What You Don't Know About Malaysia 2

Hello. & # 39; Selamat Datang ke Malaysia & # 39 ;. That is, & # 39; Welcome to Malaysia & # 39; in our native language Malaysian. It will be impossible to tell everything about Malaysia in such a short period of time, but I will give you a general idea.

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One of the most attractive things in Malaysia is the people and culture of Malaysia. Because race continues to be a hotly debated issue and permeates almost every aspect of Malaysian life, being a multi-ethnic, multicultural, multilingual society of 28 million people is not an easy feat .

Malaysia's population is comprised of 62% Bumiputera, including Malaysia and indigenous people, 24% Chinese, 8% Indian, and the rest are other ethnic minorities. Or, as you say in Malaysia, & # 39; lain-lain & # 39; or others. Citizenship in East Malaysia or Sabah and Sarawak is slightly different from citizenship on the Malaysian Peninsula for immigration purposes. When West Malaysians visit East Malaysia, they must always bring MyKad, a biometric smart chip ID card that the Malaysian citizen must carry.

Malays form the largest community and are defined as Muslims in the Malaysian Constitution. In other words, if you are Malay, you automatically become a Muslim. Malays are politicians and dominated the political scene. Their native language is national Malay. They are sometimes referred to as & # 39; bumiputra & # 39; and & # 39; prince of the soil & # 39 ;. It is also endorsed by certain affirmative action policies. This was a point of dissatisfaction with many minorities. Above all, receiving a 10-25% discount when buying a house and receiving a government bid or scholarship is part of these benefits. How did this happen? More details in the economic section.

The second largest group is Chinese. They are mostly Buddhist, Taoist, or Christian. The Chinese community speaks a variety of Chinese dialects, including Mandarin, Fujian, Cantonese, Hakka, and Theochu, from Chinese families. But today, many Chinese speak English as their native language. In fact, some people can only speak English. When Malaysians dominate the political scene, Chinese dominate the business scene. There are quite a middle class composed of Chinese.

The third largest group is Indian. Malaysian Indians are Hindu Tamil native to Tamil in southern India. Of course, other Indian communities also live here and speak many dialects such as Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. Many middle- to upper-class Indians in Malaysia also speak English as the primary language. There is also an active 200,000 Indian Muslim community that grows as an independent cultural group. In fact, if you're hungry late at night, you'll probably go to the 24-hour restaurant Mamaq, often owned by Indian Muslims. Malaysia also has a significant Sikh community of over 100,000.

The largest non-Malay indigenous is Sarawak's Iban, which has exceeded 600,000. Some still live in traditional jungle villages with long houses along the Rajan and Ruper Rivers, but many have moved to the city. Next, there are about 170,000 Bidayu, concentrated in the southwestern part of Sarawak. Next is Kadazan, the largest indigenous tribe in Sabah, and they are mostly Christian farmers. Next, there are 140,000 Orang Asli or natives living on the Peninsular Malaysia. Traditionally, nomadic hunter-gatherers and farmers are mostly obsessed with "modernity". Malaysia.

In addition, through interracial marriages, there are quite a few racial groups such as British, Dutch, Eurasian who are descendants of marriage between Portuguese and locals. They speak a Portuguese-based creole called Papier Christang. There are Filipinos and Spanish Eurasians mainly in Saba. Some of the descendants of migrants from the Philippines speak Chabakano, the only Spanish Creole word in Asia. Next, there are Cambodians and Vietnamese, but most are Buddhists. Secondly, there are Thai Malaysians living in most of the northern peninsulas of Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu. In addition to speaking Thai, most of them are Buddhists and can speak Hokkien to celebrate Songkran or the Water Festival, but some of them are Muslims and the Klantan Malay dialect I talk. Then there are Bugis and Javanese who make up part of Johor's population. In addition, many foreigners and foreigners make Malaysia their second home and contribute to the population of Malaysia. Next is Babas and Nyonas, or the Straits of China. A Chinese descendant who began trading in ancient Malacca who married a local Malay. They combine Malay and Chinese traditions in a way that creates a new culture. Most of them wear the traditional Malay fashion, wearing the traditional Malay costume Kebaya Keta, speak a special kind of Malay, cook food that mixes both cultures. The

As a multi-ethnic country, cultural exchange and cultural integration are inevitable. For example, this can be seen at Malay weddings that incorporate elements of Hindu traditions in southern India. The bride and groom are dressed in gorgeous brocades, sit in a state, and feed each other with yellow rice with their hand drawn in henna. Another example is that Muslims and Hindus adopted the Chinese practice of giving small red parcels or “ampows”. At festivals such as Idyllfitri and Deepavali. Packet colors vary, but they are actually similar.

In Malaysia, you can go from Kampong and villages to rubber plantations and Chinese coffee shops, making you feel as if you are looking at different aspects in one country. Travel to the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur and observe. The Chinese house has a prayer and lighting joss stick for ancestors, the Indian family plays a radio featuring the latest Tamil hits, and the Malay family prepares to walk to the nearest mosque .

Racial relationships remain a thorny issue that permeates every aspect of Malaysian life. In that case, stereotypes are inevitable. Malays are lazy and slow, Chinese are greedy and love gambling, Indians are always drunk and beat their wives. You can still hear this very often on the street. Mostly as a joke, but sometimes it sounds as an insult. It is very common to be identified with your race. For example, job interviews need to mention race, but this practice is steadily decreasing. If you tell a Malaysian that you saw a traffic accident, he will ask if you are Malay, Chinese or Indian. If you are deprived, you will be asked if you are Malay or Indian. If you are paid for peanuts, your boss is probably Chinese. If you ride a motorcycle, you are probably Malay. If you live in a luxury residential area, you are probably Chinese. You can go ahead, but I encourage you to examine these stereotypes yourself!

In addition to being a crucible of various races, Malaysia is also a multi-religious society with Islam as the official religion. Approximately 63% of the population practice Islam. 18% Buddhism. 7 percent Christianity. 6 percent Hinduism. 2% traditional Chinese religion such as Taoism. The remaining figures are explained by other beliefs, including animism, folk religion, and Sikhism, but 1% have no religion.

Although the Malaysian constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Muslims must follow Sharia court decisions regarding Islamic issues. Converting from Islam in Malaysia is a big problem and, although attempted by some people, is a process that requires a long legal battle and is not accepted by the majority of Muslim followers. Islamic judges in Syrian courts are expected to follow Shafi's Islamic sect, which is a major denomination of Malaysian Islam. Shariah's authority is limited only to Muslims on matters such as marriage, inheritance, apostasy, religious conversion, and custody. No other criminal or civil crimes are under the jurisdiction of Sharia Court. However, the Pan-Islamic Party had a movement to implement Hafdo Law or Islamic Law.

It was hard to digest. But to understand Malaysian life, it is worth understanding how culture, race and religion work in Malaysia. Now, as Malaysians want to say, let's see if they can recognize who is Malay, Chinese, Indian. .

Economy

Let's take a quick look at the Malaysian economy.

Malaysia's spice trade was a large company during the Sultan Empire. When England took over, rubber and palm oil trees became a big business. Soon, Malaysia became the world's largest producer of tin, rubber and palm oil. With these three profitable products, Malaysia was ready for significant economic growth.

During this growth period, the government tried to eradicate poverty with a controversial new economic policy, or NEP, after the raid of May 13, 1969. At that time, the economy worked as a Malaysian farmer. Paddy fields, civil servants, Chinese-owned companies, and Indians struck rubber trees at the rubber garden. The main objective of the policy was to eliminate the link between race and economic function as in the British era. However, the new economic policy has a controversial positive policy that has supported Malaysians and has been a source of dissatisfaction to date.

At that time, Malaysia was heavily dependent on agriculture. There was a need to move to a manufacturing-based economy. Inspired by Asian tigers in the 70s [Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore], Malaysia moved from being dependent on mining and agriculture to an economy based on manufacturing. Since then, Malaysia has consistently achieved over 7% GDP growth and low inflation in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, Malaysia has the world's largest computer hard disk manufacturing site.

The Asian financial crisis was hit in the fall of 1997 and shocked the Malaysian economy. As foreign direct investment declined sharply and capital flowed out of the country, the value of Ringgit fell temporarily from RM 2.50 vs. US $ 1 to RM4.80 vs. US $ 1. Later, a National Economic Action Council was established to deal with the financial crisis. The central bank, the Negara Bank, imposed capital restrictions and fixed the Malaysian ringgit at 3.80 US dollars. Malaysia, surprisingly to many analysts, refused economic assistance packages from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The rejuvenation of the Malaysian economy coincided with enormous government spending and fiscal deficits in the years following the crisis. In the end, we enjoyed a faster economic recovery compared to neighboring countries. Malaysia's rapid economic growth and prosperity is symbolized by the construction of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. This is the tallest twin building in the world and the headquarters of a major national oil company.

