INTRODUCTION (General)
A unique nation in her own right, Malaysia is truly blessed by Mother Nature with a diverse and beautiful natural scenery in her possession. Malaysia offers visitor a wide variety of beaches, mountain, parks and unique slices of Malaysia tropical paradise. The climate is equable with no extremes. Amenities for good living abound – clean beaches offer swimming, clear water for skin diving and wonderful fishing, the hill country clean, cool air and there are championship golf courses. Moreover, this diversity spills well into her population mix, creating a little Asia within Malaysia. Malaysia population mainly Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan, Dayaks, Iban, and numerous other minority groups has spawned a great many cultural and religious festivals earning Malaysia the title of "the land of festivals" and "the gourmands’s delights".
It doesn’t stop there, this land of smiles and courtesy invites you to travel and discover this nation of many faces and races. While Thailand seems synonymous with glimmering temples, and Singapore is remembered as a bustling modern city with excellent shopping, Malaysia has a little bit of the best of what Southeast Asian countries have to offer. When you ask the regular visitors about name Malaysia conjures up in their minds and they will inevitably tell you the same thing – legendary islands, fascinating culture and traditions, treasures, pleasures, mystical, enchanting, crisp mountain air and frendly people. They will all be absolutely right. Malaysia is a fantastic and fascinating country.
HISTORY
Malaysia’s history has been one of continual interaction with foreign powers and influences because of its strategic position between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea that has made it the meeting place for traders and travellers
Hindu-Buddhist influence was strong in the northwest before the coming of Islam. Archaelogical findings furnishes evidences of a Hindu-Buddhist ancient civilisation at Bujang Valley and Merbok Valley in Kedah dates back to around the first century BC
Then came the era of islamisation especially during the Melaka Sultanate, in 1400s. Traders from the Middle East and India sailed to this land, introducing Islam to the locals. The embrance of Islam by the Sultan of Melaka (Malacca) himself helped spread the new religions to more of its population acros the nation. The reign of the Sultanate also created trade ties with the kingdom of China.
A unique nation in her own right, Malaysia is truly blessed by Mother Nature with a diverse and beautiful natural scenery in her possession. Malaysia offers visitor a wide variety of beaches, mountain, parks and unique slices of Malaysia tropical paradise. The climate is equable with no extremes. Amenities for good living abound – clean beaches offer swimming, clear water for skin diving and wonderful fishing, the hill country clean, cool air and there are championship golf courses. Moreover, this diversity spills well into her population mix, creating a little Asia within Malaysia. Malaysia population mainly Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan, Dayaks, Iban, and numerous other minority groups has spawned a great many cultural and religious festivals earning Malaysia the title of "the land of festivals" and "the gourmands’s delights".
It doesn’t stop there, this land of smiles and courtesy invites you to travel and discover this nation of many faces and races. While Thailand seems synonymous with glimmering temples, and Singapore is remembered as a bustling modern city with excellent shopping, Malaysia has a little bit of the best of what Southeast Asian countries have to offer. When you ask the regular visitors about name Malaysia conjures up in their minds and they will inevitably tell you the same thing – legendary islands, fascinating culture and traditions, treasures, pleasures, mystical, enchanting, crisp mountain air and frendly people. They will all be absolutely right. Malaysia is a fantastic and fascinating country.HISTORY
Malaysia’s history has been one of continual interaction with foreign powers and influences because of its strategic position between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea that has made it the meeting place for traders and travellers
Hindu-Buddhist influence was strong in the northwest before the coming of Islam. Archaelogical findings furnishes evidences of a Hindu-Buddhist ancient civilisation at Bujang Valley and Merbok Valley in Kedah dates back to around the first century BC
Then came the era of islamisation especially during the Melaka Sultanate, in 1400s. Traders from the Middle East and India sailed to this land, introducing Islam to the locals. The embrance of Islam by the Sultan of Melaka (Malacca) himself helped spread the new religions to more of its population acros the nation. The reign of the Sultanate also created trade ties with the kingdom of China.
By 1511, Malacca fell to the Portuguese, resulting in the fall of the sultanate. Together with their conquest, they brought in chatolic Christinity to the locals. Then in 1641 the Dutch took over and finally the British in 1815. The latter consolidated the hold on the Malay states following Francis Light in Penang in 1786.
Across the waters, British adventurer, James Brooke
and his descendants ruled Sarawak since 1841. The Brooke family ruled Sarawak as the White Rajah, meaning the White King. Sabah became a British protectore under the Chartered Company of the British North Borneo.
In 1941, the Japanese ousted the British and ruled for about three years before their surrender to the Allied Force after atomic bombs were dropped in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
After World War II, the British retuned to claim their supremacy but ran smack into the wall of nationalism erected by the local populations. Finally, independence was proclaimed on 31stAugust, 1957; namely, the Federation of Malaya. Later in 1963, Malaysia was formed with the admission of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, however withdrew herself from the Federation in 1965 to become an independent government.
Across the waters, British adventurer, James Brooke
and his descendants ruled Sarawak since 1841. The Brooke family ruled Sarawak as the White Rajah, meaning the White King. Sabah became a British protectore under the Chartered Company of the British North Borneo.In 1941, the Japanese ousted the British and ruled for about three years before their surrender to the Allied Force after atomic bombs were dropped in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
After World War II, the British retuned to claim their supremacy but ran smack into the wall of nationalism erected by the local populations. Finally, independence was proclaimed on 31stAugust, 1957; namely, the Federation of Malaya. Later in 1963, Malaysia was formed with the admission of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, however withdrew herself from the Federation in 1965 to become an independent government.
