Country Profile - Malaysia

Malaysia achieved independence on 31 August 1957 and Malaysia was formed in 1963 through a federation of the former British colonies of Malaya and Singapore including the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo. Located in Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam.

Population: 25 million.

Races: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 24%, Indian 8%, others 10% (2000).

Religion: Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia

Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Iban and Kadazan

States: 13 states (negeri) and 3 federal territories* (wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Putrajaya*, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*

The city of Kuala Lumpur is within the federal territory of Wilayah Persekutuan; Klang Valley means a region covering Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor

Climate

Malaysia is a tropical country with annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons with unpredictable rain in the evening or any time of the day. Since the climax is rather hot and humid, Malaysians usually take shower twice a day; early morning and evening. Please be prepared to follow our lifestyle. Some of the programs will take place in lushes green, where insects are thriving. Bring your favorite insect repellant or wear full clothing.