Background of Malaysia

Malaysia lies to the south of Thailand, with Singapore at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia borders Indonesia also on the south. It is federation of 13 states and two federal territories. Malaysia has a land area of 329,733 sq. km. According to the latest official estimates, Malaysia has a multi-ethnic population of about 22.9 million people. Demographically, Malays and other indigenous people comprise 62.08 per cent of the population, Chinese 29.39 per cent, Indians 8.03 per cent while the remaining 0.50 per cent is made up of other minor ethnic groups.

In terms of religion, all Malays are Muslims. Islam as such is the main religion. The Chinese mainly practise Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism while the Indians practice Hinduism and Sikhism. In the states of Sabah and Sarawak, various forms of animistic and tribal belief systems prevail apart from the major religions. Christianity is practised by about 9 per cent of the population, mostly by the indigenous people of East Malaysia, Chinese, Indians and some peninsular indigenous tribes such as the Sengois. Malaysia as such has a plural society of diverse ethnic groups with heterogeneous affiliations, religions and cultures.