View source for Malaysia

{{Short description|Country in Southeast Asia}}
{{Distinguish|Malesia|Malaisia|Malaya (disambiguation){{!}}Malaya}}
{{Good article}}
{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Malaysia<!-- The name of the Federation (official name of the state) according to Art 1(1) of the Federal Constitution is, in Malay and English, Malaysia. Nothing more, nothing less. 'Federation of' was only used for the state that preceded Malaysia – Federation of Malaya. Please do not insert 'Federation of' or 'Persekutuan' for Malay name -->
| common_name            = Malaysia
| image_flag             = Flag of Malaysia.svg
| alt_flag               = A blue rectangle with a gold star and crescent in the canton, with 14 horizontal red and white stripes on the rest of the flag
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Malaysia.svg
| coa_size               = 90
| symbol_type            = Coat of arms
| alt_coat               = Shield showing the symbols of the Malaysian states with a star and crescent above and a motto below, supported by two tigers
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Malaysia (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Location Malaysia ASEAN.svg|frameless]]|Show ASEAN|default=1}}
| map_width              = 250px
| map_caption            = {{map caption |location_color=dark green |region=Asia |subregion= [[ASEAN]]
| subregion_color        = dark gray}}
| national_motto         = {{lang|ms|Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mygov.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Main/MsianGov/MsianFlagAndCrest/Pages/MsianFlagAndCrest.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022191931/http://mygov.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Main/MsianGov/MsianFlagAndCrest/Pages/MsianFlagAndCrest.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2013 |title=Malaysian Flag and Coat of Arms |publisher=Malaysian Government |access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref><br>{{lang|ms-Arab|برسکوتو برتمبه موتو}} ''([[Jawi Alphabet|Jawi]])''<br>"[[Unity makes strength|Unity Is Strength]]"
| national_anthem        = "{{lang|ms|[[Negaraku]]}}"<br />"My Country"{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Negaraku instrumental.ogg]]}}
| capital                = [[Kuala Lumpur]]{{refn|group=fn|Constitutional capital, ceremonial and legislative}}
| coordinates            = {{coord|3|8|N|101|41|E|region:MY|display=inline}}
| admin_center           = [[Putrajaya]]{{refn|group=fn|Administrative and judicial}}<br />{{coord|2|56|N|101|42|E|region:MY|display=inline}}
| largest_city           = capital
| languages_type         = National languages (official)
| languages              = [[Malaysian Malay|Malay]]{{efn|Section 9 of the [[National Language Act 1963/67]] states that "The script of the national language shall be the Rumi script: provided that this shall not prohibit the use of the Malay script, more commonly known as the Jawi script, of the national language".}}{{efn|Section 2 of the [[National Language Act 1963/67]] states that "Save as provided in this Act and subject to the safeguards contained in Article 152(1) of the Constitution relating to any other language and the language of any other community in Malaysia the national language shall be used for official purposes".}}{{efn|name=Recognised|See Article 152 of the [[Federal Constitution of Malaysia]] and [[National Language Act 1963/67]].}}
| languages2_type        = Recognised languages
| languages2             = [[Malaysian English|English]]{{efn|name=Recognised}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{tree list}}
* 70.5% [[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|Bumiputera]]
** 57.3% [[Malaysian Malays|Malay]]
** 13.2% indigenous groups of [[Sabah]], [[Sarawak]], [[Orang Asli]] and [[Ethnic origins of people in Malaysia|other]]
* 22.9% [[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese]]
* 6.6% [[Malaysian Indian|Indian]]
{{tree list/end}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2023
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/01/17/minister-census-shows-malaysias-oldest-man-and-woman-aged-120-and-118-preli/2035636|title=Minister: Census shows Malaysia's oldest man and woman aged 120 and 118; preliminary census findings to be released in Feb 2022|date=17 January 2022|publisher=Malaymail|access-date=17 January 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117074901/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/01/17/minister-census-shows-malaysias-oldest-man-and-woman-aged-120-and-118-preli/2035636|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=155&bul_id=ZjJOSnpJR21sQWVUcUp6ODRudm5JZz09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09 |title=Current population and estimates, Malaysia 2021 Group |author=Department of Statistics Malaysia |access-date=1 February 2022 |year=2021 |archive-date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201080046/https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=155&bul_id=ZjJOSnpJR21sQWVUcUp6ODRudm5JZz09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09
|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>MyGOV - The Government of Malaysia’s Official Portal. (n.d.). https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30114 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120005627/https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30114 |date=20 January 2021 }}</ref>
| religion               = {{ubl|63.5% [[Islam in Malaysia|Sunni Islam]] ([[State religion|official]])<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.jac.gov.my/images/stories/akta/federalconstitution.pdf|title=The States, Religion and Law of the Federation|work=Constitution of Malaysia|publisher=Judicial Appointments Commission|access-date=29 October 2017|quote=Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614105535/http://www.jac.gov.my/images/stories/akta/federalconstitution.pdf|archive-date=14 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>|18.7% [[Buddhism in Malaysia|Buddhism]]|
{{Tree list}}
* 9.1% [[Christianity in Malaysia|Christianity]]
** 4.55% [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]
** 3.64% [[Protestantism]]
** 0.91% Other Christians
{{Tree list/end}}|6.1% [[Hinduism in Malaysia|Hinduism]]|0.9% other|1.8% unknown}}
| religion_ref           = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=117&bul_id=akliVWdIa2g3Y2VubTVSMkxmYXp1UT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09|title=Distribution and Basic Demographic Characteristic Report 2020|publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia|date=14 February 2020|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=22 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822014403/https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=117&bul_id=akliVWdIa2g3Y2VubTVSMkxmYXp1UT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=139c World Religion Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08]</ref>
| religion_year          = 2020
| demonym                = [[Malaysians|Malaysian]]
| government_type        = Federal [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] constitutional [[elective monarchy]]
| leader_title1          = [[King of Malaysia|Yang di-Pertuan Agong]] (King)
| leader_name1           = [[Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor|Ibrahim Iskandar]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Anwar Ibrahim]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Malaysia|Parliament]]
| upper_house            = [[Dewan Negara]]
| lower_house            = [[Dewan Rakyat]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[Independence Day (Malaysia)|Independence]]
| sovereignty_note       = from the [[United Kingdom]]
| established_event1     = [[Federation of Malaya]]
| established_date1      = 31 August 1957<ref>{{cite book|author=Mackay, Derek|title=Eastern Customs: The Customs Service in British Malaya and the Opium Trade|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QM5LImNbYusC&pg=PA240|date=2005|publisher=The Radcliffe Press|isbn=978-1-85043-844-1|pages=240–|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=19 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119151920/https://books.google.com/books?id=QM5LImNbYusC&pg=PA240|url-status=live}}</ref>
| established_event2     = [[Sarawak Self-government Day|Sarawak self-governance]]
| established_date2      = 22 July 1963
| established_event3     = [[North Borneo Self-government Day|North Borneo self-governance]]
| established_date3      = 31 August 1963<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.astroawani.com/perspektif/kenapa-kita-takut-dengan-sejarah-22258|title=31 Ogos 1963, Hari kemerdekaan Sabah yang rasmi|publisher=AWANI|date=14 May 2021|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901062457/https://www.astroawani.com/perspektif/kenapa-kita-takut-dengan-sejarah-22258|url-status=live}}</ref>
| established_event4     = [[Proclamation of Malaysia]]
| established_date4      = 16 September 1963
| area_rank              = 67th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_km2               = 330,803<ref name="2010 stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/ccount12/click.php?id=2127 |title=Laporan Kiraan Permulaan 2010 |publisher=Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia |page=27 |access-date=2 August 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227065717/http://www.statistics.gov.my/ccount12/click.php?id=2127 |archive-date=27 December 2010  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia country profile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15356257 |website=BBC News |access-date=27 January 2021 |date=24 February 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126030607/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15356257 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_sq_mi             = 127,720
| percent_water          = 0.3
| population_estimate    = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 34,564,810<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Malaysia|access-date=24 September 2022}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2024
| population_estimate_rank = 43rd
| population_census_year = 2020
| population_census      = 32,447,385<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cloud.stats.gov.my/index.php/s/ppMYkLC4kyUzHKn#pdfviewer |title=Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020 |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |page=48 |access-date=23 March 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228142122/https://cloud.stats.gov.my/index.php/s/ppMYkLC4kyUzHKn#pdfviewer |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 101
| population_density_sq_mi = 263
| population_density_rank = 116th
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $1.470 trillion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 31st
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $43,470<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 51th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $444.98 billion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 35th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $13,140<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 66th
| Gini_year              = 2021
| Gini_change            = decrease<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = 40.7 <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=MY |title=World Bank Open Data |access-date=11 January 2018 |archive-date=12 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042739/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=MY |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = 0.819<!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="HDI">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 67th
| currency               = [[Malaysian ringgit]] (RM)
| currency_code          = MYR
| date_format            = dd-mm-yyyy
| drives_on              = Left
| time_zone              = [[Malaysian Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset             = [[UTC+8|+8]]
| calling_code           = [[+60]]
| cctld                  = [[.my]]
| footnotes              = 
}}

'''Malaysia'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|UK|audio=En-us-Malaysia.ogg|m|ə|ˈ|l|eɪ|z|i|ə}} {{respell|mə|LAY|zee|ə}}, {{IPAc-en|US|m|ə|ˈ|l|eɪ|ʒ|ə}} {{Respell|mə-LAY-zhə}}; {{IPA|ms|malɛjsia|lang|Ms-MY-Malaysia.ogg}}}} is a country in [[Southeast Asia]]. A [[federation|federal]] [[constitutional monarchy]], it consists of [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|13 states and three federal territories]], separated by the [[South China Sea]] into two regions: [[Peninsular Malaysia]] on the [[Mainland Southeast Asia|Indochinese Peninsula]] and [[East Malaysia]] on the island of [[Borneo]]. Peninsular Malaysia shares land and maritime [[Malaysia–Thailand border|borders]] with [[Thailand]], as well as maritime borders with [[Singapore]], [[Vietnam]], and [[Indonesia]]; East Malaysia shares land borders with [[Brunei]] and Indonesia, and a maritime border with the [[Philippines]] and Vietnam. [[Kuala Lumpur]] is the country's national capital, [[List of cities and towns in Malaysia by population|largest city]], and the seat of the [[Parliament of Malaysia|legislative branch]] of the [[Government of Malaysia|federal government]], while [[Putrajaya]] is the federal administrative capital, representing the seat of both the [[Government of Malaysia#Executive|executive branch]] (the [[Cabinet of Malaysia|Cabinet]], [[List of federal ministries and agencies in Malaysia|federal ministries, and federal agencies]]) and the [[Judiciary of Malaysia|judicial branch]] of the federal government. With a population of over 34 million, it is the world's [[List of countries by population|42nd-most populous country]].

The country has its origins in the [[Malay Kingdom (disambiguation)|Malay kingdoms]], which, from the 18th century on, became [[British Malaya|subject]] to the [[British Empire]], along with the British [[Straits Settlements]] protectorate. During [[World War II]], [[British Malaya]], along with other nearby British and American colonies, was occupied by the [[Empire of Japan]]. Following three years of occupation, Peninsular Malaysia was briefly unified as the [[Malayan Union]] in 1946 until 1948 when it was restructured as the [[Federation of Malaya]]. The country achieved independence on 31 August 1957. On [[Malaysia Day|16 September 1963]], independent Malaya united with the then [[Crown colony|British crown colonies]] of [[Crown Colony of North Borneo|North Borneo]], [[Crown Colony of Sarawak|Sarawak]], and [[Colony of Singapore|Singapore]] to become Malaysia. In August 1965, Singapore was [[Singapore in Malaysia|expelled]] from the federation and became a [[Proclamation of Singapore|separate, independent country]].

Malaysia is [[Tropics|tropical]] and is one of 17 [[megadiverse countries]]; it is home to numerous [[Wildlife of Malaysia|endemic species]]. The country is [[Ethnic groups in Malaysia|multiethnic]] and [[Culture of Malaysia|multicultural]], which has a significant effect on its politics. About half the population is ethnically [[Malaysian Malays|Malay]], with minorities of [[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese]], [[Malaysian Indian|Indians]], and [[Orang Asal|indigenous peoples]]. The official language is [[Malaysian Malay]], a standard form of the [[Malay language]]. English remains an active second language. While recognising [[Islam]] as the [[official religion]], the constitution grants [[freedom of religion]] to non-Muslims. The government is modelled on the [[Westminster system|Westminster parliamentary system]], and the legal system is based on [[common law]]. The [[head of state]] is an [[Elective monarchy|elected monarch]], chosen from among the [[Monarchies of Malaysia|nine state sultans]] every five years. The [[head of government]] is the [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|prime minister]].

The country's economy has traditionally been driven by its natural resources but is expanding into commerce, tourism, and [[Medical tourism in Malaysia|medical tourism]]. The country has a [[newly industrialised country|newly industrialised]] [[market economy]], which is relatively open and state-oriented. The country is a founding member of the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] (OIC), the [[East Asia Summit]] (EAS), and the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN), and a member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] (NAM), the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], and the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] (APEC).

== Etymology ==
The name [[wikt:Malaysia|''Malaysia'']] is a combination of the word [[wikt:Malays|''Malays'']] and the Latin-Greek suffix [[wikt:-ia|''-ia'']]/[[wikt:-ία|-ία]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Room|first=Adrian|title=Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for Over 5000 Natural Features, Countries, Capitals, Territories, Cities and Historic Sites|publisher=McFarland & Company|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7864-1814-5|page=221}}</ref> which can be translated as 'land of the Malays'.<ref name="CIA Fact Book">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/malaysia/|title=The World Factbook – Malaysia|year=2020|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=15 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225421/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/malaysia/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similar-sounding variants have also appeared in accounts older than the 11th century, as [[toponym]]s for areas in Sumatra or referring to a larger region around the Strait of Malacca.<ref name="Barnard">{{citation | last = Barnard | first = Timothy P. | title = Contesting Malayness: Malay identity across boundaries | publisher = Singapore University press | year = 2004 | location = Singapore | isbn = 978-9971-69-279-7 | pages=3–10}}</ref> The Sanskrit text ''[[Vayu Purana]]'', thought to have been in existence since the first millennium CE, mentioned a land named 'Malayadvipa' which was identified by certain scholars as the modern [[Malay Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India's Interaction with Southeast Asia: History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization, Vol. 1, Part 3|page=266|author=Pande, Govind Chandra|isbn=978-81-87586-24-1|year=2005|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The economic life of northern India: c. A.D. 700–1200|page=139|author=Gopal, Lallanji|isbn=978-81-208-0302-2|year=2000|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title= A Panorama of Indian Buddhism: Selections from the Maha Bodhi journal, 1892–1992 |page=612 |author=Ahir, D. C.|isbn=978-81-7030-462-3 |year=1995 |publisher=Sri Satguru Publications}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The culture and art of India |page=212 |author=Mukerjee, Radhakamal  |isbn=978-81-215-0114-9 |year= 1984 |publisher=Coronet Books Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title= Some contributions of India to the ancient civilisation of Indonesia and Malaysia |page=8 |author=Sarkar, Himansu Bhusan |year=1970 |publisher=Punthi Pustak}}</ref> Other notable accounts are by Ptolemy's 2nd-century  ''[[Geographia]]'' that used the name ''Malayu Kulon'' for the west coast of [[Golden Chersonese]], and the 7th-century [[Yijing (monk)|Yijing]]'s account of ''Malayu''.<ref name="Barnard"/>

At some point, the [[Melayu Kingdom]] took its name from the ''Sungai Melayu''.<ref name="SejarahBahasaMelayu">{{citation | last1 = Abdul Rashid Melebek | last2 = Amat Juhari Moain | title = Sejarah Bahasa Melayu ("History of the Malay Language") | publisher = [[Utusan Malaysia|Utusan Publications & Distributors]] | year = 2006 | isbn = 978-967-61-1809-7 | pages=9–10}}</ref><ref>{{citation | last = Milner | first = Anthony | title = The Malays (The Peoples of South-East Asia and the Pacific) | pages = 18–19| publisher = Wiley-Blackwell | year = 2010 | isbn = 978-1-4443-3903-1}}</ref> ''Melayu'' then became associated with [[Srivijaya]],<ref name="Barnard"/> and remained associated with various parts of Sumatra, especially Palembang, where the founder of the [[Malacca Sultanate]] is thought to have come from.<ref name="Andaya">{{cite journal |last1=Andaya |first1=Leonard Y. |title=The Search for the 'Origins' of Melayu |journal=Journal of Southeast Asian Studies |date=October 2001 |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=315–316, 324, 327–328, 330 |doi=10.1017/S0022463401000169 |jstor=20072349 |s2cid=62886471 |issn = 0022-4634}}</ref> It is only thought to have developed into an [[ethnonym]] as Malacca became a regional power in the 15th century. [[Islamisation]] established an [[ethnoreligious]] identity in Malacca, with the term ''Melayu'' beginning to appear as interchangeable with ''Melakans''. It may have specifically referred to local Malay speakers who were loyal to the Malaccan Sultan. The initial Portuguese use of {{Lang|pt|Malayos}} reflected this, referring only to the ruling people of Malacca. The prominence of traders from Malacca led ''Melayu'' to be associated with Muslim traders, and from there became associated with the wider cultural and linguistic group.<ref name="Barnard"/> Malacca and later [[Johor Sultanate|Johor]] claimed they were the centre of Malay culture, a position supported by the British which led to the term ''Malay'' becoming more usually linked to the Malay peninsula rather than Sumatra.<ref name="Andaya"/>

Before the onset of European colonisation, the Malay Peninsula was known natively as ''[[Tanah Melayu]]'' ('Malay Land').<ref>{{cite book|last=Reid|first=Anthony|author-link=Anthony Reid (academic)|title=Imperial alchemy : nationalism and political identity in Southeast Asia|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-521-87237-9|page=95}}</ref> Under a racial classification created by a German scholar [[Johann Friedrich Blumenbach]], the natives of [[maritime Southeast Asia]] were grouped into a single category, the [[Malay race]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Bernasconi, Robert |author2=Lott, Tommy Lee |title=The Idea of Race|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=di2YVLKgIC8C|year=2000|publisher=Hackett Publishing|isbn=978-0-87220-458-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yale.edu/glc/events/race/Painter.pdf |title=Collective Degradation: Slavery and the Construction of Race |work=Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Gilder Lehrman Center International Conference at Yale University |publisher=[[Yale University]] |date=7–8 November 2003 |access-date=13 May 2014 |author=Painter, Nell Irvin |page=18 |location=New Haven, Connecticut |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020105628/http://www.yale.edu/glc/events/race/Painter.pdf |archive-date=20 October 2013 }}</ref> Following the expedition of French navigator [[Jules Dumont d'Urville]] to [[Oceania]] in 1826, he later proposed the terms of ''Malaysia'', ''[[Micronesia]]'' and ''[[Melanesia]]'' to the ''[[Société de Géographie]]'' in 1831, distinguishing these Pacific cultures and island groups from the existing term ''[[Polynesia]]''. Dumont d'Urville described Malaysia as "an area commonly known as the East Indies".<ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1080/0022334032000120512| title = On the Islands of the Great Ocean| journal = The Journal of Pacific History| volume = 38| issue = 2| page = 163| year = 2003| last1 = d'Urville | first1 = J. S. B. C. S. D. | last2 = Ollivier | first2 = I. | last3 = De Biran | first3 = A. | last4 = Clark | first4 = G. | s2cid = 162374626}}</ref><!--Quote:The third division, Western Oceania, encompasses all the islands commonly known as the East Indies&nbsp;... I shall leave the name Malaysia to this area, since it has already been used by some authors, and I think was first given by Mr Lesson--> In 1850, the English ethnologist [[George Samuel Windsor Earl]], writing in the ''Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia'', proposed naming the islands of Southeast Asia as "Melayunesia" or "Indunesia", favouring the former.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Earl |first=George S. W. |title=On The Leading Characteristics of the Papuan, Australian and Malay-Polynesian Nations |journal=Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia  |year=1850 |page=119 |volume=IV}}</ref> The name Malaysia gained some use to label what is now the Malay Archipelago.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Barrows |first1=David P. |title=A History of the Philippines |date=1905 |publisher=American Book Company |pages=25–26 |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/38269/38269-h/38269-h.htm#pb26 |access-date=13 January 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208005625/http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38269/38269-h/38269-h.htm#pb26 |url-status=live }}</ref> In modern terminology, ''Malay'' remains the name of an [[ethnoreligious group]] of [[Austronesian people]] predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula and portions of the adjacent islands of [[Southeast Asia]], including the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of [[Borneo]], and smaller islands that lie between these areas.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Malays|volume= 17|last=Clifford|first=Hugh Charles|pages=475&ndash;478}}</ref>

