Country Facts ...
Geography
Malaysia
The country consists of two parts, with eleven states in peninsular Malaysia and the two states of Sabah and Sarawak in the northern part of Borneo. The peninsular landscape varies from the ancient rainforests of Taman Negara and the white beaches of Tioman and Redang islands, to the cooler climates of the Cameron Highlands.
In Sabah , you will find Mount Kinabalu and the clear waters around Sipadan and Layang-Layang islands, or further southwest in Sarawak find the world's oldest rainforests and the caves of Mulu National Park .
Northern Borneo, known as East Malaysia, covers an area of about 130,000 km2 and the peninsula, called West Malaysia, covers an area of about 200,000 km2. They are separated by the South China Sea and are about 640 km apart.
The total population of Malaysia is approximately 24 million, while the capital, Kuala Lumpur, has a population of about 1.5 million.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur (KL) is located just above the equator, along the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, approximately 50 km inland. Kuala Lumpur, when translated from Bahasa Melayu means muddy confluence, referring to the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is located approximately 60 km from downtown KL. By car it is about a 1 hour drive and by train (KLIA express) to Sentral station, 28 minutes.
Climate
Malaysia's climate is tropical and is hot and humid all year round with temperatures ranging from 21°C in the early mornings to 33°C in the afternoons. The rainy seasons vary between the north and south and also between the east and west.
Short but heavy thunderstorms are experienced in and around Kuala Lumpur, however it rarely rains all day.
Currency
The currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM), which is divided into one hundred sen (cents). Notes are issued in the following denominations: RM1,000 (seldom used), RM500 (rarely used), RM100, RM50, RM20, RM10, RM5, RM2 and RM1. Coins are issued in the following denominations: 50sen, 20sen, 10sen and 5sen.
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History and Language
Aboriginal Malays (Orang Asli) began moving down the Malay Peninsula from south-western China about 10,000 years ago. The peninsula came under the rule of the Cambodian-based Funan, the Sumatran-based Srivijaya and the Java-based Majapahit empires, before the Chinese arrived in Melaka (Malacca) in 1405. Islam arrived in Melaka at about the same time and spread rapidly. Melaka's wealth soon attracted European powers and the Portuguese took control in 1511, followed by the Dutch in 1641. The Sultan of Kedah granted permission to the English East India Company to establish a base for trade on the island of Penang in 1785.
The British established a thriving port in Penang in 1786 and took over Melaka in 1795. They went on to colonise the interior of the peninsula when tin was discovered. The British brought large numbers of workers from India into the country, adding to the peninsula's racial mix. The indigenous labor supply was insufficient for the needs of the developing tin industry and rubber and other plantations. The Japanese occupied Malaya from early 1941 until 1945, when the British once again regained control. Malaya achieved independence from the British in 1957. Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore combined with Malaya to establish Malaysia in 1963, but two years later Singapore withdrew from the confederation.
Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy. The United Malays National Organization (UMNO) has been in power since 1974. Nine of the Malaysian states are headed by royal families and every five years the nine hereditary rulers, called sultans, elect one of their peers to be the supreme ruler. The head of state is called the Yang diPertuan Agong (king).
Malaysia is a multicultural society with Malays (50%), Chinese (24%) and Indians (7%) living side by side with small tribal groups called Orang Asli (11%) and others (8%).
The Malays speak Bahasa Melayu, the national language. The Chinese dialects include Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow and Hokkein. The Indians are predominantly Hindu Tamils from southern India and speak Tamil. Other Indian languages spoken include Malayalam, Punjabi, Telugu and Hindi.
English is widely spoken, especially in key cities.
Religion
The majority of Malays are Muslim and the official religion is Islam. Other main religions practised in Malaysia include Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Taoism.
Cultural Sensitivities
When visiting and living in Malaysia you should observe certain local customs and practices. Here are some of the more important courtesies and customs:
•Dress discreetly.
•Although handshakes generally suffice 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 "salaam" resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friend's outstretched hands and then brings his hands to his chest to mean "I greet you from my heart". The visitor should reciprocate the "salaam".
•It is polite to call before visiting a home.
•Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian home and when entering places of worship such as mosques and temples.
•The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or when giving and receiving objects.
•The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with the four fingers folded under is the preferred usage.
•Women must wear robes and headscarves when visiting mosques. Some mosques provide robes and scarves for female visitors.
•Taking photographs at places of worship is usually permitted but always ask for permission first.
•Toasting is not a common practice in Malaysia. The country's large Muslim population does not drink alcoholic beverages.
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