festivites
There are several major festivities and holidays celebrated in Malaysia, each with their unique cultural traditions. Here are some of them:
1. Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr) - This is the most significant festival among Muslims in Malaysia, marking the end of Ramadan. It is celebrated on the first day of Syawal month in the Islamic calendar. Malaysians usually perform Eid prayers at the mosque and visit family and friends to ask for forgiveness and exchange greetings. Houses are decorated, and traditional delicacies such as ketupat and rendang are served.
2. Chinese New Year - Celebrated by the Chinese community in Malaysia, this festival falls on the first day of the Lunar New Year, usually between mid-January to mid-February. It is a time for family reunion, where people travel to their hometowns to celebrate. Red decorations, lion dances, and firecrackers are common sights during this festive period. Traditional food like yee sang and dumplings are also served.
3. Deepavali (Diwali) - Celebrated by Hindus, this festival is known as the "Festival of Lights" and falls in late October or November. Homes are decorated with lights and colorful rangoli patterns, and people visit temples to offer prayers and seek blessings. Traditional sweets and snacks are prepared and exchanged with family and friends.
4. Hari Raya Aidiladha (Eid al-Adha) - This festival commemorates the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and is celebrated by Muslims. It falls on the 10th day of Zulhijjah month in the Islamic calendar. People typically attend morning prayers at the mosque and perform the qurban ritual, where animals such as cows or goats are sacrificed and the meat distributed to the less fortunate.
5. Wesak Day - This Buddhist festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha and is celebrated in May. Buddhists visit temples and offer prayers, while some engage in acts of charity and kindness.
These festivals are celebrated nationwide, with the level of festivities varying depending on the location and community.
seasons
In Malaysia, there are generally two tourist seasons:
1. Peak Season: Mid-December to early January and June to August.
2. Off-Peak Season: February to May and September to mid-December.
Recommendations:
During the peak season, expect higher prices for accommodations and activities, as well as larger crowds at tourist attractions. It is advisable to book in advance and plan accordingly.
During the off-peak season, the weather is generally more pleasant with fewer crowds. This can be a better option for budget-conscious travelers or those seeking a quieter vacation. However, some outdoor activities may be affected by the rainy season which starts around November and lasts until February.
visa
The special VISA rules for a country's citizen to visit Malaysia depend on the purpose and duration of their visit. Here are some common types of visas and their average costs:
1. Tourist Visa: This visa allows tourists to stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days. The average cost is around $20-$30.
2. Business Visa: This visa is for those who wish to engage in business activities in Malaysia. The average cost is around $70-$90.
3. Student Visa: This visa is for students who wish to study in Malaysia. The average cost is around $200-$250.
4. Employment Pass: This visa is for those who have been offered employment in Malaysia. The average cost is around $400-$500.
5. Long-Term Social Visit Pass: This visa is for those who wish to stay in Malaysia for an extended period, usually longer than six months. The average cost is around $150-$200.
It is essential to consult with the Malaysian embassy or consulate in your country for specific visa requirements and fees.
souvenirs
1. Batik textiles - prices vary depending on quality and size, but expect to pay around RM50-150 ($12-36 USD). Can be purchased at Central Market in Kuala Lumpur or the Jonker Street Night Market in Melaka.
2. Traditional Malay kites (wau) - prices range from RM20-100 ($5-24 USD). Can be purchased at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur or the Pasar Payang market in Terengganu.
3. Handmade pewter products - prices vary depending on item and size, but expect to pay around RM100-300 ($24-72 USD). Can be purchased at Royal Selangor outlets across Malaysia.
4. Songket fabric - prices range from RM100-300 ($24-72 USD). Can be purchased at the Kampong Bharu area in Kuala Lumpur or the Pasar Besar Kedai Payang market in Terengganu.
5. Durian-flavored snacks and candy - prices vary depending on item and brand, but expect to pay around RM10-30 ($2-7 USD). Can be purchased at many supermarkets throughout Malaysia.
6. Handcrafted wooden items, such as figurines and kitchenware - prices range from RM20-80 ($5-19 USD). Can be purchased at the Pasar Seni market in Kuala Lumpur or the Jalan Hang Kasturi street market.
