The generous environment of Malaysia no doubt accounts for the fact that this place is considered to be one of the earliest homes to mankind. Stone implements found at Lenggong in Perak and the remarkable finds in the Niah Cave of Sarawak (a skull dating from 40,000 years BC) support this theory. Lush tropical forest full of wildlife and generous surrounding seas made Malaysia an ideal place for the settlement and sustenance of small human communities. The earliest of the present-day inhabitants of Malaysia are the Orang Asli people of the Peninsula, the Penan people of Sarawak and the Rungus people of Sabah, many of whom still pursue a largely nomadic way of life. Their presence in the country probably dates back to over 5000 years. These early settlers were probably the pioneers of migration from China and Tibet through Mainland Southeast Asia and the Malay Peninsula to the Indonesian Archipelago and beyond. The sea played an important role in the development of Malaysia. Its inhabitants quickly acquired skill and reputation as sailors and navigators.
A new phase in the historical development of Malaysia began around the first century BC with the establishment of regular trading contacts with the lands beyond Southeast Asia, specifically China and the sub-continent of India. Hindu and Buddhist elements of Indian culture which swept through the land brought temples and Indian cultural traditions. Local kings, who sent emissaries to the subcontinent, were impressed by the efficiency of the Hindu courts and soon began to refer to themselves as "rajahs." Today, the most tangible evidence of the early Indian influence is in the Malay wedding ceremony, which is very similar that of India. The temples of Lembah Bujang and Kuala Merbok in Kedah are also visible remains of Indian tradition.
Until the 15th century, neighboring kingdoms in Cambodia and Indonesia largely overshadowed the Hindu kingdoms of Peninsular Malaysia. The lack of a strong central power, coupled with the ever-present nuisance of pirates, amplified the need for a secure and well-equipped port in the region. Thus, the legendary port of Malacca was founded in 1400. Its rise from a village of royal refugees to a wealthy kingdom was swift. Perfectly located for trade it became the most influential port of Southeast Asia within 50 years. At any one time, ships from at least a dozen kingdoms, great and small, could be seen in the harbor.
Islam penetrated the area along with Indian and Arab traders. After the year 1400, Islam became a major influence. It was well reflected in the conversion of the Malacca Malay-Hindu rulers who since referred to themselves as "sultans". Islam spread onwards from Malacca to other parts of the Malay Peninsula, to the Malay states in Sumatra and along the trade routes throughout the Indonesian archipelago. The Malay kingdom of Malacca included the entire west coast of the Malay Peninsula, the kingdom of Pahang and much of Sumatra. Most of the present Malay States of the Peninsula can trace their genesis back to the Malacca sultanate. The century of Malacca kingdom glory is considered as the Golden Age of Malay culture. Once established as the religion of the Malays, Islam profoundly affected Malay society and the Malay lifestyle.
Malacca soon attracted European powers as the wealthiest seaport of the East. At the height of its power the city was ruined as quickly as it built up. In 1511, the Portuguese assault began a colonial period that lasted well into the 20th century. The Dutch and eventually the British followed suite. At the end of the eighteenth century the British colonized the interior of the peninsula, as tin was discovered there. East Malaysia came into British hands with the help of the adventurer James Brooke (who was made Rajah of Sarawak in 1841) and the North Borneo Company (which administered Sabah from 1882). Britain ruled over what was then called Malaya until the Japanese invasion in 1942.
The Japanese invasion of Malaya and British Borneo shattered Western colonial supremacy and unleashed the forces of incipient nationalism. With the end of the Second World War in 1945, Britain resumed control over Malaya, but local independence movement gained ground during the war period and managed to organize a strong national alliance. After a rough period of confrontation, independence from the colonial rule was finally declared on August 31, 1957. Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya (the Malay Peninsula) in 1963 to form Malaysia. However, only two years later, Singapore seceded and became a separate republic. Afraid that the union would interfere with their politics in the region, Indonesia and Philippines claimed territory rights for East Malaysia provinces. Indonesia even launched attacks against Malaysia in Borneo and on the peninsula, all of which were unsuccessful.
During the 1960-70s Malaysia established an independent foreign policy, by initiating the founding of ASEAN in 1967, by recognizing Communist China in 1974 and identifying the nation with the non-aligned countries of the Third World. During the last two decades, Malaysia has undergone tremendous growth and prosperity, and has arguably made significant progress in race relations. Many attribute the country's success to the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohammed, who has led the country since 1981. |
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Name: Malaysia |
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Area: 330.000 sq. km. |
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Capital City: Kuala Lumpur |
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Population: 19.7 million |
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Language: Bhasa, English, Chienese |
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Currency: Malaysian Ringitt |
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Time Zone: GMT +8 hrs |
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Religion: 52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Tao |
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