Baharu (, 916,400), (, 804,900), (, 704,600), (Selangor, 671,300), Kuching (, 658,500), (Selangor, 638,500), (, 604,100), Batu Sembilan Cheras (Selangor, 601,500), Sandakan (Sabah, 501,200), Sungai Chua (Selangor, 448,200), (, 439,300), (, 422,000), (Sabah, 381,700), Kuala (Terengganu, 286,300), Miri (280,500), Kota Baharu (, 272,600), Bukit Mertajam (, 228,000), (, 212,600), Taiping (Perak, 212,600), KEY FACTS the Pahang. Sabah’s mountains include Melaka (Melaka, 201,400) and George Town Mount Kinabalu (4,094 metres), the highest (Penang, 157,700). Joined Commonwealth: 1957 peak in South-East Asia. Sarawak’s highest Transport: There are 144,400 km of roads, Population: 29,717,000 (2013) mountain is Murud (2,385 metres), its main 80 per cent paved. There is a good network GDP p.c. growth: 3.5% p.a. 1990–2013 river the Rejang. in including a motorway from north to south. Toll motorways (such as UN HDI 2014: World ranking 62 Climate: Tropical, with heavy annual rainfall and high humidity. The daily temperature parts of the North–South Expressway) have Official language: Malay throughout Malaysia varies from 21–32°C. In been built by private groups. Time: GMT plus 8 hrs , April and May are the hottest There is a railway network of 2,250 km Currency: Ringgit or Malaysian dollar (M$) months, December the coldest and April the operated by Malaysian Railway, in Peninsular wettest. Malaysia, linking with in the south Geography Environment: The most significant and Thailand to the north. Express trains are modern. Sabah has a coastal line; Sarawak Area: 329,758 sq km environmental issues are deforestation; air pollution by industrial and motor emissions; has no railway. Coastline: 4,680 km water pollution by raw sewage; and smoke Kuala Lumpur’s light railway system Capital: Kuala Lumpur or haze from Indonesian forest fires. commenced operations in the late 1990s. It combines underground and raised track and Lying north of the equator in central South- Vegetation: Intensive logging and replanting covers the entire city, connecting city centre East Asia, above Singapore and south of operations are gradually changing the forest’s with airports and suburbs. Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia is separated by form. Most cleared areas are in the north- about 540 km of the from east and west of Peninsular Malaysia. Huge Ferry services run between ports on the the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, tracts of Sabah’s forests were felled in the peninsula and link the peninsula with Sabah which share the island of Borneo with 1970s and 1980s; the government is trying and Sarawak. River transport is well and Brunei Darussalam. Malaysian to curb logging. Forest covers 62 per cent of developed in the east and the only form of islands include , Penang and the the land area, having declined at 0.4 per cent transport in remote areas. Islands. p.a. 1990–2010. Arable land comprises three The new Kuala Lumpur International Airport per cent and permanent cropland 20 per cent The Federation of Malaysia comprises three at Sepang, 55 km to the south of Kuala of the total land area. federal territories (Kuala Lumpur, Lumpur, was completed in 1998, in time for and Labuan) and 13 states (Sabah, Sarawak Wildlife: East Malaysia has one of the largest the Commonwealth Games. Other and the 11 states of Peninsular Malaysia). The and most varied bird populations in the international airports are at Penang (16 km peninsular states are the nine sultanates of world, including many species of parrots, south of George Town), Kota Kinabalu Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, hornbills and broadbills. The endangered (Sabah), and Kuching (Sarawak). Pahang, Perak, , Selangor and orangutan, the proboscis monkey and Terengganu, plus Melaka and Penang. massive wild ox, the seladang or Malayan Society , also occur. In the country as a whole 70 Topography: Peninsular Malaysia has a KEY FACTS 2013 species and 42 bird species are mountainous spine (highest peak Gunong thought to be endangered (2014). Population per sq km: 90 Tahan, 2,156 metres) with low plains on either side. In the west, swamps Main towns/conurbations: Kuala Lumpur Life expectancy: 75 years and mudflats at the coast give way to (capital, pop. 1.48m in 2010), Population: 29,717,000 (2013); 80 per cent cultivated plains. Sandy beaches lie along the (Selangor, contiguous with Kuala Lumpur, of people live in Peninsular Malaysia, 73 per east coast. The main rivers are the Perak and 1.55m), Kelang (Selangor, 1.11m), Johor cent in urban areas and nine per cent in

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urban agglomerations of more than one Lumpur in June 2009, which marked 50 years Economy million people; growth 2.1 per cent p.a. since the first conference was held in Oxford KEY FACTS 2013 1990–2013; birth rate 18 per 1,000 people in the UK in 1959. Commonwealth Education (37 in 1970); life expectancy 75 years (61 in Ministers meet every three years to discuss GNI: US$301.3bn 1970). issues of mutual concern and interest. GNI p.c.: US$10,400 The society is multiracial with an estimated Media: All newspapers in Malaysia must renew GDP growth: 4.3% p.a. 2009–13 53 per cent , 25 per cent Chinese, 11 their publication licences annually. English- Inflation: 1.8% p.a. 2009–13 per cent indigenous peoples and ten per cent language dailies include , The Indians. In Sarawak, the main indigenous Star , The Sun , and Business Times . Malaysia is rich in natural resources and its peoples – collectively known in that state as Malaysiakini is an online news service. traditional economic strength lay in the Dayaks – are the Iban, Bidayuh and commodities. It is still an important source of Public broadcaster Radio Television Malaysia Orang Ulu (with the Melanau being early tin and rubber, produces more than half the operates two television channels and many settlers); and in Sabah, the Kadazan-Dusun, world’s palm oil and is a net exporter of oil radio stations, in Malay, Tamil, Chinese and/or Bajau and Murut. Other ethnic groups in and gas. Reserves of oil were estimated in English. There are several commercial TV Malaysia include Europeans and Eurasians. January 2014 to be 3.7 billion barrels, and of networks and a number of private radio gas, 1.1 trillion cubic metres. Average daily oil Language: The national language is Malay stations. production in 2013 was 657,000 barrels. (Bahasa Malaysia), but English is widely Some 95 per cent of households have TV sets spoken. Other languages include various During the 1980s and 1990s, however, the (2006). There are 232 personal computers Chinese dialects, Tamil and indigenous character of the economy changed radically per 1,000 people (2006). languages such as Iban and Kadazan. as it developed into a predominantly manufacturing country focusing on export- Religion: Muslims 61 per cent, Buddhists 20 Communications: Country code 60; internet oriented electronic and electrical equipment per cent, Christians nine per cent and Hindus domain ‘.’. Public phones are widely (manufacturing contributed 24.2 per cent of six per cent (2010 census). is the official available. Mobile coverage is generally good. GDP in 2012) but also cars, and a wide range religion; freedom of worship is guaranteed There are internet cafes in most towns, and of goods for the domestic market. under the constitution. many hotels have high-speed internet access. Manufacturing output grew by more than Health: Public spending on health was two For every 1,000 people there are 153 nine per cent p.a. during the two decades per cent of GDP in 2012. The entire landlines, 1,447 mobile phone subscriptions 1980–2000 and 3.4 per cent p.a. 2000–10. population uses an improved drinking water and 670 internet users (2013). Latterly, the services sector, too, has been source and 96 per cent have access to Public holidays: New Year’s Day (in most but growing rapidly. adequate sanitation facilities (2012). There not all states), (1 May), King’s The long-term economic plan is to transform are 32 medical schools in Malaysia (2014). Birthday (first Saturday in June), National Day the manufacturing sector from the assembly Infant mortality was seven per 1,000 live (31 August), (16 September), of imported components to the design and births in 2013 (73 in 1960). Christmas Day, and some local state holidays. production of original products, with the Education: Public spending on education Flower festivals are held in most states during objective of attaining industrialised-country was 5.9 per cent of GDP in 2011. There are a week in mid-July. For most states the status by 2020. Priority areas are advanced six years of compulsory education starting at weekend comprises a half-day on Saturday materials, automated manufacturing, the age of six. Primary school comprises six plus Sunday, but in Kelantan, Perlis and biotechnology, microelectronics/IT and energy years and secondary seven, with cycles of Terengganu half-day Thursday plus Friday. technology. three and four years. Some 99 per cent of Religious and other festivals whose dates vary After a brief recession in the mid-1980s, pupils complete primary school (2009). The from year to year include growth was very strong until 1997, when the school year starts in January and comprises (two days in most states), Prophet’s Birthday, collapse of some South-East Asian financial two terms. Wesak Day (Buddha Purnima, April/May), Hari markets caught Malaysia in their fall, The tertiary sector comprises 20 public Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr/end of Ramadan, two interrupting its rapid growth and throwing , 22 polytechnics, 37 community days), Hari Raya Qurban (Eid al-Adha/Feast of the economy into recession. The economy colleges, and many private universities and the