The state that gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 took the name ''the [[Federation of Malaya]]'', chosen in preference to other potential names such as ''Malaysia''<ref name="MALAYA'S FUTURE NAME">{{Cite news |date=3 September 1956 |title=MALAYA'S FUTURE NAME |page=6 |work=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19560903-1.2.82 |archive-date=24 August 2024 |access-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824062952/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19560903-1.2.82 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Langkasuka]]'',<ref name="MALAYA'S FUTURE NAME"/> after the historic kingdom located at the upper section of the Malay Peninsula in the first millennium CE.<ref name="Mapping">{{Cite book|last = Suarez|first = Thomas|title = Early Mapping of Southeast Asia|publisher = Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd|year = 1999|pages = 46–47|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ZG7ZMAbv_jAC|isbn = 978-962-593-470-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Primary&PageNumber=72&NavFrom=2&parentActiveTextDocId=1118475&ActiveTextDocId=1118475&filesize=15776 |title=Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957 (c. 60)e |publisher=The UK Statute Law Database |date=31 July 1957 |access-date=6 November 2010 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171010090702/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/5-6/60/contents |url-status=live }}</ref> Nonetheless, the name ''Malaysia'' was adopted in 1963 when the existing states of the Federation of Malaya, plus Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak formed a new federation.<ref name="Bound for Glory"/>{{efn|In English, the official name of the country is simply "Malaysia". In Malay, the name of the country as it appears on some official documents, including the oath of Yang di-Pertuan Agong is {{lang|ms|Persekutuan Malaysia}}, meaning "Federation of Malaysia". Despite this, the name Malaysia is mostly used officially, including the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution.<ref>{{cite web |title=Federal Constitution |url=https://www.sprm.gov.my/admin/files/sprm/assets/pdf/penguatkuasaan/perlembagaan-persekutuan-bi.pdf |website=[[Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission]] (SPRM) |publisher=Government of Malaysia |access-date=22 March 2024 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926045617/https://www.sprm.gov.my/admin/files/sprm/assets/pdf/penguatkuasaan/perlembagaan-persekutuan-bi.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>}} One theory posits the name was chosen so that ''si'' represented the inclusion of Singapore, North Borneo, and Sarawak to Malaya in 1963.<ref name="Bound for Glory"/> Politicians in the Philippines contemplated renaming their state Malaysia before the modern country took the name.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sakai |first=Minako |editor1-last=Cao |editor1-first=Elizabeth |editor2-last=Morrell |title=Regional Minorities and Development in Asia |publisher=Routledge |year=2009 |page=124 |chapter-url=http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/library/connections.pdf |isbn=978-0-415-55130-4 |chapter=Reviving Malay Connections in Southeast Asia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013055904/http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/library/connections.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2014 }}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Malaysia}}
[[File:Malacca Sultanate en.svg|thumb|upright|right|alt=Map showing the extent of the Malacca Sultanate, covering much of the Malay Peninsula and some of Sumatra|The [[Malacca Sultanate]] played a major role in spreading Islam throughout the Malay Archipelago.]]
Evidence of modern human habitation in Malaysia dates back 40,000&nbsp;years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/international/6405497/Getaway-to-romance-in-Malaysia |title=Getaway to romance in Malaysia |last=Holme |first=Stephanie |website=[[stuff.co.nz]] |date=13 February 2012 |access-date=6 January 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129075642/http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/international/6405497/Getaway-to-romance-in-Malaysia |url-status=live }}</ref> In the Malay Peninsula, the first inhabitants are thought to be [[Negritos]].<ref>{{cite journal | last = Fix | first = Alan G. | title = Malayan Paleosociology: Implications for Patterns of Genetic Variation among the Orang Asli | journal = American Anthropologist |series=New Series | volume = 97 | issue = 2 | pages = 313–323 |date=June 1995 | doi = 10.1525/aa.1995.97.2.02a00090 | jstor=681964}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yew |first1=Chee-Wei |last2=Lu |first2=Dongsheng |last3=Deng |first3=Lian |last4=Wong |first4=Lai-Ping |last5=Ong |first5=Rick Twee-Hee |last6=Lu |first6=Yan |last7=Wang |first7=Xiaoji |last8=Yunus |first8=Yushimah |last9=Aghakhanian |first9=Farhang |last10=Mokhtar |first10=Siti Shuhada |last11=Hoque |first11=Mohammad Zahirul |last12=Voo |first12=Christopher Lok-Yung |last13=Abdul Rahman |first13=Thuhairah |last14=Bhak |first14=Jong |last15=Phipps |first15=Maude E. |last16=Xu |first16=Shuhua |last17=Teo |first17=Yik-Ying |last18=Kumar |first18=Subbiah Vijay |last19=Hoh |first19=Boon-Peng |title=Genomic structure of the native inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia and North Borneo suggests complex human population history in Southeast Asia |journal=Human Genetics |date=February 2018 |volume=137 |issue=2 |pages=161–173 |doi=10.1007/s00439-018-1869-0 |pmid=29383489 |s2cid=253969988 |quote=The analysis of time of divergence suggested that ancestors of Negrito were the earliest settlers in the Malay Peninsula, whom first separated from the Papuans ~ 50-33 thousand years ago (kya), followed by East Asian (~ 40-15 kya)...}}</ref> Areas of Malaysia participated in the Maritime Jade Road between 2000 BC to 1000 AD.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tsang |first=Cheng-hwa |date=24 January 2008 |title=Recent advances in the Iron Age archaeology of Taiwan |url=http://journals.lib.washington.edu/index.php/JIPA/article/view/11751 |journal=Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association |volume=20 |doi=10.7152/bippa.v20i0.11751 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |issn=1835-1794|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>Turton, M. (2021). Notes from central Taiwan: Our brother to the south. Taiwan's relations with the Philippines date back millennia, so it's a mystery that it's not the jewel in the crown of the New Southbound Policy. Taiwan Times.</ref><ref>Everington, K. (2017). The birthplace of Austronesians is Taiwan, capital was Taitung: Scholar. Taiwan News.</ref><ref>Bellwood, P., H. Hung, H., Lizuka, Y. (2011). Taiwan Jade in the Philippines: 3,000 Years of Trade and Long-distance Interaction. Semantic Scholar.</ref> Traders and settlers from [[India]] and [[China]] arrived as early as the first century AD, establishing trading ports and coastal towns in the second and third centuries. Their presence resulted in strong [[India]]n and [[China|Chinese]] influences on the local cultures, and the people of the Malay Peninsula adopted the religions of [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]]. [[Sanskrit]] inscriptions appear as early as the fourth or fifth century.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mühlhäusler |first1=Peter |last2=Tryon|first2=Darrell T.|last3=Wurm |first3=Stephen A. |title=Atlas of languages of intercultural communication in the Pacific, Asia and the Americas |publisher= Walter de Gruyer & Co |year=1996 |page=695 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=oCx0D0iE2QoC |isbn=978-3-11-013417-9}}</ref> The Kingdom of [[Langkasuka]] arose around the second century in the northern area of the Malay Peninsula, lasting until about the 15th century.<ref name="Mapping"/> Between the 7th and 13th centuries, much of the southern Malay Peninsula was part of the maritime [[Srivijaya]]n empire. By the 13th and the 14th century, the [[Majapahit]] empire had successfully wrested control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago from Srivijaya.<ref>{{cite book|author=Suporno, S. |year=1979|chapter=The Image of Majapahit in late Javanese and Indonesian Writing|title=Perceptions of the Past|location=Singapore|publisher=Heinemann Books for the Asian Studies Association of Australia|page=180|editor1=A. Reid |editor2=D. Marr |series=Southeast Asia publications|volume=4}}</ref> In the early 15th century, [[Parameswara (king)|Parameswara]], a runaway king of the former [[Kingdom of Singapura]] linked to the old Srivijayan court, founded the [[Malacca Sultanate]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wake|first=Christopher H.|title=Malacca's Early Kings and the Reception of Islam|jstor=20067505|date=September 1964|volume=5|number=2|journal=[[Journal of Southeast Asian History]]|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|pages=104–128|doi=10.1017/S0217781100000958 }}</ref> The spread of Islam increased following Parameswara's conversion to that religion. Malacca was an important commercial centre during this time, attracting trade from around the region.<ref name="state.gov"/>

[[File:AMH-6472-KB Battle for Malacca between the VOC fleet and the Portuguese, 1606.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Dutch fleet vs Portuguese armada|The Dutch fleet battling with the Portuguese armada as part of the [[Dutch–Portuguese War]] in 1606 to gain control of [[Malacca City|Malacca]]|220x220px]]
In 1511, [[Malacca]] was conquered by [[Portuguese Malacca|Portugal]],<ref name="state.gov"/> after which it was taken by the [[Dutch Malacca|Dutch]] in 1641. In 1786, the [[British Malaya|British Empire]] established a presence in Malaya, when the Sultan of Kedah leased [[Penang Island]] to the British [[East India Company]]. The British obtained the town of Singapore in 1819,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/malaya.htm |title=The Map Room: South East Asia: Malaya |last=Luscombe |first=Stephen |access-date=18 September 2010 |archive-date=9 March 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010309035051/http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/malaya.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 1824 took control of Malacca following the [[Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824|Anglo-Dutch Treaty]]. By 1826, the British directly controlled Penang, Malacca, Singapore, and the island of [[Crown Colony of Labuan|Labuan]], which they established as the crown colony of the [[Straits Settlements]]. By the 20th century, the states of [[Pahang]], [[Selangor]], [[Perak]], and [[Negeri Sembilan]], known together as the [[Federated Malay States]], had British [[resident (title)|residents]] appointed to advise the Malay rulers, to whom the rulers were bound to defer by treaty.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Malay States (British) |volume= 17 |last1= Clifford |first1= Hugh Charles |last2= Graham |first2= Walter Armstrong | pages = 478&ndash;484 }}</ref> The remaining five states on the peninsula, known as the [[Unfederated Malay States]], while not directly under British rule, also accepted British advisers around the turn of the 20th century. Development on the peninsula and Borneo were generally separate until the 19th century. Under British rule the [[immigration]] of Chinese and Indians to serve as labourers was encouraged.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.une.edu.au/asiacentre/PDF/No22.pdf |title=International Migration and Governance in Malaysia: Policy and Performance |last=Kuar |first=Amarjit |publisher= University of New England |access-date=20 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100509145612/http://www.une.edu.au/asiacentre/PDF/No22.pdf |archive-date=9 May 2010 }}</ref> The area that is now [[Sabah]] came under British control as [[North Borneo]] when both the [[Sultanate of Brunei|Sultan of Brunei]] and the [[Sultanate of Sulu|Sultan of Sulu]] transferred their respective territorial rights of ownership, between 1877 and 1878.<ref>{{cite book |title=Malaysia and Its Neighbours, The World studies series |author=Gullick, J. M. |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ykM9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA148 |year=1967 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-7100-4141-8 |pages=148–149}}</ref> In 1842, Sarawak was ceded by the Sultan of Brunei to [[James Brooke]], whose successors ruled as the [[White Rajahs]] over an independent [[Raj of Sarawak|kingdom]] until 1946, when it became a [[Crown Colony of Sarawak|crown colony]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/sarawak.htm|last=Luscombe|first=Stephen|title=The Map Room: South East Asia: North Borneo|access-date=1 July 2011|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628212629/http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/sarawak.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[Second World War]], the [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese Army]] [[Japanese invasion of Malaya|invaded]] and occupied [[Japanese occupation of Malaya|Malaya]], [[Japanese occupation of British Borneo|North Borneo, Sarawak]], and [[Japanese occupation of Singapore|Singapore]] for over three years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malaya in World War II |url=https://ww2db.com/country/Malaya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225184306/https://ww2db.com/country/Malaya |archive-date=25 December 2022 |access-date=29 January 2023 |work=World War Two Database}}</ref> During this time, ethnic tensions were raised and nationalism grew.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hock |first=David Koh Wee |title= Legacies of World War II in South and East Asia |publisher= Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |location= Singapore |year=2007|page=48 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=awLp4TeUkzoC |isbn= 978-981-230-457-5}}</ref> Popular support for independence increased after Malaya was reconquered by Allied forces.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/magazine/1999/990531/mahathir1.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20010212095545/http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/magazine/1999/990531/mahathir1.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 12 February 2001 |title=Our Region, Ourselves |last=Mohamad |first=Mahathir |magazine=Time |location= New York |date=31 May 1999 |access-date=26 October 2010}}</ref> Post-war British plans to unite the administration of Malaya under a single crown colony called the [[Malayan Union]] met with strong opposition from the [[Malays (ethnic group)|Malays]], who opposed the weakening of the Malay rulers and the granting of citizenship to the [[Malaysian Chinese|ethnic Chinese]]. The Malayan Union, established in 1946, and consisting of all the [[British possessions]] in the Malay Peninsula except for [[Colony of Singapore|Singapore]], was quickly dissolved and replaced on 1 February 1948 by the [[Federation of Malaya]], which restored the autonomy of the rulers of the Malay states under British protection.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,816440,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071106021025/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,816440,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 6 November 2007 |title=MALAYA: Token Citizenship |magazine=Time |location= New York |date=19 May 1952 |access-date=26 October 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Police_in_Malayan_Emergency.jpg|thumb|Malayan police officers question an ethnic Chinese civilian during the Malayan Emergency.]]
During this time, the mostly ethnically Chinese rebels under the leadership of the [[Malayan Communist Party]] launched guerrilla operations designed to force the British out of Malaya. The [[Malayan Emergency|Malayan Emergency (1948–1960)]] involved a long anti-insurgency campaign by [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] troops in Malaya.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://se-asia.commemoration.gov.au/background-to-malayan-emergency/causes-and-description.php |title=The Malayan Emergency: 1948–1960 |publisher=Australian Government Department of Veteran Affairs |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110706121637/http://se-asia.commemoration.gov.au/background-to-malayan-emergency/causes-and-description.php |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 31 August 1957, [[Malayan Declaration of Independence|Malaya became an independent member]] of the Commonwealth of Nations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/31/newsid_3534000/3534340.stm |title=1957: Malaya celebrates independence |work=BBC News |access-date=9 August 2016 |archive-date=29 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429180537/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/31/newsid_3534000/3534340.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, a comprehensive plan was devised to unite Malaya with the crown colonies of North Borneo (known as [[Sabah]] upon joining), [[Sarawak]], and [[Singapore]]. The envisioned federation was originally intended to take place on 31 August 1963, to coincide with the commemoration of Malayan independence. However, due to the necessity of conducting a survey on the level of support for the federation in Sabah and Sarawak by the [[United Nations]], as requested by opponents of the federation such as [[Indonesia]]'s [[Sukarno]] and the [[Sarawak United Peoples' Party]], the date of the federation was postponed until 16 September 1963.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,870460,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080402050225/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,870460,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2008 |title=Malaysia: Tunku Yes, Sukarno No |magazine=Time |location=New York |date=6 September 1963 |access-date=17 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Boon Kheng Cheah |title=Malaysia: The Making of a Nation |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=NOtXcEmHdjoC&pg=PA93 |year=2002 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-230-154-3 |pages=93–}}</ref>

The federation brought heightened tensions including a [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation|conflict with Indonesia]] as well as continual conflicts against the Communists in Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, which escalated to the [[Communist insurgency in Sarawak|Sarawak Communist Insurgency]] and [[Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–89)|Second Malayan Emergency]] together with several other issues such as the [[Cross border attacks in Sabah|cross-border attacks into Sabah]] by [[Piracy in the Sulu Sea|Moro pirates]] from the southern islands of the Philippines, Singapore [[Singapore in Malaysia#Expulsion|being expelled from the Federation]] in 1965,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_getdata.pl?actno=1997-REVED-INDEP&segid=888373490-000012#888373490-000012 |title=Proclamation on Singapore |publisher=Singapore Attorney-General |access-date=27 October 2010 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110511191506/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_getdata.pl?actno=1997-REVED-INDEP&segid=888373490-000012#888373490-000012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Baten, Jörg |title=A History of the Global Economy. From 1500 to the Present. |date=2016 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-50718-0 |page=290}}</ref><ref name="TIME Art">{{cite magazine |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828327,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930101049/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828327,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2007 |title=Malaysia: The Art of Dispelling Anxiety |magazine=Time |location=New York |date=27 August 1965 |access-date=26 October 2010}}</ref> and racial strife. This strife culminated in the [[13 May Incident|13 May race riots]] in 1969.<ref name="Race war">{{cite magazine |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,900859,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070216115230/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,900859,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2007 |title=Race War in Malaysia |magazine=Time |location=New York |date=23 May 1969 |access-date=26 October 2010}}</ref> After the riots, the controversial [[Malaysian New Economic Policy|New Economic Policy]] was launched by Prime Minister [[Tun Abdul Razak]], trying to increase the share of the economy held by the ''[[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|bumiputera]]''.<ref name="New Economic Policy">{{cite web |last=Sundaram |first=Jomo Kwame |url=http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpPublications)/A20E9AD6E5BA919780256B6D0057896B?OpenDocument&panel=seriespapers |title=The New Economic Policy and Interethnic Relations in Malaysia |publisher=UNRISD |date=1 September 2004 |access-date=27 October 2010 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511173349/http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpPublications)/A20E9AD6E5BA919780256B6D0057896B?OpenDocument&panel=seriespapers |url-status=live }}</ref> Under Prime Minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]] there was a period of rapid economic growth and urbanization beginning in the 1980s. The economy shifted from being agriculturally based to one based on manufacturing and industry. Numerous mega-projects were completed, such as the [[Petronas Towers]], the [[North–South Expressway (Malaysia)|North–South Expressway]], the [[MSC Malaysia|Multimedia Super Corridor]], and the new federal administrative capital of [[Putrajaya]].<ref name="Bound for Glory">{{cite magazine |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090317235536/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/mahathir/mahathir961209.html |archive-date=17 March 2009 |url= http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/mahathir/mahathir961209.html |title=Bound for Glory |last=Spaeth |first=Anthony |magazine=Time |location=New York |date=9 December 1996 |url-status= dead |access-date=20 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2010 |title=Putrajaya: Malaysia's new federal administrative capital |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248501612 |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=ResearchGate}}</ref>

In the late 1990s, the [[1997 Asian Financial Crisis|Asian financial crisis]] impacted the country, nearly causing their currency, stock, and property markets to crash; however, they later recovered.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.polsci.tu.ac.th/Papers/Malaysia%20Paper.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100401070910/http://www.polsci.tu.ac.th/Papers/Malaysia%20Paper.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2010 |author=Ping Lee Poh|author2=Yean Tham Siew |title=Malaysia Ten Years After The Asian Financial Crisis |publisher=Thammasat University |access-date=25 July 2011}}</ref> The [[1MDB scandal]] was a major global [[Corruption in Malaysia|corruption]] scandal that implicated then-Prime Minister [[Najib Razak]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 July 2015 |title=Malaysian taskforce investigates allegations $700m paid to Najib |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/06/malaysian-task-force-investigates-allegations-700m-paid-to-pm-najib |access-date=24 March 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422204302/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/06/malaysian-task-force-investigates-allegations-700m-paid-to-pm-najib |url-status=live }}</ref> The scandal contributed to the first change in the ruling political party since independence in the [[2018 Malaysian general election|2018 general election]].<ref name="Opposition scores"/> In the 2020s, the country was gripped by [[2020–21 Malaysian political crisis|a political crisis]] that coincided with health and [[Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia|economic]] crises caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 2021 |title=How Malaysia went from fewer COVID cases than Australia to a national state of emergency |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-14/malaysia-covid-19-outbreak-state-of-emergency-case-numbers/13036038 |access-date=19 July 2021 |newspaper=ABC News (Australia) |last1=Walden |first1=Max |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114221804/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-14/malaysia-covid-19-outbreak-state-of-emergency-case-numbers/13036038 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was then followed by an earlier [[2022 Malaysian general election|general election]] in November 2022, which resulted in the first hung parliament in the nation's history.<ref>{{cite news |title=No clear winner as Malaysia election ends in hung parliament |date=19 November 2022 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/19/tight-race-as-votes-counted-in-malaysias-in-general-election |work=www.aljazeera.com |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129074959/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/19/tight-race-as-votes-counted-in-malaysias-in-general-election |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 November 2022, [[Anwar Ibrahim]] was sworn in as the 10th [[Prime Minister of Malaysia]], leading a [[Grand coalition#Malaysia|grand coalition]] government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as Malaysian PM after post-election deadlock |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63698901 |work=BBC News |date=24 November 2022 |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128015222/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63698901 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Malaysia|Government of Malaysia}}
[[File:Istana Negara tepi.jpg|thumb|[[Istana Negara, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim|Istana Negara]], the official residence and office of the [[King of Malaysia]].]]
[[File:Perdana Putra.jpg|thumb|[[Perdana Putra]], the office of the [[Prime Minister of Malaysia]].]]
[[File:Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Bangunan Parlimen Malaysia-04.jpg|alt=White tall building and two arches|left|thumb|224x224px|The [[Parliament of Malaysia]], the building that houses the [[Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 15th Malaysian Parliament|members of the Dewan Rakyat]]]]
[[File:Palace of Justice at night.jpg|thumb|The [[Palace of Justice (Malaysia)|Palace of Justice]] houses the [[Federal Court of Malaysia]], the nation's highest court.]]
Malaysia is a [[federal monarchy|federal]] [[constitutional monarchy|constitutional]] [[elective monarchy]] and the only federal country in Southeast Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/could-federalism-smooth-southeast-asia-s-rough-edges|title=Could Federalism Smooth Southeast Asia's Rough Edges?|agency=Stratfor|date=26 January 2018|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025080259/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/could-federalism-smooth-southeast-asia-s-rough-edges|url-status=live}}</ref> The system of government is closely modelled on the [[Westminster system|Westminster]] parliamentary system, a legacy of [[British Empire|British rule]].<ref name="FITA">{{cite web |url=http://www.fita.org/countries/malaysia.html?ma_rubrique=cadre |title=Malaysia Information |publisher=Federation of International Trade Associations |access-date=27 October 2010 |archive-date=26 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226105342/http://www.fita.org/countries/malaysia.html?ma_rubrique=cadre |url-status=dead }}</ref> The head of state is the King, whose official title is the [[Yang&nbsp;di-Pertuan&nbsp;Agong]]. The King is elected to a five-year term by and from among the nine hereditary [[Monarchies of Malaysia|rulers]] of the [[Malay states]]. The other four states, which have titular [[Yang di-Pertua Negeri|Governors]], do not participate in the selection. By informal agreement the position is rotated among the nine,<ref name="FITA"/> and has been held by [[Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor]] since 31 January 2024. The King's role has been largely ceremonial since changes to the [[Constitution of Malaysia|constitution]] in [[1993 amendments to the Constitution of Malaysia|1994]], picking ministers and members of the upper house.<ref name="dfat">{{cite web |url= http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/malaysia/malaysia_brief.html |title= Malaysia country brief |publisher= Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |date= February 2014 |access-date= 22 October 2014 |archive-date= 27 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141027035312/http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/malaysia/malaysia_brief.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. The bicameral federal [[Parliament of Malaysia|parliament]] consists of the [[lower house]], the [[House of Representatives of Malaysia|House of Representatives]] and the [[upper house]], the [[Senate of Malaysia|Senate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parlimen.gov.my/index.php?modload=sites&id=5&view=23&uweb=p&lang=en|title=Background|publisher=Parlimen Malaysia|date=3 June 2010|access-date=25 July 2011|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106053421/http://www.parlimen.gov.my/index.php?modload=sites&id=5&view=23&uweb=p&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The 222-member House of Representatives is elected for a maximum term of five years from single-member constituencies. All 70 senators sit for three-year terms; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, and the remaining 44 are appointed by the King upon the Prime Minister's recommendation.<ref name="state.gov"/> The parliament follows a multi-party system and the government is elected through a [[first-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post]] system.<ref name="state.gov">{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2777.htm |title=Malaysia |publisher=United States State Department |date=14 July 2010 |access-date=14 September 2010 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024160547/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2777.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=John W. Langford|author2=K. Lorne Brownsey|title=The Changing Shape of Government in the Asia-Pacific Region|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q-sti92Y7TkC&pg=PA101|year=1988|publisher=IRPP|isbn=978-0-88645-060-1|pages=101–}}</ref> Parliamentary [[Elections in Malaysia|elections]] are held at least once every five years.<ref name="state.gov"/> Before 2018, only registered voters aged 21 and above could vote for the members of the House of Representatives and, in most of the states, for the state legislative chamber. Voting is not mandatory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2197.htm|title=Malaysia (Dewan Rakyat)|publisher=Inter-Parliamentary Union|date=29 September 2008|access-date=29 September 2008|archive-date=5 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205034849/http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2197.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2019, a bill to lower the [[voting age]] to 18 years old was officially passed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/16/federal-constitution-amended-to-lower-voting-age-to-18/|title=Dewan Rakyat passes Bill to amend Federal Constitution to lower voting age to 18|author1=Martin Carvalho|author2=Hemananthani Sivanandam|author3=Rahimy Rahim|author4=Tarrence Tan|work=The Star|date=16 July 2019|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928064607/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/16/federal-constitution-amended-to-lower-voting-age-to-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Perdana Putra building 2005.jpg|alt=Large building with a series of flags in front of it|thumb|The [[Perdana Putra]] houses the office of Malaysia's [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]].]]
[[Executive branch|Executive power]] is vested in the [[Cabinet of Malaysia|Cabinet]], led by the [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]]. The prime minister must be a member of the House of Representatives, who in the opinion of His Majesty the King, commands the support of a majority of members. The Cabinet is chosen from members of both houses of Parliament.<ref name="state.gov"/> The Prime Minister is both the [[Cabinet of Malaysia|head of cabinet]] and the [[head of government]].<ref name="dfat"/> As a result of the [[2018 Malaysian general election|2018 general election]] Malaysia was governed by the [[Pakatan Harapan]] (PH) [[political alliance]],<ref name="Opposition scores">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44036178 |title=Malaysia election: Opposition scores historic victory |work=BBC News |date=10 May 2018 |access-date=6 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404171658/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44036178 |url-status=live }}</ref> although Prime Minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]] resigned amid a [[2020–21 Malaysian political crisis|political crisis]] in 2020. In March 2020, the [[Perikatan Nasional]] (PN) coalition formed under Prime Minister [[Muhyiddin Yassin]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/29/istana-muhyiddin-to-be-sworn-in-as-pm |title=Palace: Muhyiddin to be sworn in as PM |work=The Star Online |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229121939/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/29/istana-muhyiddin-to-be-sworn-in-as-pm |url-status=live }}</ref> before Muhyiddin lost majority support and was replaced by deputy Prime Minister [[Ismail Sabri Yaakob]], a veteran politician from the [[United Malays National Organisation]] (UMNO), in August 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/21/ismail-sabri-sworn-in-as-ninth-prime-minister |title=Ismail Sabri sworn in as Malaysia's ninth Prime Minister |work=The Star |date=21 August 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821173721/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/21/ismail-sabri-sworn-in-as-ninth-prime-minister |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/21/malaysias-ismail-sabri-yaakob-sworn-in-as-new-pm|title=Malaysia's Ismail Sabri Yaakob sworn in as new PM|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-date=1 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131632/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/21/malaysias-ismail-sabri-yaakob-sworn-in-as-new-pm|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the [[2022 Malaysian general election]], a hung parliament was elected. [[Anwar Ibrahim]] of the PH coalition was appointed as the new Prime Minister to lead the coalition government of PH, [[Barisan Nasional]], [[Gabungan Parti Sarawak]], [[Gabungan Rakyat Sabah]] and several other political parties and independents. Meanwhile, PN, the only political coalition not in the coalition government became the Opposition.

