Malaysia: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Around-Kota-Bharu-(19).jpg|thumb|alt=The wooden Kampung Laut mosque with its minaret and an onion-shaped dome on its tiled roof.|[[Kampung Laut Mosque]] in Tumpat is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, dating to early 18th century.]] |
[[File:Around-Kota-Bharu-(19).jpg|thumb|alt=The wooden Kampung Laut mosque with its minaret and an onion-shaped dome on its tiled roof.|[[Kampung Laut Mosque]] in Tumpat is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, dating to early 18th century.]] |
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The Malaysian constitution guarantees [[freedom of religion]] and makes [[Islam]] the state religion. According to the Population and Housing Census 2000 figures, approximately 60.4% of the population are practicing [[Islam]]. 19.2% [[Buddhism]]; 9.1% [[Christianity]]; 6.3% [[Hinduism]]; and 2.6% practice [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]] and other traditional [[Chinese folk religion|Chinese religions]]. The remainder was accounted for by other faiths, including [[animism]], [[folk religion]], and [[Sikhism]] while 0.8% either reported having no religion or did not provide any information.<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Malaysian government statistics department |url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/english/census/pressdemo.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070323094806/http://www.statistics.gov.my/english/census/pressdemo.htm |archivedate=23 March 2007 |title=Population and Housing Census 2000 |publisher=Web.archive.org |year=2001 |accessdate=27 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="Census 2000">{{Cite book|title=General Report of the Population and Housing Census 2000 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |year=2005 |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |location=Putrajaya |isbn=9839044265 |pages=60–64 |url= }}</ref> |
The Malaysian constitution guarantees [[freedom of religion]] under secular law and makes [[Islam]] the state religion. However, Muslims are subject to [[sharia]] law, which restricts their religious freedom. According to the Population and Housing Census 2000 figures, approximately 60.4% of the population are practicing [[Islam]]. 19.2% [[Buddhism]]; 9.1% [[Christianity]]; 6.3% [[Hinduism]]; and 2.6% practice [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]] and other traditional [[Chinese folk religion|Chinese religions]]. The remainder was accounted for by other faiths, including [[animism]], [[folk religion]], and [[Sikhism]] while 0.8% either reported having no religion or did not provide any information.<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Malaysian government statistics department |url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/english/census/pressdemo.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070323094806/http://www.statistics.gov.my/english/census/pressdemo.htm |archivedate=23 March 2007 |title=Population and Housing Census 2000 |publisher=Web.archive.org |year=2001 |accessdate=27 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="Census 2000">{{Cite book|title=General Report of the Population and Housing Census 2000 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |year=2005 |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |location=Putrajaya |isbn=9839044265 |pages=60–64 |url= }}</ref> |
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All [[Malay (ethnic group)|ethnic Malays]] are considered Muslim by [[Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia|Article 160]] of the Constitution.<ref>{{Sourcetext|source=Constitution of Malaysia|chapter=|verse=Article 160 (2) |range=-1}}</ref> Statistics from the 2000 Census indicate that 75.9% of the Chinese population identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism (10.6%) and Christianity (9.6%), along with small [[Hui people|Hui-Muslim]] populations in areas like [[Penang]].<ref name="Census 2000" /> The majority of the Indian population follow Hinduism (84.5%), with a significant minority identifying as Christians (7.7%), Muslims (3.8%), over 150,000 [[Sikh]]s, and 1,000 [[Jain]]s. 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]].<ref name="Census 2000" /> |
All [[Malay (ethnic group)|ethnic Malays]] are considered Muslim by [[Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia|Article 160]] of the Constitution.<ref>{{Sourcetext|source=Constitution of Malaysia|chapter=|verse=Article 160 (2) |range=-1}}</ref> Statistics from the 2000 Census indicate that 75.9% of the Chinese population identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism (10.6%) and Christianity (9.6%), along with small [[Hui people|Hui-Muslim]] populations in areas like [[Penang]].<ref name="Census 2000" /> The majority of the Indian population follow Hinduism (84.5%), with a significant minority identifying as Christians (7.7%), Muslims (3.8%), over 150,000 [[Sikh]]s, and 1,000 [[Jain]]s. 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]].<ref name="Census 2000" /> |
Revision as of 02:06, 9 June 2011
Malaysia | ||
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Motto: "Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu" "Unity Is Strength" | ||
Anthem: Negaraku (My Country) | ||
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Capital | Kuala Lumpur[a] Putrajaya (administrative centre) | |
Largest city | Kuala Lumpur | |
Official languages | Bahasa Malaysia[b] | |
Official for some purposes | English[c] | |
Official script | Malay alphabet | |
Ethnic groups | 50.4% Malay 23.7% Chinese 11.0% Indigenous 7.1% Indian 7.8% Other[2] | |
Demonym(s) | Malaysian[3] | |
Government | Federal constitutional elective monarchy and Federal parliamentary democracy | |
Mizan Zainal Abidin | ||
Najib Tun Razak | ||
Muhyiddin Yassin | ||
Independence | ||
• From the United Kingdom (Malaya only) | 31 August 1957[4] | |
16 September 1963[5] | ||
Area | ||
• Total | 329,847 km2 (127,355 sq mi) (66th) | |
• Water (%) | 0.3 | |
Population | ||
• 2010[7] census | 27,565,821 | |
• Density | 83.57/km2 (216.4/sq mi) (114th) | |
GDP (PPP) | 2010 estimate | |
• Total | $414.428 billion[8] | |
• Per capita | $14,669[8] | |
GDP (nominal) | 2010 estimate | |
• Total | $237.959 billion[8] | |
• Per capita | $8,423[8] | |
Gini (2002[2]) | 46.1 high inequality (36) | |
HDI (2010) | ![]() Error: Invalid HDI value (57th) | |
Currency | Ringgit (RM) (MYR) | |
Time zone | UTC+8 (MST) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+8 (Not observed) | |
Date format | dd-mm-yyyy | |
Drives on | left | |
Calling code | +60 | |
ISO 3166 code | MY | |
Internet TLD | .my | |
^ a. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city and is home to the legislative branch of the Federal government. Putrajaya is the primary seat of the federal government where the executive and judicial branches are located.
