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Malaysia’s population is
now about 28 million. The people of Malaysia come from a number
of different ethnic groups mainly – Malays, Chinese,
Indians, with the indigenous Eurasians and the indigenous Orang
Asli of the peninsula and the various tribes of Sabah and Sarawak
making up the remaining population. Approximately 85% of the
population lives in Peninsular Malaysia and the remaining 15% in
Sabah and Sarawak.
Population - 28 million (85%
of the population lives in Peninsular Malaysia and the
remaining 15% in Sabah and Sarawak)
People - Comprising of 93% Malaysian Citizens - 65% Malay
plus indigenous People, 26% Chinese, 9% Indian
Language - Bahasa Malaysia (Malay), English, Chinese
dialects, Tamil, indigenous dialects
Religion - 52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8%
Christian, 8% Hindu, 2% tribal
 The
Malays
The
Malays are Malaysia's largest ethnic group, accounting for over
half the population and the national language. With the oldest
indigenous peoples they form a group called bumiputera,
which translates as "sons" or "princes of the soil. "Almost all
Malays are Muslims, though Islam here is less extreme than in the
Middle East. Traditional Malay culture centres around the
Kampung, or
village, though today one is likely to find Malays in the
business and in pubic sectors.
 The Chinese
The
Chinese traded with Malaysia for centuries, then settled in
number during the 19th century when word of riches in the
Nanyang, or "South Seas," spread across China. Though perhaps a
stereotype, the Chinese are regarded as Malaysia's businessmen,
having succeeded in many industries. When they first arrived,
however, Chinese often worked the most gruelling jobs like tin
mining and railway construction. Most Chinese are Tao Buddhist
and retain strong ties to their ancestral
homeland.
The Indians
Indians had been visiting Malaysia for over 2,000 years, but
did not settle en masse until the 19th century. Most came from
South India, fleeing a poor economy. Arriving in Malaysia, many
worked as rubber tappers, while others built the infrastructure
or worked as administrators and small businessmen. Today ten
percent of Malaysia is Indian. Their culture with it's exquisite
Hindu temples, cuisine, and colourful garments is
visible throughout the land.
The Indigenous People
There are still small scattered groups of indigenous people
collectively called the Orang Asli or "the original peoples" in
Malay. They mostly live off the land and are to be found in the
remote areas throughout peninsular Malaysia. Although most have
given up their nomadic and shifting agriculture techniques, they
still prefer to keep to themselves and their way of life and
live
with the forest.
The People of East Malaysia
Dayak is the term used for the indigenous people
of Borneo. It is estimated
there are more than 200 Dayak tribes on Borneo, the most
important being the Iban and Bidayuh in Sarawak and the Kadazan
in Sabah.
Other small groups include the Kenyah,
Kayan and Penan, whose way of life and habitat are
rapidly disappearing. The main indigenous tribe of Sarawak is the
Iban. They are largely longhouse dwellers and live along
the Rejang River and Baram River. The Bidayuh are
concentrated on Sarawak's Skrang River.
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