Malaysia

The federation of Malaysia is made up of:

• the Federal Territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) of Kuala Lumpur
• the Federal Territory of Labuan
• the eleven states of West Malaysia
• the two states of East Malaysia

The states of West Malaysia are:

Selangor Negeri Sembilan Melaka Johore Pahang Terengganu Kelantan Penang Kedah Perlis Perak

The states of East Malaysia are:

• Sabah
• Sarawak

West Malaysia covers an area of about 130,000 km² and East Malaysia covers an area of about 200,000 km². The two parts of Malaysia are about 640 km apart, separated by the South China Sea.

Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy with universal suffrage. The head of state is the Yang di Pertuan Agong (king). Each state has a ruler or sultan and the sultans take it in turns to be king. The king is a constitutional ruler elected for a term of five years by the rulers of the other states.The population of Malaysia is about 20 million. The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, with a population of about one million. The national and official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia. English is widely used, especially in industry and commerce.

The currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian dollar or Malaysian Ringgit (RM). One Malaysian Ringgit is divided into 100 sen (sen). Notes are issued for the following denominations: RM1,000 (seldom used), RM500 (rarely used), RM100, RM50, RM20, RM10, RM5, RM2 and RM1. Coins are issued for the following denominations: RM1, 50 sen, 20 sen, 10 sen, 5 sen, 1 sen.

The national flower of Malaysia is the red hibiscus, rosa sinensis, or bunga raya in Bahasa Malaysia. The five petalled flower represents the five principles of Malaysian national philosophy, Rukun Negara: belief in God; loyalty to King and country; the supremacy of the constitution; the rule of the law; mutual respect and good social behaviour.

We would like to draw your attention to a couple of important laws which are enforced in Malaysia.

Trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and, if convicted, carries the death penalty.

Smoking law: Control of Tobacco Product Regulation 1997 (amended): RM50 fine for smoking in prohibited places. RM200 fine if a prohibited place does not display a no smoking sign. Enforced by a team from the Miri Health Department. Prohibited places are: Government premises air conditioned shops airports halls schools kindergartens nurseries public transport vehicles financial institutions Telekom Malaysia Berhad Pos Malaysia Berhad.

Sarawak

Miri is the oil town of Sarawak in East Malaysia. Sarawak is known as the Land of the Hornbill, and the hornbill bird is the state emblem. The population of Sarawak is about one and a half million people. The capital of Sarawak is Kuching. In Sarawak, many native languages are spoken, in addition to Bahasa Malaysia, several Chinese languages and English.

Sarawak is administered in nine divisions, each with a resident. Divisions are divided into districts, each with a district officer. The divisions of Sarawak are:

Kuching, Sri Aman (Simanggang), Sibu, Miri, Limbang, Sarikei, Kapit, Samarahan, Bintulu.

Sabah and Sarawak were British colonies from 1946 until they joined the Federation of Malaysia at its formation in 1963. The Malaysian constitution safeguards certain rights of Sabah and Sarawak, such as the right to control their own immigration. This is why there is passport control between Sabah and Sarawak and between East and West Malaysia.

From Miri there are direct flights to towns and airstrips in Sarawak and Sabah and Kuala Lumpur in West Malaysia. From Kuching there are also direct flights to Singapore and Perth (West Australia). From Bandar Seri Begawan there are direct flights to the Middle East, Europe, Indonesia and Australia.

Climate
Miri has an equatorial climate. There is little variation in temperature and rainfall throughout the year. The average temperature is 32^o C by day and 23^o C at night. The annual rainfall is about 380 cm³ and this can fall throughout the year. The months May - August may be relatively dry and the months December - February (North East Monsoon) may be especially wet.

Average humidity is at least 75%. There is usually a pleasant onshore breeze along the coast during the afternoon. Trees behind the beach shelter the inland area from this refreshing breeze.

Time
Sarawak has the same time as West Malaysia, Sabah and Singapore. The time remains the same throughout the year. Miri local time is 24 minutes ahead of local sun time.

Time differences between Sarawak and other parts of the world:
Australian Eastern Standard Time
(Melbourne and Sydney) - 3 hours
GMT + 8 hours
American Eastern Standard Time
(New York) + 13 hours
American Western Standard Time
(Los Angeles and San Francisco) + 16 hours.

Sunrise and sunse

Population

The people of Sarawak are ethnically very diverse. As well as the Malays (about twenty percent of the population) and the Chinese (about thirty percent of the population), about 25 native tribes have been identified, each with their own language and culture. There are also a few Indians in Sarawak.