^ b. The current terminology as per government policy is Bahasa Malaysia (literally Malaysian language)[10] but legislation continues to refer to the official language as Bahasa Melayu (literally Malay language). ^ c. English may continue to be used for some official purposes under the National Language Act 1967. ^ d. Singapore became an independent country on 9 August 1965.[11] |
Malaysia (/[invalid input: 'En-us-Malaysia.ogg']məˈleɪʒə/ mə-LAY-zhə or /[invalid input: 'Malaysia (4 syllable).ogg']məˈleɪsiə/ mə-LAY-see-ə) is a federal constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories and has a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometres (127,350 sq mi). It is separated by the South China Sea into two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Land borders are shared with Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei, and maritime borders exist with Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Peninsular Malaysia is connected to Singapore via two bridges, one which transports traffic and water and a second link just for traffic. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The population is over 27.5 million.
Malaysia has its origins in the Malay Kingdoms present in the area which, from the 18th century, became subject to the British Empire. The first British territories were known as the Straits Settlements, with the other states forming protectorates. The states on Peninsular Malaysia, then known as Malaya, was first unified as the Malayan Union in 1946. Malaya was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948, and achieved independence on 31 August 1957. Malaya united with Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia on 16 September 1963. However, less than two years later in 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation, and became an independent city state. Since independence, Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with GDP growing an average 6.5% for almost 50 years. The economy has traditionally been fuelled by its natural resources, but is now expanding in the sectors of science, tourism, commerce and medical tourism.
The head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, an elected monarch chosen from the hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and the legal system is based on English Common Law. The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, factors that influence its culture and play a large role in politics.
Malaysia contains the southernmost point of continental Eurasia, Tanjung Piai, and is located near the equator and has a tropical climate. It has a biodiverse range of flora and fauna, and is considered a megadiverse country. It is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and a member of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Etymology
![English Map of Southeast Asia, "MALAYSIA" typeset horizontally so that the letters run across the northernmost corner of Borneo and pass just south of the Philippines.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/LA2-NSRW-1-0148_malaysia.jpg/220px-LA2-NSRW-1-0148_malaysia.jpg)
The word Melayu is thought to derive from the Sanskrit term Malaiur or Malayadvipa which can be translated as "land of mountains", the word used by ancient Indian traders when referring to the Malay Peninsula.[12][13][14][15][16] Other theories propose it originates from the Tamil word "Malai".[17] The term was later used as the name of the Melayu Kingdom, which existed between the 7th and the 13th centuries on Sumatra.[18]
In 1850, the English ethnologist George Samuel Windsor Earl, writing in the Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, proposed naming the islands of Southeast Asia as Melayunesia or Indunesia, favouring the former.[19] Following his 1826 expedition in Oceania, the French Navigator Jules Dumont d'Urville invented the terms Malaysia, Micronesia and Melanesia, distinguishing these Pacific cultures and island groups from the already existing term Polynesia. In 1831, he proposed these terms to The Société de Géographie. Dumont d'Urville described Malaysia as "an area commonly known as the East Indies".[20]
At that time, it was thought that the inhabitants of this region could be designated by the encompassing term "Malay" in line with that era's concept of a Malay race, which contrasts with contemporary definitions in which "Malay" refers to an ethnic group of similar culture who speak the Malay language and live on the east coast of Sumatra, the Riau Islands, the Malay Peninsula and the coastline of the island of Borneo. The related term "Malay world" is used to refer to this extended geographical area.[21]
In 1957, the Federation of Malaya was declared as an independent federation of the Malay states on the Malay peninsula.[22] The name "Malaysia" was adopted in 1963 when the existing states of the Federation of Malaya, plus Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak formed a new federation,[5] with "si" being added to Malaya in honour of the three joining states.[23] Prior to that, the name itself had been used to refer to the whole Malay Archipelago.[24] Politicians in the Philippines once contemplated naming their state "Malaysia", but in 1963 Malaysia adopted the name first.[25] At the time of the 1963 federation, other names were considered: among them was Langkasuka, after the historic kingdom located at the upper section of the Malay Peninsula in the first millennium of the common era.[26]
History
Evidence of human habitation in Malaysia dates back 40,000 years,[27] with the first inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula probably being Negritos.[28] Traders and settlers from India and China arrived as early as the 1st century AD, establishing trading ports and towns in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Both had a strong influence on the local culture. Around this time, the people of the Malay Peninsula adopted the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism, and Sanskrit inscriptions appear as early as the 4th or 5th century.[29] Between the 7th and the 13th century, much of the Malay Peninsula was under the Srivijaya empire. After the fall of Srivijaya, the Java-based Majapahit empire had influence over most of Peninsular Malaysia and the Malay Archipelago.[30] In the early 15th century, Parameswara, a prince of the former Srivijayan empire, founded what would become the Malacca Sultanate, commonly considered the first independent state in the peninsula.[31] Parameswara became a Muslim, and due to this the conversion of Malays to Islam accelerated in the 15th century.[3] Malacca was an important commercial centre during this time, attracting trade from around the region.[3]
![Stained ruin of a stone building, showing a central arch, flanked by two columns, with a stone relief above the arch, also flanked by two columns, and a second free-standing arch perched on the very top of the ruin.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/A_Famosa_Fortress%2C_Melaka.jpg/220px-A_Famosa_Fortress%2C_Melaka.jpg)
