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MALAYSIA General Details |
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| Chief of state |
Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul
Rahman |
| Head of government |
Datuk
Seri Abdullah Badawi |
| Capital |
Kuala Lumpur |
| Area |
The country covers an area of 330,434 sq. km.
Peninsula Malaysia has an area of 131,598 sq. km. while
Sarawak and Sabah 124,449 and 73,620 sq. km. respectively. |
| Land boundaries |
total: 2,669 km
border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km,
Thailand 506 km |
| Coastline |
Malaysia's coastline extends for nearly 4,830 km
from the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. The West coast
of the peninsula is most accessible because the Straits of
Melaka is sheltered. Access to the east coast during the
northeast monsoon period (October-February) is difficult.
The coastline of Sarawak and Sabah is about 2,100 km long. |
| Maritime claims |
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of
exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm |
| Climate |
Malaysia is subjected to maritime influences and
the interplay of wind systems which originate in the Indian
Ocean and the South China Sea. The year is commonly divided
into the southwest and the northeast monsoon seasons.
The northeast monsoon prevails from October to February and
brings rain to the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia and the
coastal region of Sabah and Sarawak. The Southwest monsoon
is from mid-May to September. Average annual rainfall is
between 2,032 to 2,540 mm.
The average daily temperature throughout Malaysia varies
from 21°C to 32°C though in higher areas temperatures
recorded are between 26° and 2°C. relative humidity is
generally high with readings of 80 percent. |
| Natural Resources |
Petroleum, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG),
tin, minerals
Resources |
| Irrigated land |
2,941 sq km (approx.) |
| Natural hazards |
Flooding, landslides |
| Environment-international agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Population & its structure |
Malaysia has a diversity of races in a population of about
22.2 million (approx.). In diversity there is unity in that
Malaysians, who are made up of Malays, and other indigenous people,
the Sea Dayaks (Ibans), Muruts and Bisayas (Lun Bawangs) and
Melanaus (who are known as Bumiputras) as well as Chinese, Indians,
Eurasians and many others, live and work together.
Out of the population of 17.0 million in Peninsula Malaysia, about
57.5 percent were Malays and other indigenous people, 27.2 percent
Chinese, 8.9 percent Indians, and 0.65 percent others while the
average population growth was 2.3 percent per annum (approx.) |
| Birth rate |
26.05 births/1,000 population
(approx.)
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| Death rate |
5.29 deaths/1,000 population (approx.) |
| Sex ratio |
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/fem(approx.) |
| Life expectancy at birth |
total population: 70.67 years
male: 67.62 years
female: 73.9 years (approx.) |
| Religions |
Islam, Buddhisim, Confucianism, Taoism,
Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Bahai faith.
Under the constitution, Islam is the official religion of Malaysia
but there is freedom of worship. Religious organizations may own
property and operate their own institutions.
The multi-racial population of Malaysia practices various religions
according to ethnic origins. All the Malays and some Indians and
Chinese are Muslims. The Chinese are mainly Buddhists or Taoists.
Most Indians are Hindus but there is a Sikh minority. Some Chinese,
Eurasians, Indians and indigenous people in Sarawak and Sabah are
Christians.
The Ruler is the religious head of Islam in all states except in
Pulau Pinang and Melaka where the Ruler head is the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong, the Supreme Head of State. In each state there is council of
religion to advise to the country as a whole are decided by the
National Council for Islamic Affairs.
The Pilgrims Management and Fund Board is a repository of
savings of the Muslims who wish to journey to Mecca, when they are
ready .
The Islamic bank of Malaysia, combining Islamic principles
with modern technology began operations on July 1, 1983. The Bank
is open to clients of all races and religions and offers a range of
facilities and services including financing and advisory services
for borrowers, investment partners and clients in line with Islamic
principles. |
| Legislative Body |
Bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of nonelected
Senate or Dewan Negara |
| Language |
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national and official
language in the country.
In a multi-racial country like Malaysia, however, many other Asian
languages and dialects are used. The main Chinese dialects are
Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese. Common Indian
Languages used are Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Hindi,
Gujrati and Urdu. English is widely used in commerce and industry. |
| Literacy |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93%
male: 89.1%
female: 78.1% (approx.) |
| Currency |
The unit of currency is the Ringgit which is divided into
100 sen. Currency notes are issued in denominations of RM2, RM5,
RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100, RM500, RM1000 while coins are in 1 sen, 5
sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and RM1, denominations. All currency is
issued by Bank Negara Malaysia, the Central Bank. Total amount of
currency in circulation at the end of 1996 was RM21.065 million. |
| Legal System |
Based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of
the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| GDP: Purchasing Power Parity |
-$215.4 billion (approx.) |
| GDP - real growth rate |
4.7 percent (approx.) |
| GDP - per capita |
purchasing power parity-$10,300 (approx.) |
| GDP - Composition by sector |
agriculture: 13%
industry: 46%
services: 41%
(approx.)
