8. • The Motto is Majulahs Negara
• The Federation of Malaysia comprises the Peninsular Malaysia and
the states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo.
• Malaysia is located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator
• Malaysia is 329,758 sq km in size
• The current population (2012) of Malaysia is roughly 28 million.
• Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia.
• Malays who make up about 50.4% of the population are the
predominant group with Chinese (23.7%), Indians (7.1%) and other
ethnic groups making up the rest.
9. • Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is
widely spoken, especially by the youth. The ethnic groups also
speak various languages and dialects.
• Islam is the official religion but all other religions are freely
practiced.
• Malaysia is governed by a parliamentary democracy with a
bicameral legislative system. The Head of State is the King (Yang Di-
Pertuan Agong), a position that is awarded to a different State
Monarch every five years and the Head of Government is the Prime
Minister.
10. • Malaysia has a tropical climate with warm and humid weather all
year round. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC (70ºF)
to 32ºC (90ºF). The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range
between 15°C (59° F) to 25°C (77°F).
• Major public holidays in Malaysia are: New Year's Day, Federal
Territory Day, Chinese New Year, Labour Day, King's Birthday,
National Day, Deepavali, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and Christmas.
• Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of
Malaysia's economy. Tourism and primary commodities such as
petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major
contributors to the economy.
11. • The unit of currency is Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM. Foreign
currency can be converted at banks and money changers.
• Time difference: +8 GMT (+16 Pacific Standard Time).
• Voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Standard 3-pin
square plugs and sockets (UK plugs, US and other Europeans should
bring along an adaptor).
• Malaysia has a worldwide supported GSM network, which means
you can use your phone without any problems. US citizens should
bring along a tri-band phone in order for it to work in Malaysia.
When calling within Malaysia, you'd best buy a prepaid card. When
calling outside of Malaysia, use a prepaid SIM or Scratch card.
15. Malays: For Malay women, they wear the baju kurung; Malay men wear the
baju melayu with a songkok on the head. Alternatively, the men wear batik
shirts with trousers.
Indians: Indian women wear the sari. The salwar kameez or Punjabi suit is
popular with northern Indian ladies. The kurta is the traditional attire for
men on formal occasions.
Chinese women: The traditional clothes for Chinese women is the
cheongsam (literally 'long dress') or qipao.
Peranakan ladies: Also known as Baba Nyonya, they are Chinese immigrants
who married Malay partners. They wear the elegant kebaya that can be
described as traditional high fashion.
18. • Malaysia is a tropical holiday destination, where temperatures
fluctuate between 25 and 35 degrees during the year. It is usually
very hot and humid, especially in the major cities.
• Often due to haze warm air is trapped inside the cities, which
results in very warm temperatures. It is less hot on the many
islands surrounding Malaysia, mainly due to the cool breezes. It is
also less hot in the 'highlands' of Malaysia; here you can enjoy
cooler temperatures that never exceed 25 degrees.
20. Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, which is relatively
open and state-oriented. The economy of Malaysia is the third largest
in Southeast Asia, after the much more populous Indonesia and
Thailand, and 35th largest in the world
21. The only legal tender in Malaysia is the
Malaysian ringgit. As of 18 November
2014, the Ringgit is traded at MYR 3.35
at the US dollar
22. External Trade
In 2013, Malaysia's total external trade totalled US$424 billion, made up
of US$230.7 billion of exports and US$192.9 billion of imports, making
Malaysia the world's 21st largest exporter and the world's 25th largest
importer.
23. Industry Sector
• Agriculture paddy, coconut, pal oil and rubber
• Electrical and electronics
• Photovoltaics
• Automotive
• Construction
25. • Eating out is very common in Malaysia.
The biggest part of the population
seldom cooks at home.
• Malay dishes often contains beef,
chicken, mutton or fish; but never pork
as Malay food needs to be halal.
• Chinese dishes often contains pork.
Indian dishes are often vegetarian; and
they never contain beef (though Indians
do eat chicken, mutton and fish)
27. • About 10.000 years ago, the Orang Asli (comparable to Malay
Aboriginals) left from southwest China to the peninsula we now call
West-Malaysia.