In 1511 Malacca was conquered by Portugal,[3] after which it was taken from Portugal by the Dutch.[30] In 1786 the British Empire set foot in Malaya, with the lease of the island of Penang to the British East India Company by the sultan of Kedah,[32] which was followed by the gaining of Singapore.[33] In 1824, the British took control of Malacca following the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824. By 1826 the British 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 Residents appointed to advise the Malay rulers, whom the rulers were bound by treaty to defer to.[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.[30] Sabah was governed as the crown colony of British North Borneo. 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 British colony.
In the Second World War the Japanese army invaded and subsequently occupied Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore for over three years. During this time, ethnic tensions were raised and nationalism grew.[35] Popular support for independence increased after Malaya was reconquered by Allied Forces.[36] 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.[37] The Malayan Union, established in 1946 and consisting of all the British possessions in the Malay peninsula with the exception of Singapore, was dissolved in 1948 and replaced by the Federation of Malaya, which restored the autonomy of the rulers of the Malay states under British protection. During this time, 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 by Commonwealth troops in Malaya. In 1963 Malaya, along with the then British crown colonies of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore, federated to form Malaysia. 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 the Sarawak United Peoples' Party.[38]
![An ornate fountain at left with steps leading up to a wall with some of Malaysia's state flags on it.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Dataran_Merdeka.jpg/220px-Dataran_Merdeka.jpg)
Independence brought heightened tensions including a conflict with Indonesia over the formation of Malaysia, Singapore's eventual exit in 1965,[39][40] and racial strife which caused the 13 May race riots in 1969.[41] 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. The country has since maintained a delicate ethno-political balance, with a system of government that has attempted to combine overall economic development with political and economic policies that promote equitable participation of all races.[42]
Under Mahathir bin Mohamad there was a period of rapid economic growth and urbanization beginning in the 1980s. This period saw a shift from an agriculture-based economy to one based on manufacturing and industry. The physical landscape of the country changed with the emergence of numerous mega-projects, such as the Petronas Towers, the North-South Expressway, the Multimedia Super Corridor, and the new federal administrative capital of Putrajaya.[23] In the late 1990s, Malaysia was shaken by the Asian financial crisis as well as political unrest caused by the sacking of the deputy prime minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim.[43] In November 2007, the country was rocked by two anti-government rallies. They were precipitated by allegations of corruption and discrepancies in the election system that heavily favoured the ruling political party, National Front, which had been in power since Malaysia achieved its independence in 1957.[44]
Governance
![A photo showing the Malaysian Parliament building along with 2 white arches in diagonal position front of the building.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/MalaysianParliament.jpg/200px-MalaysianParliament.jpg)
Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy. The head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the "King". The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected to a five-year term by and from amongst the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular Governors, do not participate in the selection.[45] By informal agreement the position is systematically rotated between the nine. The system of government is closely modelled on that of the Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule.[46] The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's role has been mostly ceremonial since changes to the constitution in 1994.[47]
Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. The bicameral federal parliament consists of the lower house, the House of Representatives and the upper house, the Senate.[48][49][49] The 222-member House of Representatives is elected for a maximum term of five years from single-member constituencies, which are defined based on population. All 70 Senators sit for three-year terms; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, with the remaining 44 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 Sultan upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.[50] 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.[51] Federal elections are held concurrently with the elections of every state except Sarawak.[47]
Executive power is vested in the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister; the Constitution stipulates that the prime minister must be a member of the lower house of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commands a majority in parliament.[52] The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of Parliament and is responsible to that body.[53] The Prime Minister is both the head of cabinet and the head of government.[47]
Malaysia's legal system is based on English Common Law.[3] The judiciary is theoretically independent of the executive and the legislature,[54] although supporters of the government hold many judicial positions.[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 decide on cases which involve Malaysian Muslims[57] and run parallel to the normal 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 of the political parties are ethnically based.[3] Actions such as the New Economic Policy[42] and the National Development Policy which superseded it, were implemented to advance the standing of Bumiputera.[60] These policies provide preferential treatment to Malays over non-Malays in employment, education, scholarships, business, and access to cheaper housing and assisted savings. While it improved the economic position of Bumiputras, it is a source of resentment amongst others.[61] Debate exists over whether the country should be secular or islamic.[62] Some state governments controlled by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, including that of Terengganu, have passed Islamic laws, but these have not gone into effect due to opposition from the federal government.[63]
Foreign relations and military
![The Royal Malaysian Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flankers and Aermacchi MB-339s military aircraft at the Langkawi Airport.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Royal_Malaysian_Air_Force_005_crop.jpg/200px-Royal_Malaysian_Air_Force_005_crop.jpg)
