Country Name: Malaysia
Country Flag:
1400s–1500s: Early Kingdoms and the Malacca Sultanate
The Malacca Sultanate rose to prominence in the 15th century as a major maritime trading hub. Islam spread widely during this era, becoming the dominant religion in Malay society.
1511–1957: Colonial Rule
1941–1945: Japanese Occupation
Japan invaded Malaya during World War II. The Japanese occupation disrupted British control and fueled local anti-colonial movements.
1957: Independence
1969: Racial Riots and the New Economic Policy (NEP)
Ethnic tensions culminated in the May 13 riots, prompting the government to implement the NEP, aimed at reducing economic disparities between Malays and non-Malays.
1981–2003: Mahathir Era and Modernisation
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad served as Prime Minister for 22 years, transforming Malaysia into a newly industrialised economy with projects like the Petronas Towers and Putrajaya. His era saw both growth and political centralisation.
2018–Present: Democratic Transitions and Challenges
2018
Opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan won a historic election, ending 61 years of rule by Barisan Nasional. Mahathir returned as PM but resigned in 2020.
2020–2022
Political instability led to multiple leadership changes.
2022
Veteran reformist Anwar Ibrahim became Prime Minister after decades in opposition, forming a unity government.
Kuala Lumpur (Administrative Capital: Putrajaya)
Malaysia Standard Time (MST) (UTC+8)
330,803 km² (127,724 sq mi)
Position in the world: 66th
Arable land: ~22.1%
Permanent crops 18.7%
Forest ~59.6%
Other ~<1%
Malaysia have very fertile land, the majority of the land mass is covered in lush rainforests and is 3.34 smaller than Ethiopia
Malaysia experiences a tropical rainforest climate throughout the year. The country has no distinct seasons, but rainfall and humidity are influenced by monsoon winds.
West Malaysia (Peninsular):
Humid and hot all year round (25°C–35°C).
Experiences the Southwest Monsoon (May–September) and Northeast Monsoon (November–March), with the latter bringing heavier rain.
Cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang are warm and receive frequent thunderstorms.
East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak, on Borneo):
Slightly cooler due to more forest cover and mountainous areas.
High annual rainfall, especially in the interior and coastal areas of Sarawak.
Cities like Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are known for consistent rainfall and high humidity.
Highland areas (e.g. Cameron Highlands, Genting):
Cooler temperatures, averaging 15°C–25°C.
Popular for agriculture and tourism due to pleasant weather.
Petroleum, natural gas, palm oil, rubber, tin, and timber.
Floods:
The most common natural disaster. Malaysia experiences seasonal flooding, especially during the Northeast Monsoon (Nov–March). Urban areas like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru often suffer from flash floods due to poor drainage and rapid urbanisation. Rural states like Kelantan and Terengganu experience riverine flooding.
Landslides:
A major risk in highland and hilly areas, especially during prolonged rainfall. States like Pahang, Perak, and the outskirts of Selangor often report landslides, particularly near roadways or construction sites.
Droughts:
Occasionally occur during extended El Niño periods, leading to water shortages and agricultural disruption, particularly in states like Kedah and Perlis.
Haze and Air Pollution:
An annual transboundary problem caused by forest fires in Indonesia, particularly on Sumatra and Kalimantan. The haze affects air quality across Malaysia and disrupts school, work, and public health.
Tsunami Risk:
Malaysia’s west coast (especially Penang and Kedah) was affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, though generally the country is shielded by the Sumatra landmass and considered low-risk for future large tsunamis.
Earthquakes:
Malaysia is not on a major tectonic fault line and rarely experiences earthquakes. However, Sabah in East Malaysia has recorded moderate seismic activity, including a deadly quake in 2015 (Mount Kinabalu area).
Malaysia, as a coastal and maritime nation, has made significant claims under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea):
Power Structure:
Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) is the ceremonial head of state and is elected every five years from among the hereditary rulers of nine Malay states. The Prime Minister is the head of government and holds executive power. Malaysia’s political system is parliamentary in structure, with the Cabinet drawn from the elected legislature.
Parliamentary Structure:
Malaysia has a bicameral parliament:
Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives): 222 elected members; holds legislative power.
Dewan Negara (Senate): 70 members, mostly appointed (some by state assemblies, some by the King).
Current Leadership:
As of 2024, the Prime Minister is Anwar Ibrahim, leading a multi-coalition unity government under Pakatan Harapan. While Malaysia is a democracy, the political scene is often dominated by ethnic-based parties, and frequent party-switching and coalition collapses have led to instability in recent years.
Political Landscape:
Malaysia allows for free elections and active political opposition, but race and religion play a central role in politics. The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), long dominant, has declined, while coalitions like Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional compete for influence. Issues like corruption (e.g. 1MDB scandal), press freedom, and judicial independence remain key concerns, though recent elections have increased public engagement and democratic participation.
Malaysia plays an active role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and promotes regional stability, economic integration, and diplomacy. It often mediates disputes and advocates for multilateralism and non-intervention in domestic affairs.
Malaysia is one of the claimant states in the South China Sea, with interests overlapping with China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. While Malaysia takes a cautious and diplomatic approach, it has increased its naval presence and formed closer security ties with other maritime democracies.
Malaysia actively combats Islamist extremism, monitors domestic radicalisation, and cooperates with international partners on cybersecurity and counter-terror efforts.
The government is also investing in coast guard capabilities and improving maritime domain awareness, especially in the Straits of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest trade routes.
Government Type
Federal Constitutional Monarchy.
Monarch
King Sultan Ibrahim (as of 2024)
Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim (as of 2024)
Ideology: Nationalist, center-right.
Ideology: Social democratic, center-left.
Ideology: Islamist, conservative.
General elections occur every five years. The last election was in 2022.
Expected in 2027
Malaysia’s foreign policy is built on principles of neutrality, non-alignment, and multilateralism:
Size in World: 35th largest economy (by nominal GDP)
GDP: 97.1 USD billion (2024 Q4)
GDP Per Capita: 2 848 USD (2024 Q4)
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
Dominant Economic Sector: Services
Market Type: Mixed eEconomy
Social Landscape
Population: 34.2 million (2024).
Class Distribution
Upper Class: 5-10%
Middle Class: 40-50%
Lower Class/Poverty: 30-40%
Gini Coefficient: 40.4 (2022).
Language
Religion