You may hear the terms Bumi Putra and Orang Ulu used and wonder what they mean. Bumi Putra translates literally as children of the soil and refers to the Malays and the tribal peoples of Malaysia. Orang Ulu refers to the peoples of the interior. Orang means man and ulu means the head waters of a river. The native tribes of Sarawak are divided into four main groups: the Sea Dayak or Ibans (about thirty percent of the population), the Land Dayak or Bidayuh (about eight percent of the population), the Melenau (about six percent of the population) and the Orang Ulu (about five percent of the population). The Orang Ulu consist of the Kayan, Kenyah, Lun Bawang, Bukitan, Lisum, Tatau, Sa'ban, Sihan and Kajang tribes. Many different religions are practised in Sarawak, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism. The different races and religions live in harmony with each other and the main festivals of all the faiths are celebrated in Sarawak.

Local etiquette

It is difficult to give general guidelines about courtesy which will apply to all groups in all situations, but a few basic rules are given below. Malaysia is a very tolerant society and Malays will forgive a foreigner their social mistakes, but they will also appreciate it if you try to follow these basic guidelines. Longhouses usually welcome visitors, unless there has been a death, in which case the whole longhouse is taboo.

Feet

• Do not point your feet towards anyone or use your feet to point towards something.
• When sitting on the floor, do not stretch your legs out in front of you. Men should sit cross-legged with their ankles crossed. Women should tuck their legs to the side; sitting with your feet apart is considered uncouth and immodest.
• Never rest your feet on your desk in the presence of your colleagues.

Head

• Touching people on the head is considered disrespectful, so refrain from patting people affectionately on the head.

Hands

• People use their thumb over their fist for pointing, rather than their forefinger.
• To beckon or flag down a taxi, keep the hand palm down and motion with all four fingers.
• Slapping an open palm of one hand onto the closed fist of the other hand is a rude gesture in Malaysia.
• Remember to use your right hand when giving something to or receiving something from a Malay. If people eat with their fingers, they will do so with their right hand. Using your left hand is considered rude and insincere.

Visiting a Malaysian home

• If you are invited to a Malaysian home, be punctual and wear something smart but casual.
• Remember to take off your shoes before entering a house or a patio, unless your host insists you keep your shoes on.
• If you wish to refuse something which has been offered to you, such as food or cigarettes, touch the plate or the packet with your right hand.

Entertaining Malays in your home
Remember that many religions have strict dietary laws:

• Muslims may not eat pork. Animals for meat must be slaughtered according to Islamic rites (halal).
• Hindus and Sikhs do not eat beef.

It will be considered respectful and considerate if you ask your prospective guests if there are any foods they do not eat.

Addressing Malays
Protocol is very important in Malaysian society and is seen as a manifestation of respect for elders, leaders, social hierarchy and the law.

When being introduced to people, age takes precedence. People shake hands lightly and gesture their hand towards their heart as a symbol of sincerity. People often do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex; if in doubt, wait for the other person to make the first move.

Malays use first names and rarely use surnames. Use Encik (Mr.), Puan (Mrs.) or Cik (Miss) with the first name for politeness. Older people are politely referred to as Auntie or Uncle rather than just by their first names, as a sign of respect. If someone has a title, such as Datuk, it is considered respectful to use that title if addressing them in front of other people.

Visiting a place of worship
When visiting a place of worship, make sure that you are wearing suitable clothing. It is usual to leave shoes outside a temple or a mosque and to wash your hands and feet before you go in. Do not touch any of the holy shrines.

Prayers are a very personal affair and people at prayer do not make suitable subjects for photographs. Women should respect the age old taboo that requires women who are menstruating to stay away from mosques and temples.

Funerals
At 'society funerals' wear white, dark tie or somber colours such as grey, navy, green but do not wear full black as this is reserved for the bereaved family.
Chinese funerals:
Pay a brief call (it will be remembered) on the same day if you can. Do not bring children along. White is the Chinese funeral colour.
Christian funerals:
Visit the house briefly when you hear of a death. It is considered sufficient for a foreigner to attend the funeral service.
Muslim funerals:
Pay a call as soon as you hear of the death, especially while the body is still at home. Say the word of sympathy 'takziah' to the bereaved family.

Weddings
For details of what to expect, what to wear and what to take to a Malay, Chinese or Iban wedding, read Culture Shock! Borneo, Making out in Miri and other books on Malaysian and Sarawakian customs. See suggested reading at the end of this chapter.

Muslims
About one third of the population of Sarawak is Muslim. Muslims are forbidden to consume alcohol, pork and meat not slaughtered according to the Islamic way. Signs in shops remind people of this. Food has to be halal, prepared according to the Muslim way, with no forbidden ingredients.
Muslims are also forbidden to bet and gamble. Muslims may not like to touch dogs or be in a house with a dog.
Avoid phoning or calling on a Muslim between 7.00 and 8.00 in the evening, as they will be preparing for evening prayers.
Remember that during the Muslim month of Ramadan, Muslims will be fasting during the hours of daylight.

Festivals, public and school holidays

National and state holidays in Sarawak

*Muslim festivals move forward 10 or 11 days each year. Consult a current diary to find out the exact date of these festivals.
*Where a public holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, schools and offices take the holiday on the previous Friday or the following Monday.