Malaysia's foreign policy is based on the principle of neutrality and maintaining peaceful relations with all countries, regardless of their political system. It seeks to further develop relations with other countries in the region and portray itself as a progressive Islamic nation.[64] The government attaches a high priority to the security and stability of Southeast Asia, and has tried to strengthen relations with other Islamic states.[65] A strong tenant of Malaysia's policy is national sovereignty and the right of a country to control its domestic affairs.[47]
Malaysia is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations[66] and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.[67] The country participates in many international organisations such as the United Nations,[68] the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation,[69] the Developing 8 Countries,[70] and the Non-Aligned Movement.[71] 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.[72] Kuala Lumpur was the site of the first East Asia Summit in 2005.[65]
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 between the two countries, and maritime border disputes exist with Indonesia.[74]
![A Scorpène class submarine at dock, half out of the water. People on top are mooring it, and a boat can be seen in the background](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Scorpene_Tunku_Abdul_Rahman.jpg/220px-Scorpene_Tunku_Abdul_Rahman.jpg)
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]
Malaysian defence requirements are assigned to the Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia – ATM). The armed forces has three branches, the Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia – TLDM), the Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia – TD), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia – TUDM). There is no conscription, and the required age for voluntary military service is 18. 1.9% of the country's GDP is spent on the military, which hires 1.23% of Malaysia's manpower.[79]
The Five Power Defence Arrangements between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is a regional security initiative which has been in place for almost 40 years. It involves joint military exercises held between the five countries.[80] Joint exercises and war games have been held with Indonesia for years.[81] Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to host joint exercises between their security forces, 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
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Malaysia is made up of 13 states and 3 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. As Malaysia is a federation, the governance of the states is divided between the federal and the state governments, while the Federal government has direct administration of the federal territories.[85]
The 13 states are based on historical Malay Kingdoms, and 9 of the 13 states, known as the Malay states, retain their royal families. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong 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] Visas are required for travel between these two states or between either state and peninsular Malaysia.[87] For some, the other areas of Malaysia are considered foreign countries under immigration laws.[88] Each state is further divided into districts, which are then divided into mukim. In Sabah and Sarawak districts are grouped into "Divisions".[89]
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 between different states, or on the request of the state assembly concerned. The law in question must also be passed by the state assembly as well, except in the case of certain land law-related subjects. 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.[90]
Geography
![A view from Low's peak, with a smaller peak to the right of the photo, with forested mountains in the background](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Kota_kinabalu_peak.jpg/220px-Kota_kinabalu_peak.jpg)
Malaysia is the 43rd most populated country and the 66th largest country by total land area in the world, with a population of about 28 million and a land area of around 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[91] and the Philippines.[92] The land borders are defined in large part by geological features such as the Perlis River, Golok River and the Pagalayan Canal, whilst some of the maritime boundaries are the subject of ongoing contention.[2] Malaysia is the only country with territory on both the Asian mainland and the Malay archipelago,[93] and Tanjung Piai, located in the southern state of Johor, is the southernmost tip of continental Asia.[94][95] The Strait of Malacca, lying between Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, is arguably the most important shipping lane in the world.[96]
The two parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the South China Sea, share a largely similar landscape in that both West (Peninsula) and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to hills and mountains.[2] Peninsular Malaysia, containing 40% of Malaysia's land area,[93] extends 740 kilometres (460 mi) from north to south, and its maximum width is 322 kilometres (200 mi).[97] It is divided between its east and west coasts by the Titiwangsa Mountains,[98] part of a series of mountain ranges running down the centre of the peninsula.[93] These mountains are heavily forested,[99] 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.[99] 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.[97]
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 Mount Kinabalu.[100] Mount Kinabalu, at 4,095.2 metres (13,436 feet), is the tallest mountain in Malaysia and is protected as Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[101] 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 Labuan.[102] The local climate is equatorial and characterised by the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons.[97] The temperature is moderated by the presence of the surrounding oceans.[93] Humidity is usually high, and the average rainfall is 250 centimetres (98 in).[97] Kuala Lumpur is the capital[2] and the largest city in Malaysia,[103] as well as its main commercial and financial centre.[104] Putrajaya is the seat of government,[105] as many executive and judicial branches of the federal government were moved there to ease growing congestion within Kuala Lumpur.[106]
Flora and fauna
Malaysia is a megadiverse country with a high number of species and high levels of endemism.[107] Its wildlife are some of the most diverse on earth,[93] and it being a Megadiverse country,[108] and the country includes some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. It is estimated to contain 20% of the world's animal species.[109] There are about 210 mammal species in the country.[110] 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] Over 620 species of birds have been recorded just on the Peninsular.[109] Many are endemic to the mountains of the peninsular, and Bornean forests show high levels of endemism among bird species[93] with 38 species found nowhere else. 250 reptile species have been recorded, with about 150 species of snakes[111] and 80 species of lizards.[110] There are about 150 species of frogs,[110] and thousands of insect species.[110] Malaysia's Exclusive economic zone is 1.5 times larger than its land area,[112] and some of its waters are in the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot.[113] The waters around Sipadan island are the most biodiverse in the world.[109] Bordering East Malaysia, the Sulu Sea is a biodiversity hotspot, with around 600 coral species and 1200 fish species.[114]
