Malaysia
Malaysia, formerly Malaya, is developing rapidly and is influential in the Islamic world and in ASEAN. It faces challenges with its peoples’ racial and religious mixture.
Population: 24.4 million; Density: 74 per sq km; Peninsular Malaysia is seven times more densely populated than East Malaysia.
Malaysia is ethnically diverse, comprised of (in descending order of population size) ethnic Malay, Chinese, indigenous tribal peoples, Indian and other migrant groups.
Religions: Muslim 58%; Buddhist & Chinese religions 21.6%; Christian 9.2%; Hindu 5%; Non-religious/other 4.5%; Animist 1.2%; Baha’i 0.4%; Sikh 0.1%
To be Malay usually means being Muslim. In Peninsular Malaysia the official and majority religion is Sunni Islam. In East Malaysia Islam is a minority religion. There is a constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. However, it is illegal to proselytize Muslims and there has been some pressure upon Chinese and tribal groups to embrace Islam.
Malaysia country profile.pdf
