Malaysia

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<p>Malaysia’s location has long made it an important cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade link between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. Through the Strait of Malacca, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, flowed maritime trade and with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the east coast of Africa. Prior to the 14th century, several powerful maritime empires existed in what is modern-day Malaysia, including the Srivijayan, which controlled much of the southern part of the peninsula between the 7th and 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which took control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago between the 13th and 14th centuries. The adoption of Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries also saw the rise of a number of powerful maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, such as the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which at its height in the 15th century had a navy and hosted thousands of Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants.<br><br>The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and in Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. Japan occupied these holdings 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. <br><br>A communist insurgency, confrontations with Indonesia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's expulsion in 1965 marred the first several years of the country's independence. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR 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. Former Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted UMNO rule. From 2018-2022, Malaysia underwent considerable political upheaval, with a succession of coalition governments holding power. Following legislative elections in 2022, ANWAR Ibrahim was appointed prime minister after more than 20 years in opposition. His political coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), joined its longtime UNMO rival to form a government, but the two groups have remained deeply divided on many issues. </p>

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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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Southeast Asia

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slightly larger than New Mexico

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4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km; East Malaysia 2,607 km)

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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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tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite

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4,420 sq km (2022)

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a highly uneven distribution, with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula

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flooding; landslides; forest fires

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strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea

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Bumiputera 63.8% (Malay 52.8% and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri, 11%), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6%, other 0.6%, non-citizens 9% (2023 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong> Malaysia has 134 languages (112 indigenous and 22 non-indigenous); in East Malaysia, there are several indigenous languages, and the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

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Muslim (official) 63.5%, Buddhist 18.7%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.1%, other (Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions) 0.9%, none/unspecified 1.8% (2020 est.)

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0.97% (2025 est.)

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14.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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a highly uneven distribution, with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula

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8.622 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.086 million Johor Bahru, 857,000 Ipoh (2023)

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26 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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0.83 (2025 est.)

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2.34 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

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2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

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15.6% (2016)

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15.3% (2022 est.)

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air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires; endangered species; coastal reclamation damaging mangroves and turtle nesting sites

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tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons

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23.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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580 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

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<strong>note:</strong> all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka (Malacca) 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 the 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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<strong>note:</strong> nearby Putrajaya is referred to as a federal government administrative center but not as the capital; the legislature meets in Kuala Lumpur

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13 states (<em>negeri-negeri</em>, singular - <em>negeri</em>); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) with 3 components, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya

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mixed system of English common law, Islamic law (sharia), and customary law; the Federal Court can review legislative acts at the request of the 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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18&nbsp;years of age; universal

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<strong>note: </strong>the position of the king is primarily ceremonial, but he is the final arbiter on the appointment of the prime minister

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<strong>note:</strong> Malaysia has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious (sharia) courts

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<strong>National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN:<br></strong>Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA <br>Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC <br>United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UMNO <br>United Sabah People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS <br><br><strong>Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH:</strong><br>Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP <br>National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH <br>People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR <br>United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu) or UPKO <br><br><strong>National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional) or PN:</strong><br>Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GERAKAN or PGRM <br>Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM or BERSATU <br>Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) or PAS <br><br><strong>Sabah People's Alliance (Gabungan Rakya Sabah) or GRS:<br></strong>Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or STAR <br>Love Sabah Party (Parti Cinta Sabah) or PCS<br>Sabah People's Ideas Party (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) or GAGASAN or PGRS <br><br><strong>Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS:</strong><br>Progressive Democratic Party (Parti Demokratik Progresif) or PDP <br>Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS <br>Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak) or SUPP <br>United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB <br><br><strong>Homeland Movement/Party (Gerakan Tanah Air) or GTA</strong><br>Homeland Fighter's Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG <br>Perkasa Bumiputera Party of Malaysia (Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia)<br>All-Malaysian Jemaah Islamiah Front (Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia)<br>National All India Muslim Alliance Party (Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional)<br><strong><br>others: </strong><strong><br></strong>Malaysian Nation Party (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) or PBM<br>Heritage Party (Parti Warisan) or WARISAN <br>Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia) or MUDA <br>United Sarawak Party (PSB)