Note: Prices are estimates and may vary depending on location, vendor, and other factors.
If you have 1 week
Great, Malaysia is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. Here's my suggestion for a one-week itinerary:
Day 1: Kuala Lumpur
Start your week in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Visit the iconic Petronas Towers and the KL Tower for breathtaking views of the city skyline. Take a stroll in the KLCC Park and visit the Suria KLCC shopping mall for some retail therapy. End your day with a delicious dinner at Jalan Alor, famous for its street food.
Day 2: Malacca
Take a day trip to the historic city of Malacca, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Dutch Square, Stadthuys, Christ Church, and the Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum to learn about the city's rich history. Don't forget to try the famous chicken rice balls at Jonker Street.
Day 3: Penang
Fly to Penang and visit the Georgetown area, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk along the streets filled with colorful murals and street art. Visit the Clan Jetties, Fort Cornwallis, and Kek Lok Si Temple. End your day with a bowl of delicious Penang Laksa.
Day 4: Langkawi
Spend a day in Langkawi, an island escape from the bustling cities. Visit the Sky Bridge for panoramic views of the island and ride the cable car to the top of Gunung Mat Cincang. Relax on the beach or take a boat tour around the islands.
Day 5: Cameron Highlands
Visit the hill station of Cameron Highlands, known for its tea plantations and cool climate. Take a tour of the BOH Tea Plantation and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea. Visit the Mossy Forest and hike to the top of Gunung Brinchang for breathtaking views.
Day 6: Taman Negara
Travel to Taman Negara, one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Take a guided tour and explore the jungle, visit the Canopy Walkway for stunning views, and spot some wildlife such as elephants, tigers, and monkeys.
Day 7: Johor Bahru
End your week in Johor Bahru, located at the southern tip of Malaysia. Visit the Legoland theme park or the Hello Kitty Town for some family fun. Explore the historic Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and end your day with some delicious seafood at the famous Teluk Jawa seafood restaurant.
I hope you enjoy your week exploring Malaysia's diverse culture, history, and natural beauty!
If you have 2 weeks
Great to hear that you are in Malaysia! There are so many wonderful places to visit in this beautiful country, and I would be happy to suggest a two-week itinerary for you. Here are my recommendations:
Week 1:
- Kuala Lumpur: Start your trip in the vibrant capital city of Malaysia. Visit the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest towers in the world; explore the Batu Caves, a series of limestone caves and Hindu shrines; and stroll through the bustling streets of Chinatown.
- Langkawi: Head to the island paradise of Langkawi, where you can soak up the sun on gorgeous beaches, take a cable car ride to the top of Mount Mat Cincang for stunning views, and explore the mangrove forests and waterfalls.
- Penang: Next stop is the historic island of Penang, known for its rich cultural heritage and delicious food. Visit the Georgetown UNESCO World Heritage Site, taste the famous Penang laksa and char kway teow, and wander through the street art-filled alleys.
Week 2:
- Malacca: Travel back in time to the charming town of Malacca, which was once a major port for traders from all over the world. Explore the colorful Jonker Street, visit the impressive Stadthuys and A Famosa Fortress, and sample some of the best Nyonya cuisine.
- Cameron Highlands: Escape the heat and head to the cool hills of Cameron Highlands, where you can enjoy scenic tea plantations, hike through the mossy forest, and learn about the local farming practices.
- Taman Negara: End your trip with an adventure in the oldest rainforest in the world, Taman Negara. Take a canopy walk high above the trees, go on a night jungle trek to spot exotic wildlife, and experience the rich biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.
These are just a few suggestions for your two-week itinerary in Malaysia. Each destination offers something different, from bustling cities to tranquil nature reserves. I hope you enjoy your trip and have an amazing time exploring this diverse and beautiful country!
Culture
Malaysia has a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society. The original culture of the area stemmed from indigenous tribes that inhabited it, along with the Malays who later moved there. Substantial influence exists from Chinese and Indian culture, dating back to when foreign trade began. Other cultural influences include the Persian, Arabic, and British cultures. Due to the structure of the government, coupled with the social contract theory, there has been minimal cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities. Some cultural disputes exist between Malaysia and neighbouring countries, notably Indonesia.
In 1971, the government created a "National Cultural Policy", defining Malaysian culture. It stated that Malaysian culture must be based on the culture of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia, that it may incorporate suitable elements from other cultures, and that Islam must play a part in it. It also promoted the Malay language above others. This government intervention into culture has caused resentment among non-Malays who feel their cultural freedom was lessened. Both Chinese and Indian associations have submitted memorandums to the government, accusing it of formulating an undemocratic culture policy.
Traditional Malaysian art was mainly centred on the areas of carving, weaving, and silversmithing. Traditional art ranges from handwoven baskets from rural areas to the silverwork of the Malay courts. Common artworks included ornamental kris, beetle nut sets, and woven batik and songket fabrics. Indigenous East Malaysians are known for their wooden masks. Each ethnic group have distinct performing arts, with little overlap between them. However, Malay art does show some North Indian influence due to the historical influence of India.
Traditional Malay music and performing arts appear to have originated in the Kelantan-Pattani region with influences from India, China, Thailand, and Indonesia. The music is based around percussion instruments, the most important of which is the gendang (drum). There are at least 14 types of traditional drums. Drums and other traditional percussion instruments and are often made from natural materials. Music is traditionally used for storytelling, celebrating life-cycle events, and occasions such as a harvest. It was once used as a form of long-distance communication. In East Malaysia, gong-based musical ensembles such as agung and kulintang are commonly used in ceremonies such as funerals and weddings. These ensembles are also common in neighbouring regions such as in Mindanao in the Philippines, Kalimantan in Indonesia, and Brunei.
Malaysia has a strong oral tradition that has existed since before the arrival of writing, and continues today. Each of the Malay Sultanates created their own literary tradition, influenced by pre-existing oral stories and by the stories that came with Islam. The first Malay literature was in the Arabic script. The earliest known Malay writing is on the Terengganu stone, made in 1303. Chinese and Indian literature became common as the numbers of speakers increased in Malaysia, and locally produced works based in languages from those areas began to be produced in the 19th century. English has also become a common literary language. In 1971, the government took the step of defining the literature of different languages. Literature written in Malay was called "the national literature of Malaysia", literature in other bumiputera languages was called "regional literature", while literature in other languages was called "sectional literature". Malay poetry is highly developed, and uses many forms. The Hikayat form is popular, and the pantun has spread from Malay to other languages.
Malaysia's cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of its population. Many cultures from within the country and from surrounding regions have greatly influenced the cuisine. Much of the influence comes from the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Javanese, and Sumatran cultures, largely due to the country being part of the ancient spice route. The cuisine is very similar to that of Singapore and Brunei, and also bears resemblance to Filipino cuisine. The different states have varied dishes, and often the food in Malaysia is different from the original dishes.
Sometimes food not found in its original culture is assimilated into another; for example, Chinese restaurants in Malaysia often serve Malay dishes. Food from one culture is sometimes also cooked using styles taken from another culture, For example, sambal belacan (shrimp paste) are commonly used as ingredients by Chinese restaurants to create the stir fried water spinach (kangkung belacan). This means that although much of Malaysian food can be traced back to a certain culture, they have their own identity. Rice is a staple food, and an important constituent of the country's culture. Chili is commonly found in local cuisine, although this does not necessarily make them spicy.
Malaysia's main newspapers are owned by the government and political parties in the ruling coalition, although some major opposition parties also have their own, which are openly sold alongside regular newspapers. A divide exists between the media in the two halves of the country. Peninsular-based media gives low priority to news from the East, and often treats the eastern states as colonies of the Peninsula. As a result of this, East Malaysia region of Sarawak launched TV Sarawak as internet streaming beginning in 2014, and as TV station on 10 October 2020 to overcome the low priority and coverage of Peninsular-based media and to solidify the representation of East Malaysia. The media have been blamed for increasing tension between Indonesia and Malaysia, and giving Malaysians a bad image of Indonesians. The country has Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil dailies. Kadazandusun and Bajau news only available via TV broadcast Berita RTM. Written Kadazan news was once included in publications such as The Borneo Post, the Borneo Mail, the Daily Express, and the New Sabah Times, but publication has ceased with the newspaper or as a section.
Freedom of the press is limited, with numerous restrictions on publishing rights and information dissemination. The government has previously tried to crack down on opposition papers before elections. In 2007, a government agency issued a directive to all private television and radio stations to refrain from broadcasting speeches made by opposition leaders, a move condemned by politicians from the opposition Democratic Action Party. Sabah, where all tabloids but one are independent of government control, has the freest press in Malaysia. Laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act have also been cited as curtailing freedom of expression.
Malaysians observe a number of holidays and festivities throughout the year. Some are federally gazetted public holidays and some are observed by individual states. Other festivals are observed by particular ethnic or religion groups, and the main holiday of each major group has been declared a public holiday. The most observed national holiday is Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) on 31 August, commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya in 1957. Malaysia Day on 16 September commemorates federation in 1963. Other notable national holidays are Labour Day (1 May) and the King's birthday (first week of June).
Muslim holidays are prominent as Islam is the state religion; Hari Raya Puasa (also called Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Malay for Eid al-Fitr), Hari Raya Haji (also called Hari Raya Aidiladha, Malay for Eid ul-Adha), Maulidur Rasul (birthday of the Prophet), and others being observed. Malaysian Chinese celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year and others relating to traditional Chinese beliefs. Wesak Day is observed and celebrated by Buddhists. Hindus in Malaysia celebrate Deepavali, the festival of lights, while Thaipusam is a religious rite which sees pilgrims from all over the country converge at the Batu Caves. Malaysia's Christian community celebrates most of the holidays observed by Christians elsewhere, most notably Christmas and Easter. In addition to this, the Dayak community in Sarawak celebrate a harvest festival known as Gawai, and the Kadazandusun community celebrate Kaamatan. Despite most festivals being identified with a particular ethnic or religious group, celebrations are universal. In a custom known as "open house" Malaysians participate in the celebrations of others, often visiting the houses of those who identify with the festival.
Popular sports in Malaysia include association football, badminton, field hockey, bowls, tennis, squash, martial arts, horse riding, sailing, and skate boarding. Football is the most popular sport in Malaysia. Badminton matches also attract thousands of spectators, and since 1948 Malaysia has been one of four countries to hold the Thomas Cup, the world team championship trophy of men's badminton. The Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation was registered in 1997. Squash was brought to the country by members of the British army, with the first competition being held in 1939. The Squash Racquets Association Of Malaysia was created on 25 June 1972. The men's national field hockey team ranked 10th in the world. The 3rd Hockey World Cup was hosted at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the 10th cup. The country also has its own Formula One track – the Sepang International Circuit, with the first Malaysian Grand Prix held in 1999. Traditional sports include Silat Melayu, the most common style of martial arts practised by ethnic Malays.
The Federation of Malaya Olympic Council was formed in 1953, and received recognition by the IOC in 1954. It first participated in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. The council was renamed the Olympic Council of Malaysia in 1964, and has participated in all but one Olympic games since its inception. The largest number of athletes ever sent to the Olympics was 57 to the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Besides the Olympic Games, Malaysia also participates in the Paralympic Games. Malaysia has competed at the Commonwealth Games since 1950 as Malaya, and 1966 as Malaysia, and the games were hosted in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
Religion
Malaysia religion by state 2020.jpg.
Dark green: Muslim majority > 50%
Light green: Muslim plurality < 50%
Blue: Christian majority > 50% ]] The constitution grants freedom of religion and makes Malaysia an officially secular state, while establishing Islam as the "religion of the Federation". According to the Population and Housing Census 2020 figures, ethnicity and religious beliefs correlate highly. Approximately 63.5% of the population practise Islam, 18.7% practise Buddhism, 9.1% Christianity, 6.1% Hinduism and 1.3% practise Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions. 2.7% declared no religion or practised other religions or did not provide any information. The states of Sarawak, Penang and the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur have non-Muslim majorities.
Sunni Islam of Shafi'i school of jurisprudence is the dominant branch of Islam in Malaysia, while 18% are nondenominational Muslims. The Malaysian constitution strictly defines what makes a "Malay", considering Malays those who are Muslim, speak Malay regularly, practise Malay customs, and lived in or have ancestors from Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. Statistics from the 2010 Census indicate that 83.6% of the Chinese population identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism (3.4%) and Christianity (11.1%), along with small Muslim populations in areas like Penang. The majority of the Indian population follow Hinduism (86.2%), with a significant minority identifying as Christians (6.0%) or Muslims (4.1%). Christianity is the predominant religion of the non-Malay bumiputera community (46.5%) with an additional 40.4% identifying as Muslims.
Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah Courts (i.e. Shariah courts) in matters concerning their religion. The Islamic judges are expected to follow the Shafi'i legal school of Islam, which is the main madh'hab of Malaysia. The jurisdiction of Syariah courts is limited to Muslims in matters such as marriage, inheritance, divorce, apostasy, religious conversion, and custody among others. No other criminal or civil offences are under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts, which have a similar hierarchy to the Civil Courts. The Civil Courts do not hear matters related to Islamic practices.
Demographics
According to the Malaysian Department of Statistics, the country's population was 32,447,385 in 2020, making it the 42nd most populated country. According to a 2012 estimate, the population is increasing by 1.54 percent per year. Malaysia has an average population density of 96 people per km2, ranking it 116th in the world for population density. People within the 15–64 age group constitute 69.5 percent of the total population; the 0–14 age group corresponds to 24.5 percent; while senior citizens aged 65 years or older make up 6.0 percent. In 1960, when the first official census was recorded in Malaysia, the population was 8.11 million. 91.8 per cent of the population are Malaysian citizens.
Malaysian citizens are divided along local ethnic lines, with 69.7 per cent considered bumiputera. The largest group of bumiputera are Malays, who are defined in the constitution as Muslims who practise Malay customs and culture. They play a dominant role politically. Bumiputera status is also accorded to the non-Malay indigenous groups of Sabah and Sarawak: which includes Dayaks (Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu), Kadazan-Dusun, Melanau, Bajau and others. Non-Malay bumiputeras make up more than half of Sarawak's population and over two thirds of Sabah's population. There are also indigenous or aboriginal groups in much smaller numbers on the peninsular, where they are collectively known as the Orang Asli. Laws over who gets bumiputera status vary between states.
There are also two other non-Bumiputera local ethnic groups. 22.5 per cent of the population are Malaysian Chinese, while 6.8 per cent are Malaysian Indian. The local Chinese have historically been more dominant in the business community. Local Indians are mostly of Tamil descent. Malaysian citizenship is not automatically granted to those born in Malaysia, but is granted to a child born of two Malaysian parents outside Malaysia. Dual citizenship is not permitted. Citizenship in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo are distinct from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for immigration purposes. Every citizen is issued a biometric smart chip identity card known as MyKad at the age of 12, and must carry the card at all times.
The population is concentrated on Peninsular Malaysia, where 20 million out of approximately 28 million Malaysians live. 70 per cent of the population is urban. Due to the rise in labour-intensive industries, the country is estimated to have over 3 million migrant workers; about 10 per cent of the population. Sabah-based NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million that make up the population of Sabah, 2 million are illegal immigrants. Malaysia hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 171,500. Of this population, approximately 79,000 are from Burma, 72,400 from the Philippines, and 17,700 from Indonesia. Malaysian officials are reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs RELA, a volunteer militia with a history of controversies, to enforce its immigration law.
Malaysia religion by state 2020.jpg.
Dark green: Muslim majority > 50%
Light green: Muslim plurality < 50%
Blue: Christian majority > 50% ]] The constitution grants freedom of religion and makes Malaysia an officially secular state, while establishing Islam as the "religion of the Federation". According to the Population and Housing Census 2020 figures, ethnicity and religious beliefs correlate highly. Approximately 63.5% of the population practise Islam, 18.7% practise Buddhism, 9.1% Christianity, 6.1% Hinduism and 1.3% practise Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions. 2.7% declared no religion or practised other religions or did not provide any information. The states of Sarawak, Penang and the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur have non-Muslim majorities.
Sunni Islam of Shafi'i school of jurisprudence is the dominant branch of Islam in Malaysia, while 18% are nondenominational Muslims. The Malaysian constitution strictly defines what makes a "Malay", considering Malays those who are Muslim, speak Malay regularly, practise Malay customs, and lived in or have ancestors from Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. Statistics from the 2010 Census indicate that 83.6% of the Chinese population identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism (3.4%) and Christianity (11.1%), along with small Muslim populations in areas like Penang. The majority of the Indian population follow Hinduism (86.2%), with a significant minority identifying as Christians (6.0%) or Muslims (4.1%). Christianity is the predominant religion of the non-Malay bumiputera community (46.5%) with an additional 40.4% identifying as Muslims.
Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah Courts (i.e. Shariah courts) in matters concerning their religion. The Islamic judges are expected to follow the Shafi'i legal school of Islam, which is the main madh'hab of Malaysia. The jurisdiction of Syariah courts is limited to Muslims in matters such as marriage, inheritance, divorce, apostasy, religious conversion, and custody among others. No other criminal or civil offences are under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts, which have a similar hierarchy to the Civil Courts. The Civil Courts do not hear matters related to Islamic practices.
The official and national language of Malaysia is Malaysian Malay, a standardised form of the Malay language. The previously terminology as per government policy is Bahasa Malaysia but now government policy uses "Bahasa Melayu" (Malay language) to refer the official language and both terms remain in use. The National Language Act 1967 specifies the Latin (Rumi) script as the official script of the national language, but does not prohibit the use of the traditional Jawi script.
English remains an active second language, with its use allowed for some official purposes under the National Language Act of 1967. In Sarawak, English is an official state language alongside Malaysian. Historically, English was the de facto administrative language; Malay became predominant after the 1969 race riots (13 May incident). Malaysian English, also known as Malaysian Standard English, is a form of English derived from British English. Malaysian English is widely used in business, along with Manglish, which is a colloquial form of English with heavy Malay, Chinese, and Tamil influences. The government discourages the use of non-standard Malay but has no power to issue compounds or fines to those who use what is perceived as improper Malay on their advertisements.
Many other languages are used in Malaysia, which contains speakers of 137 living languages. Peninsular Malaysia contains speakers of 41 of these languages. The native tribes of East Malaysia have their own languages which are related to, but easily distinguishable from, Malay. Iban is the main tribal language in Sarawak while Dusunic and Kadazan languages are spoken by the natives in Sabah. Chinese Malaysians predominantly speak Chinese dialects from the southern part of China. The more common Chinese varieties in the country are Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, and so on. The Tamil language is used predominantly by the majority of Malaysian Indians. A small number of Malaysians have European ancestry and speak creole languages, such as the Portuguese-based Malaccan Creoles, and the Spanish-based Chavacano language.
Malaysia operates an efficient and widespread two-tier healthcare system, consisting of a universal healthcare system and a co-existing private healthcare system; provided by highly subsidized healthcare through its extensive network of public hospitals and clinics. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is the main provider of healthcare services to the country's population. Malaysia's healthcare system is considered to be among the most developed in Asia, which contributes to its thriving medical tourism industry.
Malaysia spent 3.83% of its GDP on healthcare in 2019. In 2020, the overall life expectancy in Malaysia at birth was 76 years (74 years for males and 78 years for females), and it had an infant mortality rate of 7 deaths per 1000 births. Malaysia had a total fertility rate of 2.0 in 2020, which is just below the replacement level of 2.1. In 2020, the country's crude birth rate was 16 per 1000 people, and the crude death rate was 5 per 1000 people.
In 2021, the principal cause of death among Malaysian adults was coronary artery disease, representing 17% of the medically certified deaths in 2020—being followed by pneumonia; which accounted for 11% of the deaths. Transport accidents are considered a major health hazard, as Malaysia, relative to its population, has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the world. Smoking is also considered a major health issue across the country.
The education system of Malaysia features a non-compulsory kindergarten education followed by six years of compulsory primary education, and five years of optional secondary education. Schools in the primary education system are divided into two categories: national primary schools, which teach in Malay, and vernacular schools, which teach in Chinese or Tamil. Secondary education is conducted for five years. In the final year of secondary education, students sit for the Malaysian Certificate of Education examination. Since the introduction of the matriculation programme in 1999, students who completed the 12-month programme in matriculation colleges can enroll in local universities. However, in the matriculation system, only 10 per cent of places are open to non-bumiputera students.
Cities:
