An Introduction

 In the middle of the Southeast Asia.  Borders:  Land: Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei.  Maritime: Singapore, Vietnam, and Philippines  Malaysia has two main parts:  Peninsular Malaysia (Where most states are located in)  Malaysian Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan)

 Thirteen states and three federal territories (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya)  Initially Singapore was part of Malaysia but they became a sovereign country in 1965.

 A developing country with many natural resources that aims to be a developed country by  A member of ASEAN, OIC, APEC, NAM, and Commonwealth.

 Main races:  Malays  Chinese  Indians  National Religion:  Islam  Official Language:  Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language)

 Closely modeled on that of Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule.  Federal constitutional elective monarchy.  The monarch of Malaysia is the Yang di- Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the “King of Malaysia”.  The head of government is prime minister but not president.

Head/King of Malaysia

Head of Malaysia Government

Supreme law of Malaysia

 Headed by the Paramount Ruler or Yang di- Pertuan Agong.  Executed by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers (chosen from among members of both houses of Parliament)  Function: To execute and govern the government based on the federal constitution and laws.

 Legislative authority is in the hands of the bicameral Parliament.  Consists of: Lower house (House of Representative), Upper House (Senate)  Function: as a law maker and has the authority to raise taxes and authorize expenditure.  Current government is ruled by Barisan National.  Opposition parties: PR

 The Malaysian legal system is based on English common law and most of the laws and the constitution are adapted from Indian law.  Headed by the Federal Court.  Consists: Superior court (federal level) Subordinate Courts (County level)  Function : has authority to hear and determine criminal matters, interpret the legality of any legislative and executive acts and the Federal and State Constitutions.

 16 th century – Malaccan empire ◦ Spice trade  19 th – mid 20 th century – British colony ◦ Agriculture, mining industries, raw materials  Post independence – mid 20 th century onwards ◦ Shift towards industrialization & manufacturing

 Centralized economic system, government regulated  Privatization of inefficient state-owned enterprises  Economic plans ◦ New Economic Policy (NEP)  Foreign investment

 Currency : Ringgit Malaysia (RM)  Paper & coins  RM 1 = 100 sen  RM 1 = $ Images from: Wikipedia; google image

 Industry ◦ Mining ◦ Oil & Gas (Natural resources)  Service ◦ Tourism ◦ Retail  Manufacturing  Agriculture

 Economic growth  Lack of foreign investment  Lack of skilled workers  Economic downturn

- rooted from indigenous people (orang laut) - Malays came in > Malay Sultanate - Foreign trade, agriculture and mining brought in the Chinese and the Indian - The spreading of Islam brought in the Arabic influence - British colonialism greatly affected education, political system.

Malaysia ChineseMalayIndian

Malay Eid ul Fitr Eid Mubarak Chinese Chinese New Year Moon Cake Festival Indian Deepavali Thaipusam

Malay Baju Melayu Baju Kurung Chinese Samfoo Cheongsam Indian Sari Punjabi Suit /Kurta

1. Deforestation 2. Pollution 3. Flash flood

 Various Reasons: 1. Dams, housing development, industrialization, road systems, timber plantations  Hulu Terengganu, Bukit Cherakah,Ulu Padas, Sungai Mas, Kelau Dam

 carbon monoxide emission, open burning Southeast Asian haze, 2005 Malaysian Haze (>500 in API), 2006 Southeast Asian haze (certain states reached >100 in API)

 Toxic waste, trash  Klang River

 Rio Earth Summit to maintain a minimum of 50% of its land area under permanent forests  Storm water Management and Road Tunnel (SMART Tunnel)

“…It's a story of crime, wildlife smuggling and money. It stars flamboyant characters dripping with gold chains, driving luxury vehicles and politicians -- the smugglers who are as slippery as the rare reptiles they traffic across the globe for sums of money that beggar belief.“ The News Straits Times

 Illegal sale of animals and plants ◦ Wild animal as exotic pets ◦ Smuggled for:  Medicine  Clothing  Decorations  Research  Malaysia is the hub of illegal trading

◦ Penalty: 6 month jail and RM200,000 fine. ◦ The fine is nothing big compared to the amount of money earned. ◦ High demand from other countries, but the laws are too strict.

◦ People are not educated to care for wildlife. ◦ People are not aware of the problem.

 Malaysia is a multiracial country with Islam as the main religion.  Malaysia is affected much by the Great Britain.  Malaysia is currently focusing on technological developments and services.  Malaysia is facing some challenges to protect the flora and fauna in the forests.

Q&A SESSION