The Federation

Malaysia is a member of the Commonwealth and gained her independence from Britain on 31 August 1957 (then known as Malaya). In 1963, Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore formed Malaysia. Singapore subsequently left Malaysia in 1965.

The country has a total of thirteen states and a Federal Territory. Eleven states are located in Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) while the other two states of Sabah and Sarawak (East Malaysia) are located on the island of Borneo. The Federal Territory comprises Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

Nine of the states have hereditary rulers-Sultans, while the remaining states have appointed governors.

Government

Malaysia enjoys a bicameral parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. Yang Di Pertuan Agong (King) is the Head of State, elected every five years among the nine hereditary rulers on a rotational basis. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government, an elected Member of Parliament and the leader of the ruling or coalition party.

Capital

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. Formerly a tin mining settlement, it has grown to become a progressive and an impressive city of skyscrapers. It is here where the Petronas Twin Towers, two of the tallest buildings in the world, are located. Putrajaya is the administrative capital.

National Flower

Malaysia's national flower is Bunga Raya (Hibiscus) from the rosa sinensis species.

National Flag

Malaysia's flag has fourteen horizontal stripes in alternate red and white signifying a federation with thirteen states and a federal territory. The crescent and star symbolise Islam as the official religion.

The People

The population of about 28.3 million (2009 census) is made up of various ethnic groups. They are the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and other indigenous people like the Ibans, Dayaks, Kadazans, Dusuns, Bidayuhs and Muruts.