So you’ve booked a trip to Malaysia (or you’re thinking about it), and you want to sound like you did some homework without actually picking up a history book. Here’s your cheat sheet.
This is a quick intro to the country — geography, people, politics, money, and a little context — told simply, by a local who hates those long-winded museum wall texts as much as you do.
TL;DR below if you just want the gist, or scroll down further to read a little more.
TL;DR: Quick Facts for the Lazy Reader
- Location: Southeast Asia. West Malaysia is located between Thailand and Singapore. East Malaysia is on Borneo Island, with Indonesia and Brunei.
- Climate: Tropical
- Size: 330,000 sq km
- Population: Approximately 36 million
- Main ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous groups
- Languages: Malay is the official language, but English is widely spoken, alongside Mandarin, Tamil, and local dialects.
- Religion: Islam is the official religion, co-existing with other religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity.
- History: Colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. Occupied by Japan during WWII. Gained independence in 1957. Officially became Malaysia in 1963. Singapore used to be part of Malaysia.
- Politics: Constitutional monarchy. There’s a king (on rotation) and a prime minister.
- Currency: Ringgit Malaysia (RM/MYR). 1 USD ≈ 4.22 MYR
Where even is Malaysia?
Malaysia sits snugly in Southeast Asia, right between Thailand and Singapore. But it’s not just one big landmass — the country is split into two main parts:
Peninsular Malaysia (a.k.a. West Malaysia): This is where you’ll find Kuala Lumpur (the capital), Penang, Langkawi, and most of the population.
East Malaysia (on the island of Borneo): This side comprises two of the largest states (Sabah and Sarawak) — wilder, greener, and great for nature lovers. Note that Borneo isn’t all Malaysia. It’s an island shared by three countries — Malaysia, Brunei (a tiny kingdom tucked in between Sabah and Sarawak), and Indonesia, which owns the largest chunk.
The two parts are separated by the South China Sea. Yes, it’s all one country. Yes, it still confuses people.
How big is it? And how many people live here?
Malaysia consists of 13 states and 3 federal territories. It covers about 330,000 square kilometers — roughly the size of Germany or the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s home to around 36 million people, and is one of the most multicultural countries in the region. The major ethnic groups are:
- Malay (the majority and politically dominant group)
- Chinese Malaysian
- Indian Malaysian
- Indigenous peoples, including dozens of ethnic groups in East Malaysia
It’s important to note that Malaysian ≠ Malay.
“Malaysian” refers to any citizen of Malaysia — Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indigenous, etc. “Malay” is one ethnic group (and also a religion-based identity under Malaysian law). Mixing the two up isn’t just wrong, it can be offensive. When in doubt, say “Malaysian.”
A (very) brief history
The country has always been part of important maritime trade routes — people came here for spices, tin, and textiles long before anyone called it Malaysia. Then came the colonial buffet: the Portuguese (1500s), the Dutch (1600s), and the British (1800s).
During World War II, Japan occupied the country from 1941 to 1945, which was a brutal time. After Japan’s surrender, the British came back, but things had changed. The push for independence grew stronger.
Malaysia (then called Malaya) gained independence from the British in 1957, and officially became Malaysia in 1963 when Sabah, Sarawak, and (briefly) Singapore joined the federation. It’s been an independent country ever since.
How is the country run?
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, which sounds fancy but here’s what it means:
- The head of state is a king (called the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or Agong for short), but his role is mostly ceremonial.
- There’s a prime minister who runs the government.
- It’s a democracy, with a general election at least once every five years. Multiple political parties compete, sometimes forming coalitions, sometimes switching sides, keeping things “interesting” for the voters.
Fun fact: The Agong isn’t hereditary. He’s elected every five years from among the nine hereditary Malay state rulers (Sultans). So instead of a single royal family, the role rotates between the state Sultans based on an internal agreement.
What's the religion situation?
Islam is the official religion, but Malaysia is religiously diverse. You’ll see mosques, temples, churches, and shrines all coexisting (mostly peacefully) in the same city. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in theory, though there are different rules for Muslims and non-Muslims in some areas.
Friday is the main prayer day for Muslims, so in some states like Kelantan and Terengganu, weekends are Friday–Saturday instead of Saturday–Sunday.
What languages are spoken?
The official language is Bahasa Malaysia (or Malay), but English is widely spoken — especially in cities, tourist spots, and among younger Malaysians. You’ll also hear:
- Mandarin and various Chinese dialects
- Tamil and other Indian languages
- Indigenous languages, especially in East Malaysia
- A lot of casual Manglish — Malaysian English with its own rhythm, slang, and ‘lah’ at the end of sentences
You don’t need to know Malay to get around, but learning a few words (like terima kasih for thank you) goes a long way.
What's the currency?
The currency is the Malaysian Ringgit, abbreviated as RM or MYR. At the time of writing, 1 USD gets you roughly 4.22 RM, depending on the exchange rate. Prices are usually listed as “RM10” or “10 ringgit”.
Cash is still used widely, especially in food stalls and small shops, but e-wallets like Touch ’n Go are catching on fast among locals. Credit cards are accepted in most places.
More trivia
- Flag name: Jalur Gemilang (“Stripes of Glory”) — looks a bit like the U.S. flag, but with a crescent and 14-point star.
- National anthem: Negaraku — literally means “My Country.”
- Sources of wealth: Petroleum, palm oil, electronics, tourism.
- Main crops: Palm oil, rubber, rice, tropical fruits, pepper, cocoa, tea.
- National flower: The red hibiscus, locally called Bunga Raya.
- National animal: The Malayan tiger — rare, endangered, and also the mascot for most things patriotic.
- National sport: Officially sepak takraw (think volleyball, but with your feet). Unofficially, we’re all obsessed with badminton and football.
- Football team: Nicknamed Harimau Malaya (“Malayan Tigers”). We love them passionately — even when they lose, which is often.
- Favorite national pastime: Arguing about food — who invented it, whose state does it better, and what goes in proper laksa.
- Multilingual bonus: Malaysians can switch between three languages in one sentence and still make perfect sense (to each other).
- Malaysia Day: September 16. Not the same as Independence Day (that’s August 31).
- Tallest building: The new Merdeka 118 tower in KL — now the second tallest building in the world.
- Time zone: GMT+8, no daylight savings.
- Driving side: Left-hand side, like in the UK and Australia.
Final thoughts
Now that you’ve got the basics down, you’re officially ready to strike up a conversation with your taxi driver, impress your Airbnb host, or casually drop “Jalur Gemilang” into a chat with other tourists like you’ve always known what it means.
And if you’re hungry for more (literally or otherwise), check out the rest of the blog — I’ve got posts on Malaysian food, local customs, things that will confuse you, things you shouldn’t do, and a bunch of helpful tips to make your trip smoother. Start here, then wander. Welcome to Malaysia!
Did I miss anything? Is there anything else you’re curious to know? Comment below.
