Overview of Malaysia

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country located just north of the Equator, comprising two noncontiguous regions: Peninsular Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, with the administrative center in Putrajaya.

Malaysia was established on September 16, 1963, as a political union of territories previously under British rule, including Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah. Singapore left the federation in 1965.

The government system is a constitutional monarchy; the chief of state is the king, and the head of government is the prime minister. Malaysia has a mixed economic system which includes a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Malaysia is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Religion

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and most people here are Muslim. Because of Malaysia’s position on old trade routes linking India, the Middle East, China and Europe, the country has welcomed many cultures and beliefs over the centuries. As a result, almost all the major world religions have a long history in Malaysia. Today, about 63% of the population are Muslim, around 20% are Buddhist, about 9% are Hindu, and smaller groups follow Christianity, traditional Chinese faiths such as Confucianism and Taoism, and other religions.

Religion is much more visible in everyday life here than in many English-speaking countries. You can often see mosques, temples and churches close to one another in the same town. Religious festivals are celebrated widely and are public holidays for everyone. Ramadan for Muslims, Deepavali for Hindus, Chinese New Year for Chinese Malaysians and Christmas for Christians are all part of the national calendar.

This mix of traditions and open celebrations has helped different communities in Malaysia learn about one another and generally live side by side with respect and tolerance. While roaming through cities, it’s common to spot a mosque, a church, and temple within close proximity to each other.

Article 3 of the constitution states that “Islam is the religion of the Federation, but other religions can also be practised safely and peacefully in any part of the Federation” This means that even though Malaysia has declared Islam as the official religion, the Malaysian population which consists of various ancestry and beliefs, are free to practise their respective faith. This freedom shapes a strong unity between the races and this is proven by the peaceful environment achieved by Malaysians.*malaysia.gov.my

Ethnic Diversity

Malaysia is known for its rich blend of cultures, religions and traditions. Malaysia’s population consists of three main races, namely the Malays, Chinese and Indian. Each culture brings it own traditions and values to the country.

Malays

Predominantly Muslim who speak Bahasa Malayu (often referred to as just “Bahasa”).

Chinese

Mostly Buddhists, Taoists or Christian who speak a variety of dialects including Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien.

Indians

Mostly Hindu however some Muslim and Christian communities, speaking Tamil.

Other

Indigenous groups and expats make up the remainder of the population. Native groups such as Iban and Kadazandusun (in Sabah & Sarawak respectively). Whilst the expat population is growing in areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Johor and Cyberjaya.

It’s important to note that the languages mentioned above are native tongues, however almost everyone has some ability to speak English. Whether fluent or broken, it is fairly straightforward to communicate with people no matter their background.

Major Cities

Kuala Lumpur: The capital and largest city, known for its modern skyline and cultural diversity.

George Town: Located on Penang Island, it is renowned for its colonial architecture and vibrant street food scene.

Ipoh: Known for its British colonial architecture and limestone hills.

Johor Bahru: A major city in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia, close to the Singapore border.

Kuching: The capital of Sarawak in East Malaysia, known for its rich history and cultural heritage.

Kota Kinabalu: The capital of Sabah in East Malaysia, famous for its proximity to Mount Kinabalu.

Shah Alam: The state capital of Selangor, known for its planned city layout (Shah Alam was the first planned city in Malaysia after independence from Britain in 1957) and the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque (Blue Mosque).

Petaling Jaya: A satellite city of Kuala Lumpur, known for its commercial and residential areas.

Public Holidays

Malaysia celebrates a wide range of public holidays each year. These holidays come from Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and cultural traditions. Malaysia has one of the highest numbers of public holidays in the region.

There is a running joke between citizens of Malaysia about how many public holidays there are. However, this reflects the country’s multi-religious and multicultural society. Some holidays are national, whilst others are state-specific.

National holidays include (dates are for 2025, some holidays (such as Islamic and lunar festivals) may change each year, check official announcements for confirmation):

• New Year’s Day – 1 January 2025
• Chinese New Year – 29 January 2025
• Chinese New Year – 30 January 2025 (except Kelantan)
• Nuzul Al-Quran – 18 March 2025
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri – 31 March 2025
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday Second Day – 1 April 2025
• Labor Day – 1 May 2025
• Wesak Day – 12 May 2025
• Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong – 2 June 2025
• Hari Raya Haji – 7 June 2025
• Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) – 27 June 2025
• Merdeka Day – 31 August 2025
• Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) – 5 September 2025
• Malaysia Day – 15/16 September 2025
• Deepavali – 20 October 2025 (except Sarawak)
• Christmas Day – 25 December 2025

Each state also has its own holidays, such as Sultan or Governor birthdays, which are observed only in that state. For example, Thaipusam is a public holiday in some states but not all.

Weather

Malaysia has a tropical climate with hot, humid weather throughout the year. While the country experiences wet and dry seasons, the line between them is blurred. The temperatures in Malaysia are steady, with the average around 30°C.

It rains regularly, usually in the form of a heavy downpour which lasts for an hour or so. Before clearing up to a sunny day again.

Malaysia has two distinct seasons. The dry season lasts from May until September and the rainy season lasts from mid-November until March.

Emergency Numbers

• Police and Ambulance: 999
• Fire: 994
• Civil Defense: 991