woman (2007 est.),

3.04 children born/woman (2006 est.),

3.07 children born/woman (2005 est.)

In 1987, Malays had a TFR of 4.51, Chinese had TFR of 2.25 and Indians had TFR of 2.77. The

corresponding figures in Singapore was 2.16, 1.48 and 1.95.[17]

Data for (^) obtained from Department of Statistics releases. See notes.[18][19] All key rates sampled per

1000 of population.

Ranking Census statistics Malaysia 2010.

Rank State Population 2010

1 Selangor 5,411,324

2 Johor 3,233,434

3 Sabah 3,120,040

4 Sarawak 2,420,009

5 Perak 2,258,428

6 Kedah 1,890,098

7 Kuala Lumpur 1,627,172

8 Penang 1,520,143

9 Kelantan 1,459,994

10 Pahang 1,443,365

11 Terengganu 1,015,776

12Negeri Sembilan

997,071

13 Melaka 788,706

14 Perlis 227,025

15 Labuan 85,272

16 Putrajaya 67,964

[edit]Vital statistics

[edit]UN estimates [20]

PeriodLive births per

yearDeaths per

yearNatural change per

yearCBR1 CDR1 NC1 TFR1 IMR1

1950-1955 280 000 92 000 188 000 42.7 14.0 25.3 6.23 96.4

1955-1960 318 000 89 000 229 000 41.9 11.7 28.9 6.23 79.5

1960-1965 361 000 86 000 275 000 40.8 9.7 29.9 6.23 64.3

1965-1970 351 000 82 000 268 000 34.2 8.0 28.1 5.21 51.0

1970-1975 365 000 82 000 283 000 31.4 7.1 25.9 4.56 40.4

1975-1980 385 000 83 000 302 000 29.4 6.3 21.7 3.93 31.9

1980-1985 436 000 86 000 350 000 29.5 5.8 26.4 3.73 25.3

1985-1990 488 000 91 000 397 000 28.7 5.3 26.9 3.59 19.9

1990-1995 535 000 97 000 438 000 27.5 5.0 22.8 3.42 15.7

1995-2000 559 000 104 000 454 000 25.3 4.7 19.8 3.18 12.4

2000-2005 572 000 114 000 458 000 23.1 4.6 18.2 2.96 9.8

2005-2010 571 000 127 000 443 000 20.9 4.7 14.3 2.72 7.7

1 CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births

[edit]Ethnicity

Malaysia's population comprises many ethnic groups. People of Austronesian origin make a slim majority

of the population, and are known as the Bumiputras. Large Chinese and Indian minorities also exist.

Malays, as bumiputra, see Malaysia as their land, and since race riots in 1969 bumiputra have been

especially privileged in Malaysia. However, since then racial stability has prevailed, if not full harmony.

Mixed marriages are on the rise.[21] The twenty largest ethnolinguistic groups in Malaysia are as follows:[22]

Distribution of the Bumiputera and Chinese population in Malaysia

Group Total

Malay, Peninsular [23] 9,041,091

Han Chinese, Hokkien 1,848,211

Tamil 1,743,922

Han Chinese, Hakka 1,679,027

Han Chinese, Cantonese

1,355,541

Banjar Malay 1,237,615

Han Chinese, Teochew 974,573

Han Chinese, Mandarin 958,467

Minangkabau 874,536

Indonesian 772,558

Iban 666,034

Group Total

Filipino 442,933

Han Chinese, Hainanese

380,781

Han Chinese, Min Bei 373,337

Malay, East Malaysia 271,979

Han Chinese, Min Dong 249,413

Straits Chinese 236,918

Nepalese 217,587

Tausug 201,797

Dusun, Central 191,146

[edit]Bumiputras

Main article: Bumiputra

Bumiputras are divided into Malays, who make up the majority of the Malaysian population at 50.4%; and

other bumiputra, who make up 11% of the Malaysian population.[7] Bumiputra status is also accorded to

certain non-Malay indigenous peoples, including ethnic Thais, Khmers, Chams and the natives

of Sabah and Sarawak. Laws over who gets Bumiputra status vary between states.[24] Some Eurasians can

obtain bumiputra privileges, providing they can prove they are of Portuguese descent.[25]

[edit]Malays

Main articles: Malays (ethnic group) and Malaysian Malay

The Malays are an ethnic group predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula and parts

of Sumatra and Borneo. They form the largest community in Malaysia and play a dominant role politically.

They make up about half of the total population. By constitutional definition, Malays are Muslims who

practice Malay customs (adat) and culture. Therefore, technically, a Muslim of any race who practices

Malay customs and culture can be considered a Malay and allocated privilleged status in the form of

the Bumiputra rights stipulated in the constitution.

Their language, Malay (Bahasa Malaysia), is the national language of the country.[26] Citizens of

Minangkabau, Bugis or Javanese origins, who can be classified "Malay" under constitutional definitions

may also speak their respective ancestral tongues. However, English is also widely spoken in major towns

and cities across the country. Malays from different states in Malaysia carry distinct dialects that can

sometimes be unintelligible to most of their fellow countrymen. By definition of the Malaysian constitution,

all Malays are Muslims.

In the past, Malays wrote in Pallava or using the Sanskrit-based alphabet of Kawi. Arabic traders later

introduced Jawi, an Arabic-based script, which became popular after the 15th century. Until then reading

and writing were mostly the preserve of scholars and nobility, while most Malay commoners were illiterate.

Jawi was taught along with Islam, allowing the script to spread through all social classes.

Nevertheless, Kawi remained in use by the upper-class well into the 15th century. The Romanised script

was introduced during the colonial period and, over time, it came to replace both Sanskrit and Jawi. This

was largely due to the influence of the European education system, wherein children were taught the Latin

alphabet.

Malay culture shows strong influences from Buddhism and animism. However, since the Islamisation

movement of the 1980s and 90s, these aspects are often neglected or banned altogether. Because any

Malay-speaking Muslim is entitled to bumiputra privileges, many non-Malay Muslims have adopted the

Malay language, customs and attire in the last few decades. This is particularly the case with Indian

Muslims from the peninsula and the Kadayan of Borneo. The Malay ethnic group is distinct from the

concept of a Malay race, which encompasses a wider group of people, including most of Indonesia and the

Philippines.

[edit]Other Bumiputras

Main article: Orang Asli

Malaysia has many other non-Malay indigenous people, who are given Bumiputra status. The indigenous

tribes are the oldest inhabitants of Malaysia, and the indigenous groups of Peninsular Malaysia and East

Malaysia are collectively known as the "Orang Asal". They account for about 5 percent of the total

population, and represent a majority in East Malaysia of Sabah and Sarawak. In Sarawak, the dominant

tribal groups are the Dayak, who are either Iban or Bidayuh. The Iban of form the largest of all indigenous

groups, numbering over 600,000 (30% of Sarawak's population) and some of who still live in

traditionallonghouses which can hold up to 200 people.[27] Longhouses are mostly places along the Rajang

and Lupar rivers and their tributaries, although many Iban have moved to the cities. The Bidayuhs,

numbering around 170,000, are concentrated in the southwestern part of Sarawak. They, together with

other indigenous groups in Sarawak make up over half of the states population.[7]

The largest indigenous tribe in Sabah is the Kadazan, most of whom are Christians[28] and rice farmers.

[29] They live as substinence farmers. Sabah's has a large amount of indigenous people, 18% of the

population are Kadazan-Dusuns, and 17% are Bajaus).[7]

There also exist aboriginal groups in much smaller numbers on the peninsula, where they are collectively

known as Orang Asli (literally meaning "original person").[30] The 140,000 Orang Asli comprise a number of

different ethnic communities. Many tribes, both on the peninsula and in Borneo, were traditionally nomadic

or semi-nomadic hunter—gatherers, including the Punan, Penan and Senoi. However, their ancestral land

and hunting grounds are commonly reclaimed by the state, shifting them to inferior land and sometimes

pushing them out of their traditional way of life.[31] The most numerous of the Orang Asli are

called Negritos and are related to native Papuans in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and possibly even

to aborigines in Australia. Other bumiputra minorities include Malaysian Siamese, Khmers, Chams, and

Burmese.

[edit]Non-Bumiputeras

Minorities who lack Bumiputra status have established themselves in Malaysia. Those who are not

considered to be bumiputras make up a considerable portion of the Malaysian population. While some

Chinese and Indian families, known as Peranakan ("straits-born"), have resided in Malaysia since as far

back as 15th century Melaka, the majority of Malaysia's Chinese and Indian populations are descended

from migrants who arrived during the colonial period.

[edit]Chinese

Main article: Malaysian Chinese

The second largest ethnic group is Chinese who make up 24.6% of the population.[32] They have been

dominant in trade and business since the early 20th century. Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur are Chinese-majority

cities, while Penang is the only Non-Bumiputera-majority state in Malaysia. The Chinese have been

settling in Malaysia for many centuries, as seen in the emergence of the Peranakan culture, but the

exodus peaked during the nineteenth century through trading and tin-mining. When they first arrived, the

Chinese often worked the most grueling jobs like tin mining and railway construction. Later, some of them

owned businesses that become large conglomerates in today's Malaysia. Most Chinese

are Tao Buddhist and retain strong ties to their ancestral homeland.

The first Chinese to settle in the Straits Settlements, primarily in and around Malacca, gradually adopted

elements of Malaysian culture and intermarried with the Malaysian community and with this, a new ethnic

group called babas (male) and nyonyas (female) emerged. Babas and nyonyas as a group are known

as Peranakan. They produced a syncretic set of practices, beliefs, and arts, combining Malay and Chinese

traditions in such a way as to create a new culture.

The Chinese community in Malaysia speak a variety of Chinese dialects

including Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, and Teochew. A large majority of Chinese in Malaysia,

especially those from the larger cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Petaling

Jaya, Ipoh, Klang and Penang speak decent English as well. There has also been an increasing number of

the present generation Chinese who consider English as their first language.

[edit]Indian

Main article: Malaysian Indian

The Indian community in Malaysia is the smallest of the three main ethnic groups, comprising 7.1% of the

population.[7] Tamils make up the largest subgroup,[33] and together with Malayalees-speaking andTelugu

people make up over 85% of the people of Indian origin in the country. The rest of the percentage consist

of mostly Hindi-speaking Punjabis. Indians began migrating to Malaysia in the early 19th century.[34] They

first came to Malaya for barter trade, especially in the former Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca

and Penang. Other came as teachers or other skilled workers. A large number were part of the migrations

from India forced by the British during colonial times to work in the plantation industry.[35][36]

There is a substantial presence of people of Pakistani origin (estimated to be 200,000, about 1.0%), mainly

Punjabis as well as smaller groups of Pashtuns, Sindhis, Urdu-speaking people, Kashmiris and a small

number of Afghans and Nepalis. They arrived in Malaysia as British soldiers of the Punjab Rifles Regiment

and as businessmen and traders. They were initially listed as others but they have intermarried with local

Muslims and most of them list themselves as Malays. People of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and

Nepali origin are often included in the "Indian" category for statistical purposes. Some of the well known

tycoons and banker are from this ethnic group. Urdu is widely spoken by these groups and some Malays.

The Punjabis (mostly Sikhs) are substantial in number with around 100,000 of them in

Malaysia. Punjabis were originally brought in as police, guards and soldiers. Many middle- to upper-

middle-class Indians in Malaysia speak English as a first language. A Tamil Muslim community of 200,000

also thrives as an independent subcultural group.

