Introduction to Malaysia

The history of Malaysia is rich and diverse, shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and cultural influences.

Early History:
The early history of Malaysia involves various indigenous groups, including the Malaypeople. The region was a part of ancient trade routes, connecting it with India and China.
Malacca Sultanate:
In the 15th century, the Malacca Sultanate became a powerful trading empire, attractingmerchants from Asia and Europe. It was a crucial center for the spice trade.

Colonial Period:
The Portuguese captured Malacca in 1511, followed by the Dutch in the 17th century and
later the British. The British established the Straits Settlements, which included Penang,
Malacca, and Singapore.

British Rule
The British colonial period lasted until the mid-20th century. During this time, rubber and
tin industries developed, transforming Malaysia's economy. The country also experienced
significant immigration, leading to a diverse population.

World War II:
the Japanese occupied Malaysia during World War II. After the war, there were
movements towards independence.

Independence
Malaysia gained independence from British rule on August 31, 1957. Tunku Abdul
Rahman became the first Prime Minister.

Formation of Malaysia:
In 1963, Malaysia was formed through the merger of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and
Sarawak. However, Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965, becoming an
independent city-state.

Economic Development
Malaysia underwent rapid economic development, especially during the leadership of
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The country diversified its economy and became a
major player in the global market.

Modern Malaysia
Malaysia has experienced political stability and economic growth, becoming known for
its modern infrastructure, diverse culture, and vibrant tourism industry. The country
continues to grapple with issues related to ethnic and religious diversity.

10. Recent Developments:
The political landscape has seen changes with different political parties coming to power.Malaysia continues to be an active player in regional and global affairs.Understanding Malaysia's history provides insights into its cultural diversity, economicdevelopment, and the challenges it has faced and overcome over the years.

Demographic of Malaysia

The demographic profile of Malaysia is characterized by its diverse ethnic, cultural, and
religious composition.

1. Ethnic Groups:

Malay: The majority ethnic group, forming about 69% of the population.
Chinese: The second-largest ethnic group, making up around 23% of the population. The ethnic subgroups of Chinese people in Malaysia include the Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Hainan, Fuzhou, and Kwongsai.
Indian: Comprising about 7% of the population: Most Malaysian Indians are ethnic Tamils and smaller groups include the Malayalees, Telugu, and Punjabis.
Indigenous Groups (Orang Asli): Various indigenous groups make up a small percentage of the population.

2. Religions:

Islam: The official religion, practiced by the majority of Malaysians.
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and others: Other religions are practiced by
various ethnic groups.

3. Languages

Bahasa Malaysia (Malay): The official language.
English, Chinese, Tamil: Other languages spoken due to the multicultural nature of
the country.

4. Urbanization

In 2022, 78.21% of Malaysia’s total population lived in urban areas and cities.
Malaysia has experienced significant urbanization, with a considerable percentage
of the population residing in urban areas. Kuala Lumpur, the capital, is a major
urban center.

5. Age Distribution

Malaysia has a relatively young population, with a significant proportion under the
age of 30. In the third quarter of 2023, the total Malaysian population is estimated
to be 33.5 million, an increase of 1.8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2022
(32.9 million). The male population increased from 17.2 million to 17.5 million
compared to the third quarter of 2022 while the female population increased from
15.7 million to 16.0 million for the same period.
The population of Malaysia is increasing annually at a rate of 1.94%. In Malaysia,
the life expectancy at birth is 76.4 years, and the median age is 29.5 years. b

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Geographical Regions of Malaysia

Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and is divided into two main geographical
regions: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

1. Peninsular Malaysia:

Also known as West Malaysia, it is situated on the Malay Peninsula, sharing land
borders with Thailand to the north. To the south, it is separated from the island of
Sumatra in Indonesia by the Strait of Malacca. Peninsular Malaysia is the more
populous and developed part of the country and includes the capital city, Kuala
Lumpur.

2. East Malaysia

East Malaysia consists of two states located on the island of Borneo: Sabah and
Sarawak.
Sabah: Located in the northern part of Borneo, it shares borders with the Malaysian
state of Sarawak, as well as international borders with Indonesia and the
Philippines.
Sarawak: Situated in the northwest of Borneo, it shares borders with the Malaysian
state of Sabah, as well as international borders with Indonesia.

3. Geographical Features:

Malaysia is characterized by diverse geographical features, including tropical
rainforests, mountains, and coastal areas. The Titiwangsa Ranger runs down the
center of Peninsular Malaysia, and the country is known for its biodiversity.

4. Islands

Malaysia has numerous islands off its coasts, including popular tourist destinations.
Examples include Langkawi and Penang on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia
and the islands of Borneo, such as Pulau Tioman and Pulau Sipadan.

5. Strait of Melaka:

The Strait of Melaka, located between Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, is one of
the world's most important shipping lanes, connecting the Indian Ocean to the South
China Sea.

Geographical Regions of Malaysia

Malaysia has a tropical climate, characterized by high temperatures and humidity throughout the
year. The climate is influenced by its proximity to the equator, and it is generally categorized into
two main seasons: the Northeast Monsoon season and the Southwest Monsoon season.

1. Northeast Monsoon (November to March):

During this period, the northeastern winds bring heavy rainfall to the east coast of
Peninsular Malaysia and the northeastern part of Sabah on Borneo. This season is often
associated with the "wet season" on the east coast.

2. Southwest Monsoon (May to September):

The southwestern winds dominate during this period, leading to increased rainfall on
the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the western part of Sabah. The West Coast
experiences its "wet season" during these months.

3. Inter-monsoon Periods (April and October):

These transitional periods have variable weather conditions with some rainfall, but
they are generally less intense compared to the monsoon seasons.

4. Temperature:

Malaysia experiences warm temperatures throughout the year. Coastal areas and
lowlands typically have temperatures ranging from 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C). The
highland areas, such as the Cameron Highlands, have cooler temperatures, ranging
from 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C).

5. Humidity:

Humidity levels are consistently high, often exceeding 80% in many areas. The
combination of high temperatures and humidity contributes to the tropical climate.

6. Rainfall:

Malaysia generally receives a substantial amount of rainfall, with the east coast of
Peninsular Malaysia and parts of Sabah experiencing more intense rainfall during the
respective monsoon seasons.

7. Typhoon and Tropical Storms:

Malaysia is not directly in the path of typhoons. However, the country can be indirectly
affected by tropical storms, particularly in the northern regions.

Visit Malaysia Year

Visit Malaysia Year 1990

TAGLINE: “You will be Fascinated”
MASCOT: Wira
THEME: “Fascinating Malaysia. Year of Festivals”

The logo is an image of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building at the Dataran
Merdeka(Independence Square) with a beautiful sunset standing above a ribbon-like graphic. At
the side of the building is the image of “Bunga Manggar”, an important for auspicious occasions
and ceremonies. The entire logo’s color selection is mainly based on a mix of warm colors to
position Malaysia as a warm and happy destination. The campaign was a huge success with
Malaysia receiving 7.4 million in tourist arrivals compared to 4.8 million in 1989. Enable tourists
to easily recognize Malaysia, an orangutan, an endangered species found in East Malaysia, was
used as a mascot and it was named Wira. Malaysia’s Independence Day celebrated on August 31
of that year was the anchor for 84 major events, 14 festivals, and nine vibrant exhibitions.

Visit Malaysia Year 1994

THEME: “Fascinating Malaysia. Naturally More”

The second edition of the Visit Malaysia Year tourism campaign. Similar to the previous
logo, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building with a beautiful sunset continues to be a key image of the
1994 logo design. The simplified version is probably to highlight the image of the “sun” as the key
visual to echo the theme that emphasizes “Naturally More.” With great success with a total
achieved 10.22 million in tourist arrivals.

Visit Malaysia Year 2007

THEME: “Celebrating 50 Years of Nationhood”

“Malaysia Truly Asia” and 20.97 million in tourist arrivals. The third VMY was launched in 2007 in conjunction with the celebration of Malaysia’s 50th Year of Independence. Efforts were also intensified in all advertising and promotional activities, including the call for action “The time is now. The place is Malaysia” together with its successful and impactful slogan “Malaysia Truly Asia”. In line with the 50th Independence Anniversary, over 200 events across the country with 50 major events were held to showcase Malaysia’s wealth of tourist attractions. All in all, VMY 2007 charted a tremendous success beyond expectations with 20.97 million in tourist arrivals and RM46.1 billion in tourist receipts. This means a rise of 3.42 million and RM9.8 billion from the previous year.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014

THEME: "Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia"
MASCOT: The Proboscis Monkey

In 2014, Malaysia celebrated its fourth Visit Malaysia Year with the theme “Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia” to reflect the diversity in unity of all Malaysians. Malaysia's biggest tourism
celebration at the time, with hundreds of events and festivals throughout the year. Malaysia's biggest tourism celebration at the time, with hundreds of events and festivals throughout the year. The Proboscis Monkey had been chosen as the mascot while the promotional campaign started in 2013 with a series of year-long special events and activities leading to VMY 2014.

Visit Malaysia Year 2020

SLOGAN: ”Visit Malaysia 2020: Visit Truly Asia Malaysia”

The year 2020 holds a special place in the hearts of Malaysians, with VMY 2020 set to become a festive year-long event. This fifth Visit Malaysia year since 1990 will be held with renewed vigor and passion as we celebrate the successes and challenges we have experienced together as a nation. With the chosen theme ‘Visit Truly Asia Malaysia’, a myriad of exciting and lively events has been lined up to bring to light all of Malaysia’s bountiful offerings in terms of art, culture, cuisine, history, natural beauty, and others. The multi-colored logo for VMY 2020 not only represents the richness of Malaysia’s flora and fauna but also symbolizes cultural diversity – featuring the iconic rhinoceros hornbill, the red hibiscus as our national flower, and wild ferns. Meanwhile, the official
theme song of VMY 2020, a fusion of traditional musical elements and modern tunes, adds an upbeat feel to the promotion of this memorable event, which we celebrate with great pride and joy.