Everything you need to know about Malaysia: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Since the beginning of the world trade the Strait of Malacca, lying between Sumatra and Malaysia peninsula is the most important shipping lane in the world. Malaysians living in the coastal regions had developed strong contacts with Chinese and Indians seafaring traders. The impact of Hinduism soon mixed up with the local beliefs. When the Muslims conquered India they spread Islam to Malaysia, which soon dominated the Malaysian ethos and daily life. In the beginning of 18th century the Dutch and British developed trading relationship with Malaysia and in the second half British colonialised Malaysia. After the World War II growing sense of nationalism forced British to establish the semiautonomous Federation of Malaya in 1948 and Malaysia became an independent state in 1963. Malaysia Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures ? National Name: Federation of Malaysia ? Capital: Kuala Lumpur ? Total area: 329,847 sq km (127,355 sq miles) ? Population: 27 million (UN, 2008) ? Currency: Ringgit ? Languages: Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai ? Ethnicity/ Races: Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.) ? Religion: 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) ? GDP (Per Capita): $15,700 (2008 est.) ? Life Expectancy: Male: 70.32 years, Female: 75.94 years (2008 est.) ? Literacy Rate: Male: 92%, Female: 85.4% (2000 census) Geographical Information on Malaysia: Malaysia is situated on the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is divided into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo separated by the South China Sea. Malaysia is bordered by the Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. The climate of Malaysia is equatorial in nature. Malaysia receives annual southwest monsoon during April to October and annual northeast monsoon during October to February. Culture and Cuisine of Malaysia: Malaysia is the multi-cultural and multi-racial land. The fine blend of traditional cultural ethos along with cosmopolitan lifestyle is a showcase of this Islamic country. There are three main races in the country. The Malays who are Muslims and form the majority while the other two main ethnic groups are the Chinese who are mostly Buddhists and the Indians who are mainly Tamils. The cuisine of Malaysia is a fusion of Chinese, Thai, Arabic and Indian cuisines. The spices like chilly, pepper, cloves, and turmeric etc. holds prominent place in the Malaysian cuisine preparations. The staple diet of the Malayans consists of rice, noodles and seafood like prawns, shrimps, squids and fishes.
After the impressive match against Korea yesterday, Indian team went down post giving a tough challenge to FIH Rank 7 New Zealand as they went to lose by 1-2.
New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) There is demand for Indian workers of various skill sets such as housemaids and home nurses abroad, including in the Gulf countries, Malaysia, Singapore and in some European nations, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi said Wednesday.
Kuwait, May 2 (IANS) The Indian men's and women's teams began their campaign in the 16th Asian team squash championship on a strong note here Tuesday defeating Singapore and China, respectively.
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Kuala Lumpur, May 1 (ANI): A simple surgical procedure can help those with resistant hypertension to control their high blood pressure.
Panaji, May 1 (IANS) The Goa State Election Commission (SEC), overseeing the May 16 state-wide panchayat polls has just played lifesaver to lakhs of Goans and tourists who love a late nightcap.
Singapore, April 28 (IANS) India slipped down on the final day of the Queen Sirikit Cup golf here Saturday as all three players succumbed under pressure.
Earlier Janta Party leader Subramanian Swamy and now whole opposition today targeted Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram and asked for his resignation for allegedly helping his son in getting financial benefits in a telecom deal when he was on the finance ministry post.............
London, April 27 (IANS) A Mexican woman, who has already given birth to triplets, is now pregnant with nine babies.
New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Asserting that truth had come out repeatedly and courts had given their verdicts, the Congress Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of levelling irresponsible allegations in the Bofors payoff controversy on the basis of remarks of a retired Swedish police chief.
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), April 26 (Xinhua-ANI): Asia's first Legoland is set to open for business on Sept. 15 in Malaysia's southern state of Johor, bringing a new tourist attraction to the country.
Kuala Lumpur, April 26 (IANS) Asia's first Legoland is coming up in Malaysia's southern state of Johor, bringing a new tourist attraction to the country.
Yangon, April 26 (IANS) Revenue from Myanmar's natural gas exports rose by $640 million to $3.5 billion in the fiscal year 2011-12.
London, Apr 25 (ANI): Ferrari head Stefano Domenicali has admitted that his team is not able to keep pace with Formula One's relentless development drive, and is now aiming at overhauling its cars.
