Religious Beliefs In Malaysia

Malaysia is a Muslim majority country with significant religious minority populations of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and traditional Chinese religion practitioners. According to the 2010 population census, 61.3% of Malaya people are Muslims, 19.8% are Buddhists, 9.2% are Christians, 6.3% are Hindus, and 1.3% other Chinese philosophies, Taoism and Confucianism. Atheism and agnostics constitute 0.8% of the population, and other beliefs make up 1.3% of the population. The constitution declares Islam as a state religion, but it allows freedom of religion. There is a peaceful coexistence between religions and the major holy days for each religion is declared a national holiday in the country.

Islam

The official religion in Malaysia is Sunni Islam, and the practice of any other versions of Islam in the country is prohibited. Traders from Arabia, China, and India introduced Islam in Malaysia and established it in the 15th Century. Islam is the main religion of the state where the king and his family have to be Muslims. The members of the royal family lose their privileges if they deviate from Islam. Muslims believe in Allah and Muhammad as Allah's last prophet. They believe that Muhammad charged them to convert all people to Islam, and those who follow Islamic teachings will inherit physical possessions in paradise. They are governed by the Quran as their holy book and sharia laws are also followed. Many traditional practices of Malaya people are incorporated into Islam traditions. The Islamic holy days are national holidays including the Ramadan. The state terms other Islam beliefs deviant teachings and anyone found practicing such have to undergo rehabilitation.

Hinduism

Hinduism is a dominant religion among the Tamils of Malaysia. It was influential before Islam took over. Its current adherents are the descendants of migrants from Tamil Nadu who came to Malaysia to work on British rubber plantations. They worship in temples and pay reverence to an all supreme being who is imminent and transcendent. Temples in the urban areas are dedicated to a single deity whereas the temples in the rural are home to multiple gods. The temples follow Saivite tradition from West India for the worship of Siva. Hindu holidays such as Thaipusam and Deepavali are national holidays. The people who convert to another religion cease to be members of the Indian community.

Christianity

Christianity came to Malaysia through traders from the Middle East in the 7th Century. The Portuguese arrived in the 15th Century, bringing with them Catholicism, while the Dutch arrived in 1641 and introduced Protestantism. It spread further during the British rule through missionaries in the 19th Century. Christians believe in an all supreme God who created the whole universe and in his son Jesus Christ who died for the sin of humankind to reconcile humans to God. Christianity is a minor religion mostly practiced by a few non-Malay including Bumiputera, some Chinese, and some few Indians. Most Christians are in East Malaysia and states of Sabah and Sarawak. Good Friday is a public holiday and Christmas is a national holiday. Most dominant denominations are Anglican, Methodist, and Roman Catholic. Christianity is restricted in Malaysia as Islam becomes more dominant in the country. There are restrictions on building new churches or in trying to convert Muslims. Their literature must have a note saying that it is meant for non-Muslims only. Their movies are restricted to Christian viewers only.

Buddhism

Buddhism began in Malaysia when Indian traders carried it with them during their travel across maritime routes from the Indian Subcontinent. A majority of Malaysia's Buddhists live in urban areas where they engage in business in many professions. It lacks a supreme head hence is practiced in any form and can sometimes end up in confusion. Most Buddhist approach the religion through the tradition of ceremony and symbolism. Religious practices are carried out in a straightforward and dignified way. During their services, they chant sutras, light lamps and offer flowers.

Religious Freedoms and Tolerance in Malaysia

Other notable religions in Malaysia include practicing of Chinese philosophies such as Confucianism and Taoism. However, most of the Chinese who practice these other faiths proclaim to be Buddhist when asked. A small Sikh community follows Sikhism, and they allow all people to their places of worship. However, no Sikh holiday is a national holiday. Atheism is significantly discriminated against in Malaysia and is not authorized to go public with their atheistic beliefs. Although the constitution guarantees freedom of worship, all Malay ethnic people must be Muslims and cannot convert to another religion. Conversion is punishable by the state through fines or imprisonment. The other ethnic groups have freedom to change religions at their will.

