MalaysiaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the country. For the biogeographical region, see Malesia.

Malaysia

Flag Coat of arms

Motto: "Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu"[1]

"Unity Is Strength"

Anthem: Negaraku

My Country (instrumental)

MENU

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Capital

and largest city

Kuala Lumpur [a]

Putrajaya (administrative)

3°08′N 101°42′E

Official languages Malaysian [b]

Official script Malay (Latin) alphabet [c]

Recognized English[d]

Ethnic groups ([2]) 50.4% Malay

23.7% Chinese

11.0% Indigenous

 7.1% Indian

 7.8% other

Demonym Malaysian[3]

Government Federal constitutional elective

monarchy andfederal parliamentary

democracy

 -  King Abdul Halim

 -  Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak (BN)

 -  Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (BN)

Legislature Parliament

 -  Upper house Dewan Negara

 -  Lower house Dewan Rakyat

Independence from the United Kingdom

 -  Malaya 31 August 1957[4] 

 -  Sarawak 22 July 1963[5] 

 -  North Borneo [e] 31 August 1963[6] 

 -  Federation of

Malaya, North

Borneo,

Sarawak, Singapore [f]

16 September 1963 

Area

 -  Total 329,847 km2 (67th)

127,355 sq mi 

 -  Water (%) 0.3

Population

 -  2010 census 28,334,135[7] (42nd)

 -  Density 86/km2 (114th)

216.45/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2012 estimate

 -  Total $491.967 billion[8]

 -  Per capita $16,942[8]

GDP (nominal) 2012 estimate

 -  Total $307.178 billion[8]

 -  Per capita $10,578[8]

Gini (2002) 46.1[2]

high · 36th

HDI (2013)  0.769[9]

high · 64th

Currency Ringgit (RM) (MYR)

Time zone MST (UTC+8)

 -  Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+8)

Date format dd-mm-yyyy

Drives on the 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. Putrajayais the primary seat of the federal government

where the executive and judicial branches are located.

b. ^ The 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").[11]

c. ^ Under the National Language Act 1967, "The script of the national language

shall be the Rumi [Latin] script: provided that this shall not prohibit the use of

the Malay script, more commonly known as the Jawi script, of the national

language."[12]

d. ^ Under the National Language Act 1967, English may be used for some

purposes.

e. ^ Before the accession, Sabah was referred to as North Borneo.

f.^ Singapore became an independent country on 9 August 1965.[13]

Malaysia ( i / m ə ̍ l eɪ ʒ ə /  mə-LAY-zhə or  i / m ə ̍ l eɪ s i ə /  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) separated by the South China Sea into two

similarly sized regions,Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Land borders are shared

with Thailand,Indonesia, and Brunei, and maritime borders exist with Singapore, Vietnam, and

thePhilippines. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. In

2010 the population was 28.33 million, with 22.6 million living on the Peninsula.

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, whose

establishment was followed by the Malay kingdoms becoming British protectorates. The territories on

Peninsular Malaysia were 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

withSabah, Sarawak, and Singapore on 16 September 1963, with si being added to give the new country

the name Malaysia. Less than two years later in 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation. 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

expanding in the sectors of science, tourism, commerce and medical tourism.

The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in politics. The government system is

closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and the legal system is based on English

Common Law. The constitution declares Islamthe state religion while protecting freedom of religion. The

head of state is the King, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He is an elected monarch chosen from the

hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years. The head of government is the Prime Minister.

Malaysia contains the southernmost point of continental Eurasia, Tanjung Piai. Located in the tropics, it is

a megadiverse country, with large numbers of endemicanimals, fungi and plants. It is a founding member of

the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the East Asia Summit and the Organisation of Islamic

Cooperation, and a member of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Commonwealth of Nations, and

the Non-Aligned Movement.

