| Name of
Country |
Federation of Malaysia |
| Land Area |
127,320 sq.miles or 329,758 sq.km.
Consists of Peninsular Malaysia (the 11 former states
of Malaya, and the Island Of Penang): Sarawak and Sabah
(North Borneo and Labuan Island) |
| Population |
20.10 million (1995 estimate) 54.4% Urban
population growing at a rate of 3.8% per annum. |
| Population Density |
61 people per sq.km |
| Population Composition |
65 years and over - 4% Children under 15
years - 37% |
| Life Expectancy |
Males - 69.0 years, Females - 73.7 years |
| Language |
Bahasa Malaysia based on Malay (official
language), English (commercial - in wide use), other languages
spoken are Chinese, Tamil and Iban. |
| Religion |
Islam (established religion), Buddhism,
Hinduism, Christianity |
| Ethnic Make-up |
Malay - 64%, Chinese - 30%, Indian - 6% |
| Education |
Education is compulsory between the age
of 6 and 16 years. 99% attend Elementary School. |
| Literacy Rate |
89% - Males, 78% - Females |
| Capital |
Kuala Lumpur (population - 2 million) |
| Major Cities |
Ipoh, Penang, Johore Bahru, Petaling Jaya,
Kelang, Kuala Trengganu, Kota Bahru, Seremban, Kuantan,
Kota Kinabalu, Melaka, Sibu, Kuching |
| Administration |
Malaysia consists of 13 states and two
areas (Kuala Lumpur and Labuan) under jurisdiction of
the Federal government. |
| Climate |
Generally tropical except for the highland
areas where it is temperate. It rains all seasons. |
| Temperature |
Between 22C (72F) and 33C (92F) |
| Weights and Measures |
The metric system is in force. There is
also a local system of weights and measures. |
| Currency |
Malaysian Ringgit (MR)
| 100 Sen |
1 Ringgit |
| In August '97 1 US$ |
2.96 Yen |
| 1 L |
3.942 MR |
|
| Public Holidays |
Holidays observed nationally are Chinese
New Year (variable), Labour Day - May 01, National Day
- August 31, Christmas Day - December 25, Bank Holiday
- July 31 |
| Other Holidays |
Birthday of Paramount Ruler (variable)
Wesak Day (variable)
The following holidays are based on the Muslim Lunar calendar
or Hindu calendar:
Prophet Mohammed's Birthday, Hari Raya Puara (Ramazan
Festival) Hari Raya Haji (Haj Festival), First Day of
Muharram (Muslim New Year), Deepavali.
Other holidays that may be observed:
Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March), Good Friday.
Other holidays observed regionally/locally:
Federal Territory Day (only observed in the Federal Territory),
local holidays.
In the states of Kedah, Kelentan, Trengganu and Johore
the weekend is Thursday and Friday, while in others, it
is Saturday (half day) and Sunday (full day) |
| Working Hours |
Offices - 8.30 a.m or 9.00 a.m to 1.00
p.m and 2.30 p.m to 4.30 p.m or 5.00 p.m (Monday to Friday),
9.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m (Saturday). |
| Time Difference with
Sri Lanka |
+ 2.30 hours |
| Government |
Malaysia is a Federation with a Constitutional
Monarch as Head of State, elected for a five year term
by and from hereditary rulers of nine of the states. Parliament
consists of a lower house - Dewan Rakyet (House of Representatives)
that has a 5-year term and an upper house - Dewan Negara
(Senate) having a 3-year term. The Head of State chooses
as Prime Minister the person who commands the support
of the majority of the members of the lower house. |
| Political conditions
bearing on Economy/Trade |
At present, the ruling National From Coalition
(NF) is the dominant power in the national legislative.
In the 1995 general elections, it won 162 out of 192 seats
indicating strong public support for its economic policies.
During the 1990s the economy continued to expand rapidly
under the policies introduced in the1980s, namely liberalizations
of foreign investment legislation, tax reforms, a reduction
in trade tariffs and the privatisation of state enterprise. |
| Visa Requirements |
Visas are required for employment, research
and educational purposes, other professional purposes
and professional visits. Those travelling as tourists,
in transit, for social and business purposes are advised
to contact relevant authorities to ascertain whether visas
are required. Travellers from or who have transited Ethiopia
and Somalia are required to possess a valid international
certificate against smallpox. Those from these two countries
and from African and South American countries are also
required to have valid documents against yellow fever.
Travellers coming from cholera-infested areas are required
to have a vaccination against cholera. Visa applications
will require clearance and approval and may entail a waiting
period of 6 to 8 weeks before the result can be notified.
Those wishing to enter Sabah and Sarawak will need additional
visa approval from the immigration authorities for all
types of visits involving a stay exceeding three months. |