![Red flower made of 5 petals surrounding a depressed centre, on the forest floor surrounded by dead leaves and small green plants](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Rafflesia_80_cm.jpg/220px-Rafflesia_80_cm.jpg)
About two thirds of Malaysia is covered in forest[97] which is believed to be 130 million years old.[110] It is composed of a variety of types, although they are mainly dipterocarp forests.[115] Lowland forest occurs below 760 metres (2,493 ft),[97] and formerly East Malaysia was covered in such rainforest,[115] which is supported by its hot wet climate.[93] There are around 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees.[110] Besides rainforests, there are over 1,425 square kilometres (550 sq mi) of mangroves in Malaysia,[97] and a large amount of peat forest. Coastal land of the peninsular is fringed by Mangroves. 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.[116] 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,[115] with a maximum diameter of 1 metre (3 ft).[110]
Logging, along with cultivation practices has devastated tree cover, causing severe environmental degradation in the country. Over 80% of Sarawak has been cleared.[93] Floods in East Malaysia have been worsened by the loss of trees, and over 60% of the Peninsular's forest have been cleared.[110] 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.[117] Most remaining forest is found inside national parks.[110] Habitat destruction has proved a threat for marine life.[114] Illegal fishing is another major threat,[114] with fishing methods such as dynamite fishing and poisoning depleting marine ecosystems.[118] Leatherback Turtle numbers have dropped 98% since the 1950s.[111] Hunting has also been an issue for some animals,[110] with overconsumption and the use of animal parts for profit endangering many animals, from marine life[114] to Tigers.[117] Marine life is also detrimentally affected by uncontrolled tourism.[119] The Malaysian government aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection, but has been accused of favouring big business over the environment.[110] Some state governments are now trying to counter the environmental impact and pollution created by deforestation;[115] and the federal government is trying to cut logging by 10% per year. 28 national parks have been created, 23 on East Malaysia and 7 on the Peninsular.[110] Tourism has been limited in biodiverse areas such as Sipadan Island.[119] Animal trafficking is a large issue, and the Malaysian government is holding talks with the governments of Brunei and Indonesia to standardize anti-trafficking laws.[120]
Economy
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/KL_Outing_022b.jpg/180px-KL_Outing_022b.jpg)
Malaysia is a relatively open state-oriented and newly industrialised market economy.[121][122] 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% from 1957 to 2005.[3] In 2007, the economy of Malaysia was the 3rd largest economy in Southeast Asia and 29th largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity with gross domestic product for 2008 of $222 billion,[123] with a growth rate of 5% to 7% since 2007.[124] In 2009 the GDP per capita (PPP) of Malaysia stood at US$14,900,[2] the nominal GDP was US$383.6 billion, and the nominal per capita GDP was US$8,100.[125]
In the 1970s, the predominantly mining and agricultural-based Malaysian economy began a transition towards a more multi-sector economy. Since the 1980s the industrial sector has led Malaysia's growth.[126] High levels of investment played a significant role in this.[3] The Malaysian economy recovered from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis sooner than neighbouring countries, and has since recovered to the levels of the pre-crisis era with a GDP per capita of $14,800.[127][128] Inequalities exist between different ethnic groups, with a major issue being that the Chinese minority accounts for 70% of the country's market capitalization, even though it only makes up about one-third of it.[129]
International trade, facilitated by the adjacent Strait of Malacca shipping route and manufacturing are both key sectors of the country's economy.[130][131][132] 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,[133] rubber and palm oil in the world. Manufacturing has a large influence in the country's economy,[134] although Malaysia’s economic structure has been moving away from it.[135]
![A dirt track with rows of palm trees on either side](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Oilpalm_malaysia.jpg/220px-Oilpalm_malaysia.jpg)
In an effort to diversify the economy and make Malaysia’s economy less dependent on exported goods, the government has pushed to increase tourism in 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.[137] The country has developed itself into a centre of Islamic banking, and is the country with the highest numbers of female workers in Islamic banking.[138] Knowledge-based services are also expanding.[135]
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 is developing its own space programme[139] 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.[140] 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 try and promote this sector and its competitiveness, actively marketing the defence industry.[141]
Demographics
The population of Malaysia consists of many ethnic groups. Malays make up 50.4% of the population, while other bumiputra make up another 11%.[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 Orang Asli.[142] Laws over who gets Bumiputra status vary between states.[143]
![A map of Malaysia depicting the expected 2010 estimated population density.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Malaysia_population_density_2010b.png/350px-Malaysia_population_density_2010b.png)
Other minorities who lack Bumiputra status make up a large amount of the population. 23.7% of the population are of Chinese descent, while those of Indian descent comprise 7.1% of the population.[2] The Chinese have historically been dominant in the business and commerce community, and form the majority of the population of Penang. Indians began migrating to Malaysia in the early 19th century.[144] The majority of the Indian community are Tamils.[145] Many Europeans and Middle Easterners assimilated through inter-marriage into the Christian and Muslim communities respectively. Most Eurasian Malaysians trace their ancestry to British, Dutch or Portuguese colonists.
