LocationSoutheast Asia.
Area329,750 sq km (127,317 sq miles).
Population25.2 million (2008 estimate).
Population Density76.4 per sq km.
CapitalKuala Lumpur.
Population: 1.8 million (2007 estimate).
GovernmentConstitutional monarchy since 1963. Gained independence from the UK in 1957.
LanguageBahasa Melayu is the national and official language, but English is widely spoken. Other languages such as Chinese (Cantonese and Hokkien), Iban and Tamil are spoken by minorities.
ReligionMalaysia's official
religion is Islam. The country also has a large Buddhist community. Other religions, including Christian, Taoist, Confucianist, Hindu and animist, are also practiced.
TimeGMT + 8.
Electricity220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are generally used.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi since 2003.
Head of StateSultan Mizan Zainal Abidin since 2006.
Recent HistoryPrime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in for a second five-year term in March 2008, two days after his coalition suffered its worst election result in five decades. The ruling National Front won more than half of all seats in parliament, but lost its two-thirds majority, its worst result since independence in 1957.
The dominant political organization in Malaysia has long been the United Malay National Organization (UMNO), which allied itself with several smaller formations to create the
Barisan Nasional (NF, National Front). Between 1982 and 2003, Malaysian politics were shaped by the leadership of Mahathir Mohammed, a strident nationalist with an acerbic tongue and an intolerance of opposition in any form - something which saw him use the 9/11 attacks in the USA to demonise his Islamist opponents. His ruthlessness was exemplified when he framed his deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, for alleged homosexuality (which is illegal in Malaysia) and corruption, sentencing him to 15 years in prison.
Some problems have arisen lately between differing ethnic groups, largely due to a marked wealth gap between them, but generally, the various communities live harmoniously.
TelephoneCountry code: 60. International calls can be made from public telephones with card facilities or at any
Telekom office. Public coin-operated phones can be found in many areas, such as supermarkets and post offices. Cards can be purchased at airports, petrol stations and some shops.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.
InternetThere are numerous Internet cafes. Hotels offer Internet access.
MediaMalaysia has some very tough censorship laws. Authorities exert substantial control over the media and restrictions may be imposed in the name of 'national security'. The government strives hard to shield the Malaysian population from foreign influences that are deemed 'harmful'. News is subject to censorship, as are other programs and films, particularly those showing swearing or kissing. Private radio stations broadcast in Malay, Tamil, Chinese and English. Newspapers renew their publication licenses annually, and the danger of suspension or abolition always lurks.
PostThere are post offices in the commercial center of all towns.
Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1700.
Press• English-language dailies include
Business Times,
The Edge,
Malay Mail,
Malaysiakini,
New Straits Times and
The Star.
• The major Malay-language newspapers are
Utusan and
Berita Harian.
• English-language newspapers available in Sarawak include the
Borneo Post.
• English-language dailies in Sabah include the
Borneo Mail,
Daily Express and
Sabah Times.
Radio• Radio Television Malaysia (
RTM) operates some 30 state-run radio stations across the country, plus an external service.
• Time Highway Radio is a private FM station in Kuala Lumpur.
•
Era FM is another private FM station in Malaysia.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Jan Chinese New Year.
1 Feb* Federal Territory Day.
9 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of Prophet Muhammad).
1 May Labor Day.
9 May Wesak Day (Birth of Buddha).
6 Jun King's Birthday.
31 Aug Merdeka Day (National Day).
21 Sep Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).
17 Oct** Deepavali.
27-28 Nov Hari Raya Qurban (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Awal Muharram
(Islamic New Year).
25 Dec Christmas.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
1 Feb* Federal Territory Day.
14 Feb Chinese New Year.
26 Feb Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of Prophet Muhammad).
28 Apr Wesak Day (Birth of Buddha).
1 May Labor Day.
5 Jun King's Birthday.
31 Aug Merdeka Day (National Day).
10 Sep Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).
5 Nov** Deepavali.
16-17 Nov Hari Raya Qurban (Feast of the Sacrifice).
7 Dec Awal Muharram
(Islamic New Year).
25 Dec Christmas.
*Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan only.
**Except Labuan and Sarawak.
Note(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Hari Raya Puasa itself and Hari Raja Qurban may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Buddhist festivals are also timed according to phases of the moon and variations may occur.
Contact Information:Malaysian High Commission in the UK45-46 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QT, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 8033.
Website:
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/londonOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (consular section).
Tourism Malaysia in the UKMalaysia House, 57 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DU, UK
Tel: (020) 7930 7932.
Website:
www.tourism.gov.myEmbassy of Malaysia in the USA3516 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 572 9700.
Website:
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/washingtonTourism Malaysia in the USA120 East 56th Street, Suite 810, New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: (212) 754 1114/5.
Website:
www.tourism.gov.my
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