Malaysia - Society

Population: 27,027,000 (2008); 80% lives in Peninsular Malaysia, 70% in urban areas and 5% in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million people; growth 2.5% p.a. 1970–90 and 2.3% p.a. 1990–2006; birth rate (2006) 21 per 1,000 people (37 in 1970); life expectancy 74 years (61 in 1970).

The society is multiracial with 59% Malays and indigenous peoples, 26% Chinese and 7.5% Indians. In Sarawak and Sabah, the Dayaks, Kadazandusans, Bajaus, Melanaus and Muruts are the main indigenous races. Other races include Europeans and Eurasians.

Religion: Muslims 54%, Taoists 22%, Buddhists 17%, Hindus and Christians. Islam is the official religion; freedom of worship is guaranteed under the constitution.

Language: The national language is Malay (Bahasa Malaysia), but English is widely spoken. Other languages include Mandarin (Hokkien, Cantonese and Hakka are Chinese dialects), Tamil, Itan, Dusan and Bajau.

Media: State-owned Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) operates the TV1 and TV2 television channels. TV3, ntv7 and 8TV are all commercial networks.

Radio stations are broadcast in Malay, Tamil, Chinese and English; 30 are operated by RTM. Two main private radio stations are Time Highway Radio and Era FM.

All newspapers in Malaysia must renew their publication licences annually. Leading English-language dailies are New Straits Times, The Star, The Malay Mail and Business Times. Malaysiakini is an online news service.

There are 218 TV sets (2003), 192 personal computers (2004) and 597 internet users (2007) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 6.2% of GDP in 2004. With effect from January 2003, there are six years of compulsory education starting at age six. Net enrolment ratios are 93% for primary and 70% for secondary. The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 19:1 and for secondary 18:1. The school year starts in January and comprises two terms.

About 32% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 1.7% (2006).

Health: 99% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 94% have access to adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Infant mortality was 10 per 1,000 live births in 2006 (73 in 1960).

Communications: Country code 60. Public coin-operated phones can be found in many areas, such as supermarkets and post offices. International calls can be made from public telephones with card facilities or at any Telekom office. Phone cards can be purchased at airports, petrol stations and some shops.

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies and coverage is generally good. Internet cafes can be found in most towns and cities and many hotels have high-speed internet access.

There are 164 main telephone lines and 879 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2007).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Labour Day (1 May), King’s Birthday (first Saturday in June), National Day (31 August), Christmas Day, and some local state holidays. Flower festivals are held in most states during a week in mid-July. For most states the weekend comprises a half-day on Saturday plus Sunday, but in Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu half-day Thursday plus Friday.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Tussa (Islamic New Year), Prophet’s Birthday, Wesak Day (Buddha Purnima, April/May), Deepavali (Diwali, October/November, except Sarawak), Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr/end of Ramadan) and Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha/Feast of the Sacrifice).