Page 19 - The Guide To Malaysia 9th Edition

THE GUIDE TO MALAYSIA 15
was rejected by the Malays. Consequently, the Federation of Malaya was formed in 1948, while Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak became Crown Colonies.
Independence for Malaya came in 1957 following amicable negotiations between Britain and two Malayan delegations, one of Malay, Chinese and Indian leaders led by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al- Haj (subsequently Malaya’s first Prime Minister), and another representing
the hereditary rulers,
the Sultans. Merdeka (Independence) was declared in Coronation Park, Melaka, and proclaimed at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on 31st August 1957.
In 1963, Malaya was expanded through a merger with the former Crown Colonies of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore
to form Malaysia. In 1965, however, Singapore ceased to be part of Malaysia
and became a separate, independent country.
The People
Malaysia’s population (2020) was 32.7 million, including 3 million non- citizens. The population growth rate is 1.1% (2020).
The median age is 29.2 years, with some 70% of the population in the 15- 64 year age group. The majority of Malaysians are Malay-Muslim Bumiputeras
Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy based on the Westminster Parliamentary System. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (currently Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah) is King and Head of State. He is chosen from Malaysia’s 9 hereditary rulers for a 5-year term (2019-2023) based on a rotation system.
who together with the non-Malay Bumiputeras, make up about 69.6% of the population, followed by Chinese (22.6%), Indian (6.8 %) and others (1.0%).
Bumiputeras (“Sons of the Soil”) is the official term
for people of Malay and/or indigenous ethnicity, who enjoy certain privileges designed to upgrade their economic status. The non-
Malay Bumiputeras consist of Orang Asli aboriginal communities, ethnic Thais, Khmers and Chams, and Portuguese Eurasians
from West Malaysia; Kadazanduzun, Bajau, Murut and other indigenous groups from Sabah; and Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu and other indigenous groups from Sarawak.
The King (left), the Sultan of Perak (Deputy King, middle) and the Sultan of Kedah (right) followed by the other Sultans and Governors on the way to the Ruler’s meeting at Istana Negara, Malaysia’s Royal Palace.