Citizenship is usually granted by lex soli.[146] 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.[147]
Life expectancy is 73.79 years, and is higher for females than for males. Only 5 percent of the population is over the age of 65, and about 29.6 percent are under 15.[2] The population distribution between the two halves of the country is highly uneven. It is concentrated on Peninsular Malaysia[148] where 20 million of approximately 28 million Malaysians live.[3] 70% of the population is urban.[2] Due to the rise in labour intensive industries,[149] the country is estimated to have over 3 million migrant workers, which is about 10% of the population.[150] Sabah-based NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million that make up the population of Sabah, 2 million are illegal immigrants.[151]
Additionally, according to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, 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.[152] The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants named Malaysia as one of the Ten Worst Places for Refugees on account of the country's discriminatory practices toward refugees. Malaysian officials are reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs RELA, a volunteer militia with a history of controversies, to enforce its immigration law.[152]
Religion
![The wooden Kampung Laut mosque with its minaret and an onion-shaped dome on its tiled roof.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Around-Kota-Bharu-%2819%29.jpg/220px-Around-Kota-Bharu-%2819%29.jpg)
The Malaysian constitution guarantees freedom of religion under secular law and makes Islam the state religion. However, Muslims are subject to sharia law, which restricts their religious freedom. According to the Population and Housing Census 2000 figures, approximately 60.4% of the population are practicing Islam. 19.2% Buddhism; 9.1% Christianity; 6.3% Hinduism; and 2.6% practice Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions. The remainder was accounted for by other faiths, including animism, folk religion, and Sikhism while 0.8% either reported having no religion or did not provide any information.[2][153][154]
All ethnic Malays are considered Muslim by Article 160 of the Constitution.[155] Statistics from the 2000 Census indicate that 75.9% of the Chinese population 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.[154] The majority of the Indian population follow Hinduism (84.5%), with a significant minority identifying as Christians (7.7%), Muslims (3.8%), over 150,000 Sikhs, and 1,000 Jains. 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.[154]
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.[156] 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.[157]
Language
The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia, a standardised form of the Malay language.[158] Historically English was the de facto administrative language, with Malay becoming predominant after the 1969 race riots.[159] English remains an active second language, and serves as the medium of instruction for maths and sciences in all public schools.[160][161] Malaysian English, also known as Malaysian Standard English (MySE), is a form of English derived from British English. Malaysian English sees wide use 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 established fines for public signs that mix Malay and English.[162][163]
Many other languages are used in Malaysia, which contains speakers of 137 living languages.[164] Peninsular Malaysia contains speakers of 41 of these languages.[165] 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.[166] 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 Caucasian ancestry and speak creole languages, such as the Portuguese based Malaccan Creoles,[167] and the Spanish based Chavacano language.[168]
Education
Education in Malaysia is monitored by the federal government Ministry of Education.[169] The education system features a non-compulsive kindergarten education, followed by six years of compulsory primary education,[3] and five years of non-compulsive secondary education.[170] Schools in the primary education system are divided into two categories: national primary schools and vernacular schools.[171] Vernacular schools use either Chinese or Tamil as the medium of instruction, whereas national primary schools use Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction for all subjects except English, Science and Mathematics. Before progressing to the secondary level of education, pupils in Year Six are required to sit for the Primary School Achievement Test.[172]
Secondary education is conducted in secondary schools for five years. National secondary schools also use Bahasa Malaysia as the language of instruction except in Mathematics, Science, and language classes. At the end of Form Three students are evaluated in the Lower Secondary Assessment, although this is set to be abolished by 2016. In the final year of secondary education, students sit for the Malaysian Certificate of Education examination. The government has decided to abandon the use of English in teaching maths and science and revert to Bahasa Malaysia, starting in 2012.[173] 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.[174] Since the introduction of the matriculation programme as an alternative in 1999, students who completed the 12-month programme in matriculation colleges can enroll in local universities. However, in the matriculation system, only 10% of places are open to non-Bumiputra students.[175]
Health care
The Malaysian government places importance on the expansion and development of public health care, with 5% of the government social sector development budget spent in this area. Since 2009, the Malaysian Health Ministry has increased its efforts to overhaul the system and attract more foreign investment. The government has also been trying to promote the country as a health care destination, regionally and internationally.[176] The government implements a universal health care system, which co-exists with the private health care system.[177] Infant mortality rate in 2009 was 6 deaths per 1000 births, and life expectancy at birth in 2009 was 75 years.[178] The country's health care system requires doctors to perform a compulsory three years service with public hospitals to ensure that manpower in these hospitals are maintained.[177]
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 and expansion of a system called "tele-primary care".[177] Another issue is the over-prescription of drugs, although this has decreased in recent years.[179]
Culture
![A cook making Murtabak, a type of pancake, in an outdoor stall. He is pictured leaning over his custom-made flattened wok filled with pieces of murtabak.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/MURTABAK_1_0031.jpg/180px-MURTABAK_1_0031.jpg)
