Fast Facts

Country
The Federation of Malaysia comprises of Peninsular Malaysia, and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

Situated between 2º and 7º to the North of the Equator line, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea.

In the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia lies Thailand, and in the south, neighbouring Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are bounded by Indonesia while Sarawak also shares borders with Brunei.

Area
329,758 square km		 Population
28.3 million		 Capital city
Kuala Lumpur

People & Language
Malays comprise 57% of the population, while the Chinese, Indian and Bumiputeras and other races make up the rest of the country’s population.

While Malay is the national language the many ethnic groups also converse in their various languages and dialects, but English is also widely spoken.

Islam is the official religion of the country, but other religions such as Buddhism and Christianity are widely and freely practised.

Currency
The monetary unit of the country is Ringgit Malaysia and is written as RM or MYR.

The exchange rate is valued at USD1 = RM4.33. Notes are available in RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, and RM100 denominations, while coins are issued in 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen (cents) denominations.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and money changers.

View the latest exchange rates here www.xe.com

Weather
The country experiences tropical weather year-round. Temperatures range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).

Higher elevations are much colder with temperatures between 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F).

Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm. However, the wettest parts of Malaysia could well be the hill slopes of Sarawak’s inland areas, which receive a mean annual rainfall exceeding 5,000mm.

Practicalities

Time Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S Standard Time.
Electricity Voltage is 220 – 240 Volt AC at 50 cycles per second. Malaysia uses standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.
Weight & Measurement Malaysia follows the metric system for weight and measurement.
Telecommunications Local calls can be made from public phones using coins or prepaid card. International calls can also be made using phone cards or at any Telekom office.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays Date Description
New Year 1 Jan 2014 | Nationwide With New Year’s Eve parties in full swing, dazzling fireworks accompanying the local countdown, celebrating the turn of the year in Malaysia is always an exciting affair.
Maulidur Rasul 14 Jan 2014 | Nationwide Maulidur Rasul is the observance of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, which falls on the 12th day of the month of Rabiul Awal in the Islamic calendar.
Chinese New Year 31 Jan – 1 Feb 2014 | Nationwide Red is the colour of this festive season. Malaysian Chinese celebrate the New Year with family reunions, food and merrymaking, while children receive money in little red packets.
Federal Territory Day 1 Feb 2014 | Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan only Federal Territory Day is a state holiday observed by the three Federal Territories in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
Labour Day 1 May 2014 | Nationwide As in many other countries, Labour Day is observed in Malaysia on 1st May every year. The working populace celebrate with an extra day off.
Wesak 13 May 2014 | Nationwide Wesak Day marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha. Buddhists all over the country celebrate with religious offerings and rituals held at Buddhist temples.
Tadau Kaamatan / Harvest Festival 30 – 31 May 2014 | Sabah and Labuan Rice holds a special meaning to Sabahans, which makes Tadau Kaamatan (rice harvest festival) one of the biggest, most joyous celebrations in Sabah. In an event filled with traditional customs, villagers give thanks for the year’s crop and pray for an even better harvest the following year.
Gawai Dayak Festival 1 Jun 2014 | Sarawak Gawai Dayak, or the harvest festival, marks the end of the rice-harvesting season and welcomes in another year of bountiful harvest. It is celebrated by the Iban and Bidayuh tribes in Sarawak with traditional dances, ceremonial offerings and ‘tuak’ (home-made rice wine).
Agong / King’s Birthday 7 Jun 2014 | Nationwide The King, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is the head of state of Malaysia. His Majesty’s birthday is officially celebrated on the first Saturday in June, as mandated in the Malaysian Constitution.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri 28 – 29 Jul 2014 | Nationwide After a month of fasting, Hari Raya Aidilfitri symbolises victory for Muslims everywhere. Starting with morning prayers and visits to the graves of loved ones, Muslims then proceed to open houses and family gatherings filled with good food and company.
Independence Day (Hari Merdeka) 31 Aug 2014 | Nationwide This day marks the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957. Colourful multicultural parades are organised at city centres throughout the country.
Malaysia Day 16 Sep 2014 | Nationwide Malaysia Day is held on September 16 yearly to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation on the same date in 1963. Celebrations are held in various parts of the country.
Hari Raya Aidiladha 5 Oct 2014 | Nationwide Also known as Hari Raya Haji or Qurban, this festival marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which is performed by millions of Muslims annually. Muslims in the country celebrate the festival with prayers and the sacrifice of cattle.
Deepavali 23 Oct 2014 | Nationwide except Labuan and Sarawak Deepavali or the ‘Festival of Lights’ is celebrated by Hindus with prayers, family gatherings and festivities. Family and friends visit each other at open houses, where delicious traditional goodies are served.
Awal Muharram 25 Oct 2014 | Nationwide Awal Muharram (also called Maal Hijrah) marks the beginning of the new Islamic calendar, commemorating the day Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijrah.
Christmas 25 Dec 2014 | Nationwide You won’t find a white Christmas in Malaysia, but the real spirit of the season — love, joy and peace — is evident. Christians look forward to special services in church, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.?