Muslim festivals

The Muslim calendar dates from the Prophet Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina (AD 622). The Muslim year 1419 started on 28 April 1998. The Muslim calendar has 354 or 355 days and twelve lunar months of 29 or 30 days. The Muslim calendar moves forward by 11 or 12 days each year in relation to the Western calendar.

The twelve months of the Muslim calendar are: Muharram, Safar, Rejab, Sha'aban, Rabiul'awal, Rabiul'akhir, Jamadul awal, Jamadul akhir, Ramadhan, Syawal, Zukaedab, Zulhijah.

The main Muslim festivals celebrated in Sarawak are:

• Hari Raya Puasa (end of Ramadhan)
• Hari Raya Haji or Hari Raya Qurban (end of the Haj)
• Awal Muharram (new year)
• Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed

Ramadhan and Hari Raya Puasa / Aidal Fitr

Ramadhan is the puasa or fasting month for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. From dawn until dusk, nothing is eaten or drunk. It is a time of spiritual renewal. In Malaysia, the fasting time each day is from about 5.00h in the morning until 19.00h at night. Muslims in Malaysia are not allowed to eat publicly in the daytime during Ramadhan. If they are caught, they and the owner of the premises will have to pay a fine. It is not an offence for anyone else to eat in public in the daytime, but rather tactful not to do so in front of Muslims! Muslims eat at night during this month, Iftar to break the fast and Sahur before sunrise. Special meals are cooked during this month and stalls are set up in town selling sweet and savoury foods.

Hari Raya Puasa Aidal Fitr coincides with the first three days of Syawal, the next and tenth month in the Muslim calendar. Hari Raya is celebrated by special prayers in the Mosque, special foods, spring cleaning, new clothes, visiting friends and relations and open house.

Hari Raya Haji / Aidal Adha or Hari Raya Qurban

This is a Muslim festival marking the 10th day of Zulhijjah, the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar. This festival celebrates the end of the Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam. It is also a time to remember God's covenant with the prophet Ibrahim. Prayers are said at the mosque. Animals are slaughtered and the meat is cooked and distributed to the poor.

Awal Muharram

This is the Muslim new year, 1st day of the Muslim month of Muharram.

Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed

The birthday of the prophet Mohammed is celebrated on the 12th day of the month of Rabiul'awal. The weeks leading up to this celebration are a time for reciting the Quran.

Chinese festivals

The Chinese calendar has 354 days and consists of 12 lunar months, six with 29 days and six with 30 days. Each month has its own significance and its own festival. There is one leap month about every three years, so that events in the Chinese calendar take place at roughly the same time each year in relation to the Western calendar. Chinese New Year marks the first new moon of the lunar year. This is the second new moon after the winter solstice and occurs between 21 January and 19 February.

The Chinese calendar has a cycle of twelve years. Each year is associated with an animal symbol and each animal has its own significance. Time is calculated in sixty year cycles, during which time each animal rules five times.

The twelve animal symbols are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

The main Chinese festivals celebrated in Sarawak are:

• Chinese New Year
• Moon Cake Festival.

Chinese New Year

The festivities begin with the new moon and last until Chap Goh Meh, the full moon 15 days later. Chinese New Year is a time of thankfulness, renewal and family reunion. The month leading up to the festival is busy with spring cleaning and buying new clothes and curtains. A few days before New Year, people try to settle all their debts and obligations. The new year is welcomed in with firecrackers. Lion, dragon and unicorn dances are performed on the streets and at festivities. Visiting is an important part of Chinese New Year and is done in order of seniority and status. Many families have open house for friends and relations. Children are given angpow, red envelopes containing money. The red envelopes should not be opened in front of the giver or other people. The New Year Greeting is "Gong Xi Fa Cai", which means success and prosperity.

Moon Cake Festival

This occurs at the time of the full moon in September. It commemorates a period in Chinese history when China was ruled by the Mongols. The Chinese were planning a rebellion, and details were circulated hidden in rice cakes. Nowadays the rice cakes are filled with eggs, red bean paste and other sweet fillings.

For details of other Chinese festivals, see Making out in Miri and other books on Malaysia and Sarawak. See suggested reading at the end of this chapter.

Other festivals

The main Iban or Dayak festival celebrated in Sarawak is Perayaan Hari Dayak, the Dayak festival or Gawai. Gawai is preceded by Gawai Batu and Gawai Antu.

Gawai Batu

Batu is the stone used for sharpening the tools used to clear the land, and Gawai Batu is a festival celebrating clearing the land ready for planting the new crop of rice.

Gawai Antu

This is a festival to appease the spirits of the land, so that they will help in planting the new crop of rice.

Gawai or Perayaan Hari Dayak

Gawai is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd June. Gawai marks the end of the rice harvest and the start of the new year. Miring ceremonies are held to appease the spirits. Food and tuak (rice wine) flow freely. Games, dancing and competitions take place. Many longhouses hold open house.

Wesak Day

This is a Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.

Bahasa Malaysia glossary

Common road signs

Common place names

Common words

Days of the week