Religious Beliefs In Malaysia

Rank	Belief System	Share of Population of Malaysia
1	Islam	61.3%
2	Buddhism	19.8%
3	Christianity	9.2%
4	Hinduism	6.3%
5	Confucianism, Taoism, and Other Chinese Philosophies	1.3%
6	Atheism or Agnosticism	0.8%
	Other Beliefs	1.3%

Native Plants Of Malaysia

Malaysian Borneo and Sulawesi are regions especially rich in unique and endemic species of flora. The lowland rainforests and mountain rain forests provide suitable environmental conditions for the growth of a broad range of native plants. Mount Kinabalu and the islands of Sabah offer a diversified ecosystem for the growth of these plants. Some of the native flora of Malaysia includes Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant, an insectivorous species with a large pitcher for trapping insects and smaller vertebrates. The Sabahan Yellowwood Pine is a coniferous species endemic to Malaysia. Southwest Sulawesi Tree Fern is a plant species endemic to Sulawesi and Maluku Islands.

Sabahan Yellowwood Pine (Podocarpus globules)

Podocarpus globules, also known as the Sabahan Yellowwood Pine, is a conifer species of the Podocarpaceae Family that is endemic to Malaysia. The conifer rises to 27 meters tall with straight and round trunks and branches spreading to a rounded crown. Earlier on during development the bark is smooth and brown in color but later it develops flanky scales. The twigs are round and slightly grooved with compacts mounted buds about 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter. The leaves on mature canopies are straight and coriaceous while the seed cones are auxiliary with small crested a green to dark brown seed. The plant grows in lower to middle altitude ranges of 310 to 1,530 meters above sea level. It prefers montane rainforests growing on ridges and summits where the dipterocarp is not dominant. The plant is rare known from four major localities that are not protected. Human exploits the plant for its podocarp timber. Also, deforestation exposes these conifers to more harvesting.

Mount Kinabalu Yellowwood Pine (Podocarpus brevifolius)

Podocarpus brevifolius, commonly known as the Mount Kinabalu Yellowwood Pine, also belongs to the Podocarpaceae Family. The plant is native to the ridges of Sabah and Mount Kinabalu Malaysia. It is an evergreen type of plant with a thin, grayish yellow, fibrous but smooth bark. The inner parts are aromatic with a red-brown coloring. The leaves have an alternate arrangement, are coriaceous, oblong-elliptic with the upper side green and lower side is greenish. The cones are dioecious, with male cones being spiky and solitary or in 2 to 3 fascicles and sessile and axillary, while females’ cones are solitary and axillary. The plant flowers twice each and the seed have a fleshy and globose appearance. The plant prefers the evergreen tropical broad-leaved forests or subtropical forests with an altitude range of 900 to 1500 meters in elevation. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) describes the tree as vulnerable to extinction more so since the population is subtle in the wild and has a restricted distribution. Humans harvest the tree for its timber which is dark brown, straight and beautiful, thick and hard resistant to decay. Used in construction such as bridges, making of musical instruments, house building, and carvings.

Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes rajah)

Nepenthes rajah, commonly known as the Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant, is an insectivorous plant species belonging to the Nepenthaceae Family. The plant is native to Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tambuyukon in Malaysia. The plant grows on serpentine substrates in loose soil with seeping ground water. It grows at altitudel ranges of 1500 to 2650 meters above sea level. The IUCN describes the plant as an endangered species due to its localized distribution. The pitcher plant produces large urn-shaped traps holding up to 2.5 liters of digestive juices. The plant traps vertebrates and small mammals like rats, vertebrates like frogs, lizards, and small birds. However, insects are the staple prey for both terrestrial and aerial pitchers. The Nepenthes rajah is a scrambling vine with stems usually growing along the ground and climb when it gets an object to support it. The stem usually grows to three meters but can grow to six meters. The leaves have a sheathed petiole with long tendrils where a pitcher develops. The flowers are brownish-yellow, giving off a strong aromatic smell. The plant is monoecious. The fruits are orange-brown and 10 to 20 millimeters long with numerous winged seeds.

Southwest Sulawesi Tree Fern (Cyathea inquinans)

Cyathea inquinans, known as the Southwest Sulawesi Tree Fern, is a plant found in the Sulawesian and Maluku Islands. It has an erect trunk growing to heights of 2 to 4 meters. The fronts are either bipinnate or tripinnate with 1 meter in length. Scales cover the stripes. The scales are large and red-brown in color or thin, with narrow, delicate edges and have a red apical. A Sorus appears near the pinnule midvein. Light brown indusials protect these Sori. The species grows in altitude ranges of 2000 to 2800 meters in montane forests.

Conservation of Malaysian Flora

The mountainous ridges and forests of Malaysia provide optimal environmental conditions for the growth and survival of these and other native plant species. However, most of these plants grow in lower to middle elevations and are thus prone to human encroachment. Clearing of forest for agriculture or illegal logging also threatens the habitats of these species.

