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==People==

==People==

*Religions: [[Islam]] (60.4%), [[Buddhism]] (19.2%), [[Christianity]] (9.1%), Hinduism (6.3%), Confucianism (2.6%), tribal/folk (0.8%), other (0.4%), none/unknown (1.2%).

*Religions: [[Islam]] (60.4%), [[Buddhism]] (19.2%), [[Christianity]] (9.1%), Hinduism (6.3%), Confucianism (2.6%), tribal/folk (0.8%), other (0.4%), none/unknown (1.2%).

*Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), Chinese (various dialects), English, Tamil, indigenous.

*Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), Chinese (various dialects), English, Tamil, indigenous.

*Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--98.5% (primary), 82% (secondary). Literacy--93.5%.

*Education: Years compulsory—6. Attendance—98.5% (primary), 82% (secondary). Literacy—93.5%.

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--5.1 /1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--female 76.2 yrs., male 71.8 yrs.

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--5.1 /1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--female 76.2 yrs., male 71.8 yrs.

*Work force (10.55 million, 2005): Services--51%; industry--36% (manufacturing--28.4%, mining and construction--7.6%); agriculture--13%.

*Work force (10.55 million, 2005): Services—51%; industry—36% (manufacturing—28.4%, mining and construction—7.6%); agriculture—13%.

==Government==

==Government==

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*Chief of state: King - Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (since 11 April 2012)

*Chief of state: King - Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (since 11 April 2012)

*Prime Minister--Mohamed Najib bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009)

*Prime Minister—Mohamed Najib bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009)

*Foreign Minister--Anifah Aman

*Foreign Minister—Anifah Aman

*Ambassador to the U.S.--Datin Paduka Rajmah Hussein

*Ambassador to the U.S.--Datin Paduka Rajmah Hussein

*Ambassador to the UN--Datuk Hamidon bin Ali

*Ambassador to the UN—Datuk Hamidon bin Ali

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

Malaysia's predominant political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), has held power in coalition with other parties since independence in 1957. The UMNO coalition's share of the vote declined in national elections held in May 1969, after which riots broke out in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere, mainly between Malays and ethnic Chinese. Several hundred people were killed or injured. The government declared a state of emergency and suspended all parliamentary activities.

Malaysia's predominant political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), has held power in coalition with other parties since independence in 1957. The UMNO coalition's share of the vote declined in national elections held in May 1969, after which riots broke out in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere, mainly between Malays and ethnic Chinese. Several hundred people were killed or injured. The government declared a state of emergency and suspended all parliamentary activities.

In the years that followed, Malaysia undertook several initiatives that became integral parts of its socioeconomic model. The New Economic Policy (NEP), launched in 1971, contained a series of affirmative action policies designed to benefit Malays and certain indigenous groups (together known as bumiputera or "sons of the soil"). The Constitution was amended to limit dissent against the specially-protected and sensitive portions of the Constitution pertaining to the social contract. The government identified intercommunal harmony as one of its official goals. The previous alliance of communally based parties was replaced with a broader coalition--the Barisan Nasional (BN) or National Front. The BN won large majorities in the 1974 federal and state elections.  

In the years that followed, Malaysia undertook several initiatives that became integral parts of its socioeconomic model. The New Economic Policy (NEP), launched in 1971, contained a series of affirmative action policies designed to benefit Malays and certain indigenous groups (together known as bumiputera or "sons of the soil"). The Constitution was amended to limit dissent against the specially-protected and sensitive portions of the Constitution pertaining to the social contract. The government identified intercommunal harmony as one of its official goals. The previous alliance of communally based parties was replaced with a broader coalition—the Barisan Nasional (BN) or National Front. The BN won large majorities in the 1974 federal and state elections.  

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was Prime Minister between 1981 and 2003, leading UMNO and BN to successive election victories. Mahathir emphasized economic development during his tenure, in particular the export sector, as well as large scale infrastructure projects. Mahathir attributed the success of the Asian tiger economies to the "Asian values" of its people, which he believed were superior to those of the West. Mahathir sharply criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF), international financiers such as George Soros, and Western governments during the sharp economic and financial crisis that affected Asia in 1997-8, and denied that the downturn was due to the failures of corruption and "crony capitalism."  

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was Prime Minister between 1981 and 2003, leading UMNO and BN to successive election victories. Mahathir emphasized economic development during his tenure, in particular the export sector, as well as large scale infrastructure projects. Mahathir attributed the success of the Asian tiger economies to the "Asian values" of its people, which he believed were superior to those of the West. Mahathir sharply criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF), international financiers such as George Soros, and Western governments during the sharp economic and financial crisis that affected Asia in 1997-8, and denied that the downturn was due to the failures of corruption and "crony capitalism."  

*Natural resources: petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), tin, minerals.  

*Natural resources: petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), tin, minerals.  

*Agricultural products: palm oil, rubber, timber, cocoa, rice, tropical fruit, fish, coconut.

*Agricultural products: palm oil, rubber, timber, cocoa, rice, tropical fruit, fish, coconut.

*Industry: Types--electronics, electrical products, chemicals, food and beverages, metal and machine products, apparel.

*Industry: Types—electronics, electrical products, chemicals, food and beverages, metal and machine products, apparel.