When India came under British rule, Indian labourers were sent to Malaya to work on sugarcane and

coffee plantations and later in the rubber and oil palm estates. Some of them also came to work on the

construction of buildings, roads and bridges. These labourers were mostly Hindu Tamils from Southern

India and they were supervised by kanganis (overseers) and mandurs (foreman) who were from the upper

caste Tamils. Sri Lankan Tamils came to Malaya as white-collar workers, holding jobs like clerks and

hospital assistants. As for the Punjabis from Punjab (North India), most of them joined the army in Malaya

while some handled the bullock-cart services in the country.

The Indians who came to Malaysia brought with them the Hindu and Sikh culture — its unique temples

and Gurdwaras, delicious cuisine and colourful garments. Hindu tradition remains strong until today in the

Indian community of Malaysia. There's also the Chitty community in Malacca — similar to the Babas and

Nyonyas, it is the result of the assimilation between the Indian immigrants and local culture. Though they

remain Hindu, the Chitties speak Bahasa Malaysia and women dress in sarong kebayas instead of sarees.

However, other Indian Hindus retain their vernacular languages and dialects. The community celebrates

two main festivals — Deepavali and Thaipusam — and many other smaller religious events each year. On

the other hand, the Sikhs celebrate Vasakhi, Lodi and Gurpurab. Indians in Malaysia mainly speak

Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and some Punjabi.

[edit]Others

A small minority of Malaysians do not fit into the broader ethnic groups. A small population exists of people

of European and Middle Eastern descent. Europeans and Middle Easterners, who first arrived during the

colonial period, assimilated through intermarriage into the Christian and Muslim communities.

Most Eurasian Malaysians trace their ancestry to British, Dutch and/or Portuguese colonists, and there is a

strong Kristang community in Melaka.

The Nepali population numbers little over 600 and lives in Rawang, Selangor. Originally brought by the

British as bodyguards and security personnel, they come from the Rana, Chettri, Rai and Gurung clans.

Other minorities include Filipinos and Burmese. A small number of

ethnic Vietnamese from Cambodia and Vietnam settled in Malaysia as Vietnam War refugees.

There is no general consensus on the ethnic profiling of children of mixed parentage. Some choose to be

identified according to paternal ethnicity while others simply think that they fall in the "Others" category.

The majority choose to identify as Malay as long as either parent is Malay, mainly due to the legal

definition of Bumiputera. Children of Chinese-Indian parentage are known as Chindians. Though this is not

an official category in national census data, it is an increasing number especially in urban areas.

[edit]Languages

Main article: Languages of Malaysia

Malaysia contains speakers of 137 living languages,[37] 41 of which are found in Peninsula Malaysia.[38] The

official language of Malaysia is known as Bahasa Malaysia, a standardized form of the Malay language.

[26] English was, for a protracted period, the de facto, administrative language of Malaysia, though its status

was later rescinded. Despite that, English remains an active second language in many areas of Malaysian

society and is compulsory, serving as the medium of instruction for Maths and Sciences in all public

schools per the PPSMI policy (which is pending reversal in 2012).[39][40] Many businesses in Malaysia

conduct their transactions in English, and it is sometimes used in official correspondence. Examinations

are based on British English, although there has been much American influence through television.

Malaysian English, also known as Malaysian Standard English (MySE), is a form of English derived

from British English, although there is little official use of the term, except with relation to education.

Malaysian English also sees wide use in business, along with Manglish, which is a colloquial form of

English with heavy Malay, Chinese dialect and Tamil influences. Most Malaysians are conversant in

English, although some are only fluent in the Manglish form. The Malaysian government officially

discourages the use of Manglish.[41]

Chinese Malaysians mostly speak Chinese dialects from the southern provinces of China. The more

common dialects in Peninsular Malaysia are Hakka, Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hainanese,

andHokchiu.[42] In Sarawak, most ethnic Chinese speak

either Foochow or Hakka while Hakka predominates in Sabah except in the city

of Sandakan where Cantonese is more often spoken despite the Hakka-origins of the Chinese residing

there. Hokkien is mostly spoken in Penang and Kedah whereas Cantonese is mostly spoken

in Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. However, in Malaysia as a whole, the majority of ethnic Chinese

speak Mandarin as their first language, while English is the first language for the rest. Some of the less-

spoken dialects such as Hainanese are facing extinction. As with Malaysian youths of other races, most

Chinese youth are multilingual and can speak up to four languages with at least moderate fluency – their

native Chinese dialect, Mandarin, English and Malay.

Tamil is the most common language spoken among Indians in Malaysia,[43] especially in Peninsular

Malaysia where they still maintain close cultural ties with their homeland. However, many Indians in East

Malaysia, especially the younger generation, do not speak much Tamil and speak either Malay or English

as their first language.[citation needed] This is because there are far fewer Indians in East Malaysia than in the

Peninsula. Thus, the Indians in East Malaysia prioritize on Malay and English because those languages

are more useful in daily life in that region.

Citizens of Minangkabau, Bugis or Javanese origins, who can be classified "Malay" under constitutional

definitions may also speak their respective ancestral tongues. The native tribes of East Malaysia have their

own languages which are related to, but easily distinguishable from, Malay. The Iban is the main tribal

language in Sarawak while Dusunic languages are spoken by the natives in Sabah.[44] A variant of the

Malay language[specify] that is spoken in Brunei is also commonly spoken in both states.

Some Malaysians have caucasian ancestry and speak creole languages, such as the Portuguese

based Malaccan Creoles,[45] and the Spanish based Zamboangueño Chavacano.[46] Thai is also spoken in

some areas.[7]

[edit]Citizenship

Main articles: Malaysian citizenship and Malaysian nationality law

Citizenship is usually granted by lex soli.[47] Citizenship in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian

Borneo are distinct from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for immigration purposes. Every citizen is

issued a biometric smart chip identity card, known as MyKad, at the age of 12, and must carry the card at

all times.[48]

[edit]Religion

Main article: Religion in Malaysia

Kampung Laut Mosque in Tumpat is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, dating to early 18th century

Islam is the largest and official religion of Malaysia, although Malaysia is a multi-religious society and the

Malaysian constitution guarantees religious freedom. Despite the recognition of Islam as the state religion,

the first 4 prime ministers have stressed that Malaysia could function as a secular state. According to the

Population and Housing Census 2000 figures, approximately 60.4 percent of the population practised

Islam; 19.2 percent Buddhism; 9.1 percent Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 2.6 percent

practise Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions. The remainder was accounted for

by other faiths, includinganimism, folk religion, and Sikhism while 0.9% either reported having no religion

or did not provide any information.[4][49]

The majority of Malaysian Indians follow Hinduism (84.5%), with a significant minority identifying as

Christians (7.7%), Muslims (3.8%), over 150,000 Sikhs, and 1,000 Jains. Most Malaysian Chinese follow a

combination of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and ancestor-worship but, when pressed to specify their

religion, will identify themselves as Buddhists. Statistics from the 2000 Census indicate that 75.9% of

Malaysia's ethnic Chinese identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism

(10.6%) and Christianity (9.6%), along with small Hui-Muslim populations in areas like Penang.

[49] Christianity is the predominant religion of the non-Malay Bumiputra community (50.1%) with an

additional 36.3% identifying as Muslims and 7.3% follow folk religion.[49]

[edit]Islam

Main article: Islam in Malaysia

Islam is thought to have been brought to Malaysia around the 12th century by Arab traders.[50] Since then

the religion has become the predominant religion of the country and is recognised as the state's official

religion. All ethnic Malays are considered Muslim by Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia.[51]

Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah courts in matters concerning their religion. The

Islamic judges are expected to follow the Shafi`i legal school of Islam, which is the main madh'hab of

Malaysia.[52] The jurisdiction of Shariah courts is limited only to Muslims in matters such as

marriage, inheritance, divorce, apostasy, religious conversion, and custody among others. No other

criminal or civil offences are under the jurisdiction of the Shariah courts, which have a similar hierarchy to

the Civil Courts. Despite being the supreme courts of the land, the Civil Courts (including the Federal

Court) do not hear matters related to Islamic practices,[53] as ratified by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the

late 1980s. Regulation of sexual activities among the Muslim population is strict, with laws prohibiting

unmarried couples from occupying a secluded area or a confined space, to prevent suspicion of acts

considered islamically immoral.[54]

[edit]Education

Main article: Education in Malaysia

University of Nottingham campus atSemenyih, Selangor

Literacy rates (percentage of people over 15 who can read and write) are high in Malaysia, with an overall

Literacy rate of 88.7%.[55] Literacy rates are higher among males (92%) than females (85.4%)

Education in Malaysia is monitored by the federal government Ministry of Education.[56] The education

system features a non-compulsory kindergarten education followed by six years of compulsory primary

education,[5] and five years of optional secondary education.[citation needed] Most Malaysian children start

schooling between the ages of three to six, in kindergarten.

[edit]Primary education

Children begin primary schooling at the age of seven for a period of six years. Primary schools are divided

into two categories, national primary schools ands vernacular school.[57] Vernacular schools (Sekolah Jenis

Kebangsaan) use either Chinese or Tamil as the medium of instruction, whereas national primary schools

(Sekolah Kebangsaan) uses Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction for subjects except English,

Science and Mathematics.

Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) is one of the earliest boarding schools established in British Malaya.

Before progressing to the secondary level of education, pupils in Year 6 are required to sit the Primary

School Achievement Test (Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah, UPSR).[58] A programme called First Level

Assessment (Penilaian Tahap Satu, PTS) taken during Primary Year 3 was abolished in 2001.

[edit]Secondary education

Secondary education in Malaysia is conducted in secondary schools (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan) for

five years. National secondary schools use Malay as the main language of instruction. The only exceptions

are Mathematics and Science and languages other than Malay, however this was only implemented in

2003, prior to which all non-language subjects were taught in Malay. At the end of Form Three, which is

the third year, students are evaluated in the Lower Secondary Assessment (Penilaian Menengah Rendah,

PMR). However, PMR is to be abolished by 2016. Secondary students no longer sit for PMR in Form

Three but to directly sit for SPM in Form Five. In the final year of secondary education (Form Five),

students sit the Malaysian Certificate of Education (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, SPM) examination, which is

equivalent to the former British Ordinary or 'O' Levels. The government has decided to abandon the use of

English in teaching maths and science and revert to Bahasa Malaysia, starting in 2012.[59]

Malaysian national secondary schools are sub-divided into several types: National Secondary School

(Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan), Religious Secondary School (Sekolah Menengah Agama), National-

Type Secondary School (Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan) (also referred to as Mission Schools),

Technical Schools (Sekolah Menengah Teknik), Residential Schools and MARA Junior Science

College(Maktab Rendah Sains MARA).

There are also 60 Chinese Independent High Schools in Malaysia, where most subjects are taught in

Chinese. Chinese Independent High Schools are monitored and standardised by the United Chinese

School Committees' Association of Malaysia (UCSCAM). However, unlike government schools,

independent schools are autonomous. It takes six years to complete secondary education in Chinese

independent schools. Students will sit a standardised test conducted by UCSCAM, which is known as the

Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) in Junior Middle 3 (equivalent to PMR) and Senior Middle 3

(equivalent to A level). A number of independent schools conduct classes in Malay and English in addition

to Chinese, enabling the students to sit the PMR and SPM additionally.

[edit]Tertiary education

See also: List of universities in Malaysia

An aerial view of Multimedia University'sCyberjaya campus. Multimedia University is Malaysia's first private university.

Before the introduction of the matriculation system, students aiming to enter public universities had to

complete an additional 18 months of secondary schooling in Form Six and sit the Malaysian Higher School

Certificate (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, STPM); equivalent to the British Advanced or 'A' levels.

[60] Since the introduction of the matriculation programme as an alternative to STPM in 1999, students who

completed the 12-month programme in matriculation colleges (kolej matrikulasi in Malay) can enrol in local

universities. However, in the matriculation system, only 10 per cent of the places are open to non-

Bumiputra students.[61]

There are a number of public universities established in Malaysia. Private universities are also gaining a

reputation for international quality education and students from all over the world attend these universities.

In addition, four reputable international universities have set up their branch campuses in Malaysia since

1998. A branch campus can be seen as an ‘offshore campus’ of the foreign university, which offers the

same courses and awards as the main campus. Both local and international students can acquire these

identical foreign qualifications in Malaysia at a lower fee. The foreign university branch campuses in

Malaysia are: Monash University Malaysia Campus, Curtin University of Technology Sarawak

Campus, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and University of Nottingham Malaysia

Campus.

Students also have the option of enrolling in private tertiary institutions after secondary studies. Most

institutions have educational links with overseas universities especially in the United States, the United

Kingdom and Australia, allowing students to spend a portion of their course duration abroad as well as

getting overseas qualifications. One such example is SEGi University College which partnered

with University of Abertay Dundee.[62]

[edit]International schools

In addition to the Malaysian National Curriculum, Malaysia has many international schools. These schools

mainly cater to the growing expatriate population in the country.

[edit]Healthcare

Main article: Healthcare in Malaysia

The Malaysian government places importance on the expansion and development of health care, putting

5% of the government social sector development budget into public health care[63]—an increase of more

than 47% over the previous figure. This has meant an overall increase of more than RM 2 billion. With a

rising and aging population, the Government wishes to improve in many areas including the refurbishment

of existing hospitals, building and equipping new hospitals, expansion of the number of polyclinics, and

improvements in training and expansion of telehealth. A major problem with the health care sector is the

lack of medical centres for rural areas, which the government is trying to counter through the development

of and expansion of a system called "tele-primary care".[64] Another issue is the overperscription of drugs,

though this has decreased in recent years.[65] Since 2009 the Malaysian Health Ministry has increased its

efforts to overhaul the system and attract more foreign investment.[63]

The country generally has an efficient and widespread system of health care. It implements a universal

healthcare system, which co-exists with the private healthcare system.[64] Infant mortality rate in 2009 was

6 deaths per 1000 births, and life expectancy at birth in 2009 was 75 years.[66]

The Malaysian health care system requires doctors to perform a compulsory three years service with

public hospitals to ensure that the manpower in these hospitals is maintained.[64] Recently foreign doctors

have also been encouraged to take up employment in Malaysia. There is still, however, a significant

shortage in the medical workforce, especially of highly trained specialists; thus, certain medical care and

treatment are available only in large cities. Recent efforts to bring many facilities to other towns have been

hampered by lack of expertise to run the available equipment.

The majority of private hospitals are in urban areas and, unlike many of the public hospitals, are equipped

with the latest diagnostic and imaging facilities. Private hospitals have not generally been seen as an ideal

investment—it has often taken up to ten years before companies have seen any profits. However, the

situation has now changed and companies are now exploring this area again, corresponding with the

increased number of foreigners entering Malaysia for medical care and the recent government focus on

developing the health tourism industry.[67] The Government has also been trying to promote Malaysia as a

health care destination, regionally and internationally.[63]

[edit]Major cities

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city of Malaysia. Although many executive and judicial branches of

the federal government have moved to Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia,

making it the country's legislative capital. It is also the economic and business centre of the country, and is

a primate city. Kuala Lumpur is also rated as a global city, and is the only global city in Malaysia. Along

with Subang Jaya, Klang, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Kajang-Sungai Chua, Ampang Jaya and Selayang it

forms the country's largest and most important urban area, the Klang Valley.

Johor Bahru is the second largest city and second largest urban area in the country. It is close

to Singapore, and receives more than 60% of the country's annual 16 million foreign tourists. The city is

also an important industrial, tourism and commercial hub for southern Malaysia.

George Town, situated in the state of Penang, is the third largest city and fifth largest urban area in

Malaysia. It used to be Malaysia's largest city until the 1970s when Kuala Lumpur became the capital.

Today, the city remains a major hub in Malaysia, serving the northern region.

Other major cities in Malaysia include Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

V

 

T

 

E

Largest cities or towns of Malaysia

Malaysian Census 2010[68][69]

Rank City name State Pop.

Kuala Lumpur

History

Main article: History of Malaysia

Evidence of modern human habitation in Malaysia dates back 40,000 years.[28] The first inhabitants are

thought to be Negritos.[29] Traders and settlers from India and China arrived as early as the 1st century

AD, establishing trading ports and coastal towns in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Their presence resulted in

strong Indian and Chinese influence on the local cultures, and the people of the Malay Peninsula adopted

the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Sanskrit inscriptions appear as early as the 4th or 5th century.

[30] The Kingdom of Langkasuka arose around the 2nd century in the northern area of the Malay

Peninsula, lasting until about the 15th century.[27] Between the 7th and 13th centuries, much of the

southern Malay Peninsula was part of the maritime Srivijaya empire. After the fall of Srivijaya,

the Majapahit empire had influence over most of Peninsular Malaysia and the Malay Archipelago.[31] Islam

began to spread among Malays in the 14th century.[3] In the early 15th century, Parameswara, a prince of

the former Srivijayan empire, founded the Malacca Sultanate, commonly considered the first independent

state in the peninsula.[32] Malacca was an important commercial centre during this time, attracting trade

from around the region. Parameswara became a Muslim, accelerating the spread of Islam.[3]

A Famosa fortress in Malacca was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

In 1511 Malacca was conquered by Portugal,[3] after which it was taken by the Dutch in 1641. In 1786

the British Empire established a presence in Malaya, when the Sultan of Kedah leased Penang to the

British East India Company. The British obtained the town of Singapore in 1819,[33] and in 1824 took

control of Malacca following theAnglo-Dutch Treaty. By 1826 the British directly controlled Penang,

Malacca, Singapore, and the island of Labuan, which they established as the crown colony of the Straits

Settlements. By the 20th century, the states of Pahang,Selangor, Perak, and Negeri Sembilan, known

together as the Federated Malay States, had British Residentsappointed to advise the Malay rulers, to

whom the rulers were bound to defer by treaty.[34] The remaining five states in the peninsula, known as

the Unfederated Malay States, while not directly under British rule, also accepted British advisers around

the turn of the 20th century. Development on the Peninsula and Borneo were generally separate until the

19th century. Under British rule the immigration of Chinese and Indians to serve as labourers was

encouraged.[35] Sabah was governed as the crown colony of British North Borneo after it was leased from

theSultanate of Sulu in 1878.[36] In 1842, Sarawak was ceded by the Sultan of Brunei to James Brooke,

whose successors ruled as the White Rajahs over an independent kingdom until 1946, when it became

a Crown colony.[37]

In the Second World War the Japanese army invaded and occupied Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and

Singapore for over three years. During this time, ethnic tensions were raised and nationalism grew.

[38] Popular support for independence increased after Malaya was reconquered by Allied Forces.[39] Post-

war British plans to unite the administration of Malaya under a single crown colony called the Malayan

Union met with strong opposition from the Malays, who opposed the weakening of the Malay rulers and

the granting of citizenship to the ethnic Chinese. The Malayan Union, established in 1946 and consisting

of all the British possessions in the Malay Peninsula with the exception of Singapore, was quickly

dissolved and replaced by the Federation of Malaya, which restored the autonomy of the rulers of the

Malay states under British protection.[40] During this time, mostly Chinese rebels under the leadership of

the Malayan Communist Party launched guerrilla operations designed to force the British out of Malaya.

The Malayan Emergency lasted from 1948 to 1960, and involved a long anti-insurgency campaign

byCommonwealth troops in Malaya.[41] After this a plan was put in place to federate Malaya with the

British crown colonies of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore. The proposed date of federation was 31

August 1963, however, the date was delayed until 16 September 1963 due to opposition from

Indonesia's Sukarno and theSarawak United Peoples' Party.[42]

Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur, where Independence Day is celebrated on 31 August each year.

Federation brought heightened tensions including a conflict with Indonesia, Singapore's eventual exit in

1965,[43][44] and racial strife. This strife culminated in the13 May race riots in 1969.[45] After the riots, the

controversial New Economic Policy was launched by Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, trying to increase

the share of the economy held by the bumiputra.[46] Under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad there was a

period of rapid economic growth and urbanisation beginning in the 1980s. The economy shifted from

being agriculturally-based to one based on manufacturing and industry. Numerous mega-projects were

completed, such as the Petronas Towers, the North-South Expressway, the Multimedia Super Corridor,

and the new federal administrative capital of Putrajaya.[24] However, in the late 1990s the Asian financial

crisis almost caused the collapse of the currency and the stock and property markets.[47]

Governance

Main article: Politics of Malaysia

The Malaysian Houses of Parliamentis the building where the Malaysian Parliament assembles.

Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy. The system of government is closely modelled on

that of theWestminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule.[48] The head of state is

the Yang   di-Pertuan   Agong , commonly referred to as the king. The King is elected to a five-year term by

and from among the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular

Governors, do not participate in the selection. By informal agreement the position is systematically rotated

among the nine,[48] and has been held by Abdul Halim of Kedah since December 2011.[49] The King's role

has been largely ceremonial since changes to the constitution in 1994, picking ministers and members of

the upper house.[50]

Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. The bicameral

federal parliament consists of the lower house, the House of Representatives and theupper house,

the Senate.[51] The 222-member House of Representatives is elected for a maximum term of five years

from single-member constituencies. All 70 senators sit for three-year terms; 26 are elected by the 13 state

assemblies, and the remaining 44 are appointed by the King upon the Prime Minister's recommendation.

[3] The parliament follows a multi-party system and the government is elected through a first-past-the-

post system. Since independence Malaysia has been governed by a multi-party coalition known as

the Barisan Nasional.[3]

Each state has a unicameral State Legislative Assembly whose members are elected from single-

member constituencies. State governments are led by Chief Ministers,[3] who are state assembly

members from the majority party in the assembly. In each of the states with a hereditary ruler, the Chief

Minister is required to be a Malay, appointed by the ruler upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

[52]Parliamentary elections are held at least once every five years, the most recent of which took place in

March 2008.[3] Registered voters of age 21 and above may vote for the members of the House of

Representatives and, in most of the states, for the state legislative chamber. Voting is not mandatory.

[53] Except for elections in Sarawak, all state elections are held concurrently with the federal election.[50]

Najib Razak, Prime Minister since 2009.

Executive power is vested in the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. The prime minister must be a

member of the house of representatives, who in the opinion of the King, commands a majority in

parliament. The cabinet is chosen from members of both houses of Parliament.[3] The Prime Minister is

both the head of cabinet and the head of government.[50] The incumbent, Najib Razak, appointed in 2009,

is the sixth prime minister.[54]

Malaysia's legal system is based on English Common Law.[3] Although the judiciary is theoretically

independent, its independence has been called into question and the appointment of judges lacks

accountability and transparency.[55] The highest court in the judicial system is the Federal Court, followed

by the Court of Appeal and two high courts, one for Peninsular Malaysia and one for East Malaysia.

Malaysia also has a special court to hear cases brought by or against Royalty.[56] Separate from the civil

courts are the Syariah Courts, which apply Shariah law to cases which involve Malaysian Muslims[57] and

run parallel to the secular court system.[58] The Internal Security Act allows detention without trial, and

the death penalty is in use for crimes such as drug trafficking.[59]

Race is a significant force in politics, and many political parties are ethnically based.[3] Actions such as

the New Economic Policy [46]  and the National Development Policywhich superseded it, were implemented

to advance the standing of the bumiputra, consisting of Malays and the indigenous tribes who are

considered the original inhabitants of Malaysia, over non-bumiputra such as Malaysian Chinese and

Malaysian Indians.[60] These policies provide preferential treatment to bumiputra in employment,

education, scholarships, business, and access to cheaper housing and assisted savings. However, it has

generated greater interethnic resentment.[61] There is ongoing debate over whether the laws and society

of Malaysia should reflect secular or Islamic principles.[62] Islamic laws passed by the Pan-Malaysian

Islamic Party in state legislative assemblies have been blocked by the federal government.[63]

Foreign relations and military

Main articles: Foreign relations of Malaysia and Malaysian Armed Forces

The RMAF MiG-29N/UB & AermacchiMB-339

A founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)[64] and the Organisation of

Islamic Cooperation (OIC),[65] the country participates in many international organisations such as

the United Nations,[66] the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation,[67] the Developing 8 Countries,[68] and

the Non-Aligned Movement(NAM).[69] It has chaired ASEAN, the OIC, and the NAM in the past.[3] A former

British colony, it is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.[70] Kuala Lumpur was the site of the

first East Asia Summit in 2005.[71]

Malaysia's foreign policy is officially based on the principle of neutrality and maintaining peaceful relations

with all countries, regardless of their political system.[72] The government attaches a high priority to the

security and stability of Southeast Asia,[71] and seeks to further develop relations with other countries in

the region. Historically the government has tried to portray Malaysia as a progressive Islamic

nation[72] while strengthening relations with other Islamic states.[71] A strong tenet of Malaysia's policy is

national sovereignty and the right of a country to control its domestic affairs.[50]

The policy towards territorial disputes by the government is one of pragmatism, with the government

solving disputes in a number of ways, such as bringing the case to the International Court of Justice.

[73] The Spratly Islands are disputed by many states in the area, although tensions have eased since the

2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Brunei and Malaysia in 2008

announced an end to claims of each other's land, and to resolve issues related to their maritime borders.

The Philippines has a dormant claim to Sabah. Singapore's land reclamation has caused tensions, and

maritime border disputes exist with Indonesia.[74]

Royal Malaysian Navy's first Scorpène class submarine

Malaysia has never recognised Israel and has no diplomatic ties with it.[75] It has remained a strong

supporter of the State of Palestine,[76] and has called for Israel to be taken to the International Criminal

Court over the Gaza flotilla raid.[77] Malaysian peacekeeping forces are present in Lebanon [78]  and have

contributed to many other UN peacekeeping missions.[3]

The Malaysian Armed Forces have three branches, the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Malaysian Army, and

the Royal Malaysian Air Force. There is no conscription, and the required age for voluntary military

service is 18. The military uses 1.9 per cent of the country's GDP, and employs 1.23 per cent of

Malaysia's manpower.[79]

The Five Power Defence Arrangements is a regional security initiative which has been in place for almost

40 years. It involves joint military exercises held among Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand,

and the United Kingdom.[80] Joint exercises and war games have been held with Indonesia for years.

[81] Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to host joint security force exercises in order to secure their

maritime border and tackle issues such as illegal immigration.[82] There are fears that unrest in the Muslim

areas of the southern Philippines [83]  and southern Thailand [84]  could spill over into Malaysia.

Subdivisions

Main articles: States and federal territories of Malaysia and Districts of Malaysia

Perlis

Kedah

Penang

Kelantan

Terengganu

Perak

Selangor

Negeri Sembilan

Malacca

Johor

Pahang

Sarawak

Sabah

Labuan

Kuala Lumpur

Putrajaya

West Malaysia

East Malaysia

Federal Territory

South China Sea

Straitof

Malacca

Gulf of Thailand

Sulu Sea

Celebes Sea

Brunei

Indonesia

Indonesia

Singapore

Thailand

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and three federal territories. These are divided between two regions,

with 11 states and two federal territories on Peninsular Malaysia and the other two states and one federal

territory in East Malaysia. Governance of the states is divided between the federal and the state

governments, and the Federal government has direct administration of the federal territories.[85]

The 13 states are based on historical Malay Kingdoms, and 9 of the 11 Peninsular states, known as

the Malay states, retain their royal families. The King is elected by and from the nine rulers to serve a five-

year term.[3] Each state has a unicameral legislature known as the State Legislative Assembly. The states

of East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) have separate immigration policies and controls, and a unique

residency status.[86] For citizens of one of these states or Peninsular Malaysia, the other areas of Malaysia

are considered foreign countries under immigration laws.[87] Each state is further divided intodistricts,

which are then divided into mukim. In Sabah and Sarawak districts are grouped into divisions.[88]

The federal parliament is permitted to legislate on issues of land, the Islamic religion and local

government, in order to provide for a uniform law among all states. It may also intervene at the request of

the state assembly concerned. Except for some land related laws, the in question must also be passed by

the state assembly. Non-Islamic issues that fall under the purview of the state may also be legislated at

the federal level for the purpose of conforming with Malaysian treaty obligations.[89]

Geography

Main article: Geography of Malaysia

A view from Low's peak, the highest peak of Mount Kinabalu

Malaysia is the 67th largest country by total land area, with a land area of 329,847 square kilometres

(127,355 sq mi). It has land borders with Thailand in West Malaysia, and Indonesia and Brunei in East

Malaysia.[2] It is linked to Singapore by a narrow causeway, and also has maritime

boundaries with Vietnam [90]  and the Philippines.[91] The land borders are defined in large part by geological

features such as the Perlis River, the Golok River and the Pagalayan Canal, whilst some of the maritime

boundaries are the subject of ongoing contention.[2] Brunei forms what is almost an enclave in Malaysia,

[92] with the state of Sarawak dividing it into two parts. Malaysia is the only country with territory on both

the Asian mainland and the Malay archipelago.[93] Tanjung Piai, located in the southern state of Johor, is

the southernmost tip of continental Asia.[94] The Strait of Malacca, lying between Sumatra and Peninsular

Malaysia, is one of the most important thoroughfares in global commerce, carrying 40 per cent of the

world's trade.[95]

The two parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the South China Sea, share a largely similar

landscape in that both Peninsular and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to hills and mountains.

[2] Peninsular Malaysia, containing 40 per cent of Malaysia's land area,[93] extends 740 kilometres (460 mi)

from north to south, and its maximum width is 322 kilometres (200 mi).[96] It is divided between its east

and west coasts by the Titiwangsa Mountains,[97] part of a series of mountain ranges running down the

centre of the peninsula.[93] These mountains are heavily forested,[98] and mainly composed of granite and

other igneous rocks. Much of it has been eroded, creating a karst landscape.[93] The range is the origin of

some of Peninsular Malaysia's river systems.[98] The coastal plains surrounding the peninsula reach a

maximum width of 50 kilometres (31 mi), and the peninsula's coastline is nearly 1,931 kilometres

(1,200 mi) long, although harbours are only available on the western side.[96]

National Park, Pahang

East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, has a coastline of 2,607 kilometres (1,620 mi).[2] It is divided

between coastal regions, hills and valleys, and a mountainous interior.[93] The Crocker Range extends

northwards from Sarawak,[93] dividing the state of Sabah. It is the location of the 4,095.2 metres (13,436 ft)

high Mount Kinabalu,[99] the tallest mountain in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu is protected as the Kinabalu

National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[100] The highest mountain ranges form the border between

Malaysia and Indonesia. Sarawak contains the Mulu Caves, the largest cave system in the world.[93]

Around these two halves of Malaysia are numerous islands, the largest of which is Banggi.[101] The local

climate is equatorial and characterised by the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October

to February) monsoons.[96] The temperature is moderated by the presence of the surrounding oceans.

[93]Humidity is usually high, and the average annual rainfall is 250 centimetres (98 in).[96] The climates of

the Peninsula and the East differ, as the climate on the peninsula is directly affected by wind from the

mainland, as opposed to the more maritime weather of the East. Local climates can be divided into three

regions, highland, lowland, and coastal. Climate change is likely to affect sea levels and rainfall,

increasing flood risks and leading to droughts.[93]

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of Malaysia

Proboscis monkey in Borneo

Malaysia is a megadiverse country with a high number of species and high levels of endemism.[102] It is

estimated to contain 20 per cent of the world's animal species.[103] High levels of endemism are found on

the diverse forests of Borneo's mountains, as species are isolated from each other by lowland forest.

[93] There are about 210 mammal species in the country.[104] Over 620 species of birds have been recorded

in Peninsular Malaysia,[103] with many endemic to the mountains there. A high number of endemic bird

species are also found in Malaysian Borneo.[93] 250 reptile species have been recorded in the country,

with about 150 species of snakes[105] and 80 species of lizards.[104] There are about 150 species of frogs,

[104] and thousands of insect species.[104] Malaysia's exclusive economic zone is 1.5 times larger than its

land area,[106] and some of its waters are in the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot.[107] The waters

around Sipadan island are the most biodiverse in the world.[103] Bordering East Malaysia, the Sulu Sea is

a biodiversity hotspot, with around 600 coral species and 1200 fish species.[108]

About two thirds of Malaysia is covered in forest,[96] with some forests believed to be 130 million years old.

[104] The forests are dominated by dipterocarps.[109]Lowland forest occurs below 760 metres (2,493 ft),

[96] and formerly East Malaysia was covered in such rainforest,[109] which is supported by its hot wet

climate.[93]There are around 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees.[104] Besides rainforests, there

are over 1,425 square kilometres (550 sq mi) of mangroves in Malaysia,[96] and a large amount of peat

forest. At higher altitudes, oaks, chestnuts, and rhododendrons replace dipterocarps.[93] There are an

estimated 8,500 species of vascular plants in Peninsular Malaysia, with another 15,000 in the East.

[110] The forests of East Malaysia are estimated to be the habitat of around 2,000 tree species, and are one

of the most biodiverse areas in the world, with 240 different species of trees every hectare.[93] These

forests host many members of the Rafflesia genus, the largest flowers in the world,[109] with a maximum

diameter of 1 metre (3 ft).[104]

Some species of Rafflesia can grow up to 1 metre (3 ft) in diameter, making them the largest flowers in the world.

Logging, along with cultivation practices has devastated tree cover, causing severe environmental

degradation in the country. Over 80 per cent of Sarawak's rainforest has been cleared.[93] Floods in East

Malaysia have been worsened by the loss of trees, and over 60 per cent of the Peninsular's forest have

been cleared.[104] With current rates of deforestation, the forests are predicted to be extinct by 2020.

[93] Deforestation is a major problem for fauna, as the forest is cut to make room for plantations.[111] Most

remaining forest is found inside national parks.[104] Habitat destruction has proved a threat for marine life.

[108] Illegal fishing is another major threat,[108] with fishing methods such as dynamite fishing and poisoning

depleting marine ecosystems.[112] Leatherback turtle numbers have dropped 98 per cent since the 1950s.