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| Economy Overview |
After a decade of 8% average GDP growth, the Malaysian
economy-severely hit by the regional financial crisis-declined 7%
in 1998. Malaysia will likely remain in recession for the first
half of 1999; official statistics continue to show anemic exports,
and some private financial analysts forecast a further drop in GDP
of 1% in 1999. Prime Minister MAHATHIR has imposed capital controls
to protect the local currency while cutting interest rates to
stimulate the economy. Kuala Lumpur also announced an expansionary
budget for 1999 to combat rising unemployment. Malaysia continues
to seek funding from domestic and international sources to help
finance its budget deficit and recapitalize its weakened banking
sector. |
| Population below poverty line |
15.5% (approx.) |
| Household income |
lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 37.9% (approx.) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) |
5.3% (approx.) |
| Industries |
Peninsular Malaysia-rubber and oil palm
processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry,
electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing
timber; Sabah-logging, petroleum production; Sarawak-agriculture
processing, petroleum production and refining, logg.
Types: electronics, electrical products, chemicals, food and
beverages, metal, and machinery products, apprael. |
| Industrial production growth rate |
14.4% (approx.) |
| Agriculture- products |
Peninsular Malaysia-rubber, palm oil, rice; Sabah-subsistence
crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak-rubber, pepper;
timber |
| Exports |
$72 billion(approx.) |
| Exports-commodities |
Electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products,
palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, tex, liquid, natural gas,
apparel, timber and logs, plywood and veneer. |
| Exports-partners |
US 21%, Singapore 17%, Japan 10.5%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 4%,
Thailand 4%, Germany 3%(approx.) |
| Imports |
$58 billion (approx.) |
| Imports-partners |
Japan 19.6%, US 19.6%, Singapore 13.6%, Taiwan 5%, Germany
4%, South Korea 4% (approx.) |
| Imports-commodities |
Machinery and equipment, chemicals, food, fuels and
lubricants. |
| Communication |
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| Telephones |
2,550,957(approx.) |
| Telephone system |
International service good
domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia
mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio
relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic
satellite system with 2 earth stations
international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong and Singapore;
satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific
Ocean) |
| Radio Broadcast stations |
Today, radio Malaysia has 22 radio stations. These are
equipped with the most common electronic equipment. Nine of these
stations which are fully equipped and operational for programme
productions and broadcasts are strategically located in the various
state capitals of Peninsula Malaysia - Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu,
Kuantan, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Ipoh, Pulau Pinang, Alor Setar,
Kangar, Seremban, Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur. The remaining
stations are scattered all over Sabah and Sarawak at Kota Kinabula,
Tawau, Federal Territory of Labuan, Sandakan, Kuching, Limbang,
Sibu, Miri and Sri Aman. |
| Radio Malaysia |
It was only on April 1, 1946 that the Department of
Broadcasting of Malaya was set up. It was then known as Radio
Malaya. With the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, Radio
Malaya's call-sign was changed to Radio Malaysia covering a wider
to include Sabah and Sarawak. |
| Television Malaysia |
Television Malaysia was launched on December 28, 1963 with
black and white television programming. Six years later, on October
6, 1969, Television Malaysia started transmission from Angkasapuri. |
| Transportation |
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Highways
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total: 94,500 km
paved: 70,970 km (including 580 km of expressways)
unpaved: 23,530 km (approx.) |
| Waterways |
7,296 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km,
Sarawak 2,518 km) |
| Pipelines |
Crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km |
| Ports and harbors |
Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Labuan,
Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, Port
Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjung Berhala, Tanjung Kidurong, Tawau |
| Personal Income Tax |
Under Malaysian income tax legislation, citizens and
resident non-citizens are liable to pay income tax ranging from 2
to 34 percent. A deduction of RM4,000 is allowed for each taxpayer
with RM1,000 for his dependent relief and RM3,000 for his wife.
RM800 is deductible for the first child with a maximum of RM3,200
for the next four. There is a relief of RM1,000 for each
handicapped child over sixteen years of age. Other items like life
insurance premiums, contributions to pensions, provident funds, and
approved charities are deductible. |
| Holidays & Festivals |
The country covers an area of 330,434 sq. km. Peninsula
Malaysia has an area of 131,598 sq. km. while Sarawak and Sabah
124,449 and 73,620 sq. km. respectively. |
| Tax Structure |
Tax Structure |
| International Membership |
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO,
MONUA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH,
UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
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General Section
