2011 Edition

Background

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 formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession 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 expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism. Current Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has continued these pro-business policies.

Area

329,847 sq km 328,657 sq km 1,190 sq km

total

329,847 sq km

water

1,190 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than New Mexico

Climate

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

Coastline

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

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m

highest point

Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires

Environment - international agreements

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 none of the selected agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%) 356 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

356 cu m/yr (2000)

total

9.02 cu km/yr (17%/21%/62%)

Geographic coordinates

2 30 N, 112 30 E

Geography - note

strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea

Irrigated land

3,650 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

2,669 km Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

border countries

Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

total

2,669 km

Land use

5.46% 17.54% 77% (2005)

arable land

5.46%

other

77% (2005)

permanent crops

17.54%

Location

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

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding; landslides; forest fires

Natural resources

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

Terrain

coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

Total renewable water resources

580 cu km (1999)

Age structure

29.6% (male 4,374,495/female 4,132,009) 65.4% (male 9,539,972/female 9,253,574) 5% (male 672,581/female 755,976) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

29.6% (male 4,374,495/female 4,132,009)

15-64 years

65.4% (male 9,539,972/female 9,253,574)

65 years and over

5% (male 672,581/female 755,976) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

21.08 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

4.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0% of population (2008)

rural

1% of population

total

0% of population (2008)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

8% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,800 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

100,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.82 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

15.02 deaths/1,000 live births 17.37 deaths/1,000 live births 12.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

12.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

15.02 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Life expectancy at birth

73.79 years 71.05 years 76.73 years (2011 est.)

female

76.73 years (2011 est.)

total population

73.79 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 88.7% 92% 85.4% (2000 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

85.4% (2000 census)

male

92%

total population

88.7%

Major cities - population

KUALA LUMPUR (capital) 1.493 million; Klang 1.071 million; Johor Bahru 958,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea dengue fever and malaria 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)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Maternal mortality rate

31 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

26.8 years 26.7 years 27 years (2011 est.)

female

27 years (2011 est.)

male

26.7 years

total

26.8 years

Nationality

Malaysian(s) Malaysian

adjective

Malaysian

noun

Malaysian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.3% (2006)

Physicians density

0.941 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

28,728,607 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.576% (2011 est.)

Religions

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)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96% of population rural: 95% of population total: 96% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 5% of population total: 4% of population (2008)

rural

5% of population

total

4% of population (2008)

urban

4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 12 years 13 years (2008)

female

13 years (2008)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.069 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.069 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.06 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.67 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

10.9% 10.3% 11.8% (2008)

female

11.8% (2008)

total

10.9%

Urbanization

72% of total population (2010) 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

72% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Kuala Lumpur 3 10 N, 101 42 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur

geographic coordinates

3 10 N, 101 42 E

name

Kuala Lumpur

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

31 August 1957; amended many times the latest in 2007

Country name

none Malaysia none Malaysia Federation of Malaya

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Malaysia

former

Federation of Malaya

local long form

none

local short form

Malaysia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Paul W. JONES 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 [60] (3) 2168-5000 [60] (3) 2142-2207

chief of mission

Ambassador Paul W. JONES

embassy

376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur

FAX

[60] (3) 2142-2207

mailing address

US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152

telephone

[60] (3) 2168-5000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador JAMALUDIN Jarjis 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 572-9700 [1] (202) 572-9882 Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador JAMALUDIN Jarjis

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 572-9882

telephone

[1] (202) 572-9700

Executive branch

King - Tuanku Abdul HALIM Mu'adzam Shah (since 13 December 2011); the position of the king is primarily ceremonial Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin Mohamed Yassin (since 9 April 2009) Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the king kings elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; selection based on principle of rotation among rulers of states; election last held on 14 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister 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) Tuanku Abdul HALIM Mu'adzam Shah elected king

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the king

chief of state

King - Tuanku Abdul HALIM Mu'adzam Shah (since 13 December 2011); the position of the king is primarily ceremonial

election results

Tuanku Abdul HALIM Mu'adzam Shah elected king

elections

kings elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; selection based on principle of rotation among rulers of states; election last held on 14 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister 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)

head of government

Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin Mohamed Yassin (since 9 April 2009)

Flag description

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 the design is based on the flag of the US

Government type

constitutional monarchy 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)

Independence

31 August 1957 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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) House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by June 2013) 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)

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)

elections

House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by June 2013)

National anthem

"Negaraku" (My Country) collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER 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

lyrics/music

collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER

name

"Negaraku" (My Country)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

tiger

Political parties and leaders

Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [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 [George CHAN Hong Nam]; 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]) 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] Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Saban) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]

independent party

Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Saban) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]