Contents

  [hide] 

1 Etymology

2 History

3 Government and politics

o 3.1 Foreign relations and military

4 Subdivisions

5 Geography

o 5.1 Biodiversity

o 5.2 Animals

o 5.3 Fungi

o 5.4 Plants

o 5.5 Conservation issues

6 Economy

o 6.1 Infrastructure

o 6.2 Science and Technology

7 Demographics

o 7.1 Religion

o 7.2 Language

o 7.3 Education

o 7.4 Health

8 Culture

o 8.1 Fine arts

o 8.2 Cuisine

o 8.3 Media

o 8.4 Holidays and festivals

o 8.5 Sports

9 See also

10 References

11 External links

Etymology

"Malaysia" used as a label for the Malay Archipelago on a 1914 map from a United States atlas

The word Melayu is thought to derive from the Tamil words Malai and ur meaning "mountain" and "city,

land", respectively.[14][15][16] The term was later used as the name of the Melayu Kingdom, which existed

between the 7th and 13th centuries on Sumatra.[17] Malayadvipa was the word used by ancient Indian

traders when referring to the Malay Peninsula.[18][19][20][21][22]

Following his 1826 expedition in Oceania, French navigator Jules Dumont d'Urville invented the

terms Malaysia, Micronesia andMelanesia, distinguishing these Pacific cultures and island groups from the

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".[23] In 1850, the English ethnologist

George Samuel Windsor Earl, writing in theJournal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, proposed

naming the islands of Southeast Asia as Melayunesia or Indunesia, favouring the former.[24]

In 1957, the Federation of Malaya was declared as an independent federation of the Malay states on the

Malay Peninsula.[25] 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, with "si" being added to

Malaya in honour of the three joining states.[26] Prior to that, the name itself had been used to refer to the

whole Malay Archipelago.[27] Politicians in the Philippines contemplated renaming their state "Malaysia"

before the modern country took the name.[28] At the time of federation, other names were considered:

among them was Langkasuka, after the historic kingdom located at the upper section of the Malay

Peninsula in the 1st millennium CE.[29]

History

Main article: History of Malaysia

Evidence of modern human habitation in Malaysia dates back 40,000 years.[30] The first inhabitants are

thought to be Negritos.[31]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.[32] The

Kingdom of Langkasuka arose around the 2nd century in the northern area of the Malay Peninsula, lasting

until about the 15th century.[29] 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.[33] 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.[34] 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,[35] and in 1824 took control

of Malacca following the Anglo-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 Residents appointed to advise the Malay rulers, to

whom the rulers were bound to defer by treaty.[36] 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.[37] Sabah was governed as the crown colony of British North Borneo after it was leased from

the Sultanate of Sulu in 1878.[38] 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.[39]

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.

[40] Popular support for independence increased after Malaya was reconquered by Allied Forces.[41] Post-

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

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.[42] 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

Emergencylasted from 1948 to 1960, and involved a long anti-insurgency campaign

by Commonwealth troops in Malaya.[43] 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

the Sarawak United Peoples' Party.[44]

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,[45][46] and racial strife. This strife culminated in the 13 May race riots in 1969.[47] 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 thebumiputera.[48] 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.[26]However, in the late 1990s the Asian financial

crisis almost caused the collapse of the currency and the stock and property markets.[49]

Government and politics

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 the Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule.[50]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,[50] and has been held byAbdul Halim of Kedah since December 2011.[51] The King's role

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

the upper house.[52]

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

federalparliament consists of the lower house, the House of Representatives and the upper house,

theSenate.[53] 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.

[54] 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.

[55] Except for elections in Sarawak, all state elections are held concurrently with the federal election.[52]

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.[52] The incumbent, Najib Razak, appointed in 2009, is the sixth prime

minister.[56]

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.[57] 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.[58] Separate from the civil courts are

the Syariah Courts, which apply Shariah law to cases which involve Malaysian Muslims[59] and run parallel

to the secular court system.[60] The Internal Security Act allows detention without trial, and the death

penalty is in use for crimes such as drug trafficking.[61]

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

the New Economic Policy [48]  and the National Development Policy which superseded it, were implemented

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

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

Malaysian Indians.[62] These policies provide preferential treatment to bumiputera in employment,

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

generated greater interethnic resentment.[63] There is ongoing debate over whether the laws and society of

Malaysia should reflect secular or Islamic principles.[64] Islamic laws passed by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic

Party in state legislative assemblies have been blocked by the federal government.[65]

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)[66] and theOrganisation of

