malaysia flag

HISTORY OF MALAYSIA

Evidence of modern human habitation in Malaysia dates back 40,000 years.[36] In the Malay Peninsular, the first inhabitants are thought to be Negritos.[37] Traders and settlers from India and China arrived as early as the 1st century AD, establishing trading ports and coastal towns in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Their presence resulted in strong Indian and Chinese influence on the local cultures, and the people of the Malay Peninsula adopted the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Sanskrit inscriptions appear as early as the 4th or 5th century.[38] The Kingdom of Langkasuka arose around the 2nd century in the northern area of the Malay Peninsula, lasting until about the 15th century.[32] Between the 7th and 13th centuries, much of the southern Malay Peninsula was part of the maritime Srivijaya empire. After the fall of Srivijaya, the Majapahit empire had influence over most of Peninsular Malaysia and the Malay Archipelago.[39] Islam began to spread among Malays in the 14th century.[3] In the early 15th century, Parameswara, a prince of the former Srivijayan empire, founded the Malacca Sultanate, commonly considered the first independent state in the peninsula area.[40] Malacca was an important commercial centre during this time, attracting trade from around the region.

In 1511, Malacca was conquered by Portugal,[3] after which it was taken by the Dutch in 1641. In 1786 the British Empire established a presence in Malaya, when the Sultan of Kedah leased Penang to the British East India Company. The British obtained the town of Singapore in 1819,[41] and in 1824 took control of Malacca following the Anglo-Dutch Treaty. By 1826, the British directly controlled Penang, Malacca, Singapore, and the island of Labuan, which they established as the crown colony of the Straits Settlements. By the 20th century, the states of Pahang, Selangor, Perak, and Negeri Sembilan, known together as the Federated Malay States, had British Residents appointed to advise the Malay rulers, to whom the rulers were bound to defer by treaty.[42] The remaining five states in the peninsula, known as the Unfederated Malay States, while not directly under British rule, also accepted British advisers around the turn of the 20th century. Development on the Peninsula and Borneo were generally separate until the 19th century. Under British rule the immigration of Chinese and Indians to serve as labourers was encouraged.[43] The area that is now Sabah came under British control as North Borneo when both the Sultan of Brunei and the Sultan of Sulu transferred their respective territorial rights of ownership, between 1877 and 1878.[44] In 1842, Sarawak was ceded by the Sultan of Brunei to James Brooke, whose successors ruled as the White Rajahs over an independent kingdom until 1946, when it became a Crown colony.

In the Second World War the Japanese army invaded and occupied Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore for over three years. During this time, ethnic tensions were raised and nationalism grew.[46] Popular support for independence increased after Malaya was reconquered by Allied Forces.[47] Post-war British plans to unite the administration of Malaya under a single crown colony called the Malayan Union met with strong opposition from the Malays, who opposed the weakening of the Malay rulers and the granting of citizenship to the ethnic Chinese. The Malayan Union, established in 1946 and consisting of all the British possessions in the Malay Peninsula with the exception of Singapore, was quickly dissolved and replaced by the Federation of Malaya, which restored the autonomy of the rulers of the Malay states under British protection.[48] During this time, mostly Chinese rebels under the leadership of the Malayan Communist Party launched guerrilla operations designed to force the British out of Malaya. The Malayan Emergency lasted from 1948 to 1960, and involved a long anti-insurgency campaign by Commonwealth troops in Malaya.[49] After this a plan was put in place to federate Malaya with the crown colonies of North Borneo (which joined as Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore. The proposed date of federation was 31 August 1963, however, the date was delayed until 16 September 1963 due to opposition from Indonesia's Sukarno and the Sarawak United Peoples' Party.[50]

Federation brought heightened tensions including a conflict with Indonesia, Singapore's eventual exit in 1965,[51][52] and racial strife. This strife culminated in the 13 May race riots in 1969.[53] After the riots, the controversial New Economic Policy was launched by Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, trying to increase the share of the economy held by the bumiputera.[54] Under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad there was a period of rapid economic growth and urbanisation beginning in the 1980s. The economy shifted from being agriculturally based to one based on manufacturing and industry. Numerous mega-projects were completed, such as the Petronas Towers, the North-South Expressway, the Multimedia Super Corridor, and the new federal administrative capital of Putrajaya.[34] However, in the late 1990s the Asian financial crisis almost caused the collapse of the currency and the stock and property markets.[55]