[[Law of Malaysia|Malaysia's legal system]] is based on [[English law|common law]].<ref name="state.gov"/> Although [[Judiciary of Malaysia|the judiciary]] is theoretically independent, its independence has been called into question and the appointment of judges lacks accountability and transparency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icj.org/IMG/MALAYSIA.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119080422/http://www.icj.org/IMG/MALAYSIA.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2012 |title=Attacks on Justice – Malaysia |publisher=International Commission of Jurists |access-date=5 December 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The highest court in the judicial system is the [[Federal Court of Malaysia|Federal Court]], followed by the [[Court of Appeal of Malaysia|Court of Appeal]] and two [[High Courts of Malaysia|high courts]], one for Peninsular Malaysia and one for East Malaysia. Malaysia also has a special court to hear cases brought by or against royalty.<ref name="criminal court system">{{cite web|url=http://www.acclawyers.org/resources/malaysia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515090557/http://www.acclawyers.org/resources/malaysia/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 May 2011 |title=Malaysian criminal court system |publisher=Association of Commonwealth Criminal Lawyers |access-date=15 December 2010}}</ref>

[[Demographics of Malaysia|Race]] is a significant force in politics.<ref name="state.gov"/> [[Affirmative action#Malaysia|Affirmative actions]] such as the [[Malaysian New Economic Policy|New Economic Policy]]<ref name="New Economic Policy"/> and the [[National Development Policy]] which superseded it, were implemented to advance the standing of the ''bumiputera'', consisting of Malays and the indigenous tribes who are considered the original inhabitants of Malaysia, over non-''bumiputera'' such as [[Malaysian Chinese]] and [[Malaysian Indians]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pmr.penerangan.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=237:dasar-ekonomi-baru-&catid=88:dasar-dasar-negara |title=Dasar Ekonomi Baru |publisher=Pusat Maklumat Rakyat |date=14 November 2008 |access-date=21 November 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225325/http://pmr.penerangan.gov.my/index.php?catid=88:dasar-dasar-negara&id=237:dasar-ekonomi-baru-&option=com_content&view=article |url-status=live }}</ref> These policies provide preferential treatment to ''bumiputera'' in employment, education, scholarships, business, and access to cheaper housing and assisted savings. However, it has generated greater interethnic resentment.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.unrisd.org/unrisd/website/document.nsf/(httpPublications)/A20E9AD6E5BA919780256B6D0057896B?OpenDocument |title=The New Economic Policy and Interethnic Relations in Malaysia |author=Sundaram, Jomo Kwame |journal=Unrisd Programme Papers on Identities, Conflict and Cohesion |publisher=United Nations Research Institute for Social Development |date=1 September 2004 |issn=1020-8194 |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810162356/http://www.unrisd.org/unrisd/website/document.nsf/(httpPublications)/A20E9AD6E5BA919780256B6D0057896B?OpenDocument |url-status=live }}</ref> There is ongoing [[Religion in Malaysia#Secularism|debate]] over whether the laws and society of Malaysia should reflect [[Islamism]] or [[secularism]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/24/world/asia/24malaysia.html |title=Once Muslim, Now Christian and Caught in the Courts |work=The New York Times |last=Perlez |first=Jane |date=24 August 2006 |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715193225/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/24/world/asia/24malaysia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Islamic criminal laws passed by the [[Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party]] with the support of UMNO state assemblymen in the state legislative assembly of Kelantan have been unenforced by the federal government on the basis that criminal laws are the responsibility of the federal government.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.simonbaker.me/2/hi/asia-pacific/2116032.stm |title=Malaysian state passes Islamic law |work=BBC News |date=8 July 2002 |access-date=27 November 2011 |archive-date=31 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031210415/http://www.simonbaker.me/2/hi/asia-pacific/2116032.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/23/Kelantans-passing-of-hudud-amendments-void/ |title=Kelantan's passing of hudud amendments void |newspaper=The Star |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=23 March 2015 |access-date=1 April 2015 |archive-date=26 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326030330/http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/23/Kelantans-passing-of-hudud-amendments-void/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/bn-wont-declare-hudud-support-but-individual-members-can-chief-whip-says |title=BN won't declare hudud support, but individual members can, chief whip says |newspaper=Malay Mail |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=1 April 2015 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403021312/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/bn-wont-declare-hudud-support-but-individual-members-can-chief-whip-says |url-status=live }}</ref>

After UMNO lost power at the [[2018 Malaysian general election]], Malaysia's ranking increased by 9 places in the 2019 [[Democracy Index]] to 43rd compared to the previous year and is classified as a 'flawed democracy'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=democracyindex2019|title=Democracy Index 2019 A year of democratic setbacks and popular protest|website=[[Economist Intelligence Unit|EIU.com]]|url-access=registration|access-date=27 October 2020|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213043744/https://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=democracyindex2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Malaysia's ranking in the 2020 [[Press Freedom Index]] increased by 22 places to 101st compared to the previous year, making it one of two countries in Southeast Asia without a 'Difficult situation' or 'Very Serious situation' with regards to press freedom.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rsf.org/en/ranking/2020 |title=2020 World Press Freedom Index |work=Reporters Without Borders |year=2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |archive-date=23 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423104703/https://rsf.org/en/ranking/2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, it fell 18 places the following year due to the policies of the PN government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Malaysia : Back to harassment, intimidation and censorship {{!}} Reporters without borders|url=https://rsf.org/en/malaysia|access-date=26 July 2021|website=RSF|language=en|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124091549/https://rsf.org/en/malaysia|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malaysia is marked at 48th and 62nd place according to the 2021 [[Corruption Perceptions Index]], indicating above-average levels of [[Corruption in Malaysia|corruption]]. [[Freedom House]] noted Malaysia as "partly free" in its 2018 survey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-trafficking/malaysia-considers-amending-human-trafficking-law-after-u-s-report-idUSKBN1JQ04Y|title=Malaysia considers amending human trafficking law after U.S. report|date=29 June 2018|website=Reuters|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407142237/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-trafficking/malaysia-considers-amending-human-trafficking-law-after-u-s-report-idUSKBN1JQ04Y|url-status=live}}</ref> A lawsuit filed by the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] alleged that at least $3.5 billion involving former prime minister [[Najib Razak]] had been stolen from Malaysia's [[1Malaysia Development Berhad|1MDB]] state-owned fund, known as the [[1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/1mdb-inside-story-worlds-biggest-financial-scandal-malaysia|title=1MDB: The inside story of the world's biggest financial scandal|work=The Guardian|date=28 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111085317/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/1mdb-inside-story-worlds-biggest-financial-scandal-malaysia|archive-date=11 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=1MDB: The playboys, PMs and partygoers around a global financial scandal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46341603 |work=BBC News |date=9 August 2019 |access-date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721081321/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46341603 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The bizarre story of 1MDB, the Goldman Sachs-backed Malaysian fund that turned into one of the biggest scandals in financial history |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/1mdb-timeline-the-goldman-sachs-backed-malaysian-wealth-fund-2018-12 |work=Business Insider |date=9 August 2019 |access-date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117032748/https://www.businessinsider.com/1mdb-timeline-the-goldman-sachs-backed-malaysian-wealth-fund-2018-12 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|States and federal territories of Malaysia|Local government in Malaysia}}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|{{Malaysia Labelled Map}}
|}
Malaysia is a [[federation]] of 13 states and three federal territories.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Online-Exclusive/A-Humble-Submission/Profile/Articles/2015/11/02/understanding-federation-malaysia/ |title=Understanding the Federation of Malaysia |newspaper=The Star |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=2 November 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105113420/http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Online-Exclusive/A-Humble-Submission/Profile/Articles/2015/11/02/understanding-federation-malaysia/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Out of these, eleven states and two federal territories are in [[Peninsular Malaysia]], whereas the other two states and one federal territory comprise [[East Malaysia]].

The country has three tiers of government {{En dash}} [[Government of Malaysia|federal]], [[State governments of Malaysia|state]] and local.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |year=2018 |title=The Local Government System in Malaysia |url=https://www.clgf.org.uk/default/assets/File/Country_profiles/Malaysia.pdf |journal=[[Commonwealth Local Government Forum]] |archive-date=20 December 2024 |access-date=20 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220050855/https://www.clgf.org.uk/default/assets/File/Country_profiles/Malaysia.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Governance of the states is divided between the federal and the state governments, with different powers reserved for each, and the federal government has direct administration of the federal territories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mygov.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Main/MsianGov/StateGovAndFederalTerritories/Pages/StateGovAndFederalTerritories.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222231636/http://mygov.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Main/MsianGov/StateGovAndFederalTerritories/Pages/StateGovAndFederalTerritories.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2014|title=Federal Territories and State Governments|publisher=Malaysian government|access-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> Each state has a unicameral [[State legislative assemblies of Malaysia|State Legislative Assembly]] whose members are elected from single-member constituencies. State governments are led by [[Heads of state governments of Malaysia|Chief Ministers]],<ref name="state.gov"/> who are state assembly members from the majority party in the assembly. In each of the states with a hereditary ruler, the Chief Minister is normally required to be a [[Malays (ethnic group)|Malay]], appointed by the ruler upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The management of secondary cities in southeast Asia|publisher = United Nations Centre for Human Settlements|year = 1996|page = 120|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=P-3155j7FLkC |isbn=978-92-1-131313-0}}</ref> Until [[2018 Malaysian general election|2018]], state elections were held concurrently with the general election by [[constitutional convention (political custom)|convention]], except for those in [[Sarawak]].<ref name="dfat"/> Following the [[2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis|2020–2022 political crisis]], only [[Pahang]], [[Perak]] and [[Perlis]] opted to conduct their state elections simultaneously with the general elections.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hutchinson |first=Francis E. |date=15 May 2024 |title=Malaysia's Out-of-Sync Federal and State Elections: The Good, the Bad, and the Untimely |url=https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2024-34-malaysias-out-of-sync-federal-and-state-elections-the-good-the-bad-and-the-untimely-by-francis-e-hutchinson/ |journal=[[ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute]] |language=en-US |volume=2024 |issue=34 |archive-date=20 December 2024 |access-date=20 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220053516/https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2024-34-malaysias-out-of-sync-federal-and-state-elections-the-good-the-bad-and-the-untimely-by-francis-e-hutchinson/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Positioned below the federal and state governments, [[Local government in Malaysia|local governments]] represent the lowest tier of governance in Malaysia.<ref name=":1"/> {{As of|2024}}, Malaysia is divided between 19 cities, 40 municipalities, 91 district-level councils, and four statutory agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senarai PBT |trans-title=List of local governments |url=https://jkt.kpkt.gov.my/data-pbt-senarai_pbt/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |website=[[Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Malaysia)|Ministry of Housing and Local Government]] |language=ms |archive-date=18 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118151239/https://jkt.kpkt.gov.my/data-pbt-senarai_pbt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While the federal constitution assigns local authorities to the exclusive jurisdiction of state governments,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lib.kedah.uitm.edu.my/psblibrary/notes/am110/layout/subject%20material/handouts/dpa/PAD%20320/h1.pdf |title=Introduction to local government in Malaysia |publisher=Universiti Teknologi Mara |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=28 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328212349/http://lib.kedah.uitm.edu.my/psblibrary/notes/am110/layout/subject%20material/handouts/dpa/PAD%20320/h1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> in practice, the [[Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Malaysia)|federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government]] oversees the regulation of local laws and policies.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/cjlg/article/viewFile/759/1032 |title=Decentralisation or recentralisation? Trends in local government in Malaysia |author=Nooi, Phang Siew |publisher=Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance |date=May 2008 |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=9 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909145130/http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/cjlg/article/viewFile/759/1032 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mayor#Malaysia|Mayors]] (or presidents for municipal and district councils) and [[councillor]]s are appointed by the respective state governments, or in the case of the federal territories, by the federal government.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |year=2023 |title=Rujukan Ringkas Mengenai Dasar-Dasar Berkaitan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Edisi 2023 |trans-title=Summary on Local Government Policies 2023 Edition |url=https://jktgateway.kpkt.gov.my/downloads/29052023_RUJUKAN_RINGKAS_MENGENAI_DASAR_DASAR_BERKAITAN_PBT.pdf |journal=[[Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Malaysia)|Ministry of Housing and Local Government]] |language=MS |page=20 |archive-date=20 December 2024 |access-date=20 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220035246/https://jktgateway.kpkt.gov.my/downloads/29052023_RUJUKAN_RINGKAS_MENGENAI_DASAR_DASAR_BERKAITAN_PBT.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federal laws assign land matters, including the delineation of [[List of districts in Malaysia|districts]], to the purview of state governments.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=2020 |title=National Land Code |url=https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/mal5145.pdf |journal=[[Government of Malaysia|Malaysian federal government]] |page=54 |via=[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] |archive-date=2 February 2025 |access-date=20 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202093708/https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/mal5145.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Except Perlis and the federal territories, each state is divided into districts, which are further subdivided into [[mukim]]s. In [[Sabah]] and Sarawak, districts are grouped into divisions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statoids.com/ymy.html |title=Malaysia Districts |publisher=Statoids |access-date=3 November 2010 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201132451/http://www.statoids.com/ymy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In contrast to local governments that manage municipal administration and infrastructure development,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=E. |first1=Lo Vullo |last2=Ho |first2=C. S. |last3=Chau |first3=L. W. |last4=F. |first4=Monforti |last5=V. |first5=Palermo |last6=S. |first6=Rivas |last7=P. |first7=Bertoldi |year=2022 |title=How to Develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) in Southeast Asia-Malaysia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360823096 |journal=[[Publications Office of the European Union]] |page=6 |isbn=978-92-76-52424-3 |via=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref> districts are solely utilised for land taxation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Adnan |first1=M. Z. |last2=Suratman |first2=R. Suratman |last3=Samsudin |first3=S. |year=2019 |title=Key Geographical Features on Malaysia's Land Tax System: A Comparison Study in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia |journal=International Geography Seminar 2019 |volume=683 |issue=683 |page=2 |doi=10.1088/1755-1315/683/1/012095 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The 13 states are based on historical Malay kingdoms, and 9 of the 11 Peninsular states, known as the [[Malay states]], retain their royal families. The King is elected by and from [[Conference of Rulers|the nine rulers]] to serve a five-year term.<ref name="state.gov"/> This King appoints governors serving a four-year term for the states without monarchies, after consultations with the chief minister of that state. Each state has its written constitution.<ref name="Lim Hong Hai">{{cite web |url=http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/01361005.pdf |title=Electoral Politics in Malaysia: 'Managing' Elections in a Plural Society |author=Hai, Lim Hong |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190212/http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/01361005.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Sabah and Sarawak have considerably more autonomy than the other states, most notably having separate immigration policies and controls, and unique residency status.<ref>{{cite book|author=Hannum, Hurst |title=Basic Documents on Autonomy and Minority Rights|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_oV3pKJfnvcC&pg=PA342|year=1993 |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff |isbn=978-0-7923-1977-1 |pages=342–}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Lockard, Craig A. |title=Sabah and Sarawak: The Politics of Development and Federalism. Kajian Malaysia, Special Issue. Edited by Francis Loh Kok Wah. Penang: Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1997. Pp. 236.|journal=[[Journal of Southeast Asian Studies]]|volume=31|issue=1|date=March 2000|pages=210–213|doi=10.1017/S0022463400016192|s2cid=154586268}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/16/an-agreement-forged-and-forgotten/ |title=An agreement forged and forgotten |last1=Bong |first1=Karen |last2=Pilo |first2=Wilfred |name-list-style=amp |work=The Borneo Post |location=Kuching |date=16 September 2011 |access-date=3 July 2014 |archive-date=2 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102042307/http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/16/an-agreement-forged-and-forgotten/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Federal intervention in state affairs, lack of development, and disputes over oil [[royalties]] have occasionally led to statements about [[secession]] from leaders in several states such as [[Penang]], [[Johor]], [[Kelantan]], Sabah and Sarawak, although these have not been followed up and no serious independence movements exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=2370&name=penang_the_rebel_state_part_one|title=Penang: The Rebel State (Part One)|last=Koay|first=Su Lin|website=Penang Monthly|date=September 2016|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034025/http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=2370&name=penang_the_rebel_state_part_one|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.academia.edu/2954857 |title=Politics of Federal Intervention in Malaysia, with reference to Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah |first=James |last=Chin |journal=Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics |volume=35 |pages=96–120 |year=1997 |access-date=3 November 2015 |doi=10.1080/14662049708447747 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809133946/https://www.academia.edu/2954857 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/could-federation-malaysia-really-come-apart-76926|title=Could the Federation of Malaysia really come apart?|author=Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli|publisher=[[Astro Awani]]|date=18 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|archive-date=27 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027202437/http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/could-federation-malaysia-really-come-apart-76926|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/will-things-fall-apart-malaysian-federation? |title=Will things fall apart in the Malaysian federation? |newspaper=Today |location=Singapore |date=3 November 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-date=6 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106024352/http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/will-things-fall-apart-malaysian-federation |url-status=live }}</ref>

;States
A list of thirteen states and each state capital (in parentheses):
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
# {{flagicon|Johor}} [[Johor]] ([[Johor Bahru]])
# {{flagicon|Kedah}} [[Kedah]]  ([[Alor Setar]])
# {{flagicon|Kelantan}} [[Kelantan]] ([[Kota Bharu]])
# {{flagicon|Melaka}} [[Malacca]] ([[Malacca City]])
# {{flagicon|Negeri Sembilan}} [[Negeri Sembilan]] ([[Seremban]])
# {{flagicon|Pahang}} [[Pahang]] ([[Kuantan]])
# {{flagicon|Penang}} [[Penang]] ([[George Town, Penang|George Town]])
# {{flagicon|Perak}} [[Perak]] ([[Ipoh]])
# {{flagicon|Perlis}} [[Perlis]] ([[Kangar]])
# {{flagicon|Selangor}} [[Selangor]] ([[Shah Alam]])
# {{flagicon|Sabah}} [[Sabah]] ([[Kota Kinabalu]])
# {{flagicon|Sarawak}} [[Sarawak]] ([[Kuching]])
# {{flagicon|Terengganu}} [[Terengganu]] ([[Kuala Terengganu]])
{{div col end}}

;Federal territories
# {{flagicon|Kuala Lumpur}} [[Kuala Lumpur|Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur]] 
# {{flagicon|Labuan}} [[Labuan|Federal Territory of Labuan]] ([[Victoria, Labuan|Victoria]])
# {{flagicon|Putrajaya}} [[Putrajaya|Federal Territory of Putrajaya]]

=== Foreign relations and military ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Malaysia|Malaysian Armed Forces}}
[[File:President Joe Biden delivers remarks with Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) leaders, Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.jpg|thumb|Malaysian Prime Minister [[Anwar Ibrahim]] with US President [[Joe Biden]] and other leaders at the [[APEC United States 2023]] on 16 November.]]
A founding member of ASEAN<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/64.htm |title=Overview |publisher=Association of Southeast Asian Nations |access-date=8 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109233326/http://www.asean.org/64.htm |archive-date=9 January 2008 }}</ref> and OIC,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/division-multilateral-oic-d8 |title=Islamic Affairs (OIC) and D8 Division |publisher=Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309064902/http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/division-multilateral-oic-d8 |archive-date=9 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the country participates in many international organisations such as the [[United Nations]] (U.N.),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/members/list.shtml |title=List of Member States |publisher=United Nations |access-date=8 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024134907/http://www.un.org/members/list.shtml |archive-date=24 October 2007 }}</ref> APEC,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apec.org/en/About-Us/About-APEC/Member-Economies.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201151002/http://www.apec.org/en/About-Us/About-APEC/Member-Economies.aspx |archive-date=1 December 2010 |title=Member Economies|publisher=Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation |access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref> the [[D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.developing8.org/Membermalaysia.aspx|title=Malaysia|publisher=Developing 8 Countries|access-date=15 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630135700/http://www.developing8.org/Membermalaysia.aspx|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and NAM.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nam.gov.za/background/members.htm |title=The Non-Aligned Movement: Member States |publisher=Non-Aligned Movement |access-date=5 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209233514/http://www.nam.gov.za/background/members.htm |archive-date=9 December 2010 }}</ref> It has chaired ASEAN, OIC, and NAM in the past.<ref name="state.gov"/> A former British colony, it is also a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/142227/members/ |title=Member States |publisher=Commonwealth Secretariat |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225120634/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/member-countries |url-status=live }}</ref> Kuala Lumpur was the site of the first EAS in 2005.<ref name="govtnz">{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.fta.govt.nz/malaysia-foreign-relations |title=Malaysia Foreign Relations |publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |date=4 December 2008 |access-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526030946/http://www.asean.fta.govt.nz/malaysia-foreign-relations/ |archive-date=26 May 2010 }}</ref>

Malaysia's foreign policy is officially based on the principle of neutrality and maintaining peaceful relations with all countries, regardless of their political system.<ref name="kln">{{cite web |url= http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/foreign_policy |title= Malaysia's Foreign Policy |access-date= 21 September 2010 |publisher= [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Malaysia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] |archive-date= 4 July 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180704114645/http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/foreign_policy |url-status= live }}</ref> The government attaches a high priority to the security and stability of Southeast Asia,<ref name="govtnz"/> and seeks to further develop relations with other countries in the region. Historically the government has tried to portray Malaysia as a progressive Islamic nation<ref name="kln"/> while strengthening relations with other Islamic states.<ref name="govtnz"/> A strong tenet of Malaysia's policy is national sovereignty and right of a country to control its domestic affairs.<ref name="dfat"/> Malaysia signed the U.N. treaty on the [[Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons|Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Japan should support nuclear ban treaty, says Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/07/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-support-nuclear-ban-treaty-says-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad/#.XVat-XszWUk |work=The Japan Times |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409090214/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/07/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-support-nuclear-ban-treaty-says-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad/#.XVat-XszWUk |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Vladimir Putin and Anwar Ibrahim on 4 September 2024.jpg|thumb|left|Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in Vladivostok, Russia, 4 September 2024]]
The [[Spratly Islands]] are disputed by many states in the area, and [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|a large portion of the South China Sea]] is claimed by [[China]]. Unlike its neighbours of [[Vietnam]] and the [[Philippines]], Malaysia historically avoided conflicts with China.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/06/25/1338864/why-malaysia-unlike-philippines-keeps-quiet-sea-row |title=Why Malaysia, unlike Philippines, keeps quiet on sea row |last=Diola |first=Camille |work=[[The Philippine Star]] |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=25 June 2014 |archive-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627165932/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/06/25/1338864/why-malaysia-unlike-philippines-keeps-quiet-sea-row |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after the encroachment of Chinese ships in Malaysian territorial waters,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/09/27/presence-of-china-coast-guard-ship-at-luconia-shoals-spooks-local-fishermen/ |title=Presence of China Coast Guard ship at Luconia Shoals spooks local fishermen |newspaper=The Borneo Post |location=Kuching |date=27 September 2015 |access-date=28 September 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929005731/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/09/27/presence-of-china-coast-guard-ship-at-luconia-shoals-spooks-local-fishermen/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and breach of airspace by their military aircraft, Malaysia has become active in condemning China.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/08/15/malaysia-lodges-diplomatic-protest-against-intrusion-at-beting-patinggi-ali/ |title=Malaysia lodges diplomatic protest against intrusion at Beting Patinggi Ali |agency=Bernama |work=The Rakyat Post |date=15 August 2015 |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929024442/http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/08/15/malaysia-lodges-diplomatic-protest-against-intrusion-at-beting-patinggi-ali/ |archive-date=29 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-slams-china-s/2200744.html |title=Malaysia slams China's 'provocation' in South China Sea |first1=Ben |last1=Blanchard |first2=Richard |last2=Pullin |agency=Reuters |work=Channel News Asia |date=18 October 2015 |access-date=20 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151019120244/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-slams-china-s/2200744.html |archive-date=19 October 2015 }}</ref> Brunei and Malaysia in 2009 announced an end to claims of each other's land, and committed to resolve issues related to their maritime borders.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brunei drops all claims to Limbang |url= http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/17/brunei_drops_all_claims_to_limbang |last=Masli |first=Ubaidillah |work=[[The Brunei Times]] |date=17 March 2009 |access-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140712162447/http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/17/brunei_drops_all_claims_to_limbang |archive-date=12 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Philippines has a [[North Borneo dispute|dormant claim]] to the eastern part of Sabah.<ref name="MYIDPHSG">{{cite web|last=Mohamad |first=Kadir |year=2009 |title=Malaysia's territorial disputes – two cases at the ICJ: Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore), Ligitan and Sipadan [and the Sabah claim] (Malaysia/Indonesia/Philippines) |url=http://www.idfr.gov.my/images/stories/publication/2009/inside_pbp.pdf |publisher=Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia |quote=Map of British North Borneo, highlighting in yellow colour the area covered by the Philippine claim, presented to the Court by the Philippines during the Oral Hearings at the ICJ on 25 June 2001 |page=46 |access-date=16 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516042053/http://www.idfr.gov.my/images/stories/publication/2009/inside_pbp.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Singapore's land reclamation has caused tensions,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2070.html |title=Disputed&nbsp;– International |publisher=CIA |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-date=14 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014013059/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2070.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and minor maritime and land border disputes exist with Indonesia.<ref name="MYIDPHSG"/><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=103802 |title=Border disputes differ for Indonesia, M'sia |newspaper= [[Daily Express (Malaysia)|Daily Express]] |location= Kota Kinabalu |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151019135525/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=103802 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Defense.gov photo essay 120617-N-HM950-193.jpg|thumb|right|alt=US Marines with Malaysian soldiers|[[United States Marine Corps|US Marines]] with Malaysian soldiers during the [[Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training]] (Exercise CARAT) in 2012]]
[[File:Su30mkm flying at lima two (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Sukhoi Su-30MKM]] of RMAF]]
The [[Malaysian Armed Forces]] has three branches: the [[Malaysian Army]], [[Royal Malaysian Navy]] and the [[Royal Malaysian Air Force]]. There is no conscription, and the required age for voluntary military service is 18. The military uses 1.5% of the country's GDP, and employs 1.23% of Malaysia's manpower.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmaster.com/red/country/my-malaysia/mil-military%26all%3D1 |title=Malaysian Military statistics |publisher=NationMaster |access-date=1 October 2010 |archive-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806213531/http://www.nationmaster.com/red/country/my-malaysia/mil-military%26all%3D1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Malaysian peacekeeping forces of [[MALBATT]] have contributed to many U.N. peacekeeping missions, such as in [[United Nations Operation in the Congo|Congo]], [[United Nations Iran–Iraq Military Observer Group|Iran–Iraq]], [[United Nations Transition Assistance Group|Namibia]], [[United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia|Cambodia]], [[United Nations Protection Force|Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|Somalia]], [[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|Kosovo]], [[United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor|East Timor]], and [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|Lebanon]].<ref name="state.gov"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.un.int/malaysia/GA/67/2013-02-12%20Protection%20of%20Civilians.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131018034708/http://www.un.int/malaysia/GA/67/2013-02-12%20Protection%20of%20Civilians.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2013 |title=Malaysia – Permanent Missions to the United Nations |publisher=United Nations |date=12 February 2013 |access-date=15 October 2013}}</ref>

The [[Five Power Defence Arrangements]] is a regional security initiative that has been in place for almost 40 years. It involves joint military exercises held among Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mysinchew.com/node/38249 |title=Australia says major military exercise underway in Malaysia |work=My Sinchew |date=26 April 2010 |access-date=1 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201942/http://www.mysinchew.com/node/38249 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Joint exercises and war games have also been held with Brunei,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2014/04/20/brunei-m%E2%80%99sia-train-11th-military-exercise |title=Brunei, M'sia train in 11th military exercise |last=Wood |first=Daniel |work=The Brunei Times |date=20 April 2014 |access-date=5 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141208183256/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2014/04/20/brunei-m%E2%80%99sia-train-11th-military-exercise |archive-date=8 December 2014 }}</ref> China,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.mod.gov.cn/DefenseNews/2015-09/17/content_4620894.htm|title=First China-Malaysia joint military exercise held in Malacca Strait|author=Yao Jianing|work=China Military Online|publisher=[[Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China]]|date=17 September 2015|access-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001184454/http://eng.mod.gov.cn/DefenseNews/2015-09/17/content_4620894.htm|archive-date=1 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> India,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=179020|title=First Ever Joint Army exercise on Malaysian Soil Commences with Handing-Over of Troops Ceremony|author=Aman Anand|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] (India)|date=30 April 2018|access-date=2 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001183858/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=179020|archive-date=1 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Indonesia,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1284390436/indonesia-malaysia-military-exercises-must-continue-defence-minister |title=Indonesia-Malaysia military exercises must continue&nbsp;– defence minister |work=ANTARA News |date=13 September 2010 |access-date=1 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922134210/http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1284390436/indonesia-malaysia-military-exercises-must-continue-defence-minister |archive-date=22 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/article/82922/japan-malaysia-sign-defence-accord|title=Japan, Malaysia sign defence accord|author=John Grevatt|publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]|date=12 September 2018|access-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001185203/https://www.janes.com/article/82922/japan-malaysia-sign-defence-accord|archive-date=1 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/08/25/Malaysia-US-armed-forces/ |title=Malaysia, US armed forces in joint exercise |work=The Star |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=25 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014 |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709175613/http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/08/25/Malaysia-US-armed-forces/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam have agreed to host joint security force exercises to secure their maritime border and tackle issues such as illegal immigration, [[piracy]], and [[smuggling]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mysinchew.com/node/43096 |title=Malaysia, Philippines committed to enhancing border security |work=My Sinchew |date=9 August 2010 |access-date=18 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205247/http://www.mysinchew.com/node/43096 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.graypage.com/assets/Piracy-in-Southeast-Asia-Organised-Criminal-Syndicatds-or-small-scale-opportunists.pdf |title=Piracy in Southeast Asia: Organised Criminal Syndicates or Small Scale Opportunists?|work=Gray Page |date=April 2013 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150724082702/http://www.graypage.com/assets/Piracy-in-Southeast-Asia-Organised-Criminal-Syndicatds-or-small-scale-opportunists.pdf |archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2012/05/15/Malaysia-Thailand-military-exercise-to-include-other-agencies-Asean-members/ |title=Malaysia, Thailand military exercise to include other agencies, Asean members |last=Carvalho |first=Martin |work=The Star |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=15 May 2012 |access-date=5 November 2014 |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709181144/https://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2012/05/15/Malaysia-Thailand-military-exercise-to-include-other-agencies-Asean-members/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Previously there were fears that extremist militant activities in the Muslim areas of the [[Moro conflict in the Philippines|southern Philippines]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/malaysia-philippines-03062020184117.html|title=Malaysia Bolsters Security Near Sea Border with Philippines|last1=Sherman|first1=Ray|last2=David|first2=Nisha|work=Benar News|date=6 March 2020|access-date=5 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204233702/https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/malaysia-philippines-03062020184117.html|archive-date=4 December 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[South Thailand insurgency|southern Thailand]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Kent |first=Jonathan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3666607.stm |title=Malaysia ups Thai border security |work=BBC News |date=28 April 2004 |access-date=18 September 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202140536/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3666607.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> would spill over into Malaysia. Because of this, Malaysia began to increase its border security.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/04/indonesia-malaysia-philippines-consider-expanding-sulu-sea-trilateral-patrols/|title=Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Consider Expanding Sulu Sea Trilateral Patrols|last=Parameswaran|first=Prashanth|work=The Diplomat|date=19 April 2022|access-date=5 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204234639/https://thediplomat.com/2022/04/indonesia-malaysia-philippines-consider-expanding-sulu-sea-trilateral-patrols/|archive-date=4 December 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/12/859251/govt-step-malaysian-thai-border-security|title=Govt to step up Malaysian-Thai border security|last1=Sallehuddin|first1=Qistina|last2=Kuan|first2=Samantha|work=New Straits Times|date=9 December 2022|access-date=5 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204233702/https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/malaysia-philippines-03062020184117.html|archive-date=4 December 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{See also|Human rights in Malaysia|LGBT rights in Malaysia|Capital punishment in Malaysia}}

Homosexuality is [[LGBT rights in Malaysia|illegal in Malaysia]],<ref>{{cite news |first1=Max |last1=Bearak |first2=Darla |last2=Cameron |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |title=Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=16 June 2016 |access-date=21 May 2017 |archive-date=23 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523191423/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Avery |title=71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal |url=https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |work=Newsweek |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=11 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211204842/https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |url-status=live }}</ref> and authorities have imposed punishments such as [[Caning in Malaysia|caning]] and imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/03/women-caned-in-malaysia-for-attempting-to-have-lesbian-sex |title=Women caned in Malaysia for attempting to have lesbian sex |last=Lamb|first=Kate |date=3 September 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=26 May 2019 |location= London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia sentences five men to jail, caning and fines for gay sex |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-lgbt-idUSKBN1XH197 |website=Reuters |access-date=27 June 2022 |language=en |date=7 November 2019 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627173805/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-lgbt-idUSKBN1XH197 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Human trafficking]] and [[sex trafficking in Malaysia]] are significant problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newmandala.org/malaysia-must-wake-human-trafficking-problem/|title=Malaysia must wake up to its human trafficking problem|date=24 May 2017|website=New Mandala|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710111418/https://www.newmandala.org/malaysia-must-wake-human-trafficking-problem/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/20/malaysia-us-human-trafficking-persons-report|title=US penalises Malaysia for shameful human trafficking record|date=20 June 2014|website=The Guardian}}</ref> There have also been cases of vigilante executions and beatings against LGBT individuals in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |title=A brutal assault and rising fear in Malaysia's LGBT community |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/24/a-brutal-assault-and-rising-fear-in-malaysias-lgbt-community |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |access-date=27 June 2022 |language=en |date=24 August 2018 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525033617/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/24/a-brutal-assault-and-rising-fear-in-malaysias-lgbt-community |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia: Government Steps Up Attacks on LGBT People |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/25/malaysia-government-steps-attacks-lgbt-people |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |access-date=27 June 2022 |language=en |date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627173805/https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/25/malaysia-government-steps-attacks-lgbt-people |url-status=live }}</ref> The illegality of homosexuality in Malaysia has also been the forefront of [[Anwar Ibrahim]]'s [[Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trials|sodomy trials]], which Anwar has called politically motivated, a characterization supported by the [[Working Group on Arbitrary Detention]], along with [[Amnesty International]] and the [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia: Political Motivations Undermine Anwar Case |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/07/21/malaysia-political-motivations-undermine-anwar-case |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en |date=21 July 2008 |access-date=27 June 2022 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627173815/https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/07/21/malaysia-political-motivations-undermine-anwar-case |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Doherty |first1=Ben |title=Anwar Ibrahim guilty in sodomy case |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/10/anwar-ibrahim-guilty-in-sodomy-case |website=the Guardian |access-date=27 June 2022 |language=en |date=10 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia opposition leader 'should be freed' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34704563 |website=BBC News |access-date=27 June 2022 |date=2 November 2015}}</ref>

The [[Capital punishment in Malaysia|death penalty]] is in use for serious crimes such as [[murder]], [[terrorism]], and [[drug trafficking]], some of which were once mandatory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/LOM/EN/Penal%20Code%20%5BAct%20574%5D2.pdf|title=Laws of Malaysia [Act 574]|publisher=Attorney General's Chamber|date=1 January 2015|access-date=13 October 2016|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203104609/http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/LOM/EN/Penal%20Code%20&#91;Act%20574&#93;2.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/212428/13_05_31_DPP_Malaysia_report_FINAL_single_pages.pdf|title=The Death Penalty in Malaysia|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom]]|access-date=15 October 2013|archive-date=26 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626042150/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/212428/13_05_31_DPP_Malaysia_report_FINAL_single_pages.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> However in July 2023, following the passing of the [[Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023]], mandatory death penalty was abolished for all crimes in Malaysia, thereby allowing judges to impose the capital punishment at their own discretion and on a case-by-case basis. The new law also abolished all [[Life imprisonment|natural life imprisonment]], replacing it with 30 to 40 years prison terms instead.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Latiff |first=Rozanna |date=3 April 2023 |title=Malaysia scraps mandatory death penalty, natural-life prison terms |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-parliament-approves-law-remove-mandatory-death-penalty-2023-04-03/ |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yusry |first=Muhammad |date=3 July 2023 |title=Abolishment of mandatory death penalty gazetted, to come into force tomorrow |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/07/03/abolishment-of-mandatory-death-penalty-gazetted-to-come-into-force-tomorrow/77669 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=Malay Mail}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tee |first=Kenneth |date=3 April 2023 |title=A brief history of Malaysia’s capital punishment and death row inmates |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/04/03/a-brief-history-of-malaysias-capital-punishment-and-death-row-inmates/62376 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=Malay Mail}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Malaysia}}
[[File:Malaysia relief location map.jpg|thumb|alt=Relief map of Malaysia|400px|[[Topographic map]] of Malaysia; [[Mount Kinabalu]] is the highest summit in the country.]]
Malaysia is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|66th largest country by total land area]], with a total area of {{convert|330803|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="2010 stats"/> It has land [[Borders of Malaysia|borders]] with Thailand in West Malaysia, and [[Indonesia]] and [[Brunei]] in East Malaysia.<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/> It is linked to [[Singapore]] by a narrow causeway and a [[Malaysia–Singapore Second Link|bridge]]. The country also has [[maritime boundary|maritime boundaries]] with [[Vietnam]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugm.ac.id/en/?q=news/to-reduce-conflicts-indonesia-and-malaysia-should-meet-intensively |title=To Reduce Conflicts, Indonesia and Malaysia Should Meet Intensively |publisher=Universitas Gadjah Mada |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-date=25 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225091836/http://www.ugm.ac.id/en/?q=news%2Fto-reduce-conflicts-indonesia-and-malaysia-should-meet-intensively |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite book|last1 = Prescott|first1 = John Robert Victor|last2 = Schofield|first2 = Clive H|title = Undelimited maritime boundaries of the Asian Rim in the Pacific Ocean|publisher = International Boundaries Research Unit|year = 2001|page = 53|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-RT2lGdMZucC|isbn = 978-1-897643-43-3|access-date = 2 June 2020|archive-date = 27 July 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230727120523/https://books.google.com/books?id=-RT2lGdMZucC|url-status = live}}</ref> The land borders are defined in large part by geological features such as the [[Perlis River]], the [[Golok River]] and the Pagalayan Canal, whilst some of the maritime boundaries are the subject of ongoing contention.<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/> Brunei forms what is almost an enclave in Malaysia,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brunei/ |title=Brunei |publisher=CIA |access-date=13 September 2011 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721102115/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bx.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with the state of Sarawak dividing it into two parts. Malaysia is the only country with territory on both the Asian mainland and the Malay archipelago.<ref name="Marshall"/> The [[Strait of Malacca]], lying between [[Sumatra]] and Peninsular Malaysia, is one of the most important thoroughfares in global commerce, carrying 40 percent of the world's trade.<ref name="Schuman">{{cite magazine |last=Schuman |first=Michael |url= http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1893032,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090423052721/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1893032,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 23 April 2009 |title=How to Defeat Pirates: Success in the Strait of Malacca |magazine=Time |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref>

The two parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the [[South China Sea]], share a largely similar landscape in that both Peninsular and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to hills and mountains.<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/> Peninsular Malaysia, containing 40 per cent of Malaysia's land area,<ref name="Marshall"/> extends {{convert|740|km|abbr=on}} from north to south, and its maximum width is {{convert|322|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Swee-Hock">{{Cite book|last = Saw|first = Swee-Hock|title = The population of Peninsular Malaysia|publisher = Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|year = 2007|pages = 1–2|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=e4Yp2QJNVWgC|isbn = 978-981-230-730-9}}</ref> It is divided between its east and west coasts by the [[Titiwangsa Mountains]],<ref>{{Cite book|last = Stevens|first = Alan M.|title = Kamus Lengkap Indonesia Inggris|publisher = Ohio University Press|year = 2004|page = 89|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=cF97F--suNAC|isbn = 978-979-433-387-7}}</ref> rising to a peak elevation of {{Convert|2183|m|ft}} at [[Mount Korbu]],<ref name="AZ">{{Cite book |title=The A to Z of Malaysia |page=lxxxii |last=Ooi Keat Gin |first=Gin |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-8108-7641-5 }}</ref> part of a series of mountain ranges running down the centre of the peninsula.<ref name="Marshall"/> These mountains are heavily forested,<ref>{{cite book|last=Nations|first=F.A.O.U.|title=Soil Atlas of Asia|publisher=Publications Office of the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|series=JRC soil atlas series|year=2023|isbn=978-92-5-137882-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9pjtEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA152|access-date=5 December 2024|page=152|archive-date=19 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219035030/https://books.google.com/books?id=9pjtEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA152|url-status=live}}</ref> and mainly composed of [[granite]] and other igneous rocks. Much of it has been eroded, creating a [[karst]] landscape.<ref name="Marshall"/> The range is the origin of some of Peninsular Malaysia's river systems.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Harun|first1=S.|last2=Othman|first2=I.K.|last3=Jamal|first3=M.H.|title=Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Water Resources (ICWR) – Volume 1: Current Research in Water Resources, Coastal and Environment|publisher=Springer Nature Singapore|series=Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering|year=2022|isbn=978-981-19-5947-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A_aVEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA139|access-date=5 December 2024|page=139}}</ref> The coastal plains surrounding the peninsula reach a maximum width of {{convert|50|km|mi|0}}, and the peninsula's coastline is nearly {{convert|1931|km|abbr=on}} long, although harbours are only available on the western side.<ref name="Swee-Hock"/>

East Malaysia, on the island of [[Borneo]], has a coastline of {{convert|2607|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/> It is divided between coastal regions, hills and valleys, and a mountainous interior.<ref name="Marshall"/> The [[Crocker Range]] extends northwards from Sarawak,<ref name="Marshall"/> dividing the state of Sabah. It is the location of the {{convert|4095|m|adj=on|abbr=on}} high [[Mount Kinabalu]],<ref name="Richmond">{{Cite book|title = Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei |last = Richmond|first = Simon |isbn = 978-1-74104-887-2 |publisher =Lonely Planet |year =2010 |pages = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741048872/page/74 74]–75 |url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741048872|url-access = registration }}</ref><ref name="Thiessen">{{Cite book |title=Borneo: Sabah – Brunei – Sarawak |last=Thiessen |first=Tamara |isbn=978-1-84162-390-0 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |access-date=23 April 2014 |year=2012 |page=192 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DCDkRTYwN5AC&pg=PA192}}</ref> the tallest mountain in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu is located in the [[Kinabalu National Park]], which is protected as one of the four UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]]s [[List of World Heritage Sites in Malaysia|in Malaysia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecologyasia.com/html-loc/mount-kinabalu.htm |title=Mount Kinabalu&nbsp;– revered abode of the dead |publisher=Ecology Asia |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-date=21 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921002507/http://ecologyasia.com/html-loc/mount-kinabalu.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The highest mountain ranges form the border between Malaysia and Indonesia. Sarawak contains the Mulu Caves, the largest cave system in the world, in the [[Gunung Mulu National Park]] which is also a World Heritage Site.<ref name="Marshall"/> The largest river in Malaysia is the [[Rajang River|Rajang]].

