Multinational and peace-loving nation

Malaysia is a multiracial and peace-loving nation. It is a melting pot of indigenous and immigrant groups. The largest ethnic group in Malaysia is the Malays, followed by the Chinese, Indians and the numerous indigenous tribes who live harmoniously together. Malaysia truly exemplifies the "melting pot of cultures".

Of the 24 million populations, the indigenous Malays make up 58.1 percent, the Chinese 21.3 percent, the Indians 6.9 percent and other racial groups represent 3.2 percent of the population.

Much of the Malaysian population is centered in the West Coast of Malaysia, where the major towns and industrial areas are situated. About 58.8 percent of the entire population lives in urban areas. Although Sabah and Sarawak make up about 60 percent of Malaysia's land area, their population is just 23 percent of the total population.

Malaysia is a young nation with 34 percent of Malaysians below the age of 14 while another 62.2 percent between the productive age of 15 to 64. Only 3.9 percent are above 65. The population growth rate is 2.4 percent per annum. At birth, the male population slightly outnumbered the females, with males expected to live until 69.8 years and the females until 74.8 years.

Under the Federal Constitution, the official religion of Malaysia is Islam but Malaysians are guaranteed their freedom of worship. Religious organizations are allowed to own property and operate their own institutions in Malaysia.

Malaysians speak many languages. The language of the indigenous Malays, Bahasa Melayu has been made the official language, Bahasa Malaysia. English is spoken widely and used extensively in business, commerce and industry.

The various races and tribes in Malaysia speak their own languages and dialects. The main Chinese dialects are Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hainanese and Hakka. Most Indians speak Tamil, with Punjabi, Urde, Gujerati, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam.

The many different cultures of Malaysian population have blended to create contemporary unique and diverse Malaysia's heritage. An example of an extraordinary cultural exchange is the Malay wedding ceremony which incorporates elements of the Hindu tradition of southern India where the bride and groom dress in gorgeous brocades, sit in state and feed each other with yellow rice, with their hands painted with henna.

Muslims have also adopted the Chinese custom of giving little red packets of money called ang pau during Chinese New Year. But the packets given during Hari Raya Aidilfitri are green and greetings are written in Arabic script.

The Chinese people have a culture rich in customs, traditions and superstitions. Chinese New Year and other festivals are times of joyous celebrations where the dragon and lion dances for good luck and prosperity are common.

In Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere in the country, the most enlightening way to understand Malaysia's cultural interactions is to observe the open house customs during festivals where Malaysians open their doors to members of other cultures-to neighbors as well as tourists.

Such inclusive race relations foster understanding and tolerance that form Malaysia's progress.