The pace of development in Malaysia today is not so rapid, but is seen as more sustainable. Malaysia is also the world's largest Islamic bank and financial center.

Eventually, the fixed exchange rate was abandoned in July 2005 and a floating system managed within an hour after China announced the same move. During the same week, Ringgit was expected to rise by 1% against various major currencies and further.

Malaysia is now recognized as a new industrialized country, with a GDP per capita of US $ 14,215 as of 2008, ranking 48th in the world and 2nd in Southeast Asia, but far behind South Singapore .

Health care

Let's take a quick look at Malaysian medicine. Malaysia generally has an efficient and extensive medical system. Implement universal health care system and coexist with private health care system. Anyone can go to a public hospital and receive treatment for free, but usually the waiting time is longer. Prescriptions can be expensive, but are often given to patients with subsidies. The infant mortality rate in 2005—the criterion that determines the overall efficiency of healthcare—is 10, which is an advantage over the US and Western Europe. In 2005, life expectancy at birth was 74 years.

If you need medical assistance in Malaysia, you are free to enter government and private hospitals, but tourists cannot enjoy free health care.

education

Before going on to a language lesson, we will talk about how the Malaysian education system is organized. Why do different children go to different types of school? At this point, it's no surprise that the education system is also based on race.

If you are between 3 and 6 years old, you will most likely go to kindergarten. They are usually run personally, but some are run by the government.

At the age of 7, I will go on to elementary school for the next 6 years. There are two types of elementary schools that you can go to. The first is SRK, or Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan. These are government-run schools. You are using Malay as the medium of instruction.

Or if their parents are Chinese or Indian, they can choose to send you to a second type of school called SJK, or Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan. Here, Mandarin or Tamil is used, depending on the school you attend. If you are a girl, wear a dark blue pinafore, coupled with a white shirt, or dark blue and white bajukrun, or traditional Malay costumes. If you are a boy, wear dark blue pants or shorts and a white shirt. And you will gladly take 6 years, until the end of the 6th year, or when you are 12 years old, you will take a very terrible exam called Elementary Academic Achievement Test or Uzian Penkapa Anse Colorender, UPSR.

Then proceed to secondary education where you will study for the next five years. The national junior high school uses Malay as the main teaching tool. At the end of Form 3, becoming 15 years old, I take another very terrifying exam called Lower Secondary Assessment or Penilaian Menengah Rendah, which is not well known as PMR. And finally, in the last year of secondary education or Form 5, which will be 17 years, you will sit on a really terrifying Malaysian educational certificate or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, SPM. Similar to British Ordinary or & # 39; O & # 39 ;. Level, and more comprehensive than American SAT.

You will notice that there are many exams that Malaysian students take. This is because the British “qualification by examination” system, which is a colonial heritage, is adopted.

English and mathematics were taught in English for a short time, but the government decided to abolish this measure and return to Bahasa, Malaysia, where many people have been protesting since 2012.

This is another stereotype. Due to strict teaching methods, Chinese schools are famous for producing top class students in the country, and Malay and Indian parents also send their children to these schools.

Oh, your educational journey is not over yet. At the age of 17, if you were lucky to be born in Malay and Bumiputra, you enter a fast path called admission and secure a safe seat in the university. In line with an affirmative action policy that favors your race, you don't have to worry too much whether you get the place. If you are Chinese, Indian, or Lain-Lain, you must have 2 years of secondary education called Form 6 divided into lower 6 and upper 6. The most terrifying thing in all exams-Malaysian high school certificate or Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, or STPM. Malaysian equivalent of British Advanced or & # 39; A & # 39 ;. level. However, if you have money to burn, you can get out of STPM by registering for a private university entrance course.

And finally, the pinnacle of education-the university. The number of public universities in Malaysia is small and in fact is less than 20, so the location is very limited. Finding a place at a public university is a cause of dissatisfaction every year, and many qualified students have complained that they went to the media and refused the place. If you are a Malay or Bumiputra, you can save your parents. Ensure a nearly guaranteed location at a public university with a minimum retirement fund and school tuition. However, if you are Chinese or Indian And If you can't secure the place, the other option is private university education, which requires parents to postpone their retirement for several years.

I told you that race plays an important role in Malaysian society.

Then, after graduating from university for 3-6 years, you can choose to graduate with a degree and continue your research after graduation.

language

Well, that is the end of our education on education. And now the practical part comes. Here are some useful tips to make your stay in Malaysia better.