Native Plants Of Malaysia

Native Plants of Malaysia	Scientific Name
Southwest Sulawesi Tree Fern	Cyathea inquinans
Dark Red Meranti	Shorea acuminata
Black Rabbit Foot's Fern	Davallia trichomanoides
Sabahan Yellowwood Pine	Podocarpus globulus
Malaysian Blackwood	Diospyros ebonasea
Malaysian Mangosteen	Garcinia eugeniaefolia
Mount Kinabalu Yellowwood Pine	Podocarpus brevifolius
Wild Areca Palm	Areca triandra
Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant	Nepenthes rajah
Durian	Durio zibethinus

What Type Of Government Does Malaysia Have?

Malaysia is a country on the Southeast Asia made up of 13 states and 13 federal territories. Malaysia spans over an area of 127,720 square miles and has a population of about 30 million people. It has its origin from the Malay Kingdom which was within the British Empire in the 18th century. The Malayan Union was formed in 1946 and restructured to the Malayan Federation in 1948. Malaysia attained its independence on August 31, 1957. The Malayan joined North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia in 1963. However, Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965.

The Government Of Malaysia

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy. Its government system closely resembles the Westminster parliamentary system while the jurisdictions of the country are based on the common law. The state is categorized as a representative democracy. The Federal Government has its headquarter in Kuala Lumpur while the federal executive of Malaysia is in Putrajaya. The federal government adheres to and is formed by the country’s Federal Constitution which is the final authority on the land. The federal government operates on the basis of power separation as outlined in Article 127 of the Malaysian Constitution. There are three branches of the federal government of Malaysia including the executive, judiciary, and the legislature.

The Federal Government Of Malaysia

The federal government of Malaysia is the highest level of authority in Malaysia with its headquarter in Putrajaya. The federal government of Malaysia is headed by the Prime Minister. This level of government has three branches namely the executive, legislature, and judiciary. The cabinet led by the prime minister exercise the executive powers as stipulated in the constitution. The Malaysian premier is a member of the lower house. The prime minister heads the government together with other several cabinet ministers. The Parliament of Malaysia is made up of the lower house, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The seventy Senate members have a two-term limit with each term lasting three years. The Dewan Rakyat is composed of 222 members elected from the single-member district. Although the parliament has a five-year mandate, the king may dissolve it at any time upon the advice of the prime minister. The Federal Court of Malaysia is the highest court the country’s judicial system, followed by the Court of Appeal, and the two High Courts. There are also subordinate courts.

The State Government Of Malaysia

Malaysia has 13 states with each state forming its government under the state constitution. The states also have unicameral state legislative chambers. The state governments are headed by the Chief Ministers who also a member of the state assembly from the majority party. The Chief Ministers are appointed by the sultan or Governors upon the recommendation of the prime minister and must be Malay to qualify for consideration for appointment.

The Local Government Of Malaysia

The local authorities are the lowest level of government in the country. The local government mainly collects taxes, creates by-laws, and issue licenses and permits to traders. The local government also provides basic amenities, manages waste, and develops areas under their jurisdiction. The local governments are under the supervision of the state government and are headed by the civil servants. The state government appoints the local governments.

What Is The Capital Of Malaysia?

The Capitals Of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the official and royal capital of Malaysia, and Putrajaya is the administrative and judicial center of the country. Malaysia is one of the countries in the world with multiple capital cities. Malaysia’s administration is divided into federal and state territories, where federal territories are governed by the national government while states are governed by their respective state governments. Malaysia is the only Southeast Asian country with a federal constitutional monarchy.

National Capital Of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is listed as the capital city of Malaysia in international documents, and it is the largest city in the country. Putrajaya has been the seat of government since 2001. The national capitals are further discussed below:

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is sometimes referred to as the ‘Heart of Malaysia.' Located in Selangor State in the central west of Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is one of the federal territories in the country. Kuala Lumpur is home to the country’s Parliament and the official residence of the Malaysian King. Kuala Lumpur is the chief economic, transportation, cultural, and business center in Malaysia.

Putrajaya

Putrajaya is a planned city, the idea of which was developed by Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad. The city was purposely created as an administrative capital to de-congest Kuala Lumpur. Since it is a planned city, Putrajaya prides in progressive infrastructure and a particular attention to environmental conservation. Putrajaya hosts nearly all of the government’s ministries, except the Ministry of Works, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and Ministry of Defence which are situated in Kuala Lumpur. The city is home to the official residence of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, the Melawati National Palace and the Supreme Court of Justice.

State Capitals Of Malaysia

Alongside the three federal districts in Malaysia are thirteen state capitals mentioned below:

Johor Bahru- located in southern Malaysia Johor Bahru is the state capital of Johor. Johor Bahru is also a bustling city in the south of Malaysia and it is one of the largest urban areas in Southeast Asia.

Ipoh- Ipoh is the state capital of Perak and is one of the largest cities in Malaysia. The city is especially notable for its limestone caves and hills and mountain ranges.

George Town- Penang State in Malaysia has its capital as George Town. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, George Town was one of the first British settlements in South-east Asia, founded in 1786 by a trader for the British East India Company named Captain Francis Light.

Kangar- Kangar is the state capital of one of the smallest state in Malaysia, Perlis State. The capital has less than50, 000 inhabitants most of them are civil servants and farmers.

Kota Kinabalu- Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah, situated on the northwest coast of Borneo Island. The city is the sixth largest urban area in the country and is an important commercial and industrial hub.

Kuching- Kuching in addition to being the capital of Sarawak State it is also the fourth largest Malaysian city.

Alor Setar- Alor Setar is an old city, having been founded in 1735. The city subsequently prides in a rich history, and it is the state capital of Kedah.

Shah Alam- Shah Alam is the state capital of Selangor, and it the first city to be planned in independent Malaysia.

Malacca City- Malacca City is the state capital of Malacca and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being the oldest city in Malaysia situated on the Straits of Malacca.

Kuantan- Kuantan is the capital of the Malaysian State of Pahang and is the ninth largest Malaysian city.

Kota Bharu- Kota Bharu is located in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia, and it is the state capital of Kelantan.

Seremban- the town of Seremban is the state capital of Negeri Sembilan. The town began as a mining center for tin ore and is a major commercial center in the state.

Kuala Terengganu- Kuala Terengganu city is the state capital and chief commercial center of Terengganu.

Malaysian Symbols

• Animal: Malayan Tiger
• Bird: Rhinoceros Hornbill
• Coat of Arms: 
• 
  
  
• Coat of Arms: Adopted in 1965, the Malaysian coat of arms features two tigers supporting a shield (which serves as a representation of the Malaysian states), a crescent and 14-point star at the top. 
  
  The national motto, "Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu" (Unity is Strength) in on the ribbon below. 
• Flag of Malaysia
• Flower: Chinese Hibiscus
• Fruit: Papaya
• Motto: "Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu" ("Unity Is Strength")

5 Breakfast Food That Malaysians Love.

You need good breakfast to start your day and in Malaysia, we have breakfast for champions!


#1 Nasi lemak

This is easily the most popular breakfast that almost every Malaysians love! Whether it's served on a plate or bungkus, it's equally good. 


Image from A Whiff of Lemongrass

More sambal, too. 


#2 Roti kosong banjir.

Another breakfast that we can hardly resist.


Image from Eat First Think Later


#3 Roti bakar + half-boiled eggs

A known classic! It is best taken with coffee or tea.


Image from Emily Choong


#4 Thosai

Best with curry and chutney.


Image from Ho Chiak Kopi Susu


#5 Western-style breakfast

Because sometimes, we love to have eggs, sausages, baked beans, and toast in one plate!

4 Malaysian Game That You'll Never Forget!

Long before the days of modern technology, Malaysian children had to be creative when it came to their pastimes. There were no mobile phones or online games to occupy their time. Instead, they had to make games with whatever they had. Here’s a look back at some of the games that made our childhood iconic…

1. Eraser Game

A couple of erasers are all you need to play this game. Instead of using the eraser for its actual purpose, we use them as game tokens! The game works by ‘flipping’ your eraser onto your opponent’s.

Image via: AmiKahar/blog

2. Batu Seremban (5 Stones)

Generally, girls are better at this game. The idea of it is to throw one stone into the air while scooping up the remaining ones AND catching the first stone before it falls. It’s a classic!

Image via: Traditional Games

3. Bottle Caps

 This is a classic multi-player game that tests a player’s accuracy. To determine who goes first, the player will have to ‘timbang.’ And then, the player will use the bottle caps to hit one another. Do you remember this?

Image via: Youtube

4. One, Two, Jus!

A quick game that is similar to rock, paper and scissors. The loser of this game often ends up doing a ‘punishment’. This game is also used to decide who goes first, and to decide the members of a team.

Image via: The Star Online