TEFL Reviews

TEFL Reviews

Malaysia Country Facts

TEFL Trainees / ESL Teachers

Size:
Total area: 329,750 sq km
Land: 329847 km²
Water: 1,200 km² or 0.37%

Population:
2010 estimate 28,310,000, 28.96 million
Density: 85.8/km2
Neighboring country: Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.

Currency:
Currancy of Malaysia: Ringgit
Code: MYR
Sub unit sen (1/100)
Ringgit is divided into 100 sen (cents).
Central bank: Bank Negara Malaysia
Frequently used Ringgit banknotes: 5, 10, 50, 20, 100
Rarely used : 1 cent
Mint: The Royal Mint of Malaysia
Major credit cards (MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted in towns and dive resorts. The cards which are not accepted in some places are AMEX and Diners. If you want you can carry Traveller cheques also which are changeable at banks & money changers.

Politics: Malaysia has federal constitutional monarchy. Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of the state and Prime minister is the head of the government. The Federal Government and 13 state governments has the executive power. Federal parliament and 13 state assemblies has federal legislative power. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and legislature. The system of government is based on Westminster system. Malaysia has multi party system. The Alliance party has been the ruling party coalition from 1973 onwards.

The Malaysian Politics is relatively stable. United Malays National Organization (UMNO), has held power in coalition since 1957. The political process of Malaysia has taken the form of consociationalism whereby communal interests are resolved in the framework of a grand coalition.

The current Prime Minister of Malaysia is Dato' Seri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. After the retirement of Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (colloquially known as "Pak Lah") on April, 2009 the Currant Prime Minister took over.
Rukunegara, is the official state ideology which demands respect for a pluralistic multireligious and multicultural society. Malaysia has federal constructional Monarchy which is headed by king of Malaysia. Power is vested in the executive branch of the government than in the legislative. Parliamentary elections are held once in five years. The last general election is being held is March 2008. Since independence in 1957, Malaysia has been governed by a multi-racial coalition known as the Barisan Nasional (formerly the Alliance).

The cabinet which has the executive power is led by the Prime Minister. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of Parliament and is responsible to that body. The opposition has been campaigning for free and fairer elections within Malaysia. The Senate (Dewan Negara) and the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) consists the Bicameral Government. After the dissolution of parliament within three months the General Elections must be held. The elections have been held every three to five years at the discretion of the Prime Minister.
Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. Malaysia has two sources of law. First the national constitution, the nation's supreme law, can be amended by a two-thirds majority in parliament and the second source of law is syariah (Islamic law), which applies only to Muslims. The states implements the Islamic law (Syariah),and interpretations vary from state to state.

The Language:
The Malay is the standardized official Language.
Written Script: The Latin alphabet

The Religion
Muslims (mainly consists by Malays)
Chinese ( mainly consists by Buddhists)
Indians ( Mainly consists by Hindus)
Other groups are Eurasians, and 50 indigenous group from Sabah, Sarawak like the Kadazans, Dusuns, Muruts, Ibans, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Bidayuhs, Penans, and more also exists.

Culture Of Malaysia:
Malaysia has a progressive culture. Malaysians were western clothes. During Special Celebrations they wear Traditional dresses. On weekends and weekdays they go out to discs and bars. In Kula Lumpur is very much influenced by what is happening in Western World. It is a common sight to see a muslim woman wearing a covering (tudung )on their heads as per their culture. Their upper torsos are also covered. The new democratic government gives more freedom of choice to Muslim Women. Though the youth follows modern culture they also give importance to Family life. They create a balance between contemporary and modern culture. They give strong importance to Family Life. The Malaysians also are career driven also.

Sports:
Kite flying is the sport of Malaysia and is a part of International Sport. Participants from Netherland, Thailand, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Belgium participate in this international sport.

Silat is another game played by the Malaysians. It’s a game followed by man and woman. Its Malaysian art of self defense.

Sepak Takraw is a popular game in Malaysia. Its an immensely popular game.

Wayang Kulit is another sport played by Malaysians. This game is played by the puppets and is a shadow game.

There are other numerous games which are as follows soccer, horse racing, car racing, powerboat racing, cricket, squash and field hockey. The world’s top three positions are the Ping pong and badminton players.

Important Cities in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sandakan, Miri & Mulus