National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) consists of the following parties

Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [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 [George CHAN Hong Nam]; 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]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Bar Council; BERSIH (electoral reform coalition); PEMBELA (Muslim NGO coalition); PERKASA (defense of Malay rights) religious groups; women's groups; youth groups

other

religious groups; women's groups; youth groups

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, coconuts, rice; rubber, timber; Sarawak - rubber, timber; pepper

Budget

$49.56 billion $63 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$63 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$49.56 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.83% (31 December 2010) 2% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.05% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.83% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$34.14 billion (2010 est.) $31.8 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$79.12 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $70.18 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.2 (2009) 49.2 (1997)

Economy - overview

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 begin to reduce government subsidies. The government is also trying to lessen its dependence on state oil producer Petronas, which supplies more than 40% of government revenue. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves and its well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Nevertheless, decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods hurt Malaysia's exports and economic growth in 2009, although both showed signs of recovery in 2010. 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.

Electricity - consumption

93.8 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

91.7 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

101.1 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 3.04 (2010) 3.52 (2009) 3.33 (2008) 3.46 (2007) 3.6683 (2006)

Exports

$197 billion (2010 est.) $157.7 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals

Exports - partners

Singapore 13.4%, China 12.6%, Japan 10.4%, US 9.5%, Thailand 5.3%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

10.5% 41.4% 48.2% (2010 est.)

agriculture

10.5%

industry

41.4%

services

48.2% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,700 (2010 est.) $13,900 (2009 est.) $14,400 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.2% (2010 est.) -1.7% (2009 est.) 4.7% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$238 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$414.4 billion (2010 est.) $386.8 billion (2009 est.) $393.5 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.8% 34.7% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

34.7% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

1.8%

Imports

$152.6 billion (2010 est.) $117.4 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals

Imports - partners

China 12.6%, Japan 12.6%, Singapore 11.4%, US 10.7%, Thailand 6.2%, Indonesia 5.6% (2010 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

7.4% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.7% (2010 est.) 0.6% (2009 est.) approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled

Investment (gross fixed)

20.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

11.63 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

13% 36% 51% (2005 est.)

agriculture

13%

industry

36%

services

51% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$410.5 billion (31 December 2010) $256 billion (31 December 2009) $187.1 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

29.07 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

30.79 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.269 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

58.6 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

561,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

644,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

355,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

664,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

4 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

3.6% (2007 est.)

Public debt

53.1% of GDP (2010 est.) 53.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$106.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $96.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$358.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $319.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$82.65 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $75.62 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$77.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $74.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$328.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $273 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$72.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $58.67 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.4% (2010 est.) 3.7% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned television 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; large number of private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 400 radio stations overall (2008)

Internet country code

.my

Internet hosts

344,452 (2010)

Internet users

15.355 million (2009)

Telephone system

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 satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 135 per 100 persons 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) (2008)

domestic

domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 135 per 100 persons

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

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) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

4.573 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

34.456 million (2010)

Airports

118 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

7 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

10

914 to 1,523 m

8

over 3,047 m

7

total

38

under 914 m

7 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

73 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

7

total

80

under 914 m

73 (2010)

Heliports

3 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 9, cargo 97, carrier 2, chemical tanker 45, container 44, liquefied gas 35, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 79, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 4 35 (Denmark 1, Hong Kong 8, Japan 4, Nigeria 1, Russia 2, Singapore 19) 79 (Bahamas 13, India 1, Indonesia 1, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 11, Panama 12, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 3) (2010)

foreign-owned

35 (Denmark 1, Hong Kong 8, Japan 4, Nigeria 1, Russia 2, Singapore 19)

registered in other countries

79 (Bahamas 13, India 1, Indonesia 1, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 11, Panama 12, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 3) (2010)

total

321

Pipelines

condensate 3 km; gas 1,757 km; liquid petroleum gas 155 km; oil 30 km; refined products 114 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas

Railways

1,849 km 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified) 1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2010)

narrow gauge

1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2010)

total

1,849 km

Roadways

98,721 km 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) 18,441 km (2004)

total

98,721 km

unpaved

18,441 km (2004)

Transportation - note

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

Waterways

7,200 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

7,501,518 7,315,999 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

7,315,999 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,501,518

Manpower fit for military service

6,247,306 6,175,274 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,175,274 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,247,306

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

265,008 254,812 (2010 est.)

female

254,812 (2010 est.)

male

265,008

Military branches

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)

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)

Military expenditures

2.03% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)

Disputes - international

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 awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary and sovereignty of Unarang rock in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute; 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

Illicit drugs

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

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 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 (2011)

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 (2011)