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual society. The original culture of the area stemmed from indigenous tribes that lived there, along with the Malays who later moved there. Substantial influence exists from Chinese and Indian culture, dating back to when foreign trade began in the area. Other cultures that heavily influenced the culture of Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, and British culture. Due to the political structure of the government, coupled with the social contract theory, there has been minimal cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities.[180]
In 1971, the government created a "National Cultural Policy". This policy defined Malaysian culture, stating that it must be based on the culture of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia, it may incorporate suitable elements from other cultures, and that Islam must play a part in Malaysian culture.[181] It also promoted the Malay language above others.[182] 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.[181]
Some cultural disputes exist between Malaysia and neighbouring countries, notably Indonesia. The two countries share 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.[183] The Malaysian government and the Indonesian government have met to defuse some of the tensions resulting from the overlaps in culture.[184] Feelings are not as strong in Malaysia, where most recognise that many cultural values are shared.[183]
Fine arts
Traditional Malaysian art was mainly centred around the areas of carving, weaving, and silversmithing.[185] 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 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.[186]
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,[186] the most important of which is the gendang (drum). There are at least 14 types of traditional drums.[187] Drums and other traditional percussion instruments and are often made from natural materials.[187] Music is traditionally used for storytelling, celebrating life-cycle events, and occasions such as a harvest.[186] It was once used as a form of long-distance communication.[187] In East Malaysia, gong-based musical ensemble such as agung and kulintang are commonly used in ceremonies such as funerals and weddings.[188] These ensembles are also common in neighbouring regions such as in the southern Philippines, Kalimantan in Indonesia and Brunei.[188] Johor state on the south of Peninsular Malaysia has an apparent Arab and Persian influence in art performances like Zapin and Hamdolok, musical instruments like Gambus and Samrah.[189]
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.[190] 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.[190] 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 bumiputra languages was called "regional literature", while literature in other languages was called "sectional literature".[182] Malay poetry is highly developed, and uses many forms. The Hikayat form is popular, and the pantun has spread from Malay to other languages.[190]
Cuisine
Malaysia's cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of its population.[191] 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 ancient spice route.[192] The cuisine is very similar to that of Singapore and Brunei,[110] and also bears resemblance to Filipino cuisine.[93] The different states have varied dishes,[110] and often the food in Malaysia is different from the original dishes.[145]
Sometimes food not found in its original culture is assimilated into another, for example Chinese restaurants in Malaysia often serve Malay dishes.[193] Food from one culture is sometimes also cooked using styles taken from another culture,[110] This means that although much of Malaysian food can be traced back to a certain culture, they have their own identity.[192] Rice is popular in many dishes. Chili is commonly found in local cuisine, although this does not necessarily make them spicy.[191]
Holidays and festivals
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 have 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.[194] 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 as Chinese New Year and others relating to traditional chinese beliefs. Hindus in Malaysia celebrate Deepavali, the festival of lights,[195] while Thaipusam is a religious rite which sees pilgrims from all over the country converge at the Batu Caves.[196] 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.[197] Many other smaller communities existing in Malaysia also have their own holidays. Despite most of the festivals being identified with a particular ethnic or religious group, joint festivals are promoted to increase unity. Examples of this are the celebration of Kongsi Raya which is used when Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year coincide. Similarly, the portmanteau Deepa Raya was coined when Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali coincide.[198]
Sports
![Starting grid of the Sepang International Circuit while the cars are being examined. The Petronas logo and name can be seen on the board above the starting lights, along with the Malaysian Flag](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Starting_grid_of_2010_Malaysian_GP_crop.jpg/220px-Starting_grid_of_2010_Malaysian_GP_crop.jpg)
Popular sports in Malaysia include soccer, badminton, field hockey, bowling, tennis, squash, martial arts, horse riding, sailing, and skate boarding.[199] Badminton matches attract thousands of spectators, and Malaysia, along with Indonesia, China, and the USA, has consistently held the Thomas Cup since 1948.[200] The Malaysian Lawn Bowl's Federation (PLBM) was registered in 1997,[201] and since then Malaysians have made progress on the international stage.[202] 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 (SRAM) was created on 25 June 1972, and has had great success in Asian Squash.[203] Malaysia has proposed a Southeast Asian football league.[204] Hockey is famous in the country, with the men's national team ranked 15th in the world as of August 2010.[205] The 3rd Hockey World Cup was hosted at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the 10th cup.[206] The country also has its own Formula One track–the Sepang International Circuit. It runs for 310.408 kilometres (193 mi), and held its first Grand Prix in 1999.[207]
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.[208] Malaysian athletes have won a total of four Olympic medals, all of which are in badminton.[209] The country has competed at the Commonwealth Games since 1950 as Malaya, and 1966 as Malaysia. It has been dominant in badminton, and the games were hosted in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.[210] The 1998 Commonwealth Games were the first time the torch relay went through more nations than just England and the host.[211]
Media
Malaysia's main newspapers are owned by the government and political parties in the ruling coalition,[212] although some major opposition parties also have their own.[213] 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.[214] The media has been blamed for increasing tension between Indonesia and Malaysia, and giving Malaysians a bad image of Indonesians.[215] Besides Malay newspapers, there are large circulation of English, Chinese, and Tamil dailies in the country.[214]
There is very little freedom of the press, leading to very little government accountability.[216] The government has previously tried to crack down on opposition papers before elections when they were unsure of their political situation.[213] In 2007, a government agency issued a directive to all private television and radio stations to refrain from broadcasting speeches made by opposition leaders,[217] a move condemned by politicians from the opposition Democratic Action Party.[218] Sabah, where only one tabloid is not independent of government control, has the freest press in Malaysia.[214] Legislation such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act have also been cited as curtailing freedom of expression.[219]
Infrastructure
![A dual highway with greenery on either side](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/NorthSouth-Expressway.jpg/150px-NorthSouth-Expressway.jpg)
The infrastructure of Malaysia is one of the most developed in Asia.[199] 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[220][221]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.[199] Fresh water is available to over 95% 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.[222] The telecommunication network, although strong in urban areas, is less available to the rural population.[220]
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 Sabah and Sarawak are less developed and of lower quality in comparison to that of Peninsular Malaysia.[223] 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.[224] The Asean Rail Express is a railway service that connects Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, and is intended to eventually stretch from Singapore to China.[199]
Traditionally, energy production in Malaysia has been based around oil and natural gas.[225] The country currently has 13 GW of electrical generation capacity.[226] However, the country only has 33 years of natural gas reserves, and 19 years of oil reserves, whilst the demand for energy is increasing. Due to this, the government is expanding into renewable energy sources.[225] Currently 16% of electricity generation is hydroelectric, the remaining 84% being thermal.[226] The oil and gas industry is currently dominated by state owned Petronas,[227] and the energy sector as a whole is regulated by the Energy Commission of Malaysia, a statutory commission who governs the energy in the peninsula and Sabah, under the terms of the Electricity Commission Act of 2001.[228]
See also
- Outline of Malaysia
- International rankings of Malaysia
- Environment of Malaysia
- Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Royal Malaysian Custom
- Royal Malaysian Police
- Wawasan 2020
References
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- ^ The UK Statute Law Database: Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957 (c. 60)
- ^ a b "No.10760: Agreement relating to Malaysia" (pdf). United Nations Treaty Collection. United Nations. 1963. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
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ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "am001" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ Malaysia Act 1963
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suggested) (help) - ^ Michael John Montesano, Patrick Jory (2008). Thai south and Malay north: ethnic interactions on the plural Peninsula. Singapore: National University of Singapore Press. pp. 1–5. ISBN 978-9971-69-411-1. Google Books link
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{{cite journal}}
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ignored (help) - ^ Mühlhäusler, Peter; Tryon, Darrell T; Wurm, Stephen A (1996). Atlas of languages of intercultural communication in the Pacific, Asia and the Americas. Berlin: Walter de Gruyer & Co. p. 695. ISBN 9783110134179.
- ^ a b c USA International Business Publications (3008). Malaysia Country Study Guide. Washington D.C.: USA International Business Publications. pp. 3 in second section. ISBN 1433031590.
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: Unknown parameter|coauthors=
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(help) - ^ "The Official Site of Malaysia Healthcare Travel & Medical Tourism". Myhealthcare.gov.my. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
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- ^ R. Raghavan (1977 (No. 4)). "Ethno-racial marginality in West Malaysia: The case of the Peranakan Hindu Melaka or Malaccan Chitty community". Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde. Vol. 133. Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies. pp. 438–458. ISSN 0006-2294. Retrieved 7 October 2010Template:Inconsistent citations
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- ^ a b Van der Heide, William (2002). Malaysian cinema, Asian film: border crossings and national cultures. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. pp. 98–99. ISBN 90-5356-580-9.
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(help) - ^ a b "Far Eastern cuisine: Fancy a Malaysian? – Features, Food & Drink". London: The Independent. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
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- ^ a b c d Expatriate Living in Malaysia (PDF). Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Industrial Development Authority. 2009. p. 69.
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External links
- Government
- myGovernment portal – Malaysian government portal
- Office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia
- Department of Statistics Malaysia
- Chief of State and cabinet members
- General information
- Malaysia at Encyclopedia Britannica
- "Malaysia". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
- Malaysia from UCB Libraries GovPubs
- Malaysia at Curlie
Wikimedia Atlas of Malaysia
- Travel
- The official e-tourism portal for Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia
- Template:Wikitravel
- Malaysia tourism board
- Use dmy dates from October 2010
- Ill-formatted IPAc-en transclusions
- Use dmy dates from August 2010
- Malaysia
- Southeast Asian countries
- Countries of the Indian Ocean
- Countries bordering the South China Sea
- Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- Chinese-speaking countries and territories
- English-speaking countries and territories
- Malay-speaking countries and territories
- Former British colonies
- Member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
- Constitutional monarchies
- Developing 8 Countries member states
- Federal countries
- G15 nations
- Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations
- States and territories established in 1963