FOOD IN MALAYSIA

nasi lemak teh tarik

Malaysia's cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of its population.[231] Many cultures from within the country and from surrounding regions have greatly influenced the cuisine. Much of the influence comes from the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Javanese, and Sumatran cultures,[110] largely due to the country being part of the ancient spice route.[232] The cuisine is very similar to that of Singapore and Brunei,[126] and also bears resemblance to Filipino cuisine.[110] The different states have varied dishes,[126] and often the food in Malaysia is different from the original dishes.[182]

Sometimes food not found in its original culture is assimilated into another; for example, Chinese restaurants in Malaysia often serve Malay dishes.[233] Food from one culture is sometimes also cooked using styles taken from another culture,[126] This means that although much of Malaysian food can be traced back to a certain culture, they have their own identity.[232] Rice is popular in many dishes. Chili is commonly found in local cuisine, although this does not necessarily make them spicy.
INTERESTING PLACES IN MALAYSIA

twin towers
PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS
The tallest building in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, is a commanding sight and tops the list of interesting places to visit in Malaysia. Together with the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), it symbolises Kuala Lumpur's and Malaysia's rapid rise as a developed nation. The whole site sits on what used to be the Selangor Turf Club grounds. The towers are awe-inspiring, with just the right combination of modern architecture and Islamic design.

At the base of the towers, the KLCC is the newest attraction in KL and all of Malaysia. A public park and gardens, with a wading pool, sits at the heart . They make a fantastic place to cool down after going around the Suria KLCC shopping centre - THE shopping centre boasting of the latest in fashion trends and designer labels.
Parliament House
Parliament House, Kuala LumpurThe Parliament House placed on elevated ground commands a panoramic view of the Lake Gardens is the modern Parliament House with its distinctive oval-shaped windows. It is situated in one of the greenest and most beautiful areas in KL and is superbly lit at night. The main building and its adjoining tower block accommodate the two houses of Parliament, a banquet hall, library, various offices and committee rooms.

Sri Mahamariaman Temple
Another one amongst best places to visit in Malaysia but this time it is an added attraction for those who are religious at heart. Built in 18 7 3, this is one of the most ornate and elaborate Hindu temples in the country. The detailed decorative scheme for the temple incorporates intricate carvings, gold embellishments, hand-painted motifs and exquisite tiles from Italy and Spain. It also houses a giant chariot that is used to transport a deity annually during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Facing Dataran Merdeka is Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a Moorish inspired building with shiny copper domes and a 130-metre clock tower. Designed by architects, Norman and Bidwell, it took more than two years to build and was completed in 1897. It was constructed to accommodate the various government administrative departments, among them the Federal Secretariat, Selangor State Secretariat, Public Works Department and the Sanitary Board. Today, it houses the Judicial Department on one end and The Textile Museum on the other.

National Mosque
National Mosque, MalaysiaThe National Mosque is located near the railway station, along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. It has tiled appearance of a partly opened umbrella roof. Visitors are required to remove their shoes. Special robes arc provided if you are not appropriately attired.

Gardens
For nature lovers, the gardens are probably great places to visit in Malaysia. Lake Gardens Located off Jalan Parlimen, is the greenbelt of Kuala Lumpur. Developed in the 1880s, these undulating and beautifully landscaped gardens cover 170 acres of rolling lawns with huge trees, colourful beds of flowers and two lakes. There is a children's playground, jogging tracks, exercise stations, and rowing boats. The popular gardens offer plenty of recreational opportunities and attractions.

The Orchid Garden showcases thousands of international varieties of the most beautiful flower in the world. The garden contains over 800 species from Malaysia alone.

The Hibiscus Garden is a small terraced garden, which provides a strikingly colorful panorama of countless varieties of hibiscus.

Parks
Parks, MalaysiaThere are a number of beautiful parks in Kualam Lumpur like, the butterfly park which houses some 6,000 butterflies of over 120 species. It includes more than 15,000 plants from 100 species that have been used to recreate a Malaysian rainforest atmosphere. The colourful atmosphere, no wonder makes it one of the best places to visit in Malaysia.

Very similar is the bird park. The Bird Park, the largest bird park in South-East Asia, holds thousands of tropical and exotic birds representing nearly every major species of this part of the world.

Deer Park is located in the undulating slopes and sprawling valley of the Lake Gardens. Close to the bubbling stream at the edge of the valley are several mousedeer. The mouse deer is the world's smallest hoofed animal and a popular figure in local folklore due to its legendary wit.