Sacrifice), Deepavali (, shrunk by 7.4 per cent in 1998. Demand for colleges, located throughout the country October/November, except Labuan and exports collapsed, especially demand in Japan (2013). The longest-established universities Sarawak) and Awal Muharam (Islamic New for semiconductors; several large are the of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur, Year). development projects were postponed; many 1905) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai (Johor, 1904 as the Technical Malaysia on the international stage School, becoming a university in 1972). Open and distance education is provided by Actress Michelle Yeoh, born in Ipoh in 1962, is best known for her performances in the Open University Malaysia, which was Crouching , Hidden Dragon and Tomorrow Never Dies , as well as for playing Aung San established as a private university by a Suu Kyi in a biopic of the Burmese pro-democracy campaigner’s life. consortium of 11 public universities in Fashion designer , famous for his women’s shoes, was born in Penang in 1948 2000. The female–male ratio for gross into a family of shoemakers. After studying in , UK, he opened a shoe shop in enrolment in is 1.30:1 Hackney and was soon featured in Vogue . His early customers included Princess Diana. (2010). Literacy among people aged 15–24 is 98 per cent (2010). Tash Aw was a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize regional winner with The Harmony Silk Factory in 2006; and Sri Lankan Rani Manicka, who was born in Malaysia, with her novel, Malaysia hosted the 17th Conference of The Rice Mother , in 2003. Commonwealth Education Ministers in Kuala

The CoMMonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Malaysia

companies experienced difficulties; and rule was reintroduced after the war, but met Real growth in GDP unemployment rose. During 1998 the active resistance from the MCP. Malay % government took measures to stimulate % 8 nationalists also campaigned for growth and the economy began to grow 7 independence. The United Malays’ National again in the second quarter of 1999, 6 Organisation (UMNO, the principal Malay becoming very strong in 2000, with growth 5 party) was formed in 1946. 4 being led by manufacturing. The , comprising 11 3 g Exports – particularly of electrical and peninsular states, was established in 1948. A 2 electronic goods – soared and there was a 1 communist-le d ins urrection in that year was sharp increase in interest in foreign 0 suppressed by the UK (although guerrilla investment. However, in 2001 the economy -1 warfare continued in the north of the again stalled, as demand for the country’s -2 peninsula and Borneo and the last insurgents exports slowed, picking up again, with rising 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 only surrendered in 1989). international oil and commodity prices, in A delayed general election took place in 2002. Strong growth of more than five per Inflation 1955. This was won by the Alliance Party, cent p.a. continued during 2003–07. Then, % 3.5 formed out of UMNO, the Malayan Chinese with the world economic downturn and fall Association and the Malayan Indian 3.0 in global demand of 2008–09, the economy Congress. slowed in 2008 and contracted by 1.5 per 2.5 cent in 2009. But it then recovered strongly Sabah 2.0 in 2010 (growing by 7.4 per cent), continuing Formerly North Borneo, Sabah may have 1.5 at four to six per cent p.a. in 2011–15. been inhabited since 7000 BCE. From the 1.0 seventh century CE, the region traded in pottery with China. In the early 15th century History 0.5 the state was ruled mainly by the of Peninsular Malaysia 0.0 Brunei. In 1847, Britain persuaded the Sultan 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 In prehistoric times, the region was inhabited of Brunei to cede Labuan Island. In 1882 the by aboriginal people. In the second century British North Borneo Chartered Company was

BCE settlers arrived from south China. GDP by sector (2013) established and began administering territory Around the beginning of the first century CE, ceded by the Sultan of Brunei and the Sultan Indian traders began settling in Kedah and Agriculture of Sulu. In 1888 the territory was made a along the west coast of the peninsula. 