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MALAYSIA > FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTRY
HISTORY
Because of its strategic position between the South China Sea and the Indian
Ocean, Malaysia has always been a meeting place for traders and the country’s
history has been one of continual interaction with foreign powers. It was influenced
by both Hinduism and Buddhism before Islam arrived in the early 15th Century.
The Chinese arrived about the same time and Malacca, already thriving in trade
and commerce, and abundant in spices, soon started to attracted colonial powers.
The Portuguese took control in 1511, followed by the Dutch in 1641. The British
then established a flourishing port in Penang in 1786 and took over Melaka in
1795. Meanwhile, across the seas, on the island of Borneo, Sarawak was ruled
by a British adventurer, James Brooke, and his descendants between 1841 and
1888. Britain took formal control of both Sabah and Sarawak after World War
II. The indigenous labor supply was insufficient for the needs of the developing
rubber and tin industries, so the British brought large numbers of Indians into
the country, supplying labor for the tin and rubber industries, and this altered
the peninsula's racial mix.
Following the end of World War II, Communist guerrillas began an armed struggle
against British rule culminating in the independence of Malaya in 1957. Sabah,
Sarawak and Singapore combined with Malaya to establish Malaysia in 1963, but
two years later Singapore withdrew from the confederation. Today, Malaysia is
a prominent member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
GEOGRAPHY
Malaysia is a tropical country situated 7 degrees north of the Equator in the
heart of Southeast Asia. It is divided into two distinct parts: West Malaysia,
which is the Peninsula and comprises of 11 states, and East Malaysia which comprises
the provinces of Sabah and Sarawak in North Borneo. The two regions are 650
kilometers apart, and separated by the South China Sea. The Peninsula shares
borders with Thailand and Singapore and the Andaman Sea borders the west coast.
Sabah and Sarawak border Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo), and Sarawak
surrounds the tiny enclave of Brunei. The capital and the largest city, Kuala
Lumpur, is situated on the Peninsula. Malaysia is a beautiful country with coastal
plains rising to hills and mountains.
CLIMATE
Malaysia has a tropical climate, which is hot and humid throughout the year
with cooler temperatures in the hill resorts. Temperatures range from 20 degrees
Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. Humidity is usually about 90 per cent. The region
has a monsoon climate, but only the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia has a
real rainy season. The wettest season on the west coast of the peninsula is
between September and December; on the east coast and in Sabah and Sarawak it's
between October and February. Rain generally only interrupts the sunshine for
a brief period, falling in short, strong bursts.
ECOLOGY
More than 60 per cent of the country is still rainforest, but a government plan
to build a huge hydroelectric dam in Sarawak is expected to decimate 27,600
hectares of forest.
ENVIRONMENT
40% of Malaysia’s land mass is to be found on the Peninsular, which consists
of several mountain ranges, a wide, fertile plain on the west coast, and a narrow
coastal plain on the east. Sabah and Sarawak are covered by dense jungles and
large rivers. Mt Kinabalu, in Sabah, at 4101 meters, is one of the highest peaks
in South-East Asia.
FLORA AND FAUNA
There are over 8000 species of flowering plants in Malaysia, and this includes
2000 species of tree, 800 different orchids and 200 types of palm. The wildlife
includes one of the most abundant and varied bird populations in the world,
together with tigers, leopards, sun bears, elephants, rhinos, tapirs, gibbons
and orangutans.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Malaysia is a Parliamentary monarchy, comprising of 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 from which the Supreme Head of State is
elected every five years. The government is based on parliamentary democracy
and the Prime Minister, heads the cabinet of Ministers.
ECONOMY
Malaysia is one of the world's largest producers of rubber, tin, palm oil, timber,
and pepper, but the economy has shifted towards manufacture and the service
industry. Manufacture has become the largest single component of Malaysia's
economy and this includes car and computer production. Tourism is another major
source of revenue and Malaysia has become one of the greatest economic success
stories of Asia.
POPULATION AND PEOPLE
The population of Malaysia is about 20 million. They are a uniquely diverse
group of people, comprising 50% Malay, 33% Chinese, and 9% Indian, together
with indigenous tribes such as Orang Asli and Iban.
ARTS
Malaysian music is influenced by China and Islam and is based largely around
the drum, but includes percussion instruments, flutes, trumpets and gongs. The
country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, and some of these
are of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other art forms include shadow-puppet
plays, a stylized martial art known as ilat, and crafts such as batik, weaving,
silverwork and brass work.
SOCIETY AND CONDUCT
Shoes must be removed when entering Malaysian homes, mosques and Indian temples.
It is polite to call before visiting a home. Although a handshake is generally
customary for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge an introduction
with a gentleman with a nod of her head and smile. A handshake is only to be
reciprocated if the lady offers her hand first. The traditional greeting of
“salam" meaning “I greet you from my heart” resembles
a handshake with both hands, but without the grasp. The man offers both hands,
lightly touches his friend's outstretched hands, then brings his hands to his
chest; the visitor should reciprocate in the same way. Only the right hand should
be used for eating or for giving and receiving objects. Tipping is not a way
of life in Malaysia, but is fast becoming one.
RELIGION
52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8% Christian, 8% Hindu, 2% tribal.
LANGUAGE
Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese dialects, Tamil, and other indigenous dialects.
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