Country Profile

Malaysia comprises of the territories of Malaya, Sarawak, and Sabah and stretches from peninsular Malaysia to northeastern Borneo in Southeast Asia. Central mountains divide the peninsular of Malaysia (Malaya), separating the narrow eastern coast from the fertile western plains, with its sheltered beaches and bays. Sarawak and Sabah share the island of Borneo with Indonesia and Brunei and here swamps rise up to meet jungle-covered mountains.

Malaysia divides into two parts; the Peninsular Malaysia is a long portion of land which extends from the border of Thailand to Singapore. The northern part is mostly covered by dense jungle, the central part is lightly populated. The western part is a fertile plain extending down to the sea.

East Malaysia, the other part of the country, is adjacent to the southern part of Indonesian state of Kalimantan. It is divided between Sarawak and Sabah, with the country of Brunei between them.

Malaysia comprises 13 states and two federal territories - Kuala Lumpur and Labuan (an island off the coast of Sabah). Nine of the states have a hereditary ruler respectively from which the Supreme Head of State, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (King) is elected every five years.

The government is based on parliamentary democracy and the head of the government, the Prime Minister heads the Cabinet of Ministers.

Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of the U. S. Pacific Standard Time.

Malaysia boasts the First World Hotel in Genting – the largest hotel in the world with 6,200 rooms.

 

Facts and Figures

• Malaysia was created in 1963 through the merger of Malaya (independent in 1957) and the former British Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in North Borneo which comprise East Malaysia.  Singapore separated from the union in 1965.

• The main industry in Malaysia is rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, logging, petroleum production and refining.
• Agriculture: rubber, palm oil, cacao, rice.
• Exports: electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil.
• Languages - Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkein, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Thai; note - in addition, several indigenous languages are spoken, the largest of which are Iban and Kadazan.
• Malaysia is a fairly stable country compared with the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Malaysia is an ideal country to invest in compared to Singapore which is too expensive and other South East Asia countries which are undeveloped ie Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
• Malaysia is one of the world's largest exporters of semiconductors, electrical goods, and appliances.
• The government, a federal democracy with a ceremonial king, has ambitious plans to make Malaysia a leading producer and developer of high-tech products, including software.
• Population: 26,121,000
• Capital: Kuala Lumpur; 1,352,000
• Area: 329,847 square kilometers (127,355 square miles)
• Language: Bahasa Melayu, English, Chinese dialects, other regional dialects and indigenous languages
• Religion: Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Shamanist
• Currency: Ringgit
• Life Expectancy: 73
• GDP per Capita: U.S. $8,800
• Literacy Percent: 89