Kolkata, April 24 (IANS) Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD), India's third largest spirits company, is to launch 'Officer's Choice Blue', a semi-premium whiskey, in Nigeria and Malaysia within a couple of months, a top company executive said Tuesday.
Kuala Lumpur, April 24 (ANI): Two Malay Indian Congress (MIC) leaders have asked PKR vice-president to show proof about his claims that about 300,000 Indians were without birth certificates and identity cards.
Kuala Lumpur, April 24 (ANI): Two Malay Indian Congress (MIC) leaders have asked PKR vice-president to show proof about his claims that about 300,000 Indians were without birth certificates and identity cards.
Agartala, April 24 (IANS) State-owned ONGC-Videsh will go ahead with the exploration of oil in the South China Sea despite China's objections, a top company official said here Tuesday.
Islamabad, April 23 (IANS) The Pakistani Navy Monday inducted its first fast attack missile boat - PNS Azmat - in a bid to boost its advanced warfare capability and prowess.
New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Vehicles major Tata Motors announced Monday that it has signed a cooperation agreement with a Malaysian firm to develop, promote and market the Indian company's high mobility military trucks for the Malaysian armed forces.
Kuala Lumpur, April 20 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia and Malaysia have signed a $35 million contract on the delivery of RVV-AE air-to-air missiles for the Malaysian air force.
Singapore, April 18 (Xinhua-ANI): The Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has arrested four suspected drug traffickers, one suspected drug abuser and seized almost two kilograms of heroin estimated to be worth about 230,000 U.S. dollars.
London, Apr 18(ANI): McLaren's ace driver Jenson Button is happy to have a competitive teammate in Lewis Hamilton.
Washington, April 17 (IANS) Policymakers face the dilemma of how best to respond to the challenges of slackening global activity and continued financial volatility as many countries remain vulnerable to unexpected shocks, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday.
London, Apr 16(ANI): British driver Janson Button has admitted that the team's pitstop eeror had denied him the chance of beating Nico Rosberg in the Chinese Grand Prix after a mechanic had difficulty changing his left rear tyre.
Beijing, Apr 16 (ANI): Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton is determined to end his winless run after finishing third for the third successive time in the Grand Prix held in Shanghai this time.
Shanghai, April 14 (IANS) Mercedes' Nico Rosberg took his maiden pole position in Formula One racing by topping the times sheets in the Chinese Grand Prix qualifying here Saturday. Force India failed to make the top-10.
Kuala Lumpur, Apr 14 (ANI): Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, paid tribute to the Sikh community in the country on the occasion of Baisakhi.
Beijing, Apr 13(ANI): McLaren's ace driver Lewis Hamilton has suffered an early blow in his bid to win the Chinese Grand Prix, as he has been hit with a five-place grid penalty due to replacing his faulty gearbox.
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Goalkeeper Bharat Chettri will be leading an 18-member Indian hockey team in the 21st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournament to be held at Ipoh, Malaysia May 24-June 3.
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) A day after a massive earthquake close to Indonesia triggered fears of another tsunami, India Thursday called for greater cooperation with nations of the Southeast Asian region to meet growing non-traditional security threats such as natural calamities, epidemic, piracy and transnational crimes.
India is all set to take part in the 7th Junior Men Asia Cup at Malacca, Malaysia from 3to13 May 2012.
Jakarta, Apr 11 (ANI): A massive 8.7 earthquake has struck off the western coast of Indonesia triggering fears of a "devastating" tsunami.
New Delhi/Hong Kong, April 11 (IANS) Many states along India's east coast felt tremors as a high intensity earthquake rocked Sumatra Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. A tsunami warning has been issued in India and 27 other countries
Hong Kong, April 11 (IANS) A tsunami alert has been sounded in 28 places across the world, including India, after a massive earthquake rocked Indonesia Wednesday.
Beijing, Apr 10 (ANI): British Formula I racer Lewis Hamilton hope to prove third time lucky as he bids to get his first win of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend.
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The Third India-Malaysia Strategic Dialogue will be held here this week to nurture the growing convergence of the two nations' regional and global interests.
Guangzhou (China), April 8 (IANS) Subajit Saha upset World No. 38 Li Hu of Singapore 4-1 to finish ninth in the second stage of the Asia Cup Table Tennis Championships here Sunday.