9.4% British , still administered by the and were introduced Industry Company, which also administered Labuan during this early period; the Indian kingdom 41.0% until 1905, when it was joined to the Straits of Kunan was founded in the first century CE Services Settlements. From 1942 until 1945 the and Buddhist states developed to the east. 49.6% territory was occupied by the Japanese army. The Javanese controlled the peninsula around In July 1946 it became the Crown colony of 1330–50. The port of was founded North Borneo. in the 15th century; its rulers converted to The sultanates of northern Borneo – Brunei, Sarawak Islam and traded with Muslim merchants, and Sabah and Sarawak – also became British Islam replaced Buddhism across present-day . Archaeological evidence suggests that Malaysia. Immigrants from southern China and Sarawak was inhabited from about 5000 BCE. From the 15th century CE, it was ruled The Sultanate of Malacca was seized by the southern India came to work in tin mines and by the Sultan of Brunei who, in 1839, Portuguese in 1511 but, a century later, they on the plantations, facilitating the peninsula’s ennobled James Brooke, a British adventurer, were driven out by the Dutch in alliance with transition from a trading outpost to a as Rajah of Sarawak, a reward for his help in the . The peninsula then commodity producer. The British introduced calming a rebellion in Brunei. Brooke waged became a Malay kingdom ruled by Johor. In rubber farming towards the end of the 19th a vigorous campaign against piracy. Sarawak 1786 the Sultan of Kedah granted the island century. was gradually enlarged with additional grants of Penang to the British East India Company Reaction to colonial rule began in the early of land from the Sultan, and the River Lawas for use as a trading post; less than a decade 20th century. In 1915, Indian sepoys rebelled area bought from the North Borneo later, the British took Malacca from the and came close to taking control of Chartered Company in 1905. Sarawak Dutch. In 1819 the British also acquired Singapore. In 1931, the Malayan Communist prospered under Rajah Sir Charles Vyner Singapore. Penang, Malacca and Singapore Party (MCP) was established. It had links with Brooke (reigned 1917–46), who attempted to were ruled directly by Britain as the Straits developing communism in China and drew set up an elected government in 1941, but Settlements. most of its support from the Chinese the territory was occupied by the Japanese community. By 1937–38, anti-colonial By a series of treaties between 1873 and army in the following year. During the nationalism began among the Malay 1930, the British colonial administrators took Japanese occupation, sickness and community, with the formation of the Union control of the foreign affairs of the nine malnutrition spread throughout Sarawak. The of Young Malays. Malay sultanates on the peninsula. In 1896 Rajah, resuming control in 1946, decided that the (Selangor, Negeri The Japanese occupied the country from in the interests of Sarawak, he should make a Sembilan, Perak and Pahang) came into 1941 to 1945. Resistance, mainly from the gift of it to the UK Crown. Sarawak became existence, with Kuala Lumpur as the capital. Chinese, was led by MCP guerrillas. British a UK colony in July 1946.

The CoMMonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Malaysia

The Federation of Malaysia UMNO (89 seats), Pertuan Agong, as head of state. This Association (30), Sarawak National Front (27), monarch is chosen for a five-year term from Early in 1956, the governments of the Malaysian Indian Congress (seven) and among their own number by the nine Federation of Malaya and the UK and the Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (seven). The hereditary rulers of Peninsular Malaysia. These Heads of the Malay States agreed that the included the Democratic Action rulers also elect a Timbalan (deputy) di- Federation should achieve independence by Party (DAP; nine), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS; Pertuan Agong. The nine hereditary states are the end of August 1957 if possible. On 31 eight), the Pan- (PAS; Perlis (ruled by the Raja), Negeri Sembilan August 1957 the Federation of Malaya seven) and Semangat ‘46 (six). (ruled by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar) and became an independent nation and joined Kedah, Perak, Johor, Selangor, Pahang, the Commonwealth. Penang and Malacca In August 1998 Prime Minister Mahathir Terengganu and Kelantan (ruled by ). became states of the Federation. Tengku Mohamad sacked his Deputy Prime Minister The head of state in the four states that do (prince) Abdul Rahman, leader of the and Finance Minister, , who not have hereditary rulers – Melaka, Pulau independence movement, became Prime was subsequently arrested under the Pinang, Sabah and Sarawak – is the Yang di- Minister. detention-without-trial Internal Security Act Pertuan Negeri, or Governor, and is for holding a political protest gathering The , under which North appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for without a police permit. He was also charged Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore (but not a four-year term. on several counts of sexual misconduct and Brunei) would become states in the new abuse of power, charges he denied and said The federal Parliament consists of two Federation of Malaysia, was signed in 1963 by stemmed from a conspiracy to remove him. houses. The , the UK, Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Anwar was found guilty of corruption in