Islamic Cooperation (OIC),[67] the country participates in many international organisations such as

the United Nations,[68] the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation,[69] theDeveloping 8 Countries,[70] and

the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).[71] It has chaired ASEAN, the OIC, and the NAM in the past.[3] A former

British colony, it is also a member of theCommonwealth of Nations.[72] Kuala Lumpur was the site of the

first East Asia Summit in 2005.[73]

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

with all countries, regardless of their political system.[74] The government attaches a high priority to the

security and stability of Southeast Asia,[73] 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[74] while

strengthening relations with other Islamic states.[73] A strong tenet of Malaysia's policy is national

sovereignty and the right of a country to control its domestic affairs.[52]

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.

[75] 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.[76]

Royal Malaysian Navy's first Scorpène class submarine

Malaysia has never recognised Israel and has no diplomatic ties with it.[77] It has remained a strong

supporter of the State of Palestine,[78] and has called for Israel to be taken to theInternational Criminal

Court over the Gaza flotilla raid.[79] Malaysian peacekeeping forces are present in Lebanon [80]  and have

contributed to many other UN peacekeeping missions.[3]

The Malaysian Armed Forces have three branches, the Royal Malaysian Navy, theMalaysian 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.[81]

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.[82] Joint exercises and war games have been held with Indonesia for years.[83] 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.[84] There are fears that unrest in the Muslim areas of

the southern Philippines [85]  and southern Thailand [86]  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.[87]

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

are considered foreign countries under immigration laws.[89] Each state is further divided into districts, which

are then divided into mukim. In Sabah and Sarawak districts are grouped into divisions.[90]

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.[91]

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, andIndonesia and Brunei in East

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

boundaries with Vietnam [92]  and the Philippines.[93] The land borders are defined in large part by geological

features such as thePerlis 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,

[94] 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.[95] Tanjung Piai, located in the southern state of Johor, is the

southernmost tip of continental Asia.[96]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.[97]

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

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

[2] Peninsular Malaysia, containing 40 per cent of Malaysia's land area,[95] extends 740 kilometres (460 mi)

from north to south, and its maximum width is 322 kilometres (200 mi).[98] It is divided between its east and

west coasts by the Titiwangsa Mountains,[99] part of a series of mountain ranges running down the centre of

the peninsula.[95] These mountains are heavily forested,[100] and mainly composed of granite and other

igneous rocks. Much of it has been eroded, creating a karst landscape.[95] The range is the origin of some of

Peninsular Malaysia's river systems.[100] 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.[98]

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.[95] TheCrocker Range extends

northwards from Sarawak,[95] dividing the state of Sabah. It is the location of the 4,095.2 metres (13,436 ft)

high Mount Kinabalu,[101] the tallest mountain in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu is protected as the Kinabalu

National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[102] The highest mountain ranges form the border between

Malaysia and Indonesia. Sarawak contains the Mulu Caves, the largest cave system in the world.[95]

Around these two halves of Malaysia are numerous islands, the largest of which isBanggi.[103] The local

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

to February) monsoons.[98] The temperature is moderated by the presence of the surrounding oceans.

[95] Humidity is usually high, and the average annual rainfall is 250 centimetres (98 in).[98] 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.[95]

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of Malaysia

Proboscis monkey in Borneo

Malaysia signed the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity on 12 June 1993, and became a party to the

convention on 24 June 1994.[104] It has subsequently produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action

Plan, which was received by the convention on 2 May 1998.[105] The country is megadiverse with a high

number of species and high levels ofendemism.[106] It is estimated to contain 20 per cent of the world's

animal species.[107] High levels of endemism are found on the diverse forests of Borneo's mountains, as

species are isolated from each other by lowland forest.[95]

Animals

There are about 210 mammal species in the country.[108] Over 620 species of birds have been recorded in

Peninsular Malaysia,[107] with many endemic to the mountains there. A high number of endemic bird species

are also found in Malaysian Borneo.[95] 250 reptile species have been recorded in the country, with about

150 species of snakes[109] and 80 species of lizards.[108] There are about 150 species of frogs,[108] and

thousands of insect species.[108] Malaysia's exclusive economic zone is 1.5 times larger than its land area,