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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 (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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31 August 1957 (from the UK)

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Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)

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<strong>description:</strong> 14 equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white; a dark blue rectangle in the upper-left corner has a yellow crescent and a 14-pointed yellow star <br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the flag is often called Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand for the equal status of the 13 member states and the federal government; the points on the star represent the unity among these entities; the crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people, and yellow is the royal color

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<strong>note:</strong> the design is based on the US flag

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tiger, hibiscus

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gold, black

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upper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; implementing key anticorruption policies; major electronics, oil, and chemicals exporter; trade sector employs over 40% of jobs; key economic equity initiative; high labor productivity

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$421.972 billion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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oil palm fruit, rice, chicken, eggs, tropical fruits, coconuts, vegetables, pineapples, rubber, bananas (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semiconductors, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum and natural gas production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging

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4.9% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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18.264 million (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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6.2% (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

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<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

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<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

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<b>note:</b> central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

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<b>note:</b> central government debt as a % of GDP

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12.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

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<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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China 21%, Singapore 12%, USA 12%, Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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China 24%, Singapore 11%, USA 7%, Japan 5%, Taiwan 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, coal, broadcasting equipment (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

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state-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays; the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays; 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 55 radio stations overall (2019)

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.my

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9M

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100 (2025)

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24 (2025)

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Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force<br><br>Ministry of Home Affairs: Royal Malaysia Police (RMP or Polis Diraja Malaysia, PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA; aka Malaysian Coast Guard) (2025)

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<strong>note: </strong>the Royal Malaysia Police includes the General Operations Force, a paramilitary force with a variety of roles, including patrolling borders, counterterrorism, maritime security, and counterinsurgency

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approximately 110,000 active Malaysian Armed Forces (2025)

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the military fields a diverse array of mostly older but growing quantities of more modern weapons and equipment; its inventory originates from a variety of suppliers across Europe, Asia, and the US; Malaysia has a domestic defense industry that has some co-production agreements with countries such as France, Germany, and T&uuml;rkiye in areas such as armored vehicles and naval vessels (2025)

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17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service for men and women (younger with parental consent and proof of age); mandatory retirement age 60; no conscription (2025)

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825 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025)

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the Malaysian military is responsible for defense of the country's national interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it also has some domestic responsibilities, such as responding to natural disasters; key areas of focus for the military include cyber defense, crime and piracy in the Strait of Malacca, and tensions in the South China Sea; the Army has traditionally been the dominant service, but air and maritime security have received increased emphasis in recent years; Malaysia has undertaken efforts to procure more modern aircraft and ships, improve air and maritime surveillance, expand the Navy’s support infrastructure (particularly bases/ports) and domestic ship-building capacities, and increase cooperation with regional and international partners such as Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the US<br><br>Malaysia is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily (2025)

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Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA; established 2019) (2025)

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<strong>note:</strong> MYSA was established through the merging of the National Space Agency (ANGKASA; established 2002) and the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA; established 1998)

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has launched feasibility studies for potential space launch sites in Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak (2025)

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has a national space policy and program focused on the areas of remote sensing (RS), navigational services, and telecommunications to support domestic economic sectors; seeks to promote a domestic space industry; acquires, manufactures, and operates satellites; conducts research in RS capabilities and space sciences such as astronomy, atmospherics, space environment, and weather; has an astronaut training exchange program with Russia and works with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of the ESA, individual ESA member states, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the US (2025)

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1996 - first of a series of domestically produced commercial communications satellites (MEASAT) launched on European rocket<br><br>2000 - first multipurpose (remote sensing/RS, communications, scientific) microsatellite (TiungSat-1) produced with technology and training from the UK and launched by Russia<br><br>2007 - first Malaysian astronaut (trained in Russia) to space on International Space Station<br><br>2009 - first RS satellite (RazakSat) built with assistance from South Korea and launched by US<br><br>2011 - completed construction of a satellite assembly, integration, and testing facility<br><br>2025 - first commercial high-resolution RS satellite (UzmaSat-1) launched by US; signed US-led Artemis Accords

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Abu Sayyaf Group, al-Qa'ida, Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) 

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<strong>note:</strong> details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide