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page last updated on October 16, 2012
Flag of Malaysia
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Malaysia
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Map of Malaysia
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Introduction ::Malaysia
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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 except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's departure 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 the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has continued these pro-business policies.
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Geography ::Malaysia
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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
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2 30 N, 112 30 E
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total: 329,847 sq km
country comparison to the world: 67
land: 328,657 sq km
water: 1,190 sq km
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slightly larger than New Mexico
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total: 2,669 km
border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
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4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
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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
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tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
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coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m
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tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
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arable land: 5.46%
permanent crops: 17.54%
other: 77% (2005)
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3,650 sq km (2003)
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580 cu km (1999)
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total: 9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%)
per capita: 356 cu m/yr (2000)
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flooding; landslides; forest fires
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air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
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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
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strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
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People ::Malaysia
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noun: Malaysian(s)
adjective: Malaysian
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Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)
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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
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Muslim (or Islam - official) 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)
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29,179,952 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
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0-14 years: 29.4% (male 4,404,957/ female 4,160,051)
15-64 years: 65.5% (male 9,701,856/ female 9,419,806)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 704,898/ female 788,384) (2012 est.)
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total: 27.1 years
male: 26.9 years
female: 27.3 years (2012 est.)
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1.542% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
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20.74 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
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4.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
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-0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 135
note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2012 est.)
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urban population: 72% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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KUALA LUMPUR (capital) 1.493 million; Klang 1.071 million; Johor Bahru 958,000 (2009)
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at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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29 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 125
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total: 14.57 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 119
male: 16.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 74.04 years
country comparison to the world: 112
male: 71.28 years
female: 76.99 years (2012 est.)
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2.64 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
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8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 58
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0.941 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
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1.82 beds/1,000 population (2009)
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0.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
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100,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
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5,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
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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)
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16.3% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 28
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4.1% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.7%
male: 92%
female: 85.4% (2000 census)
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total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2008)
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total: 10.9%
country comparison to the world: 99
male: 10.3%
female: 11.8% (2008)
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Government ::Malaysia
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Malaysia
local long form: none
local short form: Malaysia
former: Federation of Malaya
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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)
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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 an administrative center not the capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur
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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
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31 August 1957 (from the UK)
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Independence Day 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)
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31 August 1957; amended many times
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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
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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21 years of age; universal
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chief of state: King - Tuanku ABDUL HALIM Mu'adzam Shah (selected on 13 December 2011; installed on 11 April 2012); the position of the king is primarily ceremonial
head of government: Prime Minister NAJIB 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 are elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; selection is based on the principle of rotation among rulers of states; elections were last held on 14 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime ministers are 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: Tuanku Abdul HALIM Mu'adzam Shah elected king; Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak was sworn in as Prime Minister after winning a party election for the presidency of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the party that leads the coalition with a majority of seats in parliament
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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)
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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
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National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) consists of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or GERAKAN [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 [Peter CHIN Fah Kui]; 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 Sabah) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]
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Bar Council; BERSIH (electoral reform coalition); PEMBELA (Muslim NGO coalition); PERKASA (defense of Malay rights)
other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups
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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, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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chief of mission: Ambassador OTHMAN Bin Hashim
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
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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
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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
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tiger
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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
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Economy ::Malaysia
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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 to begin to reduce government subsidies. The government is also trying to lessen its dependence on state oil producer Petronas. The oil and gas sector supplies more than 40% of government revenue. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves, and a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia''s exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Nevertheless, Malaysia could be vulnerable to a fall in commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity because exports are a major component of GDP. 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.
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$453 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$430.9 billion (2010 est.)
$402 billion (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
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$278.7 billion (2011 est.)
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5.1% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
7.2% (2010 est.)
-1.6% (2009 est.)
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$15,800 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$15,300 (2010 est.)
$14,400 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
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agriculture: 12%
industry: 40%
services: 48% (2011 est.)
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11.91 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
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agriculture: 13%
industry: 36%
services: 51% (2005 est.)
