Portal:Malaysia 

  

The Malaysian Wikiportal

Flag of Malaysia
Coat of Arms of Malaysia
Location on the world map

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. It consists of two geographical regions divided by the South China Sea. Federation of Malaya achieved its independence on August 31, 1957 and together with Sabah and Sarawak formed Malaysia on September 16, 1963. The country has thirteen states and three Federal Territories with Kuala Lumpur being the Malaysian capital.

  

Selected article

The British recognised the Malay Rulers as sovereign over Malaya.

Ketuanan Melayu (Malay for Malay supremacy or Malay dominance is a belief that the Malay people are the tuan (masters) of Malaysia. The Malaysian Chinese and Indian-Malaysians who form a significant minority in Malaysia, are considered beholden to the Malays for granting them citizenship in return for special privileges as set out in Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia. This quid pro quo arrangement is usually referred to as the Malaysian social contract. The concept of ketuanan Melayu is usually referenced by politicians, particularly those from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the most influential political party in Malaysia.

Although the idea itself predates Malaysian independence, the phrase ketuanan Melayu did not come into vogue until the early 2000s. The most vocal opposition towards the concept has come from non-Malay-based parties, such as the Democratic Action Party (DAP); although pre-independence, the Straits Chinese also agitated against it. The idea of Malay supremacy gained attention in the 1940s, when the Malays organized themselves to protest the Malayan Union's establishment, and later fought for independence. During the 1960s, there was a substantial effort challenging ketuanan Melayu led by the People's Action Party (PAP) of Singapore — which was a state in Malaysia from 1963 to 1965 — and the DAP after Singapore's secession. However, the portions of the Constitution related to ketuanan Melayu were "entrenched" after the racial riots of May 13, 1969, which followed an election campaign focused on the issue of non-Malay rights and ketuanan Melayu. This period also saw the rise of "ultras" who advocated a one-party government led by UMNO, and an increased emphasis on the Malays being the "definitive people" of Malaysia — i.e. only a Malay could be a true Malaysian.

  

Selected picture

Timber from a Malaysian forest at a sawmill where it is being processed for export.

Timber from a Malaysian forest at a sawmill where it is being processed for export.

Photo credit: Stephen Codrington.

  

Did you know

  • "... that tongkat ali is a popular South East Asian medicinal herb used extensively in Malaysia?"
  • "... that Alex Yoong is Malaysia's first Formula 1 driver?"
  • "... that Malaysia is one of only four countries in the world to have a true elective monarchy?"
  • "... that Malaysia earned the ninth place in the Environmental Index?"
  • "... that the state of Penang still continues to pay the state of Kedah 10,000 dollars every year since 1786?"
  • "... that Nicol David is the first Malaysian to be ranked world number one in squash?"
  • "...that orangutangs originated from Malaysia?"
  • "... that the Petronas Twin Towers are the tallest twin buildings in the world?
  

Malaysia News

More current events...

  

Wikiprojects

  

Things you can do

Here are some things you can help with WikiProject Malaysia:
  

Categories

  

News Archive


  

Malaysia Topics

History Gangga Negara | Srivijaya | Johor Sultanate | Jementah Civil War | White Rajahs | British Malaya | World War II | Malayan Union | Hari Merdeka | Operation Lalang | 1988 Malaysian constitutional crisis | Asian financial crisis | 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake
Geography Cities | Islands | Lakes | Mountains | National Parks | Rivers | Fauna | Flora
Government States | Johor | Kedah | Kelantan | Pahang | Perak | Selangor | Terengganu | Negeri Sembilan | Perlis | Melaka | Pulau Pinang | Sabah | Sarawak | Putrajaya | Kuala Lumpur | Labuan | Singapore in Malaysia | Subdivisions | Foreign relations | Military | Law | Law enforcement | Electoral system
Politics Political parties | Barisan Nasional | Barisan Alternatif | Democratic Action Party | Malaysian Dayak Congress | Malaysian People's Party | Malaysian Workers' Party | Pan Malaysian Islamic Front | Sarawak Native People's Party | National Party (Malaysia) | Elections
Economy Companies | Communications | Tourism | Transport | Stock Exchange
Demographics Ethnic groups | Languages | Religion
Culture Architecture | Cinema | Cuisine | Education | Literature | Music | Public holidays | Media | Sport
Other List of Malaysians | Monsoon Cup