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Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. It possesses abundant resources and land, a well-educated work force, adequate infrastructure, and a relatively stable political environment.

History

Main article: History of Malaysia

Malaysia was created in 1963 through the merging of Malaya (independent in 1957) and the former British Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo, which composed East Malaysia. The first three years of independence were marred by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore seceded from the union in 1965.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Malaysia

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, nominally headed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ("paramount ruler"), customarily referred to as the king. Kings are elected for 5-year terms from among the nine sultans of the peninsular Malaysian states.

Executive power is vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister who commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of parliament. The bicameral parliament consists of the 69-mamber Senate (Dewan Negara) and the 193-member House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat). Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures.

States

Main article: States of Malaysia

Malaysia is divided into 13 states (negeri-negeri) and 2 federal territories (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan):

Geography

Main article: Geography of Malaysia

Malaysia physically consists of two major parts - West Malaysia or Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. West Malaysia is situated on the southern part of the Malay Peninsula. To the north is Thailand and to the south is Singapore. To the west, across the Straits of Malacca is the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. East Malaysia is situated on the island of Borneo.

The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. Putrajaya is a newly created administrative capital for the government of Malaysia. One of the aims of the creation of Putrajaya was to ease growing congestion within Malaysia's largest city, Kuala Lumpur.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Malaysia

Malaysia made a quick economic recovery in 1999 from its worst recession since independence in 1957. GDP grew 5%, responding to a dynamic export sector, which grew over 10% and fiscal stimulus from higher government spending. The large export surplus has enabled the country to build up its already substantial financial reserves, to $31 billion at yearend 1999. This stable macroeconomic environment, in which both inflation and unemployment stand at 3% or less, has made possible the relaxation of most of the capital controls imposed by the government in 1998 to counter the impact of the Asian financial crisis. While Malaysia's immediate economic horizon looks bright, its long-term prospects are clouded by the lack of reforms in the corporate sector, particularly those dealing with competitiveness and high corporate debt.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Malaysia

Culture

Main article: Culture of Malaysia

Miscellaneous topics

External Links

• Malaysia Central - Comprehensive online resource on Malaysia. Search or browse thousands of Malaysian websites.

• Interview with the PM - Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad's interview with PBS on 07/02/01.