Guangzhou (China), April 7 (IANS) India's Subhajit Saha and Divya Deshpande moved into the second stage of the Asia Cup Table Tennis meet here, causing upsets Saturday.
Lahore, Apr 5(ANI): The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has expressed disappointment after India refused to play a hockey tournament in Pakistan that the former had hoped could revive sporting ties between both sides.
New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Citing security concerns, the external affairs ministry hasn't approved an Indian hockey team's tour to Pakistan for a three-nation meet also involving Malaysia, Hockey India (HI) said Wednesday.
Bangalore, April4 (IANS) Karnataka's B.R. Nikshep, ranked No.1 in the under-14 boys singles in Asia and as well as in the country, has been selected for the Indian boys under-14 team for the World junior tennis championships (Asia Oceania Zone) scheduled at Kuching, Malaysia, April 28-May 6.
Phnom Penh, April 3 (IANS) Cambodia, the current ASEAN chair, has called for stronger financial cooperation among its member countries to promote economic growth.
Bangkok, Apr 3 (ANI): Two-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has cautioned his rivals, as he gears up for the next two races in China and Bahrain.
Whangarei (New Zealand), April 1 (IANS) Team MRF's Chris Atkinson (co-driver Stephane Prevot) won the Brother International Rally of Whangarei, the first round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, here Sunday while teammate and Indian champion Gaurav Gill (Glenn Macneall) came in third.
London, Mar 25 (ANI): Nicole Scherzinger, who was present at the Australian Grand Prix last week to cheer for her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, has now joined him in Malaysia for this week's race.
Whangarei (New Zealand), March 30 (IANS) Team MRF drivers Chris Atkinson and Gaurav Gill warmed up for this weekend's Rally of Whangarei by topping the time charts at the official shakedown here Friday.
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Reigning Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel got away with his "idiot" remark as well as the obscene gesture of showing his middle finger to Indian Narain Karthikeyan after the two collided in the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend.
Kuala Lumpur, Mar 28 (ANI): An African drug smuggling group is reportedly targeting the Indian community in Malaysia to be drug mules.
Greater Noida, March 27 (IANS) Sahara Force India drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta are seeking a faster car to catch up with their mid-field rivals after the first two rounds of the Formula One season.
Washington, Mar 27(ANI): The United States and Australia are planning to augment military ties, including possible drone attacks from a coral atoll in the Indian Ocean and increased U.S. naval access to Australian ports.
London, Mar 26 (ANI): Nicole Scherzinger wore a spring dress as she turned up at the Malaysian Grand Prix to cheer for her Formula 1 driver beau Lewis Hamilton.
Sepang (Malaysia), March 25 (IANS) Fernando Alonso warded off Sergio Perez's challenge to record an unexpected victory for Ferrari in the rain-affected Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix here Sunday while Sahara Force India secured their first double points finish of the season.
Sepang (Malaysia), Mar 24(ANI): Seven times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher created a whiff of controversy due to a small hole in his Mercedes car's rear wing.
Sepang (Malaysia), March 24 (IANS) McLaren repeated their performance at Melbourne with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button settling the front row in the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying here Saturday. Sahara Force India failed to make the top-10.
New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Interpol has issued a red corner notice against four Iranian nationals for their alleged involvement in the Israeli embassy car bombing in the capital last month, said a CBI official Friday.
Sepang (Malaysia), March 23 (IANS) Sahara Force India's Paul di Resta feels it will be tough for them to make Q3 in the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying here Saturday following a strong show by their rivals in free practice.
London, Mar 22 (ANI): Former Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton is looking to bounce back with a victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang and continue on to the 2012 Driver's Championship.
Karachi, Mar 22(ANI): The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has confirmed that Lahore will host a tri-nation tournament involving India and Malaysia from April 9.
Karachi, Mar 22(ANI): The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has confirmed that Lahore will host a tri-nation tournament involving India and Malaysia from April 9.
London, Mar 22 (ANI): Former Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton is looking to bounce back with a victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang and continue on to the 2012 Driver's Championship.
Kuala Lumpur, Mar 21 (ANI): Nicole Scherzinger will join top South Korean girl band Girls' Generation as they make their debut in Malaysia at the Twin Towers@Live 2012 concert on Friday.
