LocationSouth-East Asia.
Area329,758 sq km (127,320 sq miles).
Population26 million (2006 estimate).
Population Density78.8 per sq km.
CapitalKuala Lumpur.
Population: 1.5 million (2006 estimate).
GovernmentConstitutional monarchy since 1963. Gained independence from the UK in 1957.
Head of State: Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin since 2006.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi since 2003.
Recent history: 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. The main political task for Mahathir’s chosen successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has been the prevention of any further progress by the Islamist PAS (
Malay Parti Islam SeMalaysia). The general election in March 2004 resulted in a landslide win by the Barisan Nasional.
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.
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, though sporadic.
InternetThere are numerous Internet cafes. Hotels often have 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• The English-language dailies printed in Peninsular Malaysia are
Business Times,
The Edge,
Malay Mail,
Malaysiakini,
New Straits Times and
The Star.
• There are also several English-language Sunday newspapers and periodicals.
• 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 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Jan Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year).
1 Feb* Federal Territory Day.
18 Feb Chinese New Year.
31 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of Prophet Muhammad).
1 May Labor Day.
2 May Wesak Day (Birth of Buddha).
3 Jun King’s Birthday.
31 Aug National Day.
13 Oct Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).
9 Nov** Deepvali.
20 Dec Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Awal Muharram
(Islamic New Year).
1 Feb* Federal Territory Day.
7 Feb Chinese New Year.
20 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of Prophet Muhammad).
1 May Labor Day.
20 May Wesak Day (Birth of Buddha).
3 Jun King’s Birthday.
31 Aug National Day.
1 Oct Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).
28 Oct** Deepvali.
9 Dec Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas.
29 Dec Awal Muharram
(Islamic New Year).
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 Haji 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.
* Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan only.
**Except Labuan and Sarawak.
Contact Information:Malaysian High Commission in the UK45 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QT, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 8033.
Website:
www.kln.gov.my/mission/london Opening hours: 0915-1215 (consular section).
Tourism Malaysia in the UKMalaysia House, 57 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DU, UK
Tel: (020) 7930 7932.
Website:
www.malaysiatrulyasia.co.ukEmbassy of Malaysia in the USA3516 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 572 9700.
Website:
www.kln.gov.my/mission/washington Tourism Malaysia in the USA120 East 56th Street, Suite 810, New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: (212) 754 1114/5.
Website:
www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my
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