[105] Hunting has also been an issue for some animals,[104] with overconsumption and the use of animal

parts for profit endangering many animals, from marine life[108] to tigers.[111] Marine life is also detrimentally

affected by uncontrolled tourism.[113]

The Malaysian government aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection, but has been

accused of favouring big business over the environment.[104] Some state governments are now trying to

counter the environmental impact and pollution created by deforestation;[109] and the federal government is

trying to cut logging by 10 per cent each year. 28 national parks have been established; 23 in East

Malaysia and five in the Peninsular.[104] Tourism has been limited in biodiverse areas such as Sipadan

island.[113] Animal trafficking is a large issue, and the Malaysian government is holding talks with the

governments of Brunei and Indonesia to standardise anti-trafficking laws.[114]

Economy

Main article: Economy of Malaysia

Malaysia is a relatively open state-oriented and newly industrialised market economy.[115][116] The state

plays a significant but declining role in guiding economic activity through macroeconomic plans. Malaysia

has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with GDP growing an average 6.5 per cent annually

from 1957 to 2005.[3] In 2010 the GDP (PPP) was $414,400 billion, the 3rd largest economy in ASEAN

and 29th largest in the world.[117]

An oil palm plantation, from which palm oil is extracted.

In the 1970s, the predominantly mining and agricultural-based economy began a transition towards a

more multi-sector economy. Since the 1980s the industrial sector has led Malaysia's growth.[118] High

levels of investment played a significant role in this.[3] The economy recovered from the 1997 Asian

Financial Crisissooner than neighbouring countries, and has since recovered to the levels of the pre-crisis

era with a GDP per capita of $14,800.[119][120] Inequalities exist between different ethnic groups. The

Chinese make up about one-third of the population but accounts for 70 per cent of the country's market

capitalisation.[121]

International trade, facilitated by the adjacent Strait of Malacca shipping route, and manufacturing are key

sectors of the country's economy.[122][123][124] Malaysia is an exporter of natural and agricultural resources,

the most valuable exported resource being petroleum.[3] At one time, it was the largest producer of tin,

[125] rubberand palm oil in the world. Manufacturing has a large influence in the country's economy,

[126] although Malaysia’s economic structure has been moving away from it.[127] Malaysia remains one of

the world's largest producers of palm oil.[128]

In an effort to diversify the economy and make it less dependent on exported goods, the government has

pushed to increase tourism to Malaysia. As a result, tourism has become Malaysia’s third largest source

of income from foreign exchange, although it is threatened by the negative effects of the growing

industrial economy, with large amounts of air and water pollution along with deforestation affecting

tourism.[129] The country has developed into a centre of Islamic banking, and is the country with the

highest numbers of female workers in that industry.[130] Knowledge-based services are also expanding.[127]

Science policies in Malaysia are regulated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. The

country is one of the world's largest exporters of semiconductor devices, electrical goods, and information

and communication technology products.[3] Malaysia began developing its own space programme in 2002,

[131][132] and in 2006 Russia agreed to transport one Malaysian to the International Space Station as part of

a multi-billion dollar purchase of 18 Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets by the Royal Malaysian Air

Force.[133] In an effort to create a self-reliant defensive ability and support national development, Malaysia

privatised some of its military facilities in the 1970s. This has created a defence industry, which in 1999

was brought under the Malaysia Defence Industry Council. The government continues to promote this

sector and its competitiveness, actively marketing the defence industry.[134]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Malaysia

As of the 2010 census, the population of Malaysia was 28,334,135,[7] making it the 43rd most populated

country. The population of Malaysia consists of many ethnic groups. Malays make up 50.4 per cent of the

population, while other bumiputra make up another 11 per cent.[2] According to constitutional definition,

Malays are Muslims who practice Malay customs and culture. They play a dominant role

politically.Bumiputra status is also accorded to certain non-Malay indigenous peoples, including

ethnic Thais, Khmers, Chams and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak. Non-Malay bumiputra make up

more than half of Sarawak's population and over two thirds of Sabah's population.[2] There also

exist aboriginal groups in much smaller numbers on the peninsula, where they are collectively known as

the Orang Asli.[135] Laws over who gets bumiputra status vary between states.[136]

Population density (person per Km2)

Other minorities who lack bumiputra status make up a large amount of the population. 23.7 per cent of the

population are of Chinese descent, while those of Indian descent comprise 7.1 per cent of the population.

[2] The Chinese have historically been dominant in the business and commerce community, and form a

plurality of the population of Penang. Indians began migrating to Malaysia in the early 19th century.

[137] The majority of the Indian community are Tamils.[138]

Malaysian citizenship is not automatically granted to those born in Malaysia, but is granted to a child born

of two Malaysian parents outside Malaysia. Dual citizenship is not permitted.[139] Citizenship in the states

of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo are distinct from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for

immigration purposes. Every citizen is issued a biometric smart chip identity card known as MyKad at the

age of 12, and must carry the card at all times.[140]

The education system features a non-compulsory kindergarten education followed by six years of

compulsory primary education, and five years of optional secondary education.[141] Schools in the primary

education system are divided into two categories: national primary schools, which teach in Malay, and

vernacular schools, which teach in Chinese or Tamil.[142] Secondary education is conducted for five years.

In the final year of secondary education, students sit for the Malaysian Certificate of Education

examination.[143] Since the introduction of the matriculation programme in 1999, students who completed

the 12-month programme in matriculation colleges can enroll in local universities. However, in the

matriculation system, only 10 per cent of places are open to non-bumiputra students.[144]

The infant mortality rate in 2009 was 6 deaths per 1000 births, and life expectancy at birth in 2009 was 75

years.[145] With the aim of developing Malaysia into a medical tourism destination, 5 per cent of the

government social sector development budget is spent on health care.[146] The population in concentrated

on Peninsular Malaysia[147] where 20 million of approximately 28 million Malaysians live.[3] 70 per cent of

the population is urban.[2] Kuala Lumpur is the capital[2] and the largest city in Malaysia,[148] as well as its

main commercial and financial centre.[149] Putrajaya, a purpose-built city constructed from 1999, is the

seat of government,[150] as many executive and judicial branches of the federal government were moved

there to ease growing congestion within Kuala Lumpur.[151]

Due to the rise in labour intensive industries,[152] the country is estimated to have over 3 million migrant

workers; about 10 per cent of the population.[153] Sabah-based NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million that

make up the population of Sabah, 2 million are illegal immigrants.[154] Malaysia hosts a population of

refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 171,500. Of this population, approximately

79,000 are from Burma, 72,400 from the Philippines, and 17,700 from Indonesia. Malaysian officials are

reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia

employsRELA, a volunteer militia with a history of controversies, to enforce its immigration law.[155]

V

 

T

 

E

Largest cities or towns of Malaysia

Malaysian Census 2010[156][157]

Rank City name State Pop. Rank

Kuala Lumpur

Johor Bahru

1 Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory 1 674 621 11 Malacca City

2 Johor Bahru Johor 1 386 569 12 Kota Bharu3 Kajang Selangor 795 522 13 Kota Kinabalu4 Ipoh Perak 767 794 14 Kuantan5 Klang Selangor 744 062 15 Sungai Petani6 Subang Jaya Selangor 708 296 16 Batu Pahat7 Kuching Sarawak 617 887 17 Tawau8 Petaling Jaya Selangor 613 977 18 Sandakan9 Seremban Negeri Sembilan 555 935 19 Alor Setar

10 Georgetown Penang 520 202 20 Kuala Terengganu

Religion

Main article: Religion in Malaysia

Kampung Laut Mosque in Kota Bharu is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, dating to early 18th century.

The Malaysian constitution guarantees freedom of religion while making Islam the state religion.

[158] According to the Population and Housing Census 2010 figures, ethnicity and religious beliefs correlate

highly. Approximately 61.3% of the population practice Islam, 19.8% practice Buddhism,

9.2% Christianity, 6.3% Hinduismand 1.3% practice Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese

religions.[159] 0.7% declared no religion and the remaining 1.4% practised other religions or did not provide

any information.[159]

All ethnic Malays are considered Muslim by law of the Constitution.[158] Statistics from the 2010 Census

indicate that 83.6% of the Chinese population identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents

following Taoism (3.4%) and Christianity (11.1%), along with small Hui-Muslim populations in areas like

Penang. The majority of the Indian population follow Hinduism (86.2%), with a significant minority

identifying as Christians (6.0%) or Muslims (4.1%). Christianity is the predominant religion of the non-

Malay bumiputra community (46.5%) with an additional 40.4% identifying as Muslims.[159]

Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah courts in matters concerning their religion. The

Islamic judges are expected to follow the Shafi`i legal school of Islam, which is the main madh'hab of

Malaysia.[160] The jurisdiction of Shariah courts is limited to Muslims in matters such

as marriage, inheritance, divorce,apostasy, religious conversion, and custody among others. No other

criminal or civil offences are under the jurisdiction of the Shariah courts, which have a similar hierarchy to

the Civil Courts. Despite being the supreme courts of the land, the Civil Courts do not hear matters

related to Islamic practices.[161]

Language

Main article: Languages of Malaysia

The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia,[2] a standardised form of the Malay language.

[162] Historically English was the de facto administrative language, with Malay becoming predominant after

the 1969 race riots.[163] English remains an active second language, and serves as the medium of

instruction for maths and sciences in all public schools.[164][165] Malaysian English, also known as

Malaysian Standard English, is a form of English derived from British English. Malaysian English is widely

used in business, along with Manglish, which is a colloquial form of English with heavy Malay,Chinese,

and Tamil influences. The government discourages the misuse of Malay and has instituted fines for public

signs that mix Malay and English.[166][167]

Many other languages are used in Malaysia, which contains speakers of 137 living languages.

[168] Peninsular Malaysia contains speakers of 41 of these languages.[169] The native tribes of East

Malaysia have their own languages which are related to, but easily distinguishable from, Malay. Iban is

the main tribal language in Sarawak while Dusunic languages are spoken by the natives in Sabah.

[170] Chinese Malaysians predominately speak Chinese dialects from the southern provinces of China. The

more common dialects in the country are Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese,

and Fuzhou. Tamil is used predominantly by Tamils, who form a majority of Malaysian Indians. Other

south Asian languages are also widely spoken in Malaysia, as well as Thai [2]  A small number of

Malaysians have Caucasianancestry and speak creole languages, such as the Portuguese

based Malaccan Creoles,[171] and the Spanish based Chavacano language.[172]

Culture

Main article: Culture of Malaysia

A cook making murtabak, a type of pancake mixed with eggs, small pieces of meat and onions, in Kuala Lumpur.

Char Kuey Teow made by frying flat noodles with fish cakes, cockles and bean sprouts is a popular dish in Malaysia.

Malaysia has a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society. The original culture of the area

stemmed from indigenous tribes that inhabited it, along with the Malayswho later moved there.

Substantial influence exists from Chinese and Indian culture, dating back to when foreign trade began.

Other cultural influences include the Persian,Arabic, and British cultures. Due to the structure of the

government, coupled with the social contract theory, there has been minimal cultural assimilation of ethnic

minorities.[173]

In 1971, the government created a "National Cultural Policy", defining Malaysian culture. It stated that

Malaysian culture must be based on the culture of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia, that it may

incorporate suitable elements from other cultures, and that Islam must play a part in it.[174] It also promoted

the Malay language above others.[175] This government intervention into culture has caused resentment

among non-Malays who feel their cultural freedom was lessened. Both Chinese and Indian associations

have submitted memorandums to the government, accusing it of formulating an undemocratic culture

policy.[174]

Some cultural disputes exist between Malaysia and neighbouring countries, notably Indonesia. The two

countries have a similar cultural heritage, sharing many traditions and items. However, disputes have

arisen over things ranging from culinary dishes to Malaysia's national anthem. Strong feelings exist in

Indonesia about protecting their national heritage.[176] The Malaysian government and the Indonesian

government have met to defuse some of the tensions resulting from the overlaps in culture.[177]Feelings

are not as strong in Malaysia, where most recognise that many cultural values are shared.[176]

Fine arts

See also: Music of Malaysia and Malaysian literature

Traditional Malaysian art was mainly centred around the areas of carving, weaving, and silversmithing.