April (council of the nation or ), has 70 Singapore. The Federation of Malaysia came 1999 and sentenced to six years in prison. In members, of whom 44 are appointed by the into being on 16 September 1963. In 1965, August 2000, he was found guilty of sodomy Yang di-Pertuan Agong and 26 are elected by by mutual agreement, Singapore left the and sentenced to a further nine years’ the state (two each). The lower Federation and became an independent state. imprisonment. house, (council of the people, In the 1969 elections, the Alliance Party lost more usually called House of In June 1999 opposition parties led by many seats to the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Representatives), has 222 members who are Anwar’s wife Wan Azizah Ismail and her new Party, Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia and the directly elected by universal suffrage. The National Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Nasional) Chinese-based . Amid maximum life of the House of formed the Alternative Front (including the violent ethnic clashes, the government Representatives is five years; members of the PAS, the DAP and Malaysian People’s Party), suspended Parliament and the national Senate hold office for six years. The Yang di- calling for political liberalisation and an end operations council ruled by decree for two Pertuan Agong appoints the Prime Minister to repressive laws. However, when the years. On the resignation of Tengku Abdul and, on the Prime Minister’s advice, the elections were held in November 1999, the Rahman in 1970, Tun Abdul Razak became cabinet. ruling National Front coalition won 148 seats; Prime Minister. the combined opposition parties took 42 Bills must be passed by both houses and Although Malays formed over half the seats, with the PBS securing three seats. PAS assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. A population, in 1970 they accounted for about won control of the oil-rich state of bill may originate in either house, with the one per cent of national income. A ‘new Terengganu and easily retained its hold on exception of a money bill, which may not be economic policy’ introduced positive Kelantan and, for the first time, assumed introduced in the Senate. The Senate has the discrimination – in education, civil service, leadership of the opposition in Parliament. power to hold up for one year a bill which is armed services and business – designed to Wan Azizah won the seat of her husband’s not a money bill and which has been passed increase the share of the Malay and other former constituency in Penang. by the Dewan Rakyat. Each house regulates (sons of the soil) groups to 30 its own procedure and has control over its The Alternative Front was, however, divided per cent of national income within twenty own proceedings, the validity of which may over the PAS’s plan to establish an Islamic years. After the was not be questioned in any court. A two-thirds state should the Alternative Front win the restored, the National Front () majority of both houses is required before the next elections due by January 2005. Divisions – a multiethnic alliance led by UMNO – won constitution can be changed. over two-thirds of seats at all elections of the deepened when the party announced it would introduce Islamic law in Terengganu, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s (and this continued Politics into the 2000s). In 1981 Dr Mahathir and subsequently, in July 2002, lost ground Mohamad became Prime Minister. to UMNO in by-elections in Kedah State. Last elections: 5 May 2013 Malays have dominated the political system In September 2004 Anwar’s conviction for Next elections: 2018 sodomy was quashed by the Federal Court since independence, and support in the Head of state: Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIV and he was released from prison. Then his Malay-dominated rural areas is crucial for Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah appeal against his conviction for corruption political success at the national level. However, ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Badlishah (2011–) to command a parliamentary majority and in was rejected, confirming his exclusion from Head of government: Prime Minister Dato’ the interests of national stability, UMNO has Parliament until 2008. Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak formed coalitions with parties representing other racial groups. Intercommunal relations, Constitution Ruling party: National Front (Barisan Nasional) particularly between the Malays and the Status: National monarchy Chinese, have preoccupied governments since Women MPs: 10% independence. : Parliament of Malaysia In his closing speech to the United Malays’ Independence: 31 August 1957 At elections in April 1995, the National Front National Organisation (UMNO) annual was returned with a substantially increased Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy with a congress in June 2002, 76-year-old Prime majority, winning 162 seats, comprising federal constitutional monarch, the Yang di- Minister Dr announced

The CoMMonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Malaysia

In national and state parliamentary elections, Further information held on 5 May 2013, the National Front took nine of the 12 states contested, and 133 of Government of Malaysia: www.malaysia.gov.my/en the 222 seats – and 47.4 per cent of votes – Election Commission of Malaysia: www.spr.gov.my Parliament of Malaysia: www.parlimen.gov.my in the federal Parliament, fewer than in 2008 Department of Statistics: www.statistics.gov.my and again short of the two-thirds Bank Negara Malaysia: www.bnm.gov.my parliamentary majority required to enact Tourism Malaysia: www.tourism.gov.my constitutional changes. The remaining 89 Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org federal seats – and 50.9 per cent of votes – Commonwealth of Nations: www.commonwealthofnations.org/ were won by the Pakatan Rakyat coalition. country/Malaysia Razak was returned as Prime Minister. Media Business Times : www.btimes.com.my International relations New Straits Times : www.nst.com.my The Malay Mail : www.themalaymailonline.com Malaysia is a member of Asia–Pacific The Star : www.thestar.com.my Economic Cooperation, Association of The Sun : www.thesundaily.my Southeast Asian Nations, Indian Ocean Rim Radio Television Malaysia: www.rtm.gov.my Association, Non-Aligned Movement, Malaysiakini: www.malaysiakini.com Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, United The Malaysian Insider: www.themalaysianinsider.com Nations and World Trade Organization. National News Agency – Bernama: www.bernama.com Traveller information his retirement, but subsequently agreed to 1969 and the first time the coalition had Immigration and customs: Passports must continue as Prime Minister until October failed to attain the two-thirds parliamentary be valid for at least six months from the date 2003, when his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad majority required to enact constitutional of arrival. Visas are required by most Badawi, duly succeeded him as UMNO leader changes. Opposition parties took 82 seats. Commonwealth nationals. and Prime Minister. Abdullah was returned as Prime Minister. In Travel within the country: Traffic drives In an early general election in March 2004, April 2008 three opposition parties that had on the left. An international driving permit the ruling UMNO-led National Front coalition worked together in the election, DAP, PAS is required to drive in Malaysia. The received a strong mandate to proceed with and the People’s Justice Party, formed a wearing of seat belts is mandatory and reforms proposed by the new Prime Minister, coalition, Pakatan Rakyat. driving under the influence of alcohol including action against corruption. It took His ban from politics having expired (imposed carries heavy penalties. 199 seats in the 219-seat federal Parliament, in April 1999 following his conviction for regaining Terengganu and conceding only Scheduled air services link the main towns corruption), former Deputy Prime Minister one state, Kelantan, by a small margin to the throughout the country. In peninsular Anwar Ibrahim was elected to Parliament in a Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). The Malaysia the rail network spans the country. by-election in August 2008 and became Democratic Action Party (DAP) took 12 seats In Sabah the North Borneo Railway runs from leader of Pakatan Rakyat. and the PAS seven. Kota Kinabalu to the town of Papar. In April 2009 Abdullah stood down as Prime The Sultan of Terengganu, Tuanku Mizan Kuala Lumpur is served by four rail networks Zainal Abidin, became Yang di-Pertuan Minister and UMNO leader. His deputy, Najib and taxis, minibuses and pedicabs ( trishaws ) Agong in December 2006. Razak (the son of the second Prime Minister are widely available. of Malaysia, Abdul Razak), who had been In the March 2008 elections, the ruling Travel health: Prevalent diseases where chosen to lead UMNO at the party’s general National Front faced a united opposition at appropriate precautionary measures are assembly, was sworn in as Prime Minister. both national and state levels. Although it recommended include cholera, dengue fever, won in seven of the 12 states contested and The Sultan of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese took 140 of 222 seats – and 51.1 per cent of Mu’adzam Shah, who had previously reigned encephalitis (risk is minimal in peninsular Malaysia), malaria, rabies and typhoid. votes – in the federal Parliament, it was 1970–75, was chosen as Yang di-Pertuan National Front’s worst performance since Agong in December 2011. There were 25,715,000 tourist arrivals in 2013.

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