Malaysia Country Handbook 1. This handbook provides basic reference information on Malaysia, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military personnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Malaysian. 2. This product is published under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program (DoDIPP) with the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity designated as the community coordinator for the Country Handbook Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Malaysia. 3. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 4. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS . 1 U.S. MISSION . 2 U.S. Embassy . 2 Entry Requirements . 2 Passport/Visa Requirements . 2 Immunization Requirements . 2 Customs Restrictions . 2 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE . 3 Geography . 3 Land Statistics . 3 Boundaries . 3 Border Disputes . 3 Topography and Drainage . 3 Climate . 6 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 9 Transportation . 9 Roads . 9 Rail . 12 Air . 12 Maritime . 13 Communication . 14 Radio and Television . 14 Telephone and Telegraph . 14 Newspapers and Magazines . 15 Postal Service . 15 iii Contents (Continued) CULTURE . 16 Statistics . 16 Population Patterns . 16 Society . 16 Education and Literacy Rates . 17 Language . 17 Religion . 18 Islam . 18 Chinese Religions . 19 Hinduism . 19 Customs and Courtesies . 20 Dress . 20 Food . 20 Greetings . 20 Gestures . 21 Visiting . 21 Eating . 21 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT . 22 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel . 22 Food- or Waterborne Diseases . 22 Insect, Tick, and Miteborne Diseases . 22 Sexually Transmitted and/or Bloodborne Diseases . 22 Respiratory-borne Diseases . 23 Animal-associated Diseases . 23 Medical Capabilities . 23 Key Medical Facilities . 24 HISTORY . 26 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS . 27 Government . 27 Key Government Officials . 28 iv Contents (Continued) Administrative Divisions . 29 The States . 29 The Constitution . 30 The Judicial Branch . 32 Supreme Head of State . 33 Conference of Rulers . 33 Federal Parliament . 33 The Cabinet . 34 Politics . 34 Political Parties . 34 Foreign Relations . 35 ECONOMY . 36 Economic Statistics . 38 Tourism . 41 THREAT . 41 ARMED FORCES . 41 Organization . 43 Personnel . 44 Key Personnel . 44 Army . 45 Mission . 46 Equipment . 46 Army Maritime Component . 48 Air Force . 48 Organization . 48 Equipment . 49 Navy . 50 Organization . 50 Naval Aviation . 51 Special Operation Forces . 52 v Contents (Continued) APPENDICES A. Equipment Recognition . A-1 B. International Time Zones . B-1 C. Conversion Charts . C-1 D. Holidays and Calendars . D-1 E. Language . E-1 F. International Road Signs . F-1 G. Individual Protective Measures . G-1 H. Deployed Personnel’s Guide to Health Maintenance. H-1 I. Dangerous Animals and Plants . I-1 J. International Telephone Codes . J-1 ILLUSTRATIONS Malaysia . ..