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3.1% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
3.4% (2010 est.)
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3.8% (2009 est.)
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lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)
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46.2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
49.2 (1997)
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20.1% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
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revenues: $59.8 billion
expenditures: $73.8 billion (2011 est.)
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21.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
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-5% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
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53.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
53.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
note:
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3.2% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
1.7% (2010 est.)
note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled
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3% (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 106
2.83% (31 December 2010)
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4.92% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
5.05% (31 December 2010 est.)
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$85.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$72.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$384.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$358.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$362.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
$328.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$414 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 23
$410.5 billion (31 December 2010)
$256 billion (31 December 2009)
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Peninsular Malaysia - palm oil, rubber, cocoa, rice; Sabah - palm oil, subsistence crops; rubber, timber; Sarawak - palm oil, rubber, timber; pepper
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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
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1.4% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
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$30.99 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$27.29 billion (2010 est.)
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$225.6 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$199 billion (2010 est.)
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electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals
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China 17.9%, Singapore 12.8%, Japan 10.6%, US 8.6%, Thailand 4.4%, Hong Kong 4.1% (2010 est.)
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$177.1 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$157.3 billion (2010 est.)
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electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals
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Singapore 20.5%, China 13.7%, Japan 10%, US 7.9%, Thailand 6%, Indonesia 5.6% (2010 est.)
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$133.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$106.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$87.81 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$81.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$112.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
$101.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$109.3 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$96.76 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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ringgits (MYR) per US dollar -
3.06 (2011 est.)
3.22 (2010 est.)
3.52 (2009)
3.33 (2008)
3.46 (2007)
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calendar year
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Energy ::Malaysia
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112 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
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95.02 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
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105 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
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12 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
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25.24 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
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91.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
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8.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
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603,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
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236,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
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199,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
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5.8 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
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649,700 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
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542,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
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213,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
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178,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
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66.5 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
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35.7 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
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31.99 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
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2.94 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
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2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
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181.9 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
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Communications ::Malaysia
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4.243 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 40
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36.661 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 30
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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 roughly 140 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)
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state-owned TV 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; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 400 radio stations overall (2008)
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.my
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363,007 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 56
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15.355 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 26
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Transportation ::Malaysia
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117 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 49
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total: 39
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 8 (2012)
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total: 78
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 71 (2012)
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3 (2012)
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condensate 3 km; gas 1,757 km; liquid petroleum gas 155 km; oil 30 km; refined products 114 km (2010)
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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) (2008)
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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)
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7,200 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 20
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total: 315
country comparison to the world: 31
by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 83, carrier 2, chemical tanker 47, container 41, liquefied gas 34, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 86, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 5
foreign-owned: 26 (Denmark 1, Hong Kong 8, Japan 2, Russia 2, Singapore 13)
registered in other countries: 82 (Bahamas 13, India 1, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 6, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 11, Panama 12, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, US 2, unknown 2) (2010)
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Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas
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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
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Military ::Malaysia
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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)
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18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)
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males age 16-49: 7,501,518
females age 16-49: 7,315,999 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 6,247,306
females age 16-49: 6,175,274 (2010 est.)
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male: 265,008
female: 254,812 (2010 est.)
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2.03% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
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Transnational Issues ::Malaysia
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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 awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; land and maritime negotiations with Indonesia are ongoing, and disputed areas include the controversial Tanjung Datu and Camar Wulan border area in Borneo and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea; 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
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refugees (country of origin): 76,120 (Burma) (2010)
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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 countries including Indonesia, Nepal, India, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Burma, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam to work, some of whom are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; a small number of Malaysian citizens were reportedly trafficked internally and abroad to Singapore, China, and Japan 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; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; while the government increased the number of convictions obtained under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act during the year and continued public awareness efforts on trafficking, it did not effectively investigate and prosecute labor trafficking cases, and failed to address problems of government complicity in trafficking and lack of effective victim care and counseling by authorities (2009)
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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
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  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.