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CHAPTER 1

A Brief History Of The


Multi-racial Population Of
Malaysia
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A FIRST GLANCE
OF MALAYSIA
For any visitors to Malaysia, one of the first words which they will
hear once they get on board a Malaysia bound airline flight is
Selamat Datang.
It means Welcome in Malay.

Malaysian flag known as Jalur Gemilang.


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One of the Asian Economic Tigers in South


East Asia, there are many M words that
can be used to describe Malaysia. Words
like Multi-Cultural, Multi-Ethic, MultiLingual, Mysterious, Mystical, and
Magnificent can all be used to singularly
or collectively describe this relatively young
nation of 29 million people
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MALAYSIA TRULY ASIA


This is due to the fact that it is one of the
few countries in Asia that has three (3)
major races, Chinese, Malays and Indians,
in significant numbers in one place.
In fact, it is this diversity that is afforded by
the various races in this country that make
Malaysia Truly Asia.
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FLAG

Malaysian flag known as Jalur Gemilang.


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THE FLAG
Malaysia Name Jalur Gemilang ("Stripes of
Glory")
Adopted : 26 May 1950 (original 11-point star
and 11 stripes)
16 September 1963 (current 14-point star and 14
stripes)
Design : Fourteen horizontal stripes alternating
red and white; in the canton, a yellow crescent
and 14-point star on a blue field
Designed by Mohamed Hamzah[N 1]

THE MEANING
The 14 stripes, of equal width, represent the
equal status in the federation of the
13 member states and the federal
government, while the 14 points of the star
represent the unity between these entities.[2]
The crescent represents Islam, the country's
official religion; the blue canton symbolizes
the unity of the Malaysian people; the yellow
of the star and crescent is the royal colour of
the Malay rulers.

GEOGRAPHICAL
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia
that consists of 13 states and 3 Federal
Territories.
Total landmass of 329,847 square
kilometers (127,355 sq mi).
The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while
Putrajaya is the seat of the federal
government.
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GEOGRAPHICAL
The Federal Territories in Malaysia
comprise three territories: Kuala
Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan,
governed directly by the federal
government of Malaysia.

GEOGRAPHICAL
Kuala Lumpur is the national capital of
Malaysia, Putrajaya is the
administrative capital, and Labuan is an
offshore international financial centre.
Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are
enclaves in the state of Selangor, while
Labuan is an island off the coast of
Sabah.

MALAYSIA

Putrajaya
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MALAYSIA

Petronas Twin towers (KLCC)


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MALAYSIA

KL Tower
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MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

Some Government Buildings

Night view of Palace of Justice from Putrajaya Corporation Building Complex

View of Prime Ministers office at dusk

Putrajaya Corporation Building Complex at dusk

Third Federal Territory


Putrajaya is referred to as
administrative center not
capital;
The main offices of government
was shifted in 1999 from Kuala
Lumpur to Putrajaya, due to the
overcrowding and congestion in
the Kuala Lumpur areas.
Putrajaya became Malaysia's
third Federal Territory after
Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.

MAPS

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GEOGRAPHICAL
The country is separated into two regions
Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian
Borneo by the South China Sea.
Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia,
Singapore and Brunei.
The country is located near the equator
and experiences a tropical climate.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

Introduction of Malaysia

Malaysia located in
middle of South East of Asia
which is separated by South
China Sea into two regions,
Peninsular
Malaysia and Malaysian
Borneo.
Southern border shared
with Thailand.
In the north Borneo side
neighboring countries are
Singapore and Indonesia.
The northern one-third of
island of Borneo , that is
bordering with Brunei and
Indonesia.

Climate of Malaysia
It is difficult to generalize
about the country's climate, as
rainfall differs on the east and
west coasts according to the
prevailing monsoon winds
(northeast or southwest).
Average daytime temperatures
in the Malaysia is around 27C
(82F) year round.
The main rainy season in the
East, runs between November
and February, while August is
the rainy month on the west
coast. East Malaysia has heavy
rains (November to February).

GENTING HIGHLAND

CAMERON
HIGHLAND

GOVERNMENT
Malaysia is a federal constitutional
elective monarchy.
The federal head of state of Malaysia is
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly
referred to as the King of Malaysia.