[178] Traditional art ranges from handwoven baskets from rural areas to the silverwork of the Malay courts.

Common artworks included ornamental kris, beetle nut sets, and woven batik and songket fabrics.

Indigenous East Malaysians are known for their wooden masks.[93] Each ethnic group have distinct

performing arts, with little overlap between them. However, Malay art does show some North Indian

influence due to the historical influence of India.[179]

Malaysian batik is usually patterned with floral motifs with light colouring.

Traditional Malay music and performing arts appear to have originated in the Kelantan-Pattani region with

influences from India, China, Thailand and Indonesia. The music is based around percussion instruments,

[179] the most important of which is the gendang (drum). There are at least 14 types of traditional drums.

[180] Drums and other traditional percussion instruments and are often made from natural materials.

[180] Music is traditionally used for storytelling, celebrating life-cycle events, and occasions such as a

harvest.[179] It was once used as a form of long-distance communication.[180] In East Malaysia, gong-based

musical ensembles such as agung and kulintang are commonly used in ceremonies such as funerals and

weddings.[181] These ensembles are also common in neighbouring regions such as in the southern

Philippines, Kalimantan in Indonesia, and Brunei.[181]

Malaysia has a strong oral tradition that has existed since before the arrival of writing, and continues

today. Each of the Malay Sultanates created their own literary tradition, influenced by pre-existing oral

stories and by the stories that came with Islam.[182] The first Malay literature was in the Arabic script. The

earliest known Malay writing is on the Terengganu stone, made in 1303.[93] Chinese and Indian literature

became common as the numbers of speakers increased in Malaysia, and locally produced works based

in languages from those areas began to be produced in the 19th century.[182] English has also become a

common literary language.[93] In 1971, the government took the step of defining the literature of different

languages. Literature written in Malay was called "the national literature of Malaysia", literature in

other bumiputralanguages was called "regional literature", while literature in other languages was called

"sectional literature".[175] Malay poetry is highly developed, and uses many forms. The Hikayat form is

popular, and thepantun has spread from Malay to other languages.[182]

Cuisine

Main article: Malaysian cuisine

(clockwise from bottom left): beef soup, nasi impit (compressed rice cubes), beef rendang and sayur lodeh

Malaysia's cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of its population.[183] Many cultures from within the

country and from surrounding regions have greatly influenced the cuisine. Much of the influence comes

from the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Javanese, and Sumatran cultures,[93] largely due to the country

being part of the ancientspice route.[184] The cuisine is very similar to that of Singapore and Brunei,[104] and

also bears resemblance to Filipino cuisine.[93] The different states have varied dishes,[104] and often the

food in Malaysia is different from the original dishes.[138]

Sometimes food not found in its original culture is assimilated into another; for example, Chinese

restaurants in Malaysia often serve Malay dishes.[185] Food from one culture is sometimes also cooked

using styles taken from another culture,[104] This means that although much of Malaysian food can be

traced back to a certain culture, they have their own identity.[184] Rice is popular in many dishes. Chili is

commonly found in local cuisine, although this does not necessarily make them spicy.[183]

Holidays and festivals

Main article: Public holidays in Malaysia

Southeast Asia's largest temple — Kek Lok Si in Penang — illuminated in preparation for the Lunar New Year.

Malaysians observe a number of holidays and festivities throughout the year. Some are federally

gazetted public holidays and some are observed by individual states. Other festivals are observed by

particular ethnic or religion groups, and the main holiday of each major group has been declared a public

holiday. The most observed national holiday is Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) on 31 August,

commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya in 1957.[93] Malaysia Day on 16

September commemorates federation in 1963.[186] Other notable national holidays are Labour Day (1

May) and the King's birthday (first week of June).[93]

Muslim holidays are prominent as Islam is the state religion; Hari Raya Puasa (also called Hari Raya

Aidilfitri, Malay for Eid al-Fitr), Hari Raya Haji (also called Hari Raya Aidiladha, the translation of Eid ul-

Adha), Maulidur Rasul (birthday of the Prophet), and others being observed.[93] Malaysian

Chinese celebrate festivals such asChinese New Year and others relating to traditional Chinese beliefs.

Hindus in Malaysia celebrate Deepavali, the festival of lights,[158] while Thaipusam is a religious rite which

sees pilgrims from all over the country converge at the Batu Caves.[187] Malaysia's Christian community

celebrates most of the holidays observed by Christians elsewhere, most notably Christmas and Easter.

East Malaysians also celebrate a harvest festival known as Gawai.[188] Despite most festivals being

identified with a particular ethnic or religious group, celebrations are universal. In a custom known as

"open house" Malaysians participate in the celebrations of others, often visiting the houses of those who

identify with the festival.[189]

Sports

Main article: Sport in Malaysia

Malaysia Formula One track, the Sepang International Circuit.

Popular sports in Malaysia include soccer, badminton, field hockey, bowls, tennis, squash, martial

arts, horse riding, sailing, and skate boarding.[189] Badminton matches attract thousands of spectators, and

since 1948 Malaysia has been one of three countries to hold the Thomas Cup.[190] The Malaysian Lawn

Bowls Federation was registered in 1997.[191] Squash was brought to the country by members of the

British army, with the first competition being held in 1939. The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia

was created on 25 June 1972.[192] Malaysia has proposed a Southeast Asian football league.[193] The

men's national field hockey team ranked 15th in the world as of August 2010.[194] The 3rd Hockey World

Cup was hosted at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the 10th cup.[195] The country also has

its own Formula One track–the Sepang International Circuit. It runs for 310.408 kilometres (192.88 mi),

and held its first Grand Prix in 1999.[196]

The Federation of Malaya Olympic Council was formed in 1953, and received recognition by the IOC in

1954. It first participated in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. The council was renamed the Olympic

Council of Malaysia in 1964, and has participated in all but one Olympic games since its inception. The

largest number of athletes ever sent to the Olympics was 57 to the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

[197] Malaysian athletes have won a total of four Olympic medals, all of which are in badminton.[198] The

country has competed at the Commonwealth Games since 1950 as Malaya, and 1966 as Malaysia, and

the games were hosted in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.[199][200] Two styles of martial arts are being practiced in

Malaysia; Silat and Malaysian kickboxing, called Tomoi.

Media

Main article: Media of Malaysia

Malaysia's main newspapers are owned by the government and political parties in the ruling coalition,

[201] although some major opposition parties also have their own.[202] A divide exists between the media in

the two halves of the country. Peninsular-based media gives low priority to news from the East, and often

treats the eastern states as colonies of the Peninsula.[203] The media has been blamed for increasing

tension between Indonesia and Malaysia, and giving Malaysians a bad image of Indonesians.[204] The

country has Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil dailies.[203]

There is very little freedom of the press, leading to very little government accountability.[205] The

government has previously tried to crack down on opposition papers before elections.[202] In 2007, a

government agency issued a directive to all private television and radio stations to refrain from

broadcasting speeches made by opposition leaders,[206] a move condemned by politicians from the

opposition Democratic Action Party.[207] Sabah, where all tabloids but one are independent of government

control, has the freest press in Malaysia.[203] Laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act have

also been cited as curtailing freedom of expression.[208]

Infrastructure

See also: Transport in Malaysia and Energy policy of Malaysia

The North-South Expressway

The infrastructure of Malaysia is one of the most developed in Asia.[209] Its telecommunications network is

second only to Singapore's in Southeast Asia, with 4.7 million fixed-line subscribers and more than

30 million cellular subscribers.[210][211] The country has seven international ports, the major one being

the Port Klang. There are 200 industrial parks along with specialised parks such as Technology Park

Malaysia and Kulim Hi-Tech Park.[189] Fresh water is available to over 95 per cent of the population.

During the colonial period, development was mainly concentrated in economically powerful cities and in

areas forming security concerns. Although rural areas have been the focus of great development, they

still lag behind areas such as the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.[212] The telecommunication network,

although strong in urban areas, is less available to the rural population.[210]

Malaysia's road network covers 98,721 kilometres (61,342 mi) and includes 1,821 kilometres (1,132 mi)

of expressways.[2] The longest highway of the country, the North-South Expressway, extends over 800

kilometres (497 mi) between the Thai border and Singapore. The road systems in East Malaysia are less

developed and of lower quality in comparison to that of Peninsular Malaysia.[213] Malaysia has 118

airports, of which 38 are paved. The country's official airline is Malaysia Airlines, providing international

and domestic air service alongside two other carriers. The railway system is state-run, and covers a total

of 1,849 kilometres (1,149 mi).[2] Relatively inexpensive elevated Light Rail Transit systems are used in

some cities, such as Kuala Lumpur.[214] The Asean Rail Express is a railway service that connects Kuala

Lumpur to Bangkok, and is intended to eventually stretch from Singapore to China.[209]

Traditionally, energy production in Malaysia has been based on oil and natural gas.[215] The country has

13 GW of electrical generation capacity.[216] However, the country only has 33 years of natural gas

reserves, and 19 years of oil reserves, while the demand for energy is increasing. In response, the

government is expanding into renewable energy sources.[215] Sixteen per cent of electricity generation is

hydroelectric, the remaining 84 per cent being thermal.[216] The oil and gas industry is dominated by state

owned Petronas,[217] and the energy sector as a whole is regulated by the Energy Commission of

Malaysia, a statutory commission that governs the energy in the peninsula and Sabah, under the terms of

the Electricity Commission Act of 2001.[218]

See also

Malaysia portal

Book: Malaysia

Wikipedia books are collections of articles that

can be downloaded or ordered in print.

Outline of Malaysia

Index of Malaysia-related articles

Environment of Malaysia

International rankings of Malaysia

References

Population

29,179,952 (July 2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 4,374,495/female 4,132,009) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 9,539,972/female 9,253,574) 65 years and over: 5% (male 672,581/female 755,976) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 26.8 years male: 26.7 years female: 27 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.542% (2011 est.)

Birth rate

20.74 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

4.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Net migration rate

-0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2011 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 72% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities - population

KUALA LUMPUR (capital) 1.493 million; Klang 1.071 million; Johor Bahru 958,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 14.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.04 years male: 71.28 years female: 76.99 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.64 children born/woman (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

100,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,800 (2009 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Nationality

noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian

Ethnic groups

Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)

Religions

Muslim (or Islam - official) 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)

Languages

Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.7% male: 92% female: 85.4% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2008)

Education expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2008)

Maternal mortality rate

31 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Health expenditures

8% of GDP (2009)

Physicians density

0.941 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Hospital bed density

1.82 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.3% (2006)

Issuance of Licences for Import/Export of Items Listed in the Custom Prohibition of Import/Export Orders Under the Customs Act 1967

Background

The import and the export of goods listed under the Custom Prohibition Act 1967 are controlled:

To safeguard local manufacturers' interest, health and plant life and the national security of the country.

To take into consideration Malaysia 's foreign policies. To ensure that there should be adequate supply of essential goods.