• Until 1405 the following superpowers reigned over the peninsula;
the Funan (Cambodia), the Srivijaya (Sumatra) and the Majapahit
(Java).
• From 1405 onwards the Chinese influence in this area grew. In this
period the Islamic way of thinking also set in when Arabic traders
arrived. In a short period of time many people converted to this
religion.
28. • From 1500 on the trade in Southeast Asia increased enormously.
• The European superpowers of that time acquired interest in the
local resources, the era of trade over sea had started and Malaysia
would play a big part in it.
30. Since long time ago Malays were the only
inhabitants in Malaya (the former name). When
the British arrived in Malaya in the 18th century,
they brought Chinese and Indian workers to the
area to supply labor needed for tin, rubber and
other industries. This is what formed Malaysia;
constituted by 3 major ethnics: Malay, Chinese,
Indian and some minor ethnics. The census was
made in the year of 2000. All the ethnics living in
Malaysia are called Malaysian.
31. Islam is the official
religion
The official religion is the Islam. Besides that Buddhism and Hinduism
are also commonly practiced in Malaysia.
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language, but due to English
influences, almost every Malaysian citizen speaks English.
32. Orang Asli (Original
inhabitants)
There is also another population that finds
residence in Malaysia; the Orang Asli. The
meaning of the name Orang Asli is: original
inhabitants. There are about 60.000 Orang
Asli left, of whom 60% live in the jungle and
40% in inhabited areas. The Orang Asli can
be subdivided in three groups: the Senoi, the
Proto-Malay and the Negrito.
33. Tribes on Borneo (Sarawak and
Sabah)
Sarawak has three ethnic groups; the Iban,
Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. These three groups are
collectively known as the Dayaks, which means
upstream or inland. The Dayaks typically live in
longhouses, traditional community homes that
can house 20 to 100 families.
35. Many rare animal species in
Malaysia
Malaysia inhabits over a thousand species of
birds, mammals, snakes and insects. It is possible
to spot rare animal species during traveling
through Malaysia.
36. The wildlife heaven of Borneo
Borneo is well known for its extensive
jungles, this is by far the best place to go if
you want to see nice plants and animals.
38. • The politics of Malaysia is based on a
federal constitutional monarchy, in
which the King is head of state and the
Prime Minister is the head of
government.
39. • The Federation of Malaysia is a federal
constitutional monarchy. Officially the head
of state is the Highest Governor or Yang di-
Pertuan Agong (the king).
40. • The government has the Executive
power. It is conducted by the premier
(from 2009 and on: Najib Tun Razak,
and before that, for 6 years Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi). The Congress exists of
two Houses: the senate (Dewan
Negara) and the House of Commons
(dewan Rakyat).
42. Langkawi is a beautiful island in the
northwestern part of Peninsular
Malaysia; many people describe the
island as one of the most beautiful
islands in the world. The island is
not (yet) spoiled by tourists, which
makes it a perfect holiday
destination for travelers.
43. Perhentian is a great island for scuba diving and snorkeling. Especially
great are the affordable prices of accommodation, you can stay at the
island for a mere $15, - a night.
44. The capital city of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur - has much to offer for
tourists. Shopping in this great metropolis is very popular. Malaysians
usually go to the shopping malls during weekend as past time.
45. Penang is a beautiful island in the
northwestern part of Peninsular
Malaysia. While Langkawi is well known
for the pristine jungles and beaches,
Penang is more renowned for the
authentic (Chinese influenced) Asian
atmosphere and the great food at the
numerous hawkers.
46. Sipadan is probably one of the best diving spots in the world. Every
diving enthusiast knows that the underwater world 'beneath' the island
is simply stunning.
47. The Cameron Highlands are located in
close to the city of Ipoh, in the western
part of Peninsular Malaysia. Because the
Cameron Highlands are higher than many
other places in Malaysia, it is usually a
noticeable cooler there