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MALAYSIA

Yang Dipertuan Agong


Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin al-Mukhtafi Billal Shah
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GOVERNMENT
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected
to a five-year term among the nine
hereditary Sultans of the Malay states;
the other four states, which have
Governors, do not participate in the
selection.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

GOVERNMENT
The system of government in Malaysia
is closely modeled on that of
Westminster parliamentary system, a
legacy of British colonial rule.
The government is headed by a Prime
Minister.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

MALAYSIA

The current Prime Minister of Malaysia


Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak
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HISTORY
The UK had established influence in
colonies in the territory from the late18th century.
The western half of modern Malaysia
was composed of several separate
kingdoms known as British Malaya until
its dissolution in 1946, when it was
reorganized as the Malayan Union.
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HISTORY
Due to widespread opposition, it was
reorganized again as the Federation of
Malaya in 1948 and later gained
independence on 31 August 1957.
Singapore, Sarawak, British North
Borneo and the Federation of Malaya
joined to form Malaysia on 16
September 1963.
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HISTORY
The union however, was unstable due
to distrust and ideological differences
between leaders of the State of
Singapore and the federal government
of Malaysia. Such issues resulted in
frequent disagreement within politics,
economic, financial and social policies.

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HISTORY
The conflict spread to the populace,
resulting in major racial riots in 1964 in
Singapore. In 1965, Malaysian Prime
Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman decided
upon the expulsion of Singapore from
the Federation, leading to the
Independence of Singapore on 9
August 1965.

DEMOGRAPHI
C
The population stands at 29,179,952
(July 2011 est.)
Malays form the majority of the
population of Malaysia.
The Malay language and Islam are the
official language and religion of the
federation respectively.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

DEMOGRAPHIC
Ethnic groups
Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous
11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

DEMOGRAPHIC
By constitutional definition, Malays are
Muslims who practice Malay customs
(adat) and culture.
Non-Malay bumiputra groups make up
more than half of the state of Sarawak's
population (of which 30% are Ibans),
and close to 60% of Sabah's population
(of which 18% are Kadazan-Dusuns,
and 17% are Bajaus).
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

DEMOGRAPHIC
There also exist aboriginal groups in
much smaller numbers on the
Peninsula, where they are collectively
known as Orang Asli.

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DEMOGRAPHIC
Languages
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

RELIGION

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RELIGION
Malaysia is a multi-religious society and
Islam is the official religion.
According to the Population and Housing
Census 2000 figures, approximately 60.4
percent of the population practiced Islam;
19.2 percent Buddhism; 9.1 percent
Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and
2.6 percent traditional Chinese religions.
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RELIGION
The remaining have other faiths while
1.1% either reported as having no
religion or did not provide any
information.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

RELIGION

Buddhism
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

MALAY

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BUMIPUTRA
The Malay are Malaysia's largest ethnic
group, accounting for over half the
population and the national language.
With the oldest indigenous peoples they
form a group called bumiputera, which
translates as "sons" or "princes of the
soil.
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BUMIPUTRA
Almost all Malays are Muslims.
Traditional Malay culture centers
around the kampung, or village, though
today one is just as likely to find Malays
in the cities.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

MALAY

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

BUMIPUTRA

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BUMIPUTRA
The largest non-Malay indigenous tribe
is the Iban of Sarawak, who number
over 600,000.
Some Iban still live in traditional jungle
villages in long houses along the Rajang
and Lupar rivers and their tributaries,
although many have moved to the cities.

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BUMIPUTRA
The Bidayuhs, numbering around
170,000, are concentrated in the
southwestern part of Sarawak.
The largest indigenous tribe in Sabah is
the Kadazan. They are largely Christian
farmers.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

BUMIPUTRA

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BUMIPUTRA
The 140,000 Orang Asli, or aboriginal
peoples, comprise a number of different
ethnic communities living in peninsular
Malaysia.
Traditionally nomadic hunter/gatherers
and agriculturalists, many have been
absorbed into modern Malaysia.
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ORANG ASLI

CHINESE
The Chinese population in Malaysia are
mostly Buddhist (of Mahayana sect) or
Taoist, although some of the younger
generations are choosing Christianity
as their religion.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

CHINESE

CHINESE
The Chinese community in Malaysia
speak a variety of Chinese dialects
including Mandarin Chinese, Hokkien,
Cantonese, Hakka, and Teochew.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