Communication is easy in Malaysia. Contrary to popular belief, most of us speak English and at least some speak English. Malaysian or Malaysian is the official language. Here are some useful phrases in Malaysian conversation that you can try out. let's start!

Good morning! Seramato Pagi

Good evening! Seramatopetane

How are you? Apa Habar?

Thank you I'm fine! Khabar Baik, Terima Kasih

Thank you very much! Terima Kasih

You are welcome! Customer

good night! Seramatomarum

I will see you around! Jumper Ragi!

goodbye! Seramat Jalan!

If you need help or instructions, these are some useful phrases.

The lost sheath

Can you help me? Bole Tron Saya?

Where is the toilet? Mana Tandas?

Go straight! Then turn left / right! Jalan Tels / Kemdian Pusing Kiri / Canan

Looking for friends Saya Kali Kawan Saya.

How much is this? To Verapa Harga?

I'm sorry! Maaf Kansaya ...

If you are really eager to try Malaysia Bahasa further, here are some advanced phrases.

Do you speak English? Awak Cakap Bahasa Inggeris ke?

just a little. Cedikit Sahaja.

What is your name? Apanama Awak?

My name is ... Nana Shaya ...

Where are you from? Awakudari Mana?

I'm ... from a whisper ...

Where do you live? Awaku Tingal di Mana?

I live ... Saya Tinggal Di

I have to go to Saya Pergi Dulu.

Come back soon! Saya Akan Plan Nanti.

I do not know! Saya Turk Faham!

do not know! Saya Takuu!

Now that you know a simple phrase, talk to the locals, have a conversation, and learn more! There is no better way to make friends than to make an effort to learn a language. Malaysians love you!

Tourist tips

Here are some tips. If you are being introduced to a Malay Muslim for the first time, extend your hands and hold your hands back to your chest. This is the traditional Malay & Salam. & # 39; To keep things simple, if you don't know whether to shake hands, smile and nod. For Muslim women, it is generally best not to shake hands if you do not hold your hand!

If you get lost or need help, look for a tourist police officer. They can be recognized by the letter “I”, which indicates information about checkered hat bands, dark blue shirts and trousers, and red and blue badges in the chest pocket. They usually stand around tourist attractions. However, if you are looking for a regular policeman, the phone number is 999. Malaysia emergency calls are free.

There are about 20 public holidays in Malaysia per year, so plan your trip wisely and check on the Malaysian Tourism Board website. School vacations also affect travel. Because families take time off with their children, certain parts of the country, such as tourist spots and beaches, can be crowded.

You can buy a bottle of mineral water for drinking at any time, as you take many walks. And generally it is not safe to drink as it is. As in the UK, the power supply is a 240 volt 50 cycle system.

If you want to keep up with local news and events, available English papers are News Traits Times, Star, Business Times, Malay Mail, Daily Express, Saba Daily News, Sarawak Tribune. If you need international newspapers, you can definitely find them at major bookstores and newsstands. For events, try the Time Out and Klue magazines.

Two important climate changes are centered around the monsoon season, but otherwise the weather rarely changes. Hot with rain or hot without rain. The temperature range is 21 C to 32 C, but the humidity is high. Rain tends to occur from November to February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, western Sarawak, and northeastern Sabah.

Light clothing is ideal because of the climate. It is recommended that women wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts when entering a mosque or temple. Or you can carry a shawl with you. This is a lighter alternative.

If you need to adjust your clock before arrival, Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time [GMT].

Please take off your shoes when entering a house or place of worship. Malaysians don't wear shoes around their homes.

When sitting or resting in groups, don't point to someone or religious statues.

Public disclosure of affection in large cities such as Kuala Lumpur is generally accepted, but it may raise unnecessary attention from the public. Public exhibitions of love in more rural areas should be avoided because they are frowning. Also, because homosexual relationships are taboo in Malaysia, homosexuals and lesbian travelers should avoid the outward signs of affection. Due to the strong influence of Islam, homosexuality is technically illegal, but there are many underground gay and lesbian clubs.

the end

This is the end of Part 2 about Malaysia. I hope you can learn more about the Malaysian people, their economy, health care, education system, short term language courses and general tourism tips.

Now that you have a country idea, it's time to go out and explore! Take your time to immerse yourself in the food, the essence of the country, its people, and most importantly! Have a good time in Malaysia.

Goodbye to Selamat Tinggal until next time.

For the best and only audio guide to Malaysia, visit Audio Guide Malaysia.