Around these two halves of Malaysia are [[List of islands of Malaysia|numerous islands]], the largest of which is [[Banggi Island|Banggi]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Daw, T.|title=Reef Fish Aggregations in Sabah, East Malaysia|url=http://scrfa.org/images/stories/pdf/scrfa/daw_e.malaysia.pdf|date=April 2004|publisher=Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Aggregations|series=Western Pacific Fisher Survey series|volume=5|page=17|access-date=1 February 2012|archive-date=19 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519182853/http://scrfa.org/images/stories/pdf/scrfa/daw_e.malaysia.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The local climate is [[Tropical climate|equatorial]] and characterised by the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) [[monsoon]]s.<ref name="Swee-Hock"/> The temperature is moderated by the presence of the surrounding oceans.<ref name="Marshall"/> Humidity is usually high, and the average annual rainfall is {{convert|250|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Swee-Hock"/> The climates of the Peninsula and the East differ, as the climate on the peninsula is directly affected by wind from the mainland, as opposed to the more maritime weather of the East. Local climates can be divided into three regions, highland, lowland, and coastal.<ref name="Marshall"/> [[Climate change in Malaysia|Climate change]] will cause [[sea level rise]] and increased rainfall, increasing flood risks and leading to droughts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Country: Malaysia |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |website=World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal |language=en |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127191008/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Biodiversity and conservation ===
{{Main|Wildlife of Malaysia|Environmental issues in Malaysia|List of national parks in Malaysia}}[[File:MalayanTiger.jpg|thumb|alt=Tiger resting on an artificial log platform|A [[Malayan tiger]] in the [[National Zoo of Malaysia]]]]
Malaysia signed the Rio [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] on 12 June 1993, and became a party to the convention on 24 June 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbd.int/convention/parties/list/ |title=List of Parties |access-date=9 December 2012 |archive-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124005746/http://www.cbd.int/convention/parties/list/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It has subsequently produced a [[Biodiversity action plan|National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan]], which was received by the convention on 16 April 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arbec.com.my/NBP.pdf|title=Malaysia's National Policy on Biological Diversity|access-date=15 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820215449/http://arbec.com.my/NBP.pdf|archive-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> The country is [[megadiverse countries|megadiverse]] with a high number of species and high levels of [[endemism]].<ref name="megadiverse">{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/biodiversity/biodiversity01-3.html |title=Biodiversity Theme Report |publisher=Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |year=2001 |access-date=24 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208141905/http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/biodiversity/biodiversity01-3.html |archive-date=8 December 2008 }}</ref> It is estimated to contain 20&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent of the world's animal species.<ref name="Alexander">{{cite book|last=Alexander|first=J.|title=Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore|publisher=Cadogan Guides|series=Cadogan Guide Malaysia Brunei & Singapore|year=2006|isbn=978-1-86011-309-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lB-hvAEACAAJ|pages=46–50|access-date=12 February 2025|archive-date=17 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217022022/https://books.google.com/books?id=lB-hvAEACAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> High levels of endemism are found on the diverse forests of Borneo's mountains, as species are isolated from each other by lowland forest.<ref name="Marshall">{{Cite book|title = World and Its Peoples: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Brunei|publisher = Marshall Cavendish Corporation|year = 2008|pages = 1160, 1166–1192, 1218–1222|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=72VwCFtYHCgC|isbn =978-0-7614-7642-9}}</ref>

There are about 210 mammal species in the country.<ref name="Richmond"/> Over 620 species of birds have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia,<ref name="Alexander"/> with many endemic to the mountains there. A high number of endemic bird species are also found in Malaysian Borneo.<ref name="Marshall"/> 250<!--Alexander gives 300--> reptile species have been recorded in the country, with about 150 species of snakes<ref name="Richmond2007">{{Cite book|last = Richmond|first = Simon|title = Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei|publisher = Lonely Planet|year = 2007|pages = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781740597081/page/63 63]–64|url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781740597081|url-access = registration|isbn = 978-1-74059-708-1}}</ref> and 80 species of lizards.<ref name="Richmond"/> There are about 150 species of frogs,<ref name="Richmond"/> and thousands of insect species.<ref name="Richmond"/> The [[Exclusive economic zone of Malaysia]] is {{convert|334,671|km²|sqmi|abbr=on}} and 1.5 times larger than its land area. It is mainly in the [[South China Sea]].<ref>{{Cite web|website=Sea Around Us &#124; Fisheries, Ecosystems and Biodiversity|url=http://www.seaaroundus.org/data/#/eez/608?eez=608|access-date=23 February 2023|title=Exclusive Economic Zones|archive-date=23 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223181456/http://www.seaaroundus.org/data/#/eez/608?eez=608|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last = De Young|first = Cassandra|title = Review of the state of world marine capture fisheries management: Indian Ocean|publisher = [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] of the United Nations|year = 2006|page = 143|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_7JD1V3PijUC|isbn = 978-92-5-105499-4|access-date = 2 June 2020|archive-date = 27 July 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230727120547/https://books.google.com/books?id=_7JD1V3PijUC|url-status = live}}</ref> Some of its waters are in the [[Coral Triangle]], a biodiversity hotspot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/coraltriangle/ |title=Coral Triangle |publisher=WWF |access-date=14 September 2010 |archive-date=23 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923070411/http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/coraltriangle/? |url-status=live }}</ref> The waters around [[Sipadan island]] are the most biodiverse in the world.<ref name="Alexander"/> Bordering East Malaysia, the [[Sulu Sea]] is a biodiversity hotspot, with around 600 coral species and 1200 fish species.<ref name="Gardeners">{{cite news|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101207-307576/Saving-the-gardeners-of-the-ocean |title=Saving the gardeners of the ocean |work=Inquirer Global Nation |date=12 July 2010 |access-date=20 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210194709/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101207-307576/Saving-the-gardeners-of-the-ocean |archive-date=10 December 2010 }}</ref> The unique biodiversity of Malaysian Caves always attracts lovers of [[ecotourism]] from all over the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caves.res.in/journal/c.htm |title=Species diversity and food-web complexity in the caves of Malaysia |publisher=Ambient Science, 2014 Vol 1(2) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503002921/http://www.caves.res.in/journal/c.htm |archive-date=3 May 2014 }}</ref>

Nearly 4,000 species of fungi, including lichen-forming species have been recorded from Malaysia. Of the two fungal groups with the largest number of species in Malaysia, the [[Ascomycota]] and their asexual states have been surveyed in some habitats (decaying wood, marine, and freshwater ecosystems, as parasites of some plants, and as agents of biodegradation), but have not been or have been only poorly surveyed in other habitats (as endobionts, in soils, on dung, as human and animal pathogens); the [[Basidiomycota]] are only partly surveyed: [[bracket fungi]], and mushrooms and [[toadstool]]s have been studied, but Malaysian rust and smut fungi remain very poorly known. Without a doubt, many more fungal species in Malaysia are yet to be recorded, and it is likely that many of those, when found, will be new to science.<ref>Lee, S.S.; Alias, S.A.; Jones, E.B.G.; Zainuddin, N. and Chan, H.T. (2012) ''Checklist of Fungi of Malaysia'' Research Pamphlet No. 132, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia.</ref>

[[File:A Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Red flower made of 5 petals surrounding a depressed centre, on the forest floor surrounded by dead leaves and small green plants|Some species of ''[[Rafflesia]]'' can grow up to {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}} in diameter, making them the largest flowers in the world.]]
About two&nbsp;thirds of Malaysia was covered in forest as of 2007,<ref name="Swee-Hock"/> with some forests believed to be 130&nbsp;million years old.<ref name="Richmond"/> The forests are dominated by [[Dipterocarpaceae|dipterocarps]].<ref name="WWF">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwf.org.my/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests_main/the_malaysian_rainforest/ |title=The Malaysian Rainforest |publisher=WWF Malaysia |access-date=1 October 2010 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928051709/https://www.wwf.org.my/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests_main/the_malaysian_rainforest/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lowland forest covers areas below {{convert|760|m|abbr=on}},<ref name="Swee-Hock"/> and formerly East Malaysia was covered in [[Borneo lowland rain forests|such rainforest]],<ref name="WWF"/> which is supported by its hot wet climate.<ref name="Marshall"/> There are around 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees.<ref name="Richmond"/> Besides rainforests, there are over {{convert|1425|km2|abbr=on}} of [[mangroves]] in Malaysia,<ref name="Swee-Hock"/> and a large amount of peat forest. At higher altitudes, oaks, chestnuts, and rhododendrons replace dipterocarps.<ref name="Marshall"/> There are an estimated 8,500 species of [[vascular plant]]s in Peninsular Malaysia, with another 15,000 in the East.<ref>{{Cite book|last = Oon|first = Helen|title = Globetrotter Wildlife Guide Malaysia|publisher = New Holland Publishers|year = 2008|page = 11|isbn = 978-1-84537-971-1}}</ref> The forests of East Malaysia are estimated to be the habitat of around 2,000 tree species, and are one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, with 240 different species of trees every hectare.<ref name="Marshall"/> These forests host many members of the [[Rafflesia]] genus, the largest flowers in the world,<ref name="WWF"/> with a maximum diameter of {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Richmond2">{{Cite book|title = Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei |last = Richmond|first = Simon |isbn = 978-1-74104-887-2 |publisher =Lonely Planet |year =2010 |pages = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741048872/page/78 78]–82 and 366 |url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741048872|url-access = registration }}</ref>

[[Logging]], along with cultivation practices, has devastated tree cover, causing severe environmental degradation in the country. Over 80&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent of Sarawak's rainforest has been logged.<ref name="Marshall"/> Floods in East Malaysia have been worsened by the loss of trees, and over 60&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent of the peninsula's forests have been cleared.<ref name="Richmond2"/> With current rates of [[Social and environmental impact of palm oil#Deforestation|deforestation]], mainly for the [[Palm oil production in Malaysia|palm oil]] industry, the forests are predicted to be extinct by 2020.<ref name="Marshall"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-plans-to-halt-all-expansion-of-palm-oil-plantations-minister-says |title=Malaysia plans to halt all expansion of oil palm plantations, minister says |date=4 March 2019 |newspaper=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526111351/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-plans-to-halt-all-expansion-of-palm-oil-plantations-minister-says |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Deforestation in Malaysia|Deforestation]] is a major problem for animals, fungi and plants, having caused species such as ''[[Begonia eiromischa]]'' to go extinct.<ref name="Tigers">{{cite web|last=McQuillan |first=Rebecca |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/can-global-summit-save-the-tiger-1.1070075 |title=Can global summit save the tiger |work=The Herald |location=Glasgow |date=22 November 2010 |access-date=20 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110514032814/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/can-global-summit-save-the-tiger-1.1070075 |archive-date=14 May 2011 }}</ref> Most remaining forest is found inside reserves and national parks.<ref name="Richmond2"/> Habitat destruction has proved a threat for marine life.<ref name="Gardeners"/> [[Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing|Illegal fishing]] is another major threat,<ref name="Gardeners"/> with fishing methods such as [[dynamite fishing]] and poisoning depleting marine ecosystems.<ref name="Artificial">{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=78528 |title=Artificial reefs to prevent illegal fishing |work=The Borneo Post |location=Kuching |date=4 December 2010 |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-date=1 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101050025/http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=78528 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Leatherback turtle]] numbers have dropped 98&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent since the 1950s.<ref name="Richmond2007"/> Hunting has also been an issue for some animals,<ref name="Richmond2"/> with [[overconsumption]] and the use of animal parts for profit endangering many animals, from marine life<ref name="Gardeners"/> to tigers.<ref name="Tigers"/> Marine life is also detrimentally affected by uncontrolled tourism.<ref name="Go">{{cite news |url= http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Go_Adiver__8217_sparadise/Article/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110622063452/http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Go_Adiver__8217_sparadise/Article/ |archive-date=22 June 2011 |title=Go: A diver's paradise |work=New Straits Times |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=20 December 2010 |first=Ridzwan A. |last=Rahim}}</ref>

The Malaysian government aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection, but has been accused of favouring big business over the environment.<ref name="Richmond2"/> Some state governments are now trying to counter the environmental impact and pollution created by deforestation;<ref name="WWF"/> and the federal government is trying to cut logging by 10&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent each year. A total of [[List of national parks of Malaysia|28 national parks]] have been established, 23 in East Malaysia and five in the peninsula.<ref name="Richmond2"/> Tourism has been limited in biodiverse areas such as Sipadan island.<ref name="Go"/> [[Wildlife smuggling|Wildlife trafficking]] is a large issue, and the Malaysian government has held talks with the governments of Brunei and Indonesia to standardise anti-trafficking laws.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=80482 |title=Standardize illegal animal trafficking law&nbsp;– Ellron |work=The Borneo Post |location=Kuching |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-date=12 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512014910/http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=80482 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Malaysia}}
[[File:GDP per capita development of Malaysia.svg|thumb|Development of real GDP per capita, 1820 to 2018|left|300x300px]]
Malaysia is a relatively [[open economy|open]] state-oriented and [[newly industrialised country|newly industrialised]] [[market economy]].<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Boulton |first1 = William R. |last2 = Pecht |first2 = Michael |last3 = Tucker |first3 = William |last4 = Wennberg |first4 = Sam |url = http://www.wtec.org/loyola/em/04_07.htm |title = Electronics Manufacturing in the Pacific Rim, World Technology Evaluation Center, Chapter 4: Malaysia |publisher = The World Technology Evaluation Center, Inc |date = May 1997 |access-date = 1 November 2010 |archive-date = 15 December 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101215111543/http://www.wtec.org/loyola/em/04_07.htm |url-status = live }}</ref> It has the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|36th-largest economy]] by nominal GDP and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|31st-largest]] by [[purchasing power parity|PPP]]. In 2017, the large [[Tertiary sector of the economy|service sector]] contributed to 53.6% of total [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], the industrial sector 37.6%, and the small agricultural sector roughly 8.8%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin|title=GDP – composition, by sector of origin|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=27 June 2022|archive-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611065600/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin|url-status=live}}</ref> Malaysia has a low official [[List of countries by unemployment rate|unemployment rate]] of 3.4% as of 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parlimen.gov.my/ipms/eps/2023-10-13/CMD31.2023ENG.pdf|title=MALAYSIA: KEY DATA AND FORECAST (cont'd)|work=Parliament of Malaysia|page=[10/207] / viii|access-date=12 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212070638/https://www.parlimen.gov.my/ipms/eps/2023-10-13/CMD31.2023ENG.pdf|archive-date=12 February 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Its foreign exchange reserves are the world's [[List of countries by foreign-exchange reserves|24th-largest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bnm.gov.my/-/international-reserves-of-bank-negara-malaysia-as-at-31-march-2022|title=International Reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia as at 31 March 2022|date=7 April 2022|access-date=27 June 2022|work=[[Central Bank of Malaysia]] (Bank Negara Malaysia)|archive-date=15 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615120550/https://www.bnm.gov.my/-/international-reserves-of-bank-negara-malaysia-as-at-31-march-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> It has a labour force of about 15 million, which is the world's [[List of countries by labour force|34th-largest]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/labor-force/country-comparison/ |title=Labor force – The World Factbook |work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=16 June 2021 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329091229/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/labor-force/country-comparison/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Malaysia's large [[Automotive industry in Malaysia|automotive industry]] ranks as the world's [[List of countries by motor vehicle production|22nd-largest by production]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2021-statistics/ |title=2021 PRODUCTION STATISTICS |work=[[Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles|OICA]] |access-date=16 June 2021 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517133344/https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2021-statistics/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Malaysia is the world's 23rd-largest [[List of countries by exports|exporter]] and 25th-largest [[List of countries by imports|importer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7c458%7c%7c%7c%7cTOTAL%7c%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c2%7c1%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1|title=List of importing markets for the product exported by Malaysia in 2021|work=[[International Trade Centre]]|access-date=27 June 2022|archive-date=27 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627231223/https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7C458%7C%7C%7C%7CTOTAL%7C%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C2%7C1%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7c458%7c%7c%7c%7cTOTAL%7c%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1%7c1%7c%7c2%7c1%7c1%7c1|title=List of supplying markets for the product imported by Malaysia in 2021|work=[[International Trade Centre]]|access-date=27 June 2022|archive-date=27 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627230958/https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1%7C458%7C%7C%7C%7CTOTAL%7C%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1%7C1%7C%7C2%7C1%7C1%7C1|url-status=live}}</ref> However, economic inequalities exist between different ethnic groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wid.world/document/wid_issue_brief_2019_9-pdf/ |title=Income Inequality and Ethnic Cleavages in Malaysia {{!}} Evidence from Distributional National Accounts {{!}} (1984-2014) |publisher=[[World Inequality Database]] |last1=Khalid |first1=Muhammed Abdul |last2=Yang |first2=Li |date=July 2019 |access-date=28 June 2022 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124022609/https://wid.world/document/wid_issue_brief_2019_9-pdf/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Chinese make up about one-quarter of the population, but account for 70 per cent of the country's market capitalisation.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/EF07Aa01.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030801205716/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/EF07Aa01.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=1 August 2003 |title= Minority rule, majority hate |last=Chau |first=Amy |work=Asia Times |access-date=15 November 2010}}</ref> Chinese businesses in Malaysia are part of the larger [[bamboo network]], a network of [[overseas Chinese]] businesses in the Southeast Asian market sharing common family and cultural ties.<ref name="Weidenbaum">{{cite book|author=Weidenbaum, Murray L |title=The Bamboo Network: How Expatriate Chinese Entrepreneurs are Creating a New Economic Superpower in Asia |url= https://archive.org/details/bamboonetworkhow00weid |url-access=registration |date=1996|publisher=Martin Kessler Books, Free Press |isbn=978-0-684-82289-1 |pages=[https://a rchive.org/details/bamboonetworkhow00weid/page/4 4]–8}}</ref>

International trade, facilitated by the shipping route in adjacent [[Strait of Malacca]], and manufacturing are the key sectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.pmo.gov.my/WebNotesApp/tpmmain.nsf/6eb1bf73408d07794825674f0006897f/09ee4377fd049191482572aa00144782?OpenDocument|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304044303/http://www3.pmo.gov.my/WebNotesApp/tpmmain.nsf/6eb1bf73408d07794825674f0006897f/09ee4377fd049191482572aa00144782?OpenDocument|archive-date=4 March 2014|title=The Security of The Straits of Malacca and Its Implications to The South East Asia Regional Security |publisher=Office of The Prime Minister of Malaysia |access-date=21 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="BNM">{{cite web |url=http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=111 |title=BNM National Summary Data Page |publisher=Bank Negara Malaysia |date=30 September 2003 |access-date=29 October 2010 |archive-date=6 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206205012/http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=111 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Schuman"/> Malaysia is an exporter of natural and agricultural resources, and petroleum is a major export.<ref name="state.gov"/> Malaysia has once been the largest producer of [[tin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.american.edu/TED/tin.htm|title=TED Case Studies: Tin Mining In Malaysia – Present And Future|publisher=American University|access-date=15 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130185311/http://www1.american.edu/TED/tin.htm|archive-date=30 November 2016}}</ref> [[rubber]] and [[palm oil]] in the world. Manufacturing has a large influence in the country's economy,<ref name="BNM"/> although Malaysia's economic structure has been moving away from it.<ref name="WPRO">{{cite web |url= http://www.wpro.who.int/countries/2006/maa/political_and_socioeconomic_situation.htm |title=WHO Western Pacific Region&nbsp;– 2006&nbsp;– Malaysia&nbsp;– Political and socioeconomic situation |publisher=WHO |access-date=18 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829135114/http://www.wpro.who.int/countries/2006/maa/political_and_socioeconomic_situation.htm <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=29 August 2010}}</ref> Malaysia remains one of the world's largest producers of palm oil.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3296977/Malaysia-defends-palm-oil-production.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201030531/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3296977/Malaysia-defends-palm-oil-production.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2009 |title=Malaysia defends palm oil production |work=The Telegraph |date=10 June 2007 |access-date=28 November 2010 |first=Charles |last=Clover}}</ref>