*Trade: Merchandise exports--$145.0 billion: electronics, electrical products, palm oil, petroleum, liquid natural gas, apparel, timber and logs, plywood and veneer, natural rubber. Major markets--U.S. 18.8%, Singapore 15.0%, Japan 10.1%. *Merchandise imports--$118.0 billion: machinery, chemicals, manufactured goods, fuels, and lubricants. Major suppliers--Japan 16.1%, U.S. 14.6%, Singapore 11.2%.

*Trade: Merchandise exports--$145.0 billion: electronics, electrical products, palm oil, petroleum, liquid natural gas, apparel, timber and logs, plywood and veneer, natural rubber. Major markets—U.S. 18.8%, Singapore 15.0%, Japan 10.1%. *Merchandise imports--$118.0 billion: machinery, chemicals, manufactured goods, fuels, and lubricants. Major suppliers—Japan 16.1%, U.S. 14.6%, Singapore 11.2%.

[[File:New-Zealand-Malaysia-Free-Trade-Agreement.jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[New Zealand]] - Malaysia Free Trade Agreement.]]

[[File:New-Zealand-Malaysia-Free-Trade-Agreement.jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[New Zealand]] - Malaysia Free Trade Agreement.]]

The government has taken an active role in guiding the nation's economic development. Malaysia's New Economic Policy (NEP), first established in 1971, sought to eradicate poverty and to enhance the economic standing of ethnic Malays and other indigenous peoples (collectively known as "bumiputeras"). One NEP goal was to expand the share of corporate equity owned by ethnic Malays. In June 1991, after the NEP expired, the government unveiled its National Development Policy, which contained many of the NEP's goals. In April 2001, the government released a new plan, the "National Vision Policy," to guide development over the period 2001-2010. The National Vision Policy targets education for budget increases and seeks to refocus the economy toward higher-technology production. The stated goal is for Malaysia to be a fully developed economy by 2020.

The government has taken an active role in guiding the nation's economic development. Malaysia's New Economic Policy (NEP), first established in 1971, sought to eradicate poverty and to enhance the economic standing of ethnic Malays and other indigenous peoples (collectively known as "bumiputeras"). One NEP goal was to expand the share of corporate equity owned by ethnic Malays. In June 1991, after the NEP expired, the government unveiled its National Development Policy, which contained many of the NEP's goals. In April 2001, the government released a new plan, the "National Vision Policy," to guide development over the period 2001-2010. The National Vision Policy targets education for budget increases and seeks to refocus the economy toward higher-technology production. The stated goal is for Malaysia to be a fully developed economy by 2020.

[[Image:Acheen St. Mosque, Malaysa.jpg|thumb|280px|Acheen St. Mosque.]]

[[Image:Acheen St. Mosque, Malaysa.jpg|thumb|280px|Acheen St. Mosque.]]

The early Buddhist Malay kingdom of Srivijaya, based at what is now Palembang, Sumatra, dominated much of the Malay peninsula from the 9th to the 13th centuries AD. The powerful Hindu kingdom of Majapahit, based on Java, gained control of the Malay peninsula in the 14th century. Conversion of the Malays to Islam, beginning in the early 14th century, accelerated with the rise of the state of Malacca under the rule of a Muslim prince in the 15th century. Malacca was a major regional commercial center, where Chinese, Arab, Malay, and Indian merchants traded precious goods.  

The early Buddhist Malay kingdom of Srivijaya, based at what is now Palembang, Sumatra, dominated much of the Malay peninsula from the 9th to the 13th centuries AD. The powerful Hindu kingdom of Majapahit, based on Java, gained control of the Malay peninsula in the 14th century. Conversion of the Malays to Islam, beginning in the early 14th century, accelerated with the rise of the state of Malacca under the rule of a Muslim prince in the 15th century. Malacca was a major regional commercial center, where Chinese, Arab, Malay, and Indian merchants traded precious goods.  

[[File:Malasia.jpg|180px||left]]

[[File:Malasia.jpg|180px|left]]

Drawn by this rich trade, a Portuguese fleet conquered Malacca in 1511, marking the beginning of European expansion in Southeast Asia. The Dutch ousted the Portuguese from Malacca in 1641. The British obtained the island of Penang in 1786 and temporarily controlled Malacca with Dutch acquiescence from 1795 to 1818 to prevent it from falling to the French during the Napoleonic war. The British gained lasting possession of Malacca from the Dutch in 1824, through the Anglo-Dutch treaty, in exchange for territory on the island of Sumatra in what is today Indonesia.  

Drawn by this rich trade, a Portuguese fleet conquered Malacca in 1511, marking the beginning of European expansion in Southeast Asia. The Dutch ousted the Portuguese from Malacca in 1641. The British obtained the island of Penang in 1786 and temporarily controlled Malacca with Dutch acquiescence from 1795 to 1818 to prevent it from falling to the French during the Napoleonic war. The British gained lasting possession of Malacca from the Dutch in 1824, through the Anglo-Dutch treaty, in exchange for territory on the island of Sumatra in what is today Indonesia.  

{{Asian Countries}}

{{Asian Countries}}

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

[[category:Asia]]

[[Category:Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]