Chapter 65
Environment: current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation natural hazards: flooding international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
People ------
Population: 19,962,893 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 3,684,510; female 3,483,893) 15-64 years: 60% (male 5,996,369; female 6,017,327) 65 years and over: 4% (male 342,742; female 438,052) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.07% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 26.2 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.75 years male: 66.82 years female: 72.89 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic divisions: Malay and other indigenous 59%, Chinese 32%, Indian 9%
Religions: Peninsular Malaysia: Muslim (Malays), Buddhist (Chinese), Hindu (Indians) Sabah: Muslim 38%, Christian 17%, other 45% Sarawak: tribal religion 35%, Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim 20%, Christian 16%, other 5%
Languages: Peninsular Malaysia: Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects, Tamil Sabah: English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Chinese (Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate) Sarawak: English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 83.5% male: 89.1% female: 78.1%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Malayan Union
Data code: MY
Type of government: constitutional monarchy note: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Pulau Pinang Government; powers of state governments are limited by federal Constitution; Sabah - self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governing state, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)
Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Paramount Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994) were elected for five-year terms by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981) was appointed by the paramount ruler; Deputy Prime Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December 1993) cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the paramount ruler from among the members of Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) Senate (Dewan Negara): elected members serve six-year terms; elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (58 total, 32 appointed by the paramount ruler and 26 elected by the state legislatures) seats by party NA House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat): members elected for five-year terms; elections last held NA April 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - National Front 63%, other 37%; seats - (192 total) National Front 162, DAP 9, PBS 8, PAS 7, Semangat'46 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount ruler
Political parties and leaders: Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), S. Samy VELLU; Spirit of '46 (Semangat '46), Tengku Tan Sri RAZALEIGH, president Sabah: National Front, SALLEH Said Keruak, Sabah Chief Minister, Sakaran DANDAI, head of Sabah State; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO), leader NA; Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS), Datuk Seri Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan Sarawak: coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Amar Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar James WONG Soon Kai; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil NOOR
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador DALI Mahmud Hashim chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 483-7661 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John R. MALOTT embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2489011 FAX: [60] (3) 2422207
Flag: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
Economy -------
Economic overview: The Malaysian economy, a mixture of private enterprise and public management, has posted a remarkable record of 9% average annual growth in 1988-95. The official growth target for 1996 is 8.3%. This growth has resulted in a substantial reduction in poverty and a marked rise in real wages. Manufactured goods exports expanded rapidly, and foreign investors continued to commit large sums in the economy. The government is aware of the inflationary potential of this rapid development and is closely monitoring fiscal and monetary policies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $193.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9.5% (1995)
GDP per capita: $9,800 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 25% services: 67%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (1995)
Labor force: 7.627 million (1993)
Unemployment rate: 2.8% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $20.2 billion expenditures: $19.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.8 billion (1995 est.)
Industries: Peninsular Malaysia: rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber Sabah: logging, petroleum production Sarawak: agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (1994)
Electricity: capacity: 6,700,000 kW production: 31 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,528 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: Peninsular Malaysia: natural rubber, palm oil, rice Sabah: subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconut, rice Sarawak: rubber, pepper; timber
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World despite severe penalties for drug trafficking
Exports: $72 billion (1995) commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles partners: Singapore 21%, US 20%, Japan 12%, UK 4%, Thailand 4%, Germany 3% (1994)
Imports: $72.2 billion (1995) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food, petroleum products partners: Japan 26%, US 17%, Singapore 14%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4%, UK 3%, South Korea 3% (1993)
External debt: $27.4 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $45 million (1993)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.5567 (January 1996), 2.5044 (1995), 2.6243 (1994), 2.5741 (1993), 2.5474 (1992), 2.7501 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 1,806 km (Peninsular Malaysia 1,672 km; Sabah 134 km; Sarawak 0 km) narrow gauge: 1,806 km 1.000-m gauge (Peninsular Malaysia 1,672 km; Sabah 134 km)
Highways: total: 92,545 km paved: 69,409 km (including 574 km of expressways) unpaved: 23,136 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: Peninