Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
page last updated on June 14, 2011
Flag of Malaysia
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Malaysia
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Malaysia
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Malaysia
 
Navigation Arrow view 17 photos Opens in New Window
of Malaysia
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism. Current Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has continued these pro-business policies.
Back to Top
Geography ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 30 N, 112 30 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 329,847 sq km
country comparison to the world: 66
land: 328,657 sq km
water: 1,190 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly larger than New Mexico
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2,669 km
border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 5.46%
permanent crops: 17.54%
other: 77% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3,650 sq km (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
580 cu km (1999)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%)
per capita: 356 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
flooding; landslides; forest fires
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
Back to Top
People ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
28,728,607 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 29.6% (male 4,374,495/female 4,132,009)
15-64 years: 65.4% (male 9,539,972/female 9,253,574)
65 years and over: 5% (male 672,581/female 755,976) (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 26.8 years
male: 26.7 years
female: 27 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.576% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21.08 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 133
note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 72% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
KUALA LUMPUR (capital) 1.493 million; Klang 1.071 million; Johor Bahru 958,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.069 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 15.02 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 119
male: 17.37 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 73.79 years
country comparison to the world: 112
male: 71.05 years
female: 76.73 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.67 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
100,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 0% of population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 96% of population
rural: 95% of population
total: 96% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4% of population
rural: 5% of population
total: 4% of population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Malaysian(s)
adjective: Malaysian
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.7%
male: 92%
female: 85.4% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.1% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
Back to Top
Government ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Malaysia
local long form: none
local short form: Malaysia
former: Federation of Malaya
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
constitutional monarchy
note: nominally headed by paramount ruler (commonly referred to as the King) and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Kuala Lumpur
geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
31 August 1957 (from the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
31 August 1957; amended many times the latest in 2007
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: King - Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13 December 2006); the position of the king is primarily ceremonial
head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin Mohamed Yassin (since 9 April 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the king
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: kings elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; selection based on principle of rotation among rulers of states; election last held on 3 November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who commands the support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister (since independence this has been the leader of the UMNO party)
election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected king
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 members appointed by the king, 26 elected by 13 state legislatures to serve three-year terms with a two term limit) and House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by June 2013)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - BN coalition 50.3%, opposition parties 46.8%, others 2.9%; seats - BN coalition 140, opposition parties 82; (seats by party as of March 2011 - BN coalition 137, opposition parties 76, independents 9)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
civil courts include Federal Court, Court of Appeal, High Court of Malaya on peninsula Malaysia, and High Court of Sabah and Sarawak in states of Borneo (judges are appointed by the king on the advice of the prime minister); sharia courts include Sharia Appeal Court, Sharia High Court, and Sharia Subordinate Courts at state-level and deal with religious and family matters such as custody, divorce, and inheritance only for Muslims; decisions of sharia courts cannot be appealed to civil courts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) consists of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [KOH Tsu Koon]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [LIEW Vui Keong]; Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [CHUA Soi Lek]; Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [Govindasamy PALANIVEL]; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu or PBB [Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti Rakyat Sarawak or PRS [James MASING]; Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam]; United Malays National Organization or UMNO [NAJIB bin Abdul Razak]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Bernard DOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia) or PPP [M.Kayveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party or SPDP [William MAWAN])
People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) or PR (opposition coalition) consists of the following parties: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DUNDANG]
independent party: Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Saban) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Bar Council; BERSIH (electoral reform coalition); PEMBELA (Muslim NGO coalition); PERKASA (defense of Malay rights)
other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador JAMALUDDIN Jarjis
chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700
FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Paul W. JONES
embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152
telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000
FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government; the 14 points on the star represent the unity between these entities; the crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers
note: the design is based on the flag of the US
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Negaraku" (My Country)
lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER
note: adopted 1957; the full version is only performed in the presence of the king; the tune, which was adopted from a popular French melody titled "La Rosalie," was originally the anthem of the state of Perak
Back to Top
Economy ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Malaysia, a middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in Islamic finance, high technology industries, biotechnology, and services. The NAJIB administration also is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, palm oil and rubber - remain a significant driver of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel, combined with strained government finances, has forced Kuala Lumpur begin to reduce government subsidies. The government is also trying to lessen its dependence on state oil producer Petronas, which supplies more than 40% of government revenue. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves and its well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Nevertheless, decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods hurt Malaysia's exports and economic growth in 2009, although both showed signs of recovery in 2010. In order to attract increased investment, NAJIB has raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but he has encountered significant opposition, especially from Malay nationalists and other vested interests.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$414.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$386.8 billion (2009 est.)
$393.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$238 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
-1.7% (2009 est.)
4.7% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$14,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$13,900 (2009 est.)
$14,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 9.1%
industry: 41.6%
services: 49.3% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12.2 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 13%
industry: 36%
services: 51% (2005 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
3.7% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.6% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 28.5% (2005 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
44.1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 43
49.2 (1997)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $46.78 billion
expenditures: $46.34 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
53.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
53.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
0.6% (2009 est.)
note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.83% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 134
1% (31 December 2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.27% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
5.51% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$73.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$64.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$358.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$319.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$314.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$265.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$256 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 25
$187.1 billion (31 December 2008)
$325.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, coconuts, rice; rubber, timber; Sarawak - rubber, timber; pepper
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
107.4 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
93.8 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
91.7 million kWh (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
693,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
536,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
511,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
314,600 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.9 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
57.3 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26.27 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
31.03 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$34.14 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$33.24 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$210.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$163.2 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Singapore 13.4%, China 12.6%, Japan 10.4%, US 9.5%, Thailand 5.3%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$174.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$128.3 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
China 12.6%, Japan 12.6%, Singapore 11.4%, US 10.7%, Thailand 6.2%, Indonesia 5.6% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$106.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$96.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$72.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$67.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$77.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$74.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$82.65 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$75.62 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar -
3.04 (2010)
3.52 (2009)
3.33 (2008)
3.46 (2007)
3.6683 (2006)
Back to Top
Communications ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.312 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30.379 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: modern system featuring good intercity service on Peninsular Malaysia provided mainly by microwave radio relay and an adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international service excellent
domestic: domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 135 per 100 persons
international: country code - 60; landing point for several major international submarine cable networks that provide connectivity to Asia, Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
state-owned television broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays throughout the country, and the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays throughout the country; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks as well as regional and local stations; large number of private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 400 radio stations overall (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.my
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
344,452 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 56
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15.355 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 26
Back to Top
Transportation ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
118 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 51
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 38
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 80
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 73 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
condensate 3 km; gas 1,757 km; liquid petroleum gas 155 km; oil 30 km; refined products 114 km (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1,849 km
country comparison to the world: 75
standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 98,721 km
country comparison to the world: 43
paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways)
unpaved: 18,441 km (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7,200 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 20
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 321
country comparison to the world: 30
by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 97, carrier 2, chemical tanker 45, container 44, liquefied gas 35, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 79, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 4
foreign-owned: 35 (Denmark 1, Hong Kong 8, Japan 4, Nigeria 1, Russia 2, Singapore 19)
registered in other countries: 79 (Bahamas 13, India 1, Indonesia 1, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 11, Panama 12, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 3) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the International Maritime Bureau reports that the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea remain high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; in the past, commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; increased naval patrols since 2005 in the Strait of Malacca resulted in no reported incidents in 2010
Back to Top
Military ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 7,501,518
females age 16-49: 7,315,999 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 6,247,306
females age 16-49: 6,175,274 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 265,008
female: 254,812 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.03% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Malaysia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary and sovereignty of Unarang rock in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; Per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
refugees (country of origin): 15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma) (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and men, women, and children for forced labor; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for men, women, and children who migrate willingly from South and Southeast Asia to work, some of whom are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; to a lesser extent, some Malaysian women, primarily of Chinese ethnicity, are trafficked abroad for commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, despite some progress in enforcing the 2007 comprehensive anti-trafficking law; it has yet to fully address labor trafficking in Malaysia; there are credible allegations of involvement of Malaysian immigration officials in trafficking and extorting Burmese refugees; the government did not develop mechanisms to effectively screen victims of trafficking in vulnerable groups and condones the confiscation of passports of migrant workers by employers (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.