CHINESE
A large majority of Chinese in Malaysia,
especially those from the larger cities
such as Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya,
Ipoh, Klang and Penang speak decent
English as well.
The Chinese have historically been
dominant in the Malaysian business and
commerce community.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

INDIAN

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INDIAN
The Indians in Malaysia are mainly
Hindu Tamils from southern India whose
native language is Tamil
There are also other Indian communities
which is Telugu, Malayalam and Hindispeaking, living mainly in the larger
towns on the west coast of the
peninsula.
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INDIAN
Many middle to upper-middle class
Indians in Malaysia also speak English
as a first language.
A vigorous 200,000-strong Tamil Muslim
community also thrives as an
independent subcultural group.
There are also prevalent Tamil Christian
communities in major cities and towns.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

INDIAN
Most Indians originally migrated from
India as traders, teachers or other
skilled workers.
A larger number were also part of the
forced migrations from India by the
British during colonial times to work in
the plantation industry.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

INDIAN
There is also a sizable Sikh community
in Malaysia of over 100,000.
The Sikhs came to Malaya to work as
police, soldiers and jagas (security
guards).

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

SIKH

HOLIDAYS

Murtabaks Stall during Ramadhan


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HOLIDAYS
The most celebrated holiday is the "Hari
Kebangsaan" (Independence Day),
otherwise known as "Merdeka"
(Freedom), on 31 August
commemorating the independence of
the Federation of Malaya in 1957.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS
Malaysia Day is only celebrated in the
state of Sabah on 16 September to
commemorate the formation of Malaysia
in 1963.
Hari Merdeka, as well as Labour Day (1
May), the King's birthday (first Saturday
of June) and some other festivals are
federal gazetted public holidays.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS
Muslims in Malaysia celebrate Muslim
holidays.
The most celebrated festival, Hari Raya
Puasa (also called Hari Raya Aidilfitri) is
the Malay translation of Eid al-Fitr.
It is generally a festival honoured by the
Muslims worldwide marking the end of
Ramadan, the fasting month.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS

Common foods serves during Hari Raya


INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS
In addition to Hari Raya Puasa, they
also celebrate Hari Raya Haji (also
called Hari Raya Aidiladha, the
translation of Eid ul-Adha), Awal
Muharram (Islamic New Year) and
Maulidur Rasul (Birthday of the
Prophet).

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS
Chinese in Malaysia typically celebrate
festivals that are observed by Chinese
around the world.
Chinese New Year is the most
celebrated among the festivals which
lasts for fifteen days and ends with
Chap Goh Mei.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS
Other festivals celebrated by Chinese
are the Qingming Festival, the Dragon
Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn
Festival.
In addition to traditional Chinese
festivals, Buddhists Chinese also
celebrate Vesak.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS
The majority of Indians in Malaysia are
Hindus and they celebrate
Diwali/Deepavali, the festival of light.
Thaipusam is a celebration which
pilgrims from all over the country flock to
Batu Caves.
Apart from the Hindus, Sikhs celebrate
the Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

HOLIDAYS

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THAIPUSAM

HOLIDAYS
Other festivals:
Good Friday (East Malaysia only)
Christmas
Hari Gawai of the Ibans (Dayaks)
Pesta Menuai (Pesta Kaamatan) of the
Kadazan-Dusuns.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

CULTURE
Malaysia's cultural mosaic is marked by
many different cultures, but several in
particular have had especially lasting
influence on the country.
The first Chinese to settle in the straits,
primarily in and around Malacca,
gradually adopted elements of Malaysian
culture and intermarried with the
Malaysian community.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

CULTURE
Known as babas and nonyas, they
eventually produced a synthetic set of
practices, beliefs, and arts, combining
Malay and Chinese traditions in such a
way as to create a new culture.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

BABA AND NYONYA

CULTURE
Another example of Malaysia's
extraordinary cultural exchange the
Malay wedding ceremony, which
incorporates elements of the Hindu
traditions of southern India; the bride
and groom dress in gorgeous brocades,
sit in state, and feed each other yellow
rice with hands painted with henna.
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

CULTURE
Muslims have adapted the Chinese
custom of giving little red packets of
money (ang pau) at festivals to their
own needs; the packets given on
Muslim holidays are green and have
Arab writing on them.

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

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