[110] and some of its waters are in the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot.[111] The waters around Sipadan

island are the most biodiverse in the world.[107] Bordering East Malaysia, the Sulu Sea is a biodiversity

hotspot, with around 600 coral species and 1200 fish species.[112]

Fungi

Nearly 4000 species of fungi, including lichen-forming species have been recorded from Malaysia. Of the

two fungal groups with the largest number of species in Malaysia, the Ascomycota and their asexual states

have been surveyed in some habitats (decaying wood, marine and freshwater ecosystems, as parasites of

some plants, and as agents of biodegradation), but have not been or have been only poorly surveyed in

other habitats (as endobionts, in soils, on dung, as human and animal pathogens); the Basidiomycota are

only partly surveyed: bracket fungi, and mushrooms and toadstools have been studied, but Malaysian rust

and smut fungi remain very poorly known. Without doubt, many more fungal species occur in Malaysia

which have not yet been recorded, and it is likely that many of those, when found, will be new to science.

[113]

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

Plants

About two thirds of Malaysia is covered in forest,[98] with some forests believed to be 130 million years old.

[108] The forests are dominated by dipterocarps.[114] Lowland forest occurs below 760 metres (2,493 ft),

[98] and formerly East Malaysia was covered in such rainforest,[114] which is supported by its hot wet climate.

[95] There are around 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees.[108] Besides rainforests, there are over

1,425 square kilometres (550 sq mi) of mangroves in Malaysia,[98] and a large amount of peat forest. At

higher altitudes, oaks, chestnuts, and rhododendrons replace dipterocarps.[95] There are an estimated 8,500

species of vascular plants in Peninsular Malaysia, with another 15,000 in the East.[115] 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.[95] These forests host many members

of the Rafflesia genus, the largest flowers in the world,[114] with a maximum diameter of 1 metre (3 ft).[108]

Conservation issues

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.[95] 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.[108] With current rates of deforestation, the forests are predicted to be extinct by 2020.

[95] Deforestation is a major problem for animals, fungi and plants, as the forest is cut to make room for

plantations.[116] Most remaining forest is found inside national parks.[108] Habitat destruction has proved a

threat for marine life.[112] Illegal fishing is another major threat,[112] with fishing methods such as dynamite

fishing and poisoning depleting marine ecosystems.[117] Leatherback turtlenumbers have dropped

98 per cent since the 1950s.[109] Hunting has also been an issue for some animals,[108] with overconsumption

and the use of animal parts for profit endangering many animals, from marine life[112] to tigers.[116] Marine life

is also detrimentally affected by uncontrolled tourism.[118]

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

accused of favouring big business over the environment.[108] Some state governments are now trying to

counter the environmental impact and pollution created by deforestation;[114] 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.[108] Tourism has been limited in biodiverse areas such as Sipadan

island.[118] 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.[119]

Economy

Main article: Economy of Malaysia

Malaysia is a relatively open state-oriented and newly industrialised market economy.[120][121] 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 2011 the GDP (PPP) was about $450  billion, the 3rd largest economy in ASEAN

and 29th largest in the world.[122] In 1991, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin Mohamad

outlined his ideal, Vision 2020 in which Malaysia would become a self-sufficient industrialized nation by

2020.[123] Tan Sri Nor Mohamed, a government minister, said Malaysia could attain developed country

status in 2018 if the country's growth remains constant or increases.[124] Viktor Shvets, the managing

director of Credit Suisse has said “Malaysia has all the right ingredients to become a developed nation."[125]

The Petronas Towers house the headquarters of the national oil companyPetronas and are the tallest twin-towers in the

world.

A Proton car. Malaysia is the only country in South East Asia which manufactures indigenously designed automobiles.

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.[126] High levels of

investment played a significant role in this.[3] The 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. The Chinese make up

about one-third of the population but accounts for 70 per cent of the country's market capitalisation.[129]

International trade, facilitated by the adjacent Strait of Malacca shipping route, and manufacturing are 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] Malaysia remains one of the

world's largest producers of palm oil.[136]

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.[137] The

country has developed into a centre of Islamic banking, and is the country with the highest numbers of

female workers in that industry.[138] Knowledge-based services are also expanding.[135]

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.[139] 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.[140][141] 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.[142] 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.[143] The telecommunication network, although

strong in urban areas, is less available to the rural population.[140]

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 ofPeninsular Malaysia.[144] 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.[145]The Asean Rail Express is a railway service that connects Kuala Lumpur

to Bangkok, and is intended to eventually stretch from Singapore to China.[139]

Traditionally, energy production in Malaysia has been based on oil and natural gas.[146] The country has 13

GW of electrical generation capacity.[147] 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.[146] Sixteen per cent of electricity generation is hydroelectric, the

remaining 84 per cent being thermal.[147] The oil and gas industry is dominated by state owned Petronas,

[148] 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.[149]

Science and Technology

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,

[150][151] 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.

[152] 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.[153]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Malaysia

As of the 2010 census, the population of Malaysia was 28,334,135,[7] making it the 42nd most populated

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

population, while other bumiputera 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. Bumiputera status is also accorded to certain non-Malay indigenous peoples, including

ethnic Thais, Khmers, Chamsand the natives of Sabah and Sarawak. Non-Malay bumiputera 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.[154] Laws over who gets bumiputera status vary between states.[155]

Population density (person per Km2)

Other minorities who lack bumiputera 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.[156] The

majority of the Indian community areTamils.[157]

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.[158] 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 cardknown as MyKad at the

age of 12, and must carry the card at all times.[159]

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

compulsory primary education, and five years of optional secondary education.[160] 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.[161] Secondary education is conducted for five years.

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

examination.[162] 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-bumiputera students.[163]

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

years.[164] With the aim of developing Malaysia into a medical tourism destination, 5 per cent of the

government social sector development budget is spent onhealth care.[165] The population in concentrated on

Peninsular Malaysia[166] 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,[167] as well as its main

commercial and financial centre.[168] Putrajaya, a purpose-built city constructed from 1999, is the seat of

government,[169] as many executive and judicial branches of the federal government were moved there to

ease growing congestion within Kuala Lumpur.[170]

Due to the rise in labour intensive industries,[171] the country is estimated to have over 3 million migrant

workers; about 10 per cent of the population.[172] Sabah-based NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million that

make up the population of Sabah, 2 million are illegal immigrants.[173] 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 employs RELA, a

volunteer militia with a history of controversies, to enforce its immigration law.[174]

V

 

T

 

E

Largest cities or towns of Malaysia

Source?

Rank City name State Pop. Rank City name State

Kuala Lumpur

Johor Bahru

1 Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory 5 700 000[175] 11 Seremban Negeri Sembilan

2 Johor Bahru Johor 1 730 000 [176] 12 Malacca City Malacca

3 Georgetown Penang 1 611 600[177] 13 Kota Bharu Kelantan

4 Kajang Selangor 795 522 14 Kuantan Pahang

5 Ipoh Perak 767 794 15 Sungai Petani Kedah

6 Klang Selangor 744 062 16 Batu Pahat Johor

7 Subang Jaya Selangor 708 296 17 Tawau Sabah

8 Kota Kinabalu Sabah 629 943 [178] 18 Sandakan Sabah

9 Kuching Sarawak 617 887 19 Alor Setar Kedah

10 Petaling Jaya Selangor 613 977 20 Kuala Terengganu 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.

[179] 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% Hinduism and 1.3% practiceConfucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions. 0.7%

declared no religion and the remaining 1.4% practised other religions or did not provide any information.[7]

All ethnic Malays are considered Muslim by law of the Constitution.[179] 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-

Malaybumiputera community (46.5%) with an additional 40.4% identifying as Muslims.[7]

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.[180] 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.[181]

Language

Main article: Languages of Malaysia

The official language of Malaysia is Malaysian,[2] a standardised form of the Malay language.[182] Historically

English was the de facto administrative language, with Malay becoming predominant after the 1969 race

riots.[183] English remains an active second language, and serves as the medium of instruction for maths

and sciences in all public schools.[184][185] 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

withManglish, which is a colloquial form of English with heavy Malay, Chinese, and Tamil influences. The

government discourages the use of non-standard Malay and has instituted fines for public signs that mix

Malay and English.[186][187]

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

[188] Peninsular Malaysia contains speakers of 41 of these languages.[189] 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 inSabah.[190] 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,

[191]and the Spanish based Chavacano language.[192]

Education

See also: Education in Malaysia

Health

See also: Healthcare in Malaysia

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 Malays who 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 minimalcultural assimilation of ethnic minorities.[193]

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.[194] It also promoted

the Malay language above others.[195] 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.[194]

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.[196] The Malaysian government and the Indonesian

government have met to defuse some of the tensions resulting from the overlaps in culture.[197] Feelings are

not as strong in Malaysia, where most recognise that many cultural values are shared.[196]

Fine arts

See also: Music of Malaysia and Malaysian literature

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

[198] 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.[95] 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.[199]

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,

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

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

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

harvest.[199] It was once used as a form of long-distance communication.[200] In East Malaysia, gong-based

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

weddings.[201] These ensembles are also common in neighbouring regions such as in the southern

Philippines,Kalimantan in Indonesia, and Brunei.[201]

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.[202] The first Malay literature was in the Arabic script. The earliest known

Malay writing is on the Terengganu stone, made in 1303.[95] 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.[202] English has also become a common literary

language.[95] 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 bumiputera languages was called "regional literature", while literature in other languages was called

"sectional literature".[195] Malay poetry is highly developed, and uses many forms. The Hikayat form is

popular, and the pantun has spread from Malay to other languages.[202]

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.[203] 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,[95]largely due to the country being

part of the ancient spice route.[204] The cuisine is very similar to that of Singapore and Brunei,[108] and also

bears resemblance to Filipino cuisine.[95] The different states have varied dishes,[108] and often the food in

Malaysia is different from the original dishes.[157]

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

restaurants in Malaysia often serve Malay dishes.[205] Food from one culture is sometimes also cooked

using styles taken from another culture,[108] This means that although much of Malaysian food can be traced

back to a certain culture, they have their own identity.[204] Rice is popular in many dishes. Chili is commonly

found in local cuisine, although this does not necessarily make them spicy.[203]

Media

Main article: Media of Malaysia

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

[206] although some major opposition parties also have their own.[207] 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.[208] The media have been blamed for increasing

tension between Indonesia and Malaysia, and giving Malaysians a bad image of Indonesians.[209] The

country has Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil dailies.[208]

There is very little freedom of the press, leading to very little government accountability.[210] The government

has previously tried to crack down on opposition papers before elections.[207] In 2007, a government agency

issued a directive to all private television and radio stations to refrain from broadcasting speeches made by

opposition leaders,[211] a move condemned by politicians from the oppositionDemocratic Action Party.

[212] Sabah, where all tabloids but one are independent of government control, has the freest press in

Malaysia.[208] Laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act have also been cited as curtailing

freedom of expression.[213]

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 theFederation of Malaya in 1957.[95] Malaysia Day on 16 September

commemorates federation in 1963.[214] Other notable national holidays are Labour Day (1 May) and the

King's birthday (first week of June).[95]

Muslim holidays are prominent as Islam is the state religion; Hari Raya Puasa (also calledHari 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.[95] 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,[179] while Thaipusam is a religious rite which

sees pilgrims from all over the country converge at the Batu Caves.[215] 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.[216] 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.[142]

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.[142] Badminton matches attract thousands of spectators, and

since 1948 Malaysia has been one of three countries to hold the Thomas Cup.[217] The Malaysian Lawn

Bowls Federation was registered in 1997.[218]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.[219] Malaysia has proposed a Southeast Asian football league.[220] The

men's national field hockey team ranked 15th in the world as of August 2010.[221] The 3rdHockey World

Cup was hosted at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the 10th cup.[222] 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.[223]

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 Malaysiain 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.

[224] Malaysian athletes have won a total of four Olympic medals, all of which are in badminton.[225] 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.[226][227] Two styles of martial arts are being practiced in

Malaysia; Silat and Malaysian kickboxing, called Tomoi.

See also

Malaysia portal

Book: Malaysia

Outline of Malaysia

Index of Malaysia-related articles

Environment of Malaysia

International rankings of Malaysia

References

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External links

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