London, Mar 20 (ANI): McLaren driver Jenson Button is keen to follow up his Australian Grand Prix win with a victory in Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang.
Washington, Mar 17 (ANI): An email, purported to be from former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's wife Safia Farkash Qaddafi, is offering people a piece of her fortune from the 65 million dollars stashed away in a secret Malaysian account, in return for 'a little assistance as a trusted partner'.
Washington, Mar 17 (ANI): An email, purported to be from former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's wife Safia Farkash Qaddafi, is offering people a piece of her fortune from the 65 million dollars stashed away in a secret Malaysian account, in return for 'a little assistance as a trusted partner'.
Kuala Lumpur, Mar.12 (ANI): The third India-Malaysia Foreign Office Consultations were held here today in Putrajaya.
Washington, March 10 (ANI): Global warming is a major threat to coral reefs, but fortunately a new study has revealed that some coral species may be able to adapt to warmer oceans.
New Delhi, Mar 6 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday identified the two Indian nationals killed in a bus accident in Malaysia.
New Delhi, Mar 6 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday identified the two Indian nationals killed in a bus accident in Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 29 (ANI): American singer Erykah Badu's concert in Malaysia has been cancelled after a publicity photo showed her having the Arabic word for "Allah" tattooed on her body.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 29 (ANI): American singer Erykah Badu's concert in Malaysia has been cancelled after a publicity photo showed her having the Arabic word for "Allah" tattooed on her body.
London, Feb 22 (ANI): The Malaysian government has banned writer Peter Mayle's book 'Where did I come from?' and has ordered shops to stop selling it.
London, Feb 22 (ANI): The Malaysian government has banned writer Peter Mayle's book 'Where did I come from?' and has ordered shops to stop selling it.
Bangkok, Feb 18 (ANI): The three Iranian men detained for allegedly plotting bomb attacks in Bangkok reportedly cavorted with prostitutes on a beach days before the botched attacks.
Bangkok, Feb 18 (ANI): The three Iranian men detained for allegedly plotting bomb attacks in Bangkok reportedly cavorted with prostitutes on a beach days before the botched attacks.
Bangkok, Feb 17(ANI): Suspects detained for the Bangkok blast aimed to target two Israeli diplomats, Thai police have said.
Bangkok, Feb 17(ANI): Suspects detained for the Bangkok blast aimed to target two Israeli diplomats, Thai police have said.
Karachi, Feb 14(ANI): Pakistan's cricket Under 19 coach Sabih Azhar has said the South African tour has been useful in preparing for the forthcoming World Cup in Australia.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 12 (ANI): Malaysian authorities have reportedly deported a young Saudi Arabia columnist, who was accused of blasphemy and abusing Prophet Mohammed, a police official has said.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 12 (ANI): Malaysian authorities have reportedly deported a young Saudi Arabia columnist, who was accused of blasphemy and abusing Prophet Mohammed, a police official has said.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 8(ANI): Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has said that he has a big announcement to make for the Indian community in Malaysia, while speaking at the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves.
Canberra, Feb 6 (ANI): Australia's dangerous outlaw motorcycle gangs are using social networking sites such as Facebook to recruit drug mules, the country's top crime body has revealed.
Canberra, Feb 6 (ANI): Australia's dangerous outlaw motorcycle gangs are using social networking sites such as Facebook to recruit drug mules, the country's top crime body has revealed.
Sydney, Feb.6 (ANI): Family connections and friendships are at the core of the terrorist networks active in Australia over the past 12 years, a Monash University researcher has found.
London, Feb 5 (ANI): The Duchess of Cambridge is being offered a series of "training sessions" by the Queen of England herself, to enable her to take on solo engagements that are coming her way.
London, Feb 5 (ANI): The Duchess of Cambridge is being offered a series of "training sessions" by the Queen of England herself, to enable her to take on solo engagements that are coming her way.
London, Feb 3 (ANI): The Duchess of Cambridge Kate is planning a shopping spree to keep herself busy while her husband Prince William is on duty in the Falklands.
London, Feb 3 (ANI): The Duchess of Cambridge Kate is planning a shopping spree to keep herself busy while her husband Prince William is on duty in the Falklands.
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 23(ANI): India is expanding its visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility to include Malaysia, which would ease the visa procedure for Malaysian tourists to visit India.