[[Tourism in Malaysia|Tourism]] is the third-largest contributor to Malaysia's GDP, after the manufacturing and commodities sectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mida.gov.my/smart-tourism-future-of-tourism-in-malaysia/|title=SMART TOURISM: FUTURE OF TOURISM IN MALAYSIA|work=[[Malaysian Investment Development Authority]]|date=13 June 2021|access-date=28 June 2022|archive-date=20 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620112052/https://www.mida.gov.my/smart-tourism-future-of-tourism-in-malaysia|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, the sector contributed about 15.9 percent to the total GDP. According to the [[World Tourism Organization]], Malaysia was the fourteenth-most visited country in the world, and the fourth-most visited country in Asia in 2019, with over 26.1 million visits.<ref name="tourism">{{Cite journal|title=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, December 2020|journal=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer |date=December 2020|publisher=[[World Tourism Organization]]|volume=18|issue=7|pages=1–36 |doi=10.18111/wtobarometereng.2020.18.1.7 |s2cid=241989515 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Malaysia was ranked 38th in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 - Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future|date=May 2022|publisher=[[World Economic Forum]]|url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf|access-date=28 June 2022|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703090138/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Its international tourism receipts in 2019 amounted to $19.8 billion.<ref name="tourism"/>

The country has developed into a centre of [[Islamic banking]] and has the highest number of female workers in that industry.<ref name="iht001">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/business/global/27islamic.html |title=A Path to Financial Equality in Malaysia |access-date=27 September 2010 |work=International Herald Tribune |last=Gooch |first=Liz |date=September 2010 |archive-date=3 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203095950/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/business/global/27islamic.html? |url-status=live }}</ref> Knowledge-based services are also expanding.<ref name="WPRO"/> In 2020, Malaysia exported high-tech products worth $92.1 billion, the second-highest in ASEAN, after Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TX.VAL.TECH.CD?locations=SG-MY-TH-ID|title=High-technology exports (current US$) - Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia &#124; Data|website=data.worldbank.org|access-date=28 June 2022|archive-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628112132/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TX.VAL.TECH.CD?locations=SG-MY-TH-ID|url-status=live}}</ref> Malaysia was ranked 33rd in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2024, and 32nd in the [[Global Competitiveness Report]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite book |author=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=6 October 2024 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2 |archive-date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210002031/https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imd.org/centers/world-competitiveness-center/rankings/world-competitiveness/|title=World Competitiveness Ranking|publisher=[[IMD Business School]]|access-date=28 June 2022|archive-date=6 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006153740/https://www.imd.org/centers/world-competitiveness-center/rankings/world-competitiveness|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===
{{See also|Transport in Malaysia}}{{multiple image
| perrow            = 1/1
| total_width       = 220
| image1            = NorthSouth-Expressway.jpg
| alt1              = Expressway
| caption1          = [[North–South Expressway (Malaysia)|North–South Expressway]]
| image2            = KLIA MTB&Tower.jpg
| alt2              = Airport
| caption2          = [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]]
}}
[[Rail transport in Malaysia|Railway transport in Malaysia]] is state-run, and spans some {{convert|2783|km|mi|0}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.RRS.TOTL.KM?locations=MY|title=Rail lines (total route-km) - Malaysia|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=6 July 2022|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191524/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.RRS.TOTL.KM?locations=MY|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, Malaysia has the world's [[List of countries by road network size|26th-largest road network]], with some {{convert|238823|km|mi|0}} of roads. Malaysia's inland waterways are the world's [[List of countries by waterways length|22nd-longest]], and total {{convert|7200|km|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/waterways/country-comparison |title=Waterways – The World Factbook |work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=6 July 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412005407/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/waterways/country-comparison |url-status=live }}</ref> Among [[List of airports in Malaysia|Malaysia's 114 airports]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/airports/country-comparison |title=Airports – The World Factbook |work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403171702/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/airports/country-comparison/ |url-status=live }}</ref> among which the [[List of the busiest airports in Malaysia|busiest]] is [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] located south of Kuala Lumpur in [[Sepang District]], which is also the [[List of the busiest airports in Asia|twelfth-busiest airport]] in Asia. Among the 7 federal ports, the major one is [[Port Klang]],<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jeevan|first1=Jagan|last2=Ghaderi|first2=Hadi|last3=Bandara|first3=Yapa M|last4=Hamid|first4=Saharuddin Abdul|last5=Othman|first5=Mohamad Rosni|title=The Implications of the Growth of Port Throughput on the Port Capacity: the Case of Malaysian Major Container Seaports|date=December 2015|doi=10.1016/j.enavi.2015.12.008|volume=3|number=8|pages=84–98|journal=International Journal of E-Navigation and Maritime Economy|doi-access=free}}</ref> which is the [[List of busiest container ports|thirteenth-busiest container port]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldshipping.org/top-50-ports|title=The Top 50 Container Ports|work=[[World Shipping Council]]|location=[[Washington, D.C.]]|access-date=6 July 2022|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813193707/https://www.worldshipping.org/top-50-ports|url-status=live}}</ref> Malaysia's [[flag carrier]] is [[Malaysia Airlines]], providing international and domestic air services.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bowen|first1=John T. Jr.|last2=Leinbach|first2=Thomas R.|title=The State and Liberalization: The Airline Industry in the East Asian NICs|jstor=2564511|volume=85|number=3|pages=468–493|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|journal=[[Annals of the Association of American Geographers]]|year=1995 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-8306.1995.tb01809.x }}</ref>

Malaysia's [[telecommunication]]s network is second only to Singapore's in Southeast Asia, with 4.7&nbsp;million fixed-line subscribers and more than 30&nbsp;million cellular subscribers.<ref name="Tele">{{cite web |url=http://www1.american.edu/initeb/ym6974a/telecom.htm |title=Malaysian Telecommunications Overview |publisher=American University |access-date=25 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504165602/http://www1.american.edu/initeb/ym6974a/telecom.htm |archive-date=4 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2151rank.html?countryName=Malaysia&countryCode=my&regionCode=eas&rank=31#my |title=Telephones&nbsp;– mobile cellular |work=The World Factbook |access-date=25 May 2011 |archive-date=16 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116085719/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2151rank.html?countryName=Malaysia&countryCode=my&regionCode=eas&rank=31#my |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are 200 [[industrial park]]s along with specialised parks such as [[Technology Park Malaysia]] and [[Kulim Hi-Tech Park]].<ref name="MIDA"/> [[Fresh water]] is available to over 95% of the population, with [[ground water]] accounting for 90% of the freshwater resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2018/12/440092/water-life-use-it-wisely-dont-waste-it|title=Water is life, use it wisely, don't waste it|last=Sobian|first=Azrina|publisher=New Straits Times|date=13 December 2018|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920054242/https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2018/12/440092/water-life-use-it-wisely-dont-waste-it|archive-date=20 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/3/ab776e/ab776e02.htm|title=Malaysia's Water Vision: The Way Forward – The Malaysian Water Partnership|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|date=13 December 2018|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920054706/http://www.fao.org/3/ab776e/ab776e02.htm|archive-date=20 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Although rural areas have been the focus of great development, they still lag behind areas such as the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cirdap.org.sg/Paper3_KKLWDoc.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514133723/http://www.cirdap.org.sg/Paper3_KKLWDoc.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2011 |title=Infrastructure and Rural Development in Malaysia |publisher=Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific |access-date=25 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The telecommunication network, although strong in urban areas, is less available to the rural population.<ref name="Tele"/>

[[Energy policy of Malaysia|Malaysia's energy]] infrastructure sector is largely dominated by [[Tenaga Nasional]], the largest [[electric utility]] company in Southeast Asia. Customers in [[Peninsular Malaysia]] are connected to electricity through the [[National Grid (Malaysia)|National Grid]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tenaga Nasional Berhad 500kV Transmission System, Phase 1 |url=http://www.ranhill.com.my/tenaganasional.asp |publisher=Ranhill Berhad |access-date=23 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227183633/http://www.ranhill.com.my/tenaganasional.asp |archive-date=27 February 2009 }}</ref> The other two electric utility companies in the country are [[Sarawak Energy]] and [[Sabah Electricity]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://malaysia.asiatradehub.com/Infrastructure/1474/Power|title=Malaysia – Power Sector|publisher=AsiaTradeHub.com|access-date=18 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118073823/https://malaysia.asiatradehub.com/Infrastructure/1474/Power|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, Malaysia's total power generation capacity was over 29,728 [[megawatts]]. Total electricity generation was 140,985.01 [[GWh]] and total electricity consumption was 116,087.51 GWh.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.st.gov.my/index.php/industry/statistics-reports.html |title=Energy Commission | access-date=11 April 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150509023944/http://www.st.gov.my/index.php/industry/statistics-reports.html | archive-date=9 May 2015 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[List of power stations in Malaysia|Energy production]] in Malaysia is largely based on oil and natural gas, owing to Malaysia's oil and natural gas reserves, which are the fourth largest in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region.<ref name="Unimap">{{cite web |url= http://ppkas.unimap.edu.my/index.php/news/articles/29-renewable-energy-and-kyoto-protocol-adoption-in-malaysia |title=Renewable Energy and Kyoto Protocol: Adoption in Malaysia |author1=Selamat, Salsuwanda  |author2=Abidin, Che Zulzikrami Azner  |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Universiti Malaysia Perlis |access-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130904032630/http://ppkas.unimap.edu.my/index.php/news/articles/29-renewable-energy-and-kyoto-protocol-adoption-in-malaysia |archive-date=4 September 2013 }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Malaysia}}
[[File:Malaysia population density 2010b.png|thumb|350x350px|alt=A map of Malaysia depicting the expected 2010 estimated population density.|Population density (person per km<sup>2</sup>) in 2010]] [[File:Percentage distribution of Malaysian population by ethnic group, 2010.svg|thumb|alt=Percentage distribution of Malaysian population by ethnic group, 2010|The percentage distribution of Malaysian population by ethnic group based on 2010 census|350x350px]]
According to the Malaysian Department of Statistics, the country's population was 32,447,385 in 2020,<ref name="Population2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/census2010/Taburan_Penduduk_dan_Ciri-ciri_Asas_Demografi.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522234002/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/census2010/Taburan_Penduduk_dan_Ciri-ciri_Asas_Demografi.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2014 |title=Population Distribution and Basic Demographic Characteristics |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |page=82 |access-date=4 October 2011}}</ref> making it the [[List of countries by population in 2010|42nd most populated country]]. According to a 2012 estimate, the population is increasing by 1.54 percent per year. Malaysia has an average population density of 96 people per km<sup>2</sup>, ranking it [[List of countries and territories by population density|116th in the world]] for population density. People within the 15–64 [[age group]] constitute 69.5 percent of the total population; the 0–14 age group corresponds to 24.5 percent; while senior citizens aged 65 years or older make up 6.0 percent. In 1960, when the first official census was recorded in Malaysia, the population was 8.11&nbsp;million. 91.8 percent of the population are Malaysian citizens.<ref name="stat2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1215%3Apopulation-distribution-and-basic-demographic-characteristic-report-population-and-housing-census-malaysia-2010-updated-2972011&catid=130%3Apopulation-distribution-and-basic-demographic-characteristic-report-population-and-housing-census-malaysia-2010&Itemid=154&lang=en |title=Population Distribution and Basic Demographic Characteristic Report 2010 (Ethnic composition) |publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia |year=2010 |access-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008005500/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1215%3Apopulation-distribution-and-basic-demographic-characteristic-report-population-and-housing-census-malaysia-2010-updated-2972011&catid=130%3Apopulation-distribution-and-basic-demographic-characteristic-report-population-and-housing-census-malaysia-2010&Itemid=154&lang=en |archive-date=8 October 2013 }}</ref>

Malaysian citizens are divided along local ethnic lines, with 69.7 percent considered ''[[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|bumiputera]]''.<ref name="Q12021">{{cite web |url=https://www.mycensus.gov.my/index.php/125-newsletter-infographics/343-infographics#gallery9c2ef0eed8-2 |title=Infographics |publisher=Department of Statistics |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002053818/https://www.mycensus.gov.my/index.php/125-newsletter-infographics/343-infographics#gallery9c2ef0eed8-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> The largest group of bumiputera are [[Malays (ethnic group)|Malays]], who are defined in the constitution as [[Muslim]]s who practise Malay customs and culture. They play a dominant role politically.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7121534.stm|title=Malaysia's lingering ethnic divide|author=Brant, Robin|work=BBC News|date=4 March 2008|access-date=29 October 2013|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803200852/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7121534.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Bumiputera status is also accorded to the non-Malay indigenous groups of Sabah and Sarawak: which includes [[Dayak people|Dayaks]] ([[Iban people|Iban]], [[Bidayuh]], [[Orang Ulu]]), [[Kadazan-Dusun]], [[Melanau people|Melanau]], [[Sama-Bajau|Bajau]] and others. Non-Malay bumiputeras make up more than half of Sarawak's population and over two-thirds of Sabah's population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2001/87-7944-557-8/html/kap02_eng.htm|title=2. Socio-Economic and National Context [People]|work=Malaysian-Danish Country Programme for Cooperation in Environment and Development (2002–2006)|publisher=Miljøstyrelsens Informationscenter|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040921231939/https://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2001/87-7944-557-8/html/kap02_eng.htm|archive-date=21 September 2004|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/who-are-malaysias-bumiputera|title=Who are Malaysia's bumiputera?|last=Leong|first=Trinna|publisher=The Straits Times|date=3 August 2017|access-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920055010/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/who-are-malaysias-bumiputera|archive-date=20 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> There are also indigenous or aboriginal groups in much smaller numbers on the peninsular, where they are collectively known as the [[Orang Asli]].<ref>{{Cite book|last = Gomes|first = Alberto G.|title = Modernity and Malaysia: settling the Menraq forest nomads|publisher = Taylor & Francis Group|year = 2007|page = 10|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IiTgShFY2QEC|isbn = 978-0-203-96075-2|access-date = 2 June 2020|archive-date = 27 July 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230727120523/https://books.google.com/books?id=IiTgShFY2QEC|url-status = live}}</ref> Laws over who gets bumiputera status vary between states.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/4/nation/20091104194453&sec=nation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107061431/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F11%2F4%2Fnation%2F20091104194453&sec=nation |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 November 2009 |title=PM asked to clarify mixed-race bumiputra status |work=The Star |date=4 November 2009 |access-date=26 October 2010 }}</ref>

There are also two other non-Bumiputera local ethnic groups. 22.8 percent of the population are [[Malaysian Chinese]], while 6.8 percent are [[Malaysian Indians|Malaysian Indian]].<ref name="Q12021"/> The local Chinese have historically been more dominant in the business community. Local Indians are mostly of [[Tamil people|Tamil]] descent.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kuppusamy, Baradan  |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HC24Ae01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324183428/http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HC24Ae01.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=24 March 2006 |title=Racism alive and well in Malaysia |work=Asia Times |date=24 March 2006 |access-date=27 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="Barbara">{{Cite book|last = West|first = Barbara A.|title = Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania, Volume 1|publisher = Facts on File inc|year = 2009|page = 486|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pCiNqFj3MQsC|isbn = 978-0-8160-7109-8|access-date = 2 June 2020|archive-date = 27 July 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230727121024/https://books.google.com/books?id=pCiNqFj3MQsC|url-status = live}}</ref> [[Malaysian citizenship]] is not automatically granted to those born in Malaysia, but is granted to a child born of two Malaysian parents outside Malaysia. Dual citizenship is not permitted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,IRBC,,MYS,47d6546928,0.html |title=Malaysia: Citizenship laws, including methods by which a person may obtain citizenship; whether dual citizenship is recognized and if so, how it is acquired; process for renouncing citizenship and related documentation; grounds for revoking citizenship |publisher=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |date=16 November 2007 |access-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124045542/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher%2CIRBC%2C%2CMYS%2C47d6546928%2C0.html |archive-date=24 November 2011 }}</ref> Citizenship in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo are distinct from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for immigration purposes. Every citizen is issued a biometric smart chip [[identity document|identity card]] known as ''[[MyKad]]'' at the age of 12 and must carry the card at all times.<ref>{{cite news|author=May, Leow Yong |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/30/nation/18649549&sec=nation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105101826/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F8%2F30%2Fnation%2F18649549&sec=nation |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2009 |title=More than just a card |work=The Star |date=30 August 2007 |access-date=27 October 2010 }}</ref>

The population is concentrated on Peninsular Malaysia,<ref>{{Cite book|last = Hassan|first = Asan Ali Golam|title = Growth, structural change, and regional inequality in Malaysia|publisher = Ashgate Publishing|year = 2004|page = 12|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TtKxDem7CrsC|isbn = 978-0-7546-4332-6|access-date = 2 June 2020|archive-date = 27 July 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230727120523/https://books.google.com/books?id=TtKxDem7CrsC|url-status = live}}</ref> where 20&nbsp;million out of approximately 28&nbsp;million Malaysians live.<ref name="state.gov"/> 70 per cent of the population is urban.<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/> Due to the rise in labour-intensive industries,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/business/worldbusiness/13iht-labor.4.7496516.html |title=As Malaysia deports illegal workers, employers run short |work=The New York Times |date=13 July 2009 |access-date=26 October 2010 |first=Soraya |last=Permatasari |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222193637/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/business/worldbusiness/13iht-labor.4.7496516.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the country is estimated to have over 3&nbsp;million migrant workers; about 10 per cent of the population.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kent |first=Jonathan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3964511.stm |title=Illegal workers leave Malaysia |work=BBC News |date=29 October 2004 |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202140657/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3964511.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Sabah-based NGOs estimate that out of the 3&nbsp;million that make up the population of Sabah, 2&nbsp;million are illegal immigrants.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.malaysiakini.com/opinions/46691 |title=Demographic implosion in Sabah? Really? |last=Quek |first=Kim |work=Malaysiakini |access-date=21 June 2010 |archive-date=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515042623/http://www.malaysiakini.com/opinions/46691 |url-status=live }}</ref> Malaysia hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 171,500. Of this population, approximately 79,000 are from Burma, 72,400 from the Philippines, and 17,700 from Indonesia. Malaysian officials are reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs [[RELA Corps|RELA]], a volunteer militia with a history of controversies, to enforce its immigration law.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=4a40d2adc&skip=0&query=World%20Refugee%20Survey&coi=MYS |title=World Refugee Survey 2009 |publisher=United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants |date=17 June 2009 |access-date=10 June 2011 |archive-date=12 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224536/http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=4a40d2adc&skip=0&query=World%20Refugee%20Survey&coi=MYS |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Largest cities of Malaysia|class=info}}

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Malaysia}}
[[File:Malaysia religion by state 2020.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A Map of Malaysia showing religious statistics by state|Dominant religious confessions in Malaysia according to [[Census in Malaysia|2020 census]]:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=117&bul_id=akliVWdIa2g3Y2VubTVSMkxmYXp1UT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09 |title=Launching of report on the key findings population and housing census of Malaysia 2020 |date=14 February 2022 |publisher=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |access-date=26 June 2022 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822014403/https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=117&bul_id=akliVWdIa2g3Y2VubTVSMkxmYXp1UT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<br />
Dark green: Muslim majority > 50%
<br />
Light green: Muslim plurality < 50%
<br />
Blue: Christian majority > 50%
]]
The constitution grants freedom of religion, while establishing Islam as the "religion of the Federation".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Zawawi |last2=Mohd Rasid |first2=Imram |date=October 2019 |title=Country Profile Malaysia |url=http://grease.eui.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/10/Malaysia-Country-Profile.pdf |website=GREASE: Religion, Diversity and Radicalisation |access-date=19 October 2022 |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019065339/http://grease.eui.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/10/Malaysia-Country-Profile.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="malaysianbar.org.my">{{cite web|url=http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/press_statements/press_statement_malaysia_a_secular_state.html|title=PRESS STATEMENT: Malaysia a secular state|author=Ambiga Sreenevasan|publisher=The Malaysian Bar|date=18 July 2007|access-date=6 September 2017|author-link=Ambiga Sreenevasan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228154440/http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/press_statements/press_statement_malaysia_a_secular_state.html|archive-date=28 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the Population and Housing Census 2020 figures, ethnicity and religious beliefs correlate highly. Approximately 63.5% of the population practise [[Islam in Malaysia|Islam]], 18.7% practise [[Buddhism in Malaysia|Buddhism]], 9.1% [[Christianity in Malaysia|Christianity]], 6.1% [[Hinduism in Malaysia|Hinduism]] and 1.3% practise [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]] and other traditional [[Chinese folk religion|Chinese religions]]. 2.7% declared no religion or practised other religions or did not provide any information.<ref name="Population2010"/> The states of [[Sarawak]], [[Penang]] and the federal territory of [[Kuala Lumpur]] have non-Muslim majorities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=117&bul_id=akliVWdIa2g3Y2VubTVSMkxmYXp1UT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09 | title=Department of Statistics Malaysia Official Portal | access-date=26 June 2022 | archive-date=22 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822014403/https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=117&bul_id=akliVWdIa2g3Y2VubTVSMkxmYXp1UT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ucanews.com/amp/malaysia-christians-pray-for-peace-equality-freedom/98155 | title=Malaysia Christians pray for peace, equality, freedom - UCA News | access-date=31 July 2022 | archive-date=31 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731164001/https://www.ucanews.com/amp/malaysia-christians-pray-for-peace-equality-freedom/98155 | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Sunni Islam]] of the [[Shafi'i]] school of [[jurisprudence]] is the dominant branch of [[Islam in Malaysia]],<ref name="Peletz2002">{{cite book|author=Peletz, Michael G. |title=Islamic Modern: Religious Courts and Cultural Politics in Malaysia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q4TA4hjqjJ0C|year=2002|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-691-09508-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/#identity|title=Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation|publisher=[[Pew Research Center]]|date=9 August 2012|access-date=4 September 2013|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226113158/http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/#identity|url-status=live}}</ref> while 18% are [[nondenominational Muslims]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/|title=Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation|date=9 August 2012|access-date=5 October 2016|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226113158/http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Malaysian constitution strictly defines what makes a "Malay", defining Malays as those who are Muslim, speak Malay regularly, practise Malay customs, and lived in or have ancestors from Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.<ref name="Marshall"/> Statistics from the 2010 Census indicate that 83.6% of the Chinese population identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism (3.4%) and Christianity (11.1%), along with small Muslim populations in areas like Penang. The majority of the Indian population follows Hinduism (86.2%), with a significant minority identifying as Christians (6.0%) or Muslims (4.1%). Christianity is the predominant religion of the non-Malay ''bumiputera'' community (46.5%), while 40.4% identify as Muslims.<ref name="Population2010"/>

[[Muslims]] are obliged to follow the decisions of [[Syariah Court]]s (i.e. Shariah courts) in matters concerning their religion. The Islamic judges are expected to follow the Shafi'i legal school of Islam, which is the main ''[[madhhab]]'' ("school of thought") of Malaysia.<ref name="Peletz2002"/> The jurisdiction of Syariah courts is limited to Muslims in matters such as [[marriage]], [[inheritance]], [[divorce]], [[apostasy]], [[religious conversion]], custody and limited Islamic criminal law. No other criminal or civil offences are under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts, which have a similar hierarchy to the [[Courts of Malaysia|civil courts]]. The civil courts do not hear matters related to Islamic practices.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mahathir |first=Marina |url=http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=28311&lan=en&sid=1&sp=0&isNew=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222100655/http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=28311&lan=en&sid=1&sp=0&isNew=0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2010 |title=Malaysia moving forward in matters of Islam and women by Marina Mahathir |publisher=Common Ground News Service |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=14 September 2010 }}</ref>

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Malaysia}}
[[File:Distribution of Malaysia Families Languages.png|thumb|The distribution of language families of Malaysia shown by colours:
{{legend|#FF006E|[[Malayic languages|Malayic]]}}
{{legend|#FF984F|[[Bornean languages|Bornean]]}}
{{legend|#007F0E|[[Aslian languages|Aslian]]}}
{{legend|#00FF90|[[Land Dayak languages|Land Dayak]]}}
{{legend|#4CFF00|[[Sama–Bajaw languages|Sama–Bajaw]]}}
{{legend|#B200FF|[[Philippine languages|Philippine]]}}
{{legend|#FFD800|[[Varieties of Chinese|Chinese]]}}
{{legend|#A0A0A0|Areas with multiple languages}}]]

The official and national language of Malaysia is [[Malaysian Malay]],<ref name="CIA Fact Book"/> a standardised form of the [[Malay language]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=zsm |title=Malay, Standard |publisher=Ethnologue |year=2009 |access-date=25 July 2011 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116212712/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=zsm |url-status=live }}</ref> The previous official terminology was {{lang|ms|Bahasa Malaysia}} ({{lit|Malaysian language}})<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=86783 |title=Mahathir regrets govt focussing too much on Bahasa |work=Daily Express |location=Kota Kinabalu |date=2 October 2013 |access-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140712044336/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=86783 |archive-date=12 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30118?language=my |title=Bahasa Rasmi |publisher=Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit |access-date=19 April 2021 |language=ms |quote=Perkara 152 Perlembagaan Persekutuan menjelaskan bahawa bahasa Melayu yang dikenali juga sebagai bahasa Malaysia adalah bahasa rasmi yang tidak boleh dipertikai fungsi dan peranannya sebagai Bahasa Kebangsaan. |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115123259/https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30118?language=my |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ikim.gov.my/new-wp/index.php/2007/08/08/malay-language-malay-identity/ |title=Malay Language Malay Identity |author=Encik Md. Asham bin Ahmad |work=Official Website: Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) |publisher=Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia |date=8 August 2007 |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115123301/https://www.ikim.gov.my/new-wp/index.php/2007/08/08/malay-language-malay-identity/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but now government policy uses {{lang|ms|"Bahasa Melayu"}} (Malay language) to refer to the official language<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jac.gov.my/jac/images/stories/akta/federalconstitution.pdf |title=Federal Constitution |publisher=Judicial Appointments Commission |access-date=29 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324042906/http://www.jac.gov.my/jac/images/stories/akta/federalconstitution.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and both terms remain in use.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.expatgo.com/my/2016/06/01/-history-bahasa-melayu-malaysia |title=The history of Bahasa Melayu / Malaysia: The language of the Malay(sian) people |last=Fernandez |first=Kathleen |date=1 June 2016 |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115124803/https://www.expatgo.com/my/2016/06/01/-history-bahasa-melayu-malaysia/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Williamson |first1=Thomas |title=Incorporating a Malaysian Nation |journal=Cultural Anthropology |date=August 2002 |volume=17 |issue=3 |page=401 |doi=10.1525/can.2002.17.3.401 |url=https://courses.washington.edu/globfut/Project%20Readings/Williamson.pdf |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115123258/https://courses.washington.edu/globfut/Project%20Readings/Williamson.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The National Language Act 1967 specifies the [[Malay alphabet|Latin (Rumi) script]] as the official [[writing system|script]] of the national language, but does not prohibit the use of the traditional [[Jawi alphabet|Jawi script]].<ref name="National Language Act 1967">{{cite act|title=National Language Act 1963/67|url=http://lib.perdana.org.my/PLF/GOVERNMENT%20PUBLICATION/Publication%20Laws%20of%20Malaysia%20(L.O.M)/National%20Language%20Act%201963-67%20%5BAct%2032%5D.pdf|type=Act|legislature=[[Dewan Rakyat]]|index=32|year=1967}}</ref>

English remains an active [[second language]], with its use allowed for some official purposes under the National Language Act of 1967.<ref name="National Language Act 1967"/> In Sarawak, English is an official state language alongside Malay.<ref name="lang1">{{cite news |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sarawak-makes-english-official-language-along-with-bm |title=Sarawak makes English official language along with BM |author=Sulok Tawie |newspaper=Malay Mail |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=18 November 2015 |access-date=18 November 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402114111/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sarawak-makes-english-official-language-along-with-bm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="lang2">{{cite news |url= http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/18/sarawak-to-recognise-english-as-official-language-besides-bahasa-malaysia/ |title=Sarawak to recognise English as official language besides Bahasa Malaysia |newspaper=Borneo Post |location= Kuching |date=18 November 2015 |access-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082141/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/18/sarawak-to-recognise-english-as-official-language-besides-bahasa-malaysia/ |archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="lang3">{{cite news |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1615945 |title=Sarawak adopts English as official language |newspaper=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]] |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=19 November 2015 |access-date=19 November 2015 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020223741/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1615945 |url-status=live }}</ref> Historically, English was the de facto administrative language; Malay became predominant after the 1969 race riots ([[13 May incident]]).<ref name="History">{{Cite book |last1= Andaya |first1= Barbara Watson |last2= Andaya |first2= Leonard Y.|title = A History of Malaysia |publisher = MacMillan |year = 1982|pages = 26–28, 61, 151–152, 242–243, 254–256, 274, 278 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5GSBCcNn1fsC|isbn = 978-0-333-27672-3}}</ref> [[Malaysian English]], also known as Malaysian Standard English, is a form of English derived from [[British English]]. Malaysian English is widely used in business, along with [[Manglish]], which is a colloquial form of English with heavy Malay, Chinese, and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] influences. The government discourages the use of non-standard Malay but has no power to issue compounds or fines to those who use what is perceived as improper Malay on their advertisements.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zimmer |first=Benjamin |url=http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003643.html |title=Language Log: Malaysia cracks down on "salad language" |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |date=5 October 2006 |access-date=14 September 2010 |archive-date=20 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620134708/http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003643.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/dewan-bahasa-champions-use-of-bm-in-ads-1.375207 |title=Dewan Bahasa champions use of BM in ads |work=New Straits Times |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=14 October 2013 |access-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131024015500/http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/dewan-bahasa-champions-use-of-bm-in-ads-1.375207 |archive-date=24 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Malaysia is also home to [[Languages of Malaysia|111 living indigenous languages]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Languages of Malaysia |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=MY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018162010/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=MY |archive-date=18 October 2010 |access-date=18 October 2010 |website=Ethnologue}}</ref> Many other languages are used in Malaysia, which contains speakers of 137 living languages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=MY |title=Ethnologue report for Malaysia |publisher=Ethnologue |access-date=18 October 2010 |archive-date=18 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018162010/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=MY |url-status=live }}</ref> Peninsular Malaysia contains speakers of 41 of these languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=MYP |title=Ethnologue report for Malaysia (Peninsular) |publisher=Ethnologue |access-date=18 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510095800/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=MYP |archive-date=10 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The native tribes of East Malaysia have their own languages which are related to, but easily distinguishable from, Malay. [[Iban language|Iban]] is the main tribal language in Sarawak while [[Dusunic languages|Dusunic]] and [[Coastal Kadazan language|Kadazan]] languages are spoken by the natives in Sabah.<ref>{{Cite book|last1 = Adelaar|first1 = Alexander|last2 = Himmelmann|first2 = Nikolaus P.|title = The Austronesian languages of Asia and Madagascar|publisher = Taylor and Francis Group|year = 2005|pages = 56, 397|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5i1aMcmLWlMC|isbn = 978-0-7007-1286-1|access-date = 2 June 2020|archive-date = 5 August 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200805193042/https://books.google.com/books?id=5i1aMcmLWlMC|url-status = live}}</ref> Chinese Malaysians predominantly speak Chinese dialects from the [[South China|southern part]] of China. The more common [[varieties of Chinese|Chinese varieties]] in the country are [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]], [[Cantonese]], [[Hokkien]], and so on.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gerhard |first1=Leitner |last2=Azirah |first2=Hashim |last3=Hans-Georg |first3=Wolf |last4=Xiaomei |first4=W. |title=Communicating with Asia: The Future of English as a Global Language |date=2016 |section=The Chinese language in the Asian diaspora: A Malaysian experience |section-url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/communicating-with-asia/chinese-language-in-the-asian-diaspora-a-malaysian-experience/49346DD6BC03DB6394B681335BD11280 |isbn=978-1-107-06261-0 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |pages=205–215 |doi=10.1017/CBO9781107477186.014 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204010907/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/communicating-with-asia/chinese-language-in-the-asian-diaspora-a-malaysian-experience/49346DD6BC03DB6394B681335BD11280 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Tamil language]] is used predominantly by the majority of Malaysian Indians.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schiffman|first=Harold F.|title=Malaysian Tamils and Tamil Linguistic Culture|publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania]]|date=31 December 1998|url=http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/messeas/maltamil/MALAYSIA.html|access-date=13 June 2022|archive-date=25 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825024104/http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/messeas/maltamil/MALAYSIA.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A small number of Malaysians have [[Ethnic groups in Europe|European ancestry]] and speak [[creole language]]s, such as the Portuguese-based [[Portuguese-based creole languages#Southeast Asia|Malaccan Creoles]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Malaysian Creole Portuguese: Asian, African or European? |year=1975 |jstor=30027570 |pages=211–236 |last1=Hancock |first1=I. F. |volume=17 |issue=5 |journal=Anthropological Linguistics}}</ref> and the Spanish-based [[Chavacano language]].<ref>{{Cite book|last = Michaelis|first = Susanne|title = Roots of Creole structures|publisher = John Benjamins Publishing Co|year = 2008|page = 279|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pPUeQLcGMOMC|isbn = 978-90-272-5255-5}}</ref>

=== Health ===
{{main|Health in Malaysia}}
Malaysia operates an efficient and widespread [[two-tier healthcare]] system, consisting of a [[universal healthcare]] system and a co-existing private healthcare system; provided by highly subsidized healthcare through its extensive network of public hospitals and clinics.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Chua|first1=Hong Teck|last2=Cheah|first2=Julius Chee Ho|title=Financing Universal Coverage in Malaysia: a case study|date=22 June 2012|volume=12|number=S7|journal=BMC Public Health|pages=S7 |doi=10.1186/1471-2458-12-S1-S7|pmid=22992444 |pmc=3381695 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The [[Ministry of Health (Malaysia)|Ministry of Health]] is the main provider of healthcare services to the country's population.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Health care delivery in Malaysia: changes, challenges, and champions|last1=Thomas|first1=Susan|last2=Beh|first2=LooSeh|last3=Nordin|first3=Rusli Bin|pmid=28299064|volume=2|number=2|doi=10.4081/jphia.2011.e23|journal=Journal of Public Health in Africa|date=5 September 2011|page=23 |pmc=5345496 |quote=The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH), being the main provider of health services...}}</ref> Malaysia's healthcare system is considered to be among the most developed in Asia, which contributes to its thriving [[Medical tourism in Malaysia|medical tourism industry]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ormond|first1=Meghann|last2=Mun|first2=Wong Kee|last3=Khoon|first3=Chang Chee|title=Medical tourism in Malaysia: how can we better identify and manage its advantages and disadvantages?|doi=10.3402/gha.v7.25201|journal=[[Global Health Action]]|number=7|date=10 September 2014|volume=7 |page=25201 |pmid=25215912|pmc=4161948 }}</ref>

Malaysia spent 3.83% of its GDP on healthcare in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=MY|title=Current healthcare expenditure (% of GDP) - Malaysia|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626124645/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=MY|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, the overall [[life expectancy]] in Malaysia at birth was 76 years (74 years for males and 78 years for females),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=MY|title=Life expectancy at birth, total (years) - Malaysia|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628132953/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=MY|url-status=live}}</ref> and it had an [[infant mortality rate]] of 7 deaths per 1000 births.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?Locations=RU&locations=MY|title=Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) - Malaysia|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=7 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807184522/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?Locations=RU&locations=MY|url-status=live}}</ref> Malaysia had a [[total fertility rate]] of 2.0 in 2020, which is just below the [[Sub-replacement fertility|replacement level]] of 2.1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=MY|title=Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - Malaysia|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703165835/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=MY|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, the country's crude [[birth rate]] was 16 per 1000 people, and the crude [[Mortality rate|death rate]] was 5 per 1000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CBRT.IN?locations=MY|title=Birth rate, crude (per 1000 people) - Malaysia|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626153008/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CBRT.IN?locations=MY|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CDRT.IN?locations=MY|title=Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) - Malaysia|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626153007/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CDRT.IN?locations=MY|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, the principal cause of death among Malaysian adults was [[coronary artery disease]], representing 17% of the medically certified deaths in 2020—being followed by [[pneumonia]]; which accounted for 11% of the deaths.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=401&bul_id=R3VrRUhwSXZDN2k4SGN6akRhTStwQT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09|title=Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia 2021|date=16 November 2021|publisher=Department of Statistics Malaysia|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623002209/https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=401&bul_id=R3VrRUhwSXZDN2k4SGN6akRhTStwQT09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Transport accidents]] are considered a major health hazard, as Malaysia, relative to its population, has one of the [[List of countries by traffic-related death rate|highest traffic fatality rates]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scienceimpact.mit.edu/sites/default/files/documents/Abdelfatah_0.pdf|title=TRAFFIC FATALITY CAUSES AND TRENDS IN MALAYSIA|publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]|last=Abdelfatah|first=Akmal|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=7 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807131158/https://scienceimpact.mit.edu/sites/default/files/documents/Abdelfatah_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Smoking in Malaysia|Smoking]] is also considered a major health issue across the country.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Smoking in Malaysia: Main issues and ways to overcome|doi=10.31436/imjm.v20i3.1727|volume=20|number=3|date=July 2021|journal=IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia|last1=Nawi|first1=Azmawati Mohammed|last2=Jetly|first2=Kavita|last3=Ramli|first3=Nur Suhada|s2cid=238829234|url=https://journals.iium.edu.my/kom/index.php/imjm/article/view/1727/1200|doi-access=free|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626124419/https://journals.iium.edu.my/kom/index.php/imjm/article/view/1727/1200|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{main|Education in Malaysia}}
[[File:Putrajaya Malaysia Ministry-of-Education-03.jpg|thumb|[[Ministry of Education (Malaysia)|Ministry of Education]], Putrajaya]]
The education system of Malaysia features a non-compulsory kindergarten education followed by six years of compulsory primary education and five years of optional secondary education.<ref>{{Cite book|author1=Nozawa, M.|author2=Wing, C.|author3=Chaiyasook, S.|title=Secondary Education Regional Information Base: Country Profile – Malaysia|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002147/214736e.pdf|year=2011|location=Bangkok|publisher=UNESCO|page=4 (12)|isbn=978-92-9223-374-7|access-date=1 February 2012|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002147/214736e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Schools in the primary education system are divided into two categories: national primary schools, which teach in Malay (i.e.:[[Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Binjai]], [[SK Bukit Tiu]]), and vernacular schools, which teach in Chinese or Tamil (i.e.:[[SJK(C) Pin Hwa 2]], SJK(T) Bandar Mentakab).<ref>{{cite news|last=Mustafa |first=Shazwan |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malay-groups-want-vernacular-schools-abolished/ |title=Malay groups want vernacular schools abolished |work=The Malaysian Insider |date=22 August 2010 |access-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825032917/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malay-groups-want-vernacular-schools-abolished |archive-date=25 August 2010 }}</ref> Secondary education (i.e.:[[SMK Sura]], [[Kajang High School]]) is conducted for five years. In the final year of secondary education, students sit for the [[Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia|Malaysian Certificate of Education examination]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mygov.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Relevant%20Topics/Education%20and%20Learning/Non%20Citizen/nTheNationalEducationSystem/nSecondaryEducation/Pages/SecondarySchoolEducation.aspx |title=Secondary School Education |publisher=Malaysian Government |access-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231163459/http://mygov.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Relevant%20Topics/Education%20and%20Learning/Non%20Citizen/nTheNationalEducationSystem/nSecondaryEducation/Pages/SecondarySchoolEducation.aspx |archive-date=31 December 2013 }}</ref> Since the introduction of the [[Malaysian Matriculation Programme|matriculation programme]] in 1999, students who completed the 12-month programme in matriculation colleges can enroll in local universities. However, in the matriculation system, only 10 percent of places are open to non-''bumiputera''{{Technical inline|date=October 2022}} students.<ref>{{Cite book|last1 = Saw|first1 = Swee-Hock|last2 = Kesavapany|first2 = K.|title = Malaysia: recent trends and challenges|publisher = Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|year = 2006|page = 259|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EHtO7JdRLO0C|isbn = 978-981-230-339-4}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Malaysia}}
[[File:Salarom Sabah Frame-of-a-new-house-01.jpg|thumb|alt=The wooden frame of a house under construction, with the floor raised off the ground|A traditional house being built in [[Sabah]]|left]]
Malaysia has a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society. Substantial influence exists from [[Chinese culture|Chinese]] and [[Indian Culture|Indian]] culture, dating back to when foreign trade began. Other cultural influences include the [[Persian culture|Persian]], [[Arabic culture|Arabic]], and [[British culture|British]] cultures. Due to the structure of the government, coupled with the [[social contract (Malaysia)|social contract]] theory, there has been minimal [[cultural assimilation]] of ethnic minorities.<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde |author=Raghavan, R.|title=Ethno-racial marginality in West Malaysia: The case of the Peranakan Hindu Melaka or Malaccan Chitty community |volume=133 |issue= 4 |pages=438–458 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41018027|doi=10.1163/22134379-90002605  |year=1977 |access-date=7 October 2010|doi-access=free }}</ref> Some cultural disputes exist between Malaysia and neighbouring countries, notably [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Schonhardt |first=Sara |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KJ03Ae02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005004204/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KJ03Ae02.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=5 October 2009 |title=Indonesia cut from a different cloth |work=Asia Times |date=3 October 2009 |access-date=6 November 2010}}</ref>

In 1971, the government created a "National Cultural Policy", defining Malaysian culture. It stated that Malaysian culture must be based on the culture of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia, that it may incorporate suitable elements from other cultures, and that Islam must play a part in it.<ref name="Papers">{{cite web|url=http://www.hbp.usm.my/tourism/Papers/paper_cultural.htm |title=Cultural Tourism Promotion and policy in Malaysia |publisher=School of Housing, Building and Planning |date=22 October 1992 |access-date=6 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529013206/http://www.hbp.usm.my/tourism/Papers/paper_cultural.htm |archive-date=29 May 2010 }}</ref> It also promoted the Malay language above others.<ref name="Cinema">{{Cite book|last = Van der Heide|first = William|title = Malaysian cinema, Asian film: border crossings and national cultures|publisher = Amsterdam University Press|year = 2002|pages = 98–99|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=k3HTdu1HuWQC|isbn = 978-90-5356-580-3|access-date = 2 June 2020|archive-date = 22 August 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230822090116/https://books.google.com/books?id=k3HTdu1HuWQC|url-status = live}}</ref> This government intervention into culture has caused resentment among non-Malays who feel their cultural freedom was lessened. Both Chinese and Indian associations have submitted memorandums to the government, accusing it of formulating an undemocratic culture policy.<ref name="Papers"/>

=== Fine arts ===
{{Main|Malaysian art}}
{{See also|Music of Malaysia|Malaysian literature}}
[[File:Malaysian Batik.jpg|thumb|alt=Making Malaysian batik|A craftsman making [[batik]]. [[Malaysian batik]] is usually patterned with floral motifs with light colouring.|left]]
Traditional Malaysian art was mainly centred on the areas of carving, weaving, and silversmithing.<ref>{{cite book|author=Dunford, George|title=Southeast Asia on a Shoestring|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CW09gFJ64CwC&pg=PA419|year=2006|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-444-7|pages=419–|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=19 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119151922/https://books.google.com/books?id=CW09gFJ64CwC&pg=PA419|url-status=live}}</ref> Traditional art ranges from handwoven baskets from rural areas to the silverwork of the Malay courts. Common artworks included ornamental [[kris]], [[beetle nut]] sets, and woven [[batik]] and [[songket]] fabrics. Indigenous East Malaysians are known for their wooden masks.<ref name="Marshall"/> Each ethnic group have distinct performing arts, with little overlap between them. However, Malay art does show some North Indian influence due to the historical influence of India.<ref name="Garland">{{Cite book|last1 = Miller|first1 = Terry E.|last2 = Williams|first2 = Sean|title = The Garland handbook of Southeast Asian music|publisher = Taylor and Francis Group|year = 2008|pages = 223–224|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XDm80zCZGKAC|isbn = 978-0-203-93144-8}}</ref>

Traditional Malay music and performing arts appear to have originated in the [[Kelantan]]-[[Patani (historical region)|Pattani]] region with influences from India, China, Thailand, and Indonesia. The music is based around percussion instruments,<ref name="Garland"/> the most important of which is the [[gendang]] (drum). There are at least 14 types of traditional drums.<ref name="q694">{{cite book|last=Gentry|first=J.J.|title=Discover Malaysia: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Unforgettable Adventures|publisher=ExploreTraveler|year=2024|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0GgrEQAAQBAJ&pg=PT13|access-date=12 February 2025|page=13}}</ref> Drums and other traditional percussion instruments and are often made from natural materials.<ref name="q694"/> Music is traditionally used for storytelling, celebrating life-cycle events, and occasions such as a harvest.<ref name="Garland"/> It was once used as a form of long-distance communication.<ref name="q694"/> In East Malaysia, [[gong]]-based musical ensembles such as [[agung]] and [[kulintang]] are commonly used in ceremonies such as funerals and weddings.<ref name="Matusky">{{Cite book|title=The Music of Malaysia: The Classical, Folk, and Syncretic Traditions |author1=Matusky, Patricia Ann |author2=Tan, Sooi Beng |publisher=Ashgate Publishing Ltd |year=2004 |url=https://archive.org/details/musicofmalaysiac0000matu|url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/musicofmalaysiac0000matu/page/177 177]–187 |isbn=978-0-7546-0831-8}}</ref> These ensembles are also common in neighbouring regions such as in [[Mindanao]] in the Philippines, [[Kalimantan]] in Indonesia and Brunei.<ref name="Matusky"/>

Malaysia has a strong oral tradition that has existed since before the arrival of writing and continues today. Each of the Malay Sultanates created their own literary tradition, influenced by pre-existing oral stories and by the stories that came with Islam.<ref name="EncyclopediaMy"/> The first Malay literature was in the Arabic script. The earliest known Malay writing is on the [[Terengganu Inscription Stone|Terengganu stone]], made in 1303.<ref name="Marshall"/> Chinese and Indian literature became common as the number of speakers increased in Malaysia, and locally produced works based on languages from those areas began to be produced in the 19th century.<ref name="EncyclopediaMy">{{cite web|author=Osman, Mohd Taib |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com.my/volume9/literaryheritage.html |title=Languages and Literature |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Malaysia |access-date=3 November 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106024444/http://www.encyclopedia.com.my/volume9/literaryheritage.html |archive-date=6 January 2011 }}</ref> English has also become a common literary language.<ref name="Marshall"/> In 1971, the government took the step of defining the literature of different languages. Literature written in Malay was called "the national literature of Malaysia", literature in other ''bumiputera'' languages was called "regional literature", while literature in other languages was called "sectional literature".<ref name="Cinema"/> Malay poetry is highly developed, and uses many forms. The ''Hikayat'' form is popular, and the ''pantun'' has spread from Malay to other languages.<ref name="EncyclopediaMy"/>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Malaysian cuisine}}
{{multiple image
| footer            = The national drink and dish of Malaysia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/61905|title=Lipton urges Malaysians to take pride in the tarik, our national beverage|work=[[New Sabah Times]]|date=7 September 2012|access-date=6 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702212542/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/61905|archive-date=2 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Travel/Malaysia/2011/04/07/Nasi-lemak-our-national-dish.aspx|title=Nasi lemak, our 'national dish'|author=Rules, Dwayne A.|work=The Star|date=7 April 2011|access-date=6 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702211527/http://www.thestar.com.my/Travel/Malaysia/2011/04/07/Nasi-lemak-our-national-dish.aspx/|archive-date=2 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| align             = right
| direction         = 
| caption_align     = center
| image1            = Teh Tarik.jpg
| alt1              = A glass of Teh tarik
| caption1          = ''[[Teh tarik]]''
| image2            = Nasi lemak.jpg
| alt2              = Nasi lemak in a plate
| caption2          = ''[[Nasi lemak]]''
| total_width       = 300
}}

Malaysia's cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of its population.<ref name="Eckhardt">{{Cite book|last = Eckhardt|first = Robyn|title = Kuala Lumpur Melaka & Penang|publisher = Lonely Planet|date =1 June 2008|page = 42|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mzDloil93f4C|isbn =978-1-74104-485-0}}</ref> Many cultures from within the country and from surrounding regions have greatly influenced the cuisine. Much of the influence comes from the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Javanese, and Sumatran cultures,<ref name="Marshall"/> largely due to the country being part of the ancient [[spice route]].<ref name="Independent">{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/far-eastern-cuisine-fancy-a-malaysian-2104800.html |title=Far Eastern cuisine: Fancy a Malaysian? |last=Jarvis |first=Alice-Azania |work=The Independent |location= London |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=3 November 2010}}</ref> The cuisine is very similar to that of Singapore and Brunei,<ref name="Richmond2"/> and also bears resemblance to Filipino cuisine.<ref name="Marshall"/> The different states have varied dishes,<ref name="Richmond2"/> and often the food in Malaysia is different from the original dishes.<ref name="Barbara"/>

Sometimes food not found in its original culture is assimilated into another; for example, Chinese restaurants in Malaysia often serve Malay dishes.<ref>{{Cite book|last1 = Wu|first1 = David Y. H.|last2 = Tan|first2 = Chee Beng|title = Changing Chinese foodways in Asia|publisher = The Chinese University of Hong Kong|year = 2001|page = 128|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=p5Mw_WTLhiYC|isbn = 978-962-201-914-0}}</ref> Food from one culture is sometimes also cooked using styles taken from another culture,<ref name="Richmond2"/> For example, ''[[sambal]] belacan'' ([[shrimp paste]]) are commonly used as ingredients by Chinese restaurants to create the [[stir fried water spinach]] (''kangkung belacan'').<ref>{{cite news|url=http://travel.kompas.com/read/2011/01/30/12335049/Menikmati.Kuliner.Peranakan|title=Menikmati Kuliner Peranakan|author=Yulia Sapthiani|language=id|newspaper=[[Kompas]]|date=30 January 2011|access-date=24 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624020202/http://travel.kompas.com/read/2011/01/30/12335049/Menikmati.Kuliner.Peranakan|archive-date=24 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> This means that although much of Malaysian food can be traced back to a certain culture, they have their own identity.<ref name="Independent"/> Rice is a staple food and an important constituent of the country's culture.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hwa|first=Cheng Siok|title=The Rice Industry of Malaya: A Historical Survey|jstor=41491996|volume=42|number=2|date=December 1969|pages=130–144|publisher=[[Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society]]|journal=[[Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society]]}}</ref> Chili is commonly found in local cuisine, although this does not necessarily make them spicy.<ref name="Eckhardt"/>

=== Media ===
{{Main|Mass media in Malaysia}}
[[File:RTM Logo 2021.svg|thumb|Logo of [[Radio Televisyen Malaysia]], the country's main public broadcaster]]
Malaysia's main newspapers are owned by the government and political parties in the ruling coalition,<ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmad |first=Razak |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6140N720100205 |title=Malaysian media shapes battleground in Anwar trial |work=Reuters |date=5 February 2010 |access-date=3 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7959518.stm |title=Malaysian opposition media banned |work=BBC News |date=23 March 2009 |access-date=3 November 2010}}</ref> although some major opposition parties also have their own, which are openly sold alongside regular newspapers. A divide exists between the media in the two halves of the country. Peninsular-based media gives a low priority to news from the East and often treats the eastern states as colonies of the peninsula.<ref name="Mirror"/> As a result of this, the East Malaysia region of Sarawak launched [[TVS (Malaysian TV channel)|TV Sarawak]] as internet streaming beginning in 2014, and as TV station on 10 October 2020<ref>{{Cite news |title=Abdul Taib launches TV Sarawak |url= https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/11/abdul-taib-launches-tv-sarawak/1911761 |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=Malay Mail |date=11 October 2020 |location= Kuala Lumpur}}</ref> to overcome the low priority and coverage of Peninsular-based media and to solidify the representation of East Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 November 2017|title=Sarawak macam anak tiri stesen TV siaran percuma|url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/sarawak-macam-anak-tiri-stesen-tv-siaran-percuma-161367|access-date=26 July 2021|website=www.astroawani.com|language=Malay}}</ref> The media have been blamed for increasing tension between Indonesia and Malaysia, and giving Malaysians a bad image of Indonesians.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/09/28/comment-anwar-blames-malaysian-media.html |title=Comment: Anwar blames Malaysian media |work=The Jakarta Post |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=3 November 2010}}</ref> The country has Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil daily newspapers.<ref name="Mirror"/> Kadazandusun and Bajau news are available only via TV broadcast Berita RTM.<ref name="Berita RTM">{{cite web |url= https://rtmklik.rtm.gov.my/jadual |title=Jadual RTM |trans-title=RTM program |website= [[Berita Harian]] |language=ms}}</ref> Written Kadazan news was once included in publications such as [[The Borneo Post]], the Borneo Mail, the [[Daily Express (Malaysia)|Daily Express]], and the [[New Sabah Times]], but publication has ceased with the newspaper or as a section.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/06/01/daily-express-ends-kadazan-section |title='Daily Express' ends Kadazan section |last=Lee |first=Stephanie |work=The Star |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=1 June 2020 |access-date=7 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Farewell, New Sabah Times |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/12/30/farewell-new-sabah-times/ |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=Borneo Post Online |location= Kuching}}</ref>

[[Freedom of the press]] is limited, with numerous restrictions on publishing rights and information dissemination.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2013/malaysia |title=Malaysia |work=Freedom House |year=2013 |access-date=30 March 2014 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085849/http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2013/malaysia |url-status=dead }}</ref> The government has previously tried to crack down on opposition papers before elections.<ref name="BBC"/> In 2007, a government agency issued a directive to all private television and radio stations to refrain from broadcasting speeches made by opposition leaders,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/69331 |title=Opposition muzzled&nbsp;– here's black and white proof |date=29 June 2007 |work=Malaysiakini}}</ref> a move condemned by politicians from the opposition [[Democratic Action Party (Malaysia)|Democratic Action Party]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/69226 |title=TV station denies censoring opposition news |date=28 June 2007 |work=Malaysiakini |first=G |last=Vikneswary}}</ref> Sabah, where all tabloids but one are independent of government control, has the freest press in Malaysia.<ref name="Mirror">{{cite news|url=http://www.malaysianmirror.com/featuredetail/140-sabah/49237-the-east-west-divide-of-malaysian-media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182744/http://www.malaysianmirror.com/featuredetail/140-sabah/49237-the-east-west-divide-of-malaysian-media|archive-date=22 July 2011 |title=The East-West divide of Malaysian media |work=Malaysian Mirror |date=9 September 2010 |access-date=3 November 2010}}</ref> Laws such as the [[Printing Presses and Publications Act]] have also been cited as curtailing freedom of expression.<ref name="McAdams">{{cite web |url=http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/how-press-censorship-works/ |title=How Press Censorship Works |publisher=Mindy McAdams |last=McAdams |first=Mindy |access-date=25 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630161559/http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/how-press-censorship-works/ |archive-date=30 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Holidays and festivals ===
{{Main|Public holidays in Malaysia}}
[[File:Kek Lok Si during Chinese New Year 2025.jpg|alt=Temple at night illuminated with light from decorations|left|thumb|Malaysia's largest [[Buddhist temple]] {{En dash}} [[Kek Lok Si]] in [[Penang]] {{En dash}} illuminated in preparation for [[Chinese New Year]]]]
Malaysians observe several holidays and festivities throughout the year. Some are federally gazetted [[public holidays]] and some are observed by individual states. Other festivals are observed by particular ethnic or religious groups, and the main holiday of each major group has been declared a public holiday. The most observed national holiday is ''[[Independence Day (Malaysia)|Hari Merdeka]]'' (Independence Day) on 31 August, commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya in 1957.<ref name="Marshall"/> [[Malaysia Day]] on 16 September commemorates federation in 1963.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/19/nation/20091019103509&sec=nation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020113957/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F10%2F19%2Fnation%2F20091019103509&sec=nation |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 October 2009 |title=Malaysia Day now a public holiday, says PM |author=Chun, Yeng Ai |date=19 October 2009 |access-date=7 May 2011 }}</ref> Other notable national holidays are [[Labour Day]] (1 May) and the King's birthday (first week of June).<ref name="Marshall"/>

[[Muslim holidays]] are prominent as Islam is the state religion; ''Hari Raya Puasa'' (also called ''Hari Raya Aidilfitri'', Malay for [[Eid al-Fitr]]), ''Hari Raya Haji'' (also called ''Hari Raya Aidiladha'', Malay for [[Eid al-Adha]]), ''[[Mawlid|Maulidur Rasul]]'' (birthday of the Prophet), and others being observed.<ref name="Marshall"/> Malaysian Chinese celebrate festivals such as [[Chinese New Year]] and others relating to traditional Chinese beliefs. [[Wesak]] Day is observed and celebrated by Buddhists. Hindus in Malaysia celebrate ''[[Deepavali]]'', the festival of lights,<ref name="MSU">{{cite web |url=http://asia.isp.msu.edu/wbwoa/southeast_asia/malaysia/religion.htm |title=Malaysia&nbsp;– Religion |publisher=Asian Studies Center – Michigan State University |access-date=13 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809081015/http://asia.isp.msu.edu/wbwoa/southeast_asia/malaysia/religion.htm |archive-date=9 August 2011 }}</ref> while ''[[Thaipusam]]'' is a religious rite which sees pilgrims from all over the country converge at the [[Batu Caves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Places/States-of-Malaysia/Selangor/Batu-Caves|title=Batu Caves, Selangor|publisher=Tourism Malaysia|access-date=15 October 2013|archive-date=25 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625042929/http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/selangor/batu-caves|url-status=dead}}</ref> Malaysia's Christian community celebrates most of the holidays observed by Christians elsewhere, most notably Christmas and Easter. In addition to this, the Dayak community in Sarawak celebrate a harvest festival known as ''[[Gawai Dayak|Gawai]]'',<ref>{{Cite book | last = Hutton | first = Wendy | title = East Malaysia and Brunei|publisher = Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd | year = 1997 | page = 169 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FWiU5VBALicC | isbn = 978-962-593-180-7}}</ref> and the Kadazandusun community celebrate ''[[Kaamatan]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/05/28/pm-kaamatan-gawai-celebrations-time-for-people-to-feel-thankful-for-achievements/ |title=PM: Kaamatan, Gawai celebrations, time for people to feel thankful for achievements |agency=Bernama |newspaper=The Borneo Post |location=Kuching |date=28 May 2016 |access-date=24 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160624013409/http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/05/28/pm-kaamatan-gawai-celebrations-time-for-people-to-feel-thankful-for-achievements/ |archive-date=24 June 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite most festivals being identified with a particular ethnic or religious group, celebrations are universal. In a custom known as "open house" Malaysians participate in the celebrations of others, often visiting the houses of those who identify with the festival.<ref name="MIDA">{{Cite book|title = Guidebook on Expatriate Living in Malaysia|publisher = Malaysia Industrial Development Authority|date = May 2009|pages = 8–9, 69|url = http://www.mida.gov.my/env3/uploads/Publications_pdf/ExpatriateLiving/expatriate2009.pdf|access-date = 20 August 2011|archive-date = 28 September 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928100352/http://www.mida.gov.my/env3/uploads/Publications_pdf/ExpatriateLiving/expatriate2009.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Malaysia}}
[[File:Seni silat melayu.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A woman and a man in black outfits with red belts practising the martial art of Silat Melayu|Traditional sports, such as the martial art style [[Silat Melayu]], persist alongside modern sports.]]
Popular sports in Malaysia include [[association football]], [[badminton]], [[field hockey]], [[bowls]], [[tennis]], [[squash (sport)|squash]], [[martial arts]], [[Equestrianism|horse riding]], [[sailing]], and [[skate boarding]].<ref name="MIDA"/> Football is the most popular sport in Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=BAT flouts tobacco-free World Cup policy |last=Assunta |first=Mary |journal=Tobacco Control |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=277–278 |year=2006 |doi=10.1136/tc.11.3.277|pmid=12198283 |pmc=1759036 }}</ref> Badminton matches also attract thousands of spectators, and since 1948 Malaysia has been one of four countries to hold the [[Thomas Cup]], the world team championship trophy of men's badminton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsknowhow.com/badminton/history/badminton-history-2.shtml |title=History of Badminton |publisher=SportsKnowHow.com |access-date=11 June 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629004258/http://www.sportsknowhow.com/badminton/history/badminton-history-2.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation was registered in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707070937/http://my.88db.com/Sports-Fitness/Club-Association/ad-77790/ |archive-date=7 July 2011|url=http://my.88db.com/Sports-Fitness/Club-Association/ad-77790/ |title=Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation |publisher=88DB.com |access-date=1 October 2010}}</ref> Squash was brought to the country by members of the British army, with the first competition being held in 1939.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Nauright |first1=John |last2=Parrish |first2=Charles |title=Sports Around the World: History, Culture, and Practice |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IkLYDgTnMxEC&pg=PA250 |year=2012 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-300-2 |pages=250–}}</ref> The [[Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia]] was created on 25 June 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.malaysiasquash.com.my/index.php/about/about-sram/ |title=History of SRAM |publisher=Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia |access-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131015034511/http://www.malaysiasquash.com.my/index.php/about/about-sram/ |archive-date=15 October 2013 }}</ref> The men's [[Malaysia men's national field hockey team|national field hockey team]] ranked [[FIH Men's World Ranking|10th in the world]] {{as of|2022|June|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fih.ch/rankings/outdoor/ |title=FIH Men's and Women's World Ranking |publisher=International Hockey Federation |access-date=14 June 2022 }}</ref> The 3rd [[Men's FIH Hockey World Cup|Hockey World Cup]] was hosted at [[Stadium Merdeka|Merdeka Stadium]] in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the 10th cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/history/History-of-Hockey-World-Cup/articleshow/5624571.cms |title=History of Hockey World Cup |work=The Times of India |date=27 February 2010 |access-date=1 November 2010}}</ref> The country also has its own [[Formula One]] track – the [[Sepang International Circuit]], with the first [[Malaysian Grand Prix]] held in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allf1.info/tracks/index.php |title=Formula One Grand Prix Circuits |last=Novikov |first=Andrew |publisher=All Formula One Info |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-date=2 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302231012/http://allf1.info/tracks/index.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Traditional sports include [[Silat Melayu]], the most common style of martial arts practised by [[Malays (ethnic group)|ethnic Malays]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Minahan |first=James B. |title=Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fOQkpcVcd9AC&pg=PT76 |date=30 August 2012 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-660-7 |pages=76–}}</ref>

The Federation of Malaya Olympic Council was formed in 1953, and received recognition by the IOC in 1954. It first participated in the [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Melbourne Olympic Games]]. The council was renamed the [[Olympic Council of Malaysia]] in 1964, and [[Malaysia at the Olympics|has participated]] in all but one Olympic games since its inception. The largest number of athletes ever sent to the Olympics was 57 to the [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Munich Olympic Games]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.olympic.org.my/web/gamesrecords/olympicg/history.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130807033456/http://www.olympic.org.my/web/gamesrecords/olympicg/history.htm |archive-date=7 August 2013 |title=Olympic Games&nbsp;– History |publisher=The Olympic Council of Malaysia |access-date=27 September 2010}}</ref> Besides the Olympic Games, Malaysia also participates in the [[Paralympic Games]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org.my/sports.html#introduction|title=Sports|website=www.paralympic.org.my}}</ref> Malaysia has competed at the [[Commonwealth Games]] since 1950 as Malaya, and 1966 as Malaysia, and the games were hosted in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.<ref>{{cite news |archive-date=31 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141031191031/http://www.thesundaily.my/node/138479 |url= http://www.thesundaily.my/node/138479 |title=Doing Malaysia proud |last=Dudley |first=Rueben |work=The Sun |location=Kuala Lumpur |date=13 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cygpune2008.com/history-tradition/history-tradition.php |title=Commonwealth Games Federation, History and Tradition of Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh, Bendigo, Pune |publisher=Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 |date=14 August 2000 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101008183946/http://www.cygpune2008.com/history-tradition/history-tradition.php |archive-date=8 October 2010}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[National symbols of Malaysia]]
* [[List of Malaysia-related topics]]
* [[Outline of Malaysia]]{{Clear}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=fn}}
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Library resources box}}
* [https://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=MY Key Development Forecasts for Malaysia] from [[International Futures]]

=== Government ===
* [https://www.malaysia.gov.my Government] – Official website of Government of Malaysia
* [https://www.istananegara.gov.my/ National Palace] – official website of the king of Malaysia
* [https://www.pmo.gov.my/ Prime Minister] – official website of the prime minister of Malaysia
* [http://www.parlimen.gov.my Parliament] – official website of Parliament of Malaysia
* [https://kehakiman.gov.my Federal Court] – official website of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court of Malaysia
* [https://www.dosm.gov.my Statistics] – official website of the Department of Statistics Malaysia

=== History ===
* [https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30120 "History"] – Malaysian history at the Government of Malasyia

=== Tourism ===
* [https://www.malaysia.travel/ Malaysia Truly Asia] – Malaysia's official tourism portal

=== Maps ===
* {{Wikiatlas}}
* {{Osmrelation-inline|2108121}}

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