The following goods under the Act require an export licence by MITI:

1. Milk and milk products2. Oils and fats of palm oil excluding margarine, imitation ghee shortening and palm

kernel oil3. Cement clinker4. Portland cement5. Slags, dross, scalings and similar waste of iron and steel, zinc6. Scrap and other waste of iron and steel, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, tin, magnesium7. Tin slag and hardhead of tin8. Zinc dust, powders and flakes9. Naptha10. Cinematograph film exposed but not developed of 16mm or 35mm11. Roofing tiles12. Textiles to EEC , USA , Canada , Sweden , Norway , Finland and Austria13. Military clothings and equipment14. Bricks15. Unwrought tin, unalloyed ( Tin ingot )16. Sugar17. Billets of iron or non-alloy steel18. Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel19. Stainless Steel Vessels, pumps of medium or large capacity and drivers (gas turbines

and electric motors) designed for used in the transportation of crude oil and natural gas and equipment designed for use in crude oil export terminals (to Libya )

The following goods under the Act require an import licence from MITI:

1. All goods from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( Serbia and Montenegro )2. Sugar3. Safety helmets except as worn by motorcylists or motorcycle pillion riders4. Automatic cassette or cartridge loaders or parts thereof5. All single colour copying machines, all multi colour copying machines and colour

toner cartridge (any colour toner other than black) for photo-copying machines6. Motor vehicles for the transport of persons, goods or materials7. Motor cycles, auto-cycles and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor8. High speed duplicator including master electronic control, master playback with or

without loop pin and slave recorder9. Film or tapes for magnetic recording commonly known as pancakes excluding in

cassettes or cartridge10. Substances covered by the Montreal Protocol11. Liquid milk in any form including flavoured milk recombined or reconstituted12. Liquid sterilised flavoured milk including flavoured milk recombined or reconstituted13. Cereal flour14. Activated clay and activated bleaching earth15. Billets of iron or steel16. Alloy steel and high carbon steel17. Stranded wire, cables, cordage, ropes, plaited bands and the like of aluminium wire18. Insulated electric wire, cable, bars and strip and the like whether or not fitted with

connectors

19. Polymers of ethylene in primary forms20. Polymers of propylene in primary forms21. Heavy Machineries22. Plastic Waste

Application procedures for licence to import/export goods under the Customs Act 1967

Completion of form J.K. 69 for import applicants and completion of form Customs No. 2 (Principal Custom Area) or form Customs No. 8 (Licensed Manufacturing Warehouse and Free Trade Zone) for export.

Forms can be purchased from Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad or any of its branches.

Submission of applications

Completed applications together with relevant supporting documents must be submitted to either MITI Headquarters or any of its branches depending on the type of goods applied for.

Applicants are advised to check with MITI Headquarters or nearest MITI office branches.

Corporate Info

Background

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry was established in April 1956 and situated in Government Office, Jalan Raja. The Ministry was then renamed the Ministry of Trade and Industry in February 1972. On 27 October 1990, the Ministry was separated into two Ministries which are:

i) Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI); and

ii) Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN).

Vision

To make Malaysia the preferred investment destination and among the most globally competitive trading nations by 2020.

Mission

To promote and strategise Malaysia's global competitiveness in international trade by producing high value added goods and services.

To spur the development of industrial activities towards enhancing Malaysia's economic growth for achieving a developed nation status by 2020.

Objective

To plan, legislate and implement international trade and industrial policies that will ensure Malaysia’s rapid development towards achieving National Economic Policy and Vision 2020.

Functions

To plan, formulate and implement policies on industrial development, international trade and investment.

To encourage foreign and domestic investment. To promote Malaysia’s exports of manufacturing products and services by

strengthening bilateral, multilateral and regional trade relations and cooperation. To enhance national productivity and competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.

Malaysia’s international trade experienced tremendous growth throughout the

last 3 decades and it plays a large role in Malaysian economy.

Malaysia has managed to maintain a positive trade balance, exporting more

goods than it imports even during the recession in 1997 and 1998.

In 2011, Malaysia post a trade balance of RM120.32 billion. It was the second

highest ever recorded. The highest was recorded prior to global recession in

2008 at RM143.21 billion.

The table below shows statistical figures on total export, import and trade

balance since 1980.

Year

Total Exports

Total Imports

Trade Balance

(RM Billion) (RM Billion) (RM Billion)

1980 28.01 22.78 5.24

1985 37.58 28.69 8.88

1990 77.46 70.37 7.09

1995 179.49 179.39 0.10

1997 193.13 182.97 10.15

1998 218.70 207.36 11.34

1999 281.26 247.90 33.36

2000 373.27 311.46 61.81

2001 334.28 280.23 54.05

2002 357.43 303.09 54.34

2003 397.88 316.54 81.35

2004 481.25 399.63 81.62

2005 536.23 432.87 103.36

2006 588.97 478.15 111.09

2007 604.30 502.04 102.26

2008 663.01 519.80 143.21

2009 552.51 434.67 117.85

2010 638.82 528.83 109.99

2011 694.55 574.23 120.32

 

Top Malaysian Imports & ExportsCorn & Soybeans Among Fastest-Growing US Exports to Malaysia

Jul 7, 2008

Daniel Workman

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -HTTP://WWW.ABSTRACTIC.SE (MORGUEFILE 99893)

55% of Malaysian exports to U.S. are computers, computer accessories & telecommunications equipment while 43% of Malaysian imports from America are semiconductors.

United States of America consumes about 19% of Malaysian exports. Other major clients for

Malaysian exports include Singapore (15.4%), Japan (8.9%), China (7.2%), Thailand (5.3%) and

Hong Kong (4.9%).

Leading Malaysian exports are electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and

wood products, palm oil, rubber and textiles.

Japanese products account for 13.3% of imports into Malaysia, followed closely by America at

12.6%, China at 12.2% and Singapore at 11.7%. Thailand (5.5%), Taiwan (5.5%), South Korea

(5.4%) and Germany (4.4%) furnish considerable import amounts to the southeastern Asian nation.

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Principal imports from Malaysia include electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics,

vehicles, chemicals, plus iron and steel products.

In 2007, Malaysia exported an estimated US$181.2 billion worth of goods onto the international

trade marketplace. Malaysian imports totalled roughly $145.7 billion, resulting in Malaysia’s $35.5-

billion overall trade surplus last year.

Malaysian Trade with U.S.

A closer look at Malaysia’s trade statistics with the United States reveals that Malaysia enjoyed a

US$21.1 billion trade surplus with its American trade partner in 2007. The most recent surplus

statistic is 45.3% higher than the Malaysia-US surplus in 2003 but represents a 12% decrease from

the $24 billion surplus in 2006.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

America's Top Imports & Exports 2008

Brazil Trade Statistics 2009

Top American Exports in 2007

Exports from Malaysia to U.S.

With a population of 25.3 million, Malaysia exported US$32.8 billion worth of merchandise to the

United States in 2007, a 10.2% decrease from 2006 and up 28.9% in 4 years. The following product

categories represent about 79% of Malaysian exports to America.

1. Computers …US$8.3 billion – up 5.9% from 2006 (25.2% of Malaysia-to-U.S. exports)

2. Computer accessories … $5.6 billion – down 16.3% (17.1%)

3. Telecommunications equipment … $4.4 billion – down 34.4% (13.5%)

4. Semiconductors … $2.9 billion – down 10% (8.8%)

5. Other household products (e.g. clocks) … $1.2 billion – down 26.7% (3.8%)

6. Furniture and household items (e.g. baskets) … $774.3 million – down 2.1% (2.4%)

7. Other hospital, medical and scientific equipment … $754.1 million – up 8.9% (2.3%)

8. Food oils and oilseeds … $676.9 million – up 63.9% (2.1%)

9. Stereo equipment including DVDs players … $605.5 million – down 29.7% (1.8%)

10. Cotton apparel and household goods … $509.8 billion – up 0.3% (1.6%).

In aggregate, Malaysia’s top 10 export product categories experienced decreased sales to the U.S.

in 2007, down 12.5% from 2006. This contrasts with an 8.5% gain for the top 10 Malaysian exports

to the U.S. from 2005 to 2006.

Fastest-Growing Malaysian Exports to U.S.

Below are selected Malaysian exports to America in 2007 with the highest percentage sales

increases from 2006.

1. Fuel oil … US$268 million (up 103.5% from 2006)

2. Food oils and oilseeds … $676.9 million (up 63.9%)

3. Other automotive parts and accessories … $285.2 million (up 63.6%)

4. Industrial organic chemicals … $310.2 million (up 50.6%)

5. Business machinery other than computers … $211.4 million (up 50.1%).

Fastest-Declining Malaysian Exports to U.S.

Selected Malaysian exports to America in 2007 with the highest percentage sales decreases from

2006 are listed below.

1. Crude oil … US$23.4 million (down 86.7% from 2006)

2. Video equipment including television receivers … $460.9 million (down 52.8%)

3. Semi-finished iron and steel mill products … $153.1 million (down 48.3%)

4. Telecommunications equipment … $4.4 billion (down 34.4%)

5. Stereo equipment including DVDs players … $605.5 million (down 29.7%).

Malaysian Imports from U.S.

Malaysian imports from the U.S. fell by 6.9% to $11.7 billion in 2007, up 7% since 2003.

Of American exports to Malaysia in 2007, the following product categories had the highest values

and in total represented about 70% of all U.S. shipments into Malaysia.

1. Semiconductors … US$5 billion – down 13.6% from 2006 (43.1% of Malaysian imports from

America)

2. Computer accessories … $546.7 million – down 6.2% (4.7%)

3. Other industrial machines … $529.6 million – up 21.2% (4.5%)

4. Telecommunications equipment … $479.9 million – down 23.4% (4.1%)

5. Electric apparatus … $460.2 million – down 22.2% (3.9%)

6. Steelmaking materials … $361.4 million – up 78.1% (3.1%)

7. Measuring, testing and control instruments … $284.6 million – down 32.2% (2.4%)

8. Civilian aircraft engines … $211.8 million – up 69.2% (1.8%)

9. Civilian aircraft parts … $165.3 million – down 3.4% (1.4%)

10. Plastic materials … $154.7 million – up 20.7% (1.3%).

Last year, Malaysia’s top 10 import product categories from the U.S. shrank by 10% from 2006.

From 2005 to 2006, the top 10 Malaysian imports from the U.S. had gained about 16%.

Fastest-Growing Malaysian Imports from U.S.

Below are selected American exports to Malaysia in 2007 with the highest percentage sales

increases from 2006.

1. Iron and steel mill products … US$49.8 million (up 505% from 2006)

2. Business machinery other than computers … $52.5 million (up 198%)

3. Corn … $59.9 million (up 174%)

4. Soybeans… $118.7 million (up 125%)

5. Dairy products and eggs … $95.6 million (up 98%).

Fastest-Declining Malaysian Imports from U.S.

Selected American exports to Malaysia in 2007 with the highest percentage sales decreases from

2006 are listed below.

1. Civilian aircraft … US$129.8 million (down 75.9% in 2006)

2. Metalworking machine tools … $78.8 million (down 39.8%)

3. Measuring, testing and control instruments … $284.6 million (down 32.2%)

4. Drilling and oilfield equipment … $65.3 million (down 26%)

5. Telecommunications equipment … $479.9 million (down 23.4%).

See also Malaysia's Top Imports & Exports 2008.

Sources

This analysis is based on latest statistics from the US Census Bureau - Foreign Trade Statistics and

CIA World Factbook as of the date of article publication.

