So before coming to Malaysia I really hadn’t heard too much about it and therefore really
didn’t know anything about it. So we got a lot of information during our cultural briefing
that I thought I would share with ya’ll back home so you can have a little understanding
of the country that I will be living and working in for the next month!
GEOGRAPHY
-Malaysia is on the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The nation also includes Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo to the east. It’s area slightly exceeds that of New Mexico. Most of Malaysia is covered by forest, with a mountain range running the length of the Peninsula. Extensive forests provide ebony, sandalwood, teak, and other wood.
POPULATION
-27 Million
RELIGION
-52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8% Christian, 8% Hindu, 2% Tribal
HISTORY BACKGROUND
-It’s interesting cultural diversity can be largely attributed to the country’s long and on-going interaction with the outside world and colonial rule by the Portugese, Dutch and the British. Consequently, the evolution of the country into a cultural melting pot is evident in the unique blend of religions, socio-cultural activities and traditions, dressing, languages and food. The country achieved independence on August 31, 1957 as the Federation of Malaya and with the subsequent entry of Sabah and Sarawak in 1963, Malaysia was formed.
CLIMATE
-Malaysia is hot and humid all year round. With temperatures usually between 20-
30 degrees Celsius (68-86 degrees Fahrenheit); and humidity level at 90%. The wettest
season on the west coast of the peninsula is between September and December; on the
east coast and in Sabah and Sarawak, it’s between October and February. Rain often comes
in short, strong bursts and hides the sun but only temporarily.
ETHNICITY/RACE
-Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, Others 7.8%
A MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY
-Although growing up, children are educated in the same schools and will eventually
work in the same offices, few marry outside their own ethnicity. Families ten to socialize
within their own ethnic group – all part of retaining their individual traditions and
lifestyles.
GROUP ORIENTATION
-The family is considered the centre of the social structure. As a result there is a great
emphasis on unity, loyalty, and respect for the elderly. The family is the place where the
individual can be guaranteed both emotional and financial support. When one member
of the family suffers a financial setback, the rest of the family will contribute what they
can to help out. Families tend to be extended, although in the larger cities this will naturally
differ.
