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There are thirteen states in Malaysia of which nine are headed by Malay
rulers. Seven States are headed by Sultans (Kedah, Selangor, Kelantan,
Johor, Perak, Pahang and Terengganu), one by a Raja (Perlis) and another
by Yang Di-Pertuan Besar (Negeri Sembilan). Four States (Penang, Melaka, Sabah
and Sarawak) are headed by Governors or Yang Di-Pertua Negeri.
It also consists of the Federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan
The total
population of Malaysia is about 27.6 million and is made up of different ethnic groups and races; of which approximately
94.1% are Malaysian citizens. Of the total Malaysian citizens, 'Bumiputera'
(Malay and native indigenous groups) comprised 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%,
Indians 11%, and others at 7.8%.
Population Distribution
In terms of population
distribution by state, Selangor is the most populous state (5.1 million)
followed by Johor (3.2 million) and Sabah (3 million). The least
populated states are the Federal Territory of Labuan (0.09 million) and
Perlis (0.3 million).
Religions: Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%,
Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or
unknown 1.5%, none 0.8%
 PERLIS
The smallest state in
Malaysia. The majority of its people are Malay (78%), followed by
Chinese (17%), The economy is based on rice, rubber and fishing
 KEDAH
The rice
bowl state. The majority of the people are Malay (72%), followed by
Chinese (19%) and Indians (8%) with a million plus population. Kedah is
Malaysia's oldest state. The ruling family traces its origins to Hindu
times, and is the only state that still has ruins from that period.
 PENANG
The state
occupies an island and a part of the mainland. The Chinese (55%) are the
majority of the population at over a million with Malays (33%) and Indians
(11%)
 PERAK
The Second
largest state in Peninsula Malaysia, it was once the richest state during
the tin boom and Ipoh was known as the city of millionaires. This is no
longer the case since the world wide drop in tin prices. With a population
of a little more than 2 million, the percentage of Malays (45%) and
Chinese (41%) are almost the same. There is also quite a few Indians
(14%).
SELANGOR
Selangor is the
state that surrounds the Federal Territory of Kula Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Total population of above 2 million, composed of 44% Malays, 35% Chinese
and 18% Indians. The Klang Valley is a big industrial centre containing
the cities of Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam (its capital), Klang and Port
Klang, the second largest port in Malaysia.
PUTRAJAYA
Malaysia's new administrative capital, A metropolis of landscaped gardens
and domed buildings is Malaysia's third federal territory after KL and
Labuan.
This new city will ultimately provide for an approximately 330,000 people
and will function as the principal seat of government. It will be served
by advanced communications and transportation infrastructure
KUALA LUMPUR
The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, a modern, bustling city of well
over 1.8 million people. Whereas ethnic Malays are in the majority
nationally, ethnic Chinese constitute the predominant group in KL,
although the city also has a large Malay population and a substantial
ethnic Indian minority.
 NEGERI
SEMBILAN
Negeri Sembilan is
practically an inland state with only 48km of coastline. It has a
population of about 757,000 of whom 46% are Malay, 36% are Chinese and 17%
are Indian. The state is set on industrialisation as its agriculture had
already been fully developed. Rice, cocoa, oil palm, rubber trees,
livestock and fish (including shrimp are all raised here).
 MELAKA
With a population
of 75,000 of whom 54% are Malay, 36% are Chinese and 8% are Indians. The
state is industrialising rapidly. Noted for its history and remnants of
its past colonisers.
 JOHOR
The southernmost
state on the peninsula, it has a population of about 2 million, consisting
of 55% Malays, 36% Chinese and only 6% Indians. Johor is a leading
agricultural state, especially rubber, palm oil and pineapples. Johor is
Industrialising rapidly, its proximity to Singapore is a big factor.
 PAHANG
Pahang has vast stretches of primeval rainforest that dominate the state
that offers exotic flora and fauna and wildlife. It holds invigorating
hill resorts, waterfalls, and rustic fishing villages to palm fringed
beaches. With a population of 95% Malays, 3% Thai, 1.9% Chinese and 0.1%
Others, The State is rich in agricultural and natural resources - Palm
oil, rubber and cocoa Timber, Fishery, as well as Petrochemical products
and tourism
 KELANTAN
With a population
of about 1 million, it has the highest percentage of Malays with 93%.
Chinese make-up only 5% and Indians only 1%. The people are mostly rice
and tobacco farmers. Other products include rubber, palm oil, coconuts and
fruit. Fishing is also an important industry. Kelantan is well known for
traditional Malay handiwork, silverwork, brocade, batik etc.
 TERENGGANU
The most Malay of all
the states. The population of about 750,000 is 94% Malay and 5% Chinese.
People earn their living from fishing, boat building (for which they are
famous), coconuts and rubber. Though it is the least developed state in
the peninsula, the discovery of oil and gas along its coast is changing
the landscape dramatically.
 SABAH
Though Sabah is
among the most expensive places in South East Asia, the land has much to
offer. Sabah is primarily mountainous. Oil as well as mineral resources
makes the state an important player in the Malaysian economy. another
important economic product is timber Though Islam is practiced by Malays
and Bajau, Christianity is also more widespread here with adherents from
the Kadazan. With a population of about 1.25 million, here the Malays are
a real minority with only 8%, 63% are from various indigenous ethnic
groups and the remainder are from other groups, primarily Indians and
Chinese. the predominant ethnic group being the Kadazan Dusun (18.4%)
followed by Bajau (17.3%) and Malays (15.3%)
 SARAWAK
The largest
Malaysian state, it has a population of about 2.3 million with 40% living
in the 3 big cities of Kuching Sibu and Miri. The remainder of the
population lives in the countryside or in the jungle. The economy of the
state is mainly oil and gas, timber and peper. Islam is not very
widespread and is limited mostly to the large towns. In the interior, many
of the people are Christians and some still practicing Animism'.
The predominant ethnic group in Census 2000 was the Ibans which accounted
for 30.1% of the state's total Malaysian citizens followed by the Chinese
(26.7%) and Malays (23.0%)
 LABUAN
Formerly part of Sabah, In 1984 it was separated from Sabah and given the
status of a federal territory. With her free port status, Labuan,
economically speaking was a 'sleeping beauty' with growth taking place
after becoming a Federal Territory. The population of Labuan is about
78,000 comprising of 41,900 males and 36,100 females. Malay - 24,400,
Chinese - 9,400, Indian - 900, with Other races - 20,900, and Foreigners -
22,400
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