Read more at Suite101: Top Malaysian Imports & Exports: Corn & Soybeans Among Fastest-Growing US

Exports to Malaysia | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/top-malaysian-imports-exports-a59632#ixzz25g2IoHcZ

Malaysia is a South-East Asian country separated into two regions

by the South China Sea. The two parts are Peninsular Malaysia and

Malaysian Borneo. Kuala Lumpur is its capital city. As of 2009,

Malaysia’s total population stands at over 28 million. Its

neighboring countries include Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and

Brunei. Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia are the major national

carriers of the country. Malaysia can be reached by air from

destinations, such as Australia, China, Cambodia, Hong Kong,

India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri

Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Malaysia Economy: Profile

Malaysian economy witnessed an economic boom in the 1970s, following which it expanded to become

a multi-sector economy from being a raw materials producer. The country’s rich natural resources

ensure sound developments in agriculture, forestry and mining. With Malaysia's natural resources

helping the economy, travel deals are easier to come by. Economic growth is also attributed to its

border with theStrait   of   Malacca  which is an important international shipping crossroad, which

promotes the country’s international trade. Malaysia’s well developed manufacturing sector produces

a diverse range of goods. The first three quarters of 2009, however, witnessed steep decline in the

country’s economic growth. Volume of exports reduced drastically due to reduced consumer goods

demand globally. The situation, however, improved somewhat in the Q4FY09. The Tenth Malaysia Plan

is all set to be introduced in June 2010.

Malaysian Economy: Statistics

 GDP (purchasing   power   parity ):           

 GDP - real growth rate:

GDP (official exchange rate):   $207.4 billion (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

o $14,700 (2009 est.)

o $15,400 (2008 est.)

o $15,000 (2007 est.) 

o Unemployment rate:

o 5% (2009 est.)

o 3.3% (2008 est.) 

Population below poverty   line : 5.1% (2002 est.) 

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

o 0.4% (2009 est.)

o 5.4% (2008 est.)

 

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Malaysia is a newly industrialised country that experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development during the late 20th century. Prior to this rapid of rapid industrialisation,

Malaysia was the world’s largest producer of tin, rubber and palm

oil.

When the tin market collapsed during the early 1980s, the Malaysian government was forced to

diversify and modernise the economy. Since then, the government has played an active role in

industrialisation and economic development. The Malaysian government was responsible for

encouraging the relocation of labour intensive industries to neighbouring countries such as Thailand

and Indonesia. At the same time, the government also promoted higher value industries such as

electronics, information technology, and multimedia.

Today, Malaysia has moved into the third stage of economic development, with growing

emphasis on services. The Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) was created to develop the country into a

major trading nation by focusing on services and human capital. IMP3 is expected to cover the period

from 2006 to 2020.

Malaysia’s Industry Sectors

Services in Malaysia have been growing in importance for the economy in the past few years. In

2010, Services was responsible for 49.3 percent of the GDP. The concerted development of the

service industry is part of the national development strategy to venture into new growth areas and

broaden the economic base for exports. It is also expected to provide the basis for sustained growth in

the economy in order to achieve the vision of becoming a developed nation by 2020.

According to the 10th Malaysia Plan (RMK 10), the goal for the service industry is to

achieve 61 percent of GDP share by 2015 – with an annual growth of 7.2 percent. Under the IMP3,

non-government services are targeted to grow at an average annual rate of 7.5 percent. Construction

services are also expected to increase annually by 5.7 percent. The Malaysia government is also

expected to invest nearly RM687.7 billion or US$228.384 billion dollars over the next fifteen years into

services alone.

Presently, Malaysia has a thriving finance industry, particularly in Islamic banking. To date, it is the

largest Islamic banking service provider in Asia Pacific. Malaysia is also competing with Bahrain

to be the world leader in Islamic banking. In April 2009, the Malaysian government introduced

new licences for investment banking, Islamic banking, takaful(Islamic insurance) and insurance

business. The threshold for foreign equity ownership was also raised from 49 percent to 70 percent,

thus allowing foreign banks to open new branches and micro-credit facilities in the country.

Industry is an equally important element of Malaysia’s economy. In 2010, Industry was responsible

for 41.6 percent of Malaysia’s GDP. Malaysia had the 37th  highest

industrialproduction   growth  rate in the world at 7.5 percent. In Peninsular Malaysia, some of

the key industries include Rubber, oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing,

pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, and timber

processing. The Eastern Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are keenly focused on logging,

petroleum producing and refining and agriculture processing.

Malaysia also has a vibrant oil   and   gas  industry. In 2010, Malaysia was the 28th  largest oil

producer and the 17th  largest natural gas producer in the world. Currently, Malaysia has 2.9

billion barrels worth of proven oil reserves and 2.35 trillion cu m of proven natural   gas   reserves . This

makes them the 32nd  and 17th  ranked country in the world respectively.

Oil and natural gas reserves in Malaysia are managed by Petronas – a Fortune 500

company wholly owned by the Malaysian government. In order to boost development of

its oil   fields , Petronas maintains sharing contracts with companies such as Exxon-Mobil and Royal

Dutch Shell for oil exploration. Malaysia has also partnered with Thailand to share the Malaysia-

Thailand Development Area, which has 4.5 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas   reserves .

Malaysia’s agriculture industry was responsible for 9.1 percent of its GDP in 2010. Rubber

and palm oil are Malaysia’s key agricultural products. Malaysia is the second largest producer of palm

oil in the world, producing more than 17.7 million tonnes of palm oil in 2008. The majority of Malaysia’s

palm oil produce are exported to China, the EU, Pakistan, US and India.

Malaysia is also responsible for one third of the world's rubber exports. Rubber production has

gradually decreased over the years as producers are gradually switching over to palm oil. In 2009,

production plummeted by nearly six percent. However, Malaysia still retains a good reputation for it's

high quality and well-priced rubber products. Rubber products made in Malaysia have been exported

to countries such as the US and Japan to become components for automobiles, belts, and hoses.

Malaysia is a newly industrialised country that experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development during the late 20th century. Prior to this rapid of rapid industrialisation,

Malaysia was the world’s largest producer of tin, rubber and palm

oil.

When the tin market collapsed during the early 1980s, the Malaysian government was forced to

diversify and modernise the economy. Since then, the government has played an active role in

industrialisation and economic development. The Malaysian government was responsible for

encouraging the relocation of labour intensive industries to neighbouring countries such as Thailand

and Indonesia. At the same time, the government also promoted higher value industries such as

electronics, information technology, and multimedia.

Today, Malaysia has moved into the third stage of economic development, with growing

emphasis on services. The Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) was created to develop the country into a

major trading nation by focusing on services and human capital. IMP3 is expected to cover the period

from 2006 to 2020.

Malaysia’s Industry Sectors

Services in Malaysia have been growing in importance for the economy in the past few years. In

2010, Services was responsible for 49.3 percent of the GDP. The concerted development of the

service industry is part of the national development strategy to venture into new growth areas and

broaden the economic base for exports. It is also expected to provide the basis for sustained growth in

the economy in order to achieve the vision of becoming a developed nation by 2020.

According to the 10th Malaysia Plan (RMK 10), the goal for the service industry is to

achieve 61 percent of GDP share by 2015 – with an annual growth of 7.2 percent. Under the IMP3,

non-government services are targeted to grow at an average annual rate of 7.5 percent. Construction

services are also expected to increase annually by 5.7 percent. The Malaysia government is also

expected to invest nearly RM687.7 billion or US$228.384 billion dollars over the next fifteen years into

services alone.

Presently, Malaysia has a thriving finance industry, particularly in Islamic banking. To date, it is the

largest Islamic banking service provider in Asia Pacific. Malaysia is also competing with Bahrain

to be the world leader in Islamic banking. In April 2009, the Malaysian government introduced

new licences for investment banking, Islamic banking, takaful(Islamic insurance) and insurance

business. The threshold for foreign equity ownership was also raised from 49 percent to 70 percent,

thus allowing foreign banks to open new branches and micro-credit facilities in the country.

Industry is an equally important element of Malaysia’s economy. In 2010, Industry was responsible

for 41.6 percent of Malaysia’s GDP. Malaysia had the 37th  highest

industrialproduction   growth  rate in the world at 7.5 percent. In Peninsular Malaysia, some of

the key industries include Rubber, oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing,

pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, and timber

processing. The Eastern Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are keenly focused on logging,

petroleum producing and refining and agriculture processing.

Malaysia also has a vibrant oil   and   gas  industry. In 2010, Malaysia was the 28th  largest oil

producer and the 17th  largest natural gas producer in the world. Currently, Malaysia has 2.9

billion barrels worth of proven oil reserves and 2.35 trillion cu m of proven natural   gas   reserves . This

makes them the 32nd  and 17th  ranked country in the world respectively.

Oil and natural gas reserves in Malaysia are managed by Petronas – a Fortune 500

company wholly owned by the Malaysian government. In order to boost development of

its oil   fields , Petronas maintains sharing contracts with companies such as Exxon-Mobil and Royal

Dutch Shell for oil exploration. Malaysia has also partnered with Thailand to share the Malaysia-

Thailand Development Area, which has 4.5 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas   reserves .

Malaysia’s agriculture industry was responsible for 9.1 percent of its GDP in 2010. Rubber

and palm oil are Malaysia’s key agricultural products. Malaysia is the second largest producer of palm

oil in the world, producing more than 17.7 million tonnes of palm oil in 2008. The majority of Malaysia’s

palm oil produce are exported to China, the EU, Pakistan, US and India.

Malaysia is also responsible for one third of the world's rubber exports. Rubber production has

gradually decreased over the years as producers are gradually switching over to palm oil. In 2009,

production plummeted by nearly six percent. However, Malaysia still retains a good reputation for it's

high quality and well-priced rubber products. Rubber products made in Malaysia have been exported

to countries such as the US and Japan to become components for automobiles, belts, and hoses.

Malaysia economic growth

It was estimated that there will be a Malaysia economic growth by a minimum of 6 percent in 2008. This was said by government minister, who was sure of fact that this economic growth of Malaysia will be able to tame inflation rate and can trace conditions of US recession. Swelling in prices of food and oil was a threat to economic growth of Malaysia but this threat was calmed down by Malaysia finance minister. 

In an interview, Nor Mohamed Yakcop told Reuters that if condition is not as was expected, then also Malaysia economic growth will reach closer to 6 percent and if things get better, then growth can

be about 6.5 percent in financial year 2008. It has been estimated that in last three years, Malaysia economic growth has been fastest despite of fact there has been fall in key tech exports and hike in domestic consumption. Malaysia is world's second-largest producer of crude palm oil and is net crude oil exporter. This has played a major part in helping economic growth in Malaysia. 

Growing economy of Malaysia increases demand for U.S. exports as it is vital for economic growth at Malaysia. Electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals are major export items of Malaysia. 2007 economic reports show that major export partners were US (15.6 percent), Singapore (14.6 percent), Japan (9.1 percent), China 8.8 (percent), Thailand (5 percent), and Hong Kong (4.6 percent). For Malaysia economic growth, exports of goods play an integral part. Malaysia has been seeking investment from America, which is arranged by a program of incentives. 

Tax incentives for foreign investors and several free trade zones are offered by Malaysian government. Several American business establishments also privatized government-held companies of Malaysia. Economy of Malaysia is moderately open and aggregate exports and imports of goods and services are equivalent to approximately 130 percent of GNP. Though manufacturing industry contributes more than 25 percent to Malaysia economic growth, yet agriculture remains major part of economy of Malaysia. As was estimated in year 2008, contribution to agricultural sector to Malaysia GDP was 9.7 percent, 44.6 percent from industrial sector and 45.7 percent came from service sector. 

Malaysia economic growth has been largely because of investment in real estate sector, non tradable sectors and capital intensive infrastructure. In financial year, 2008, $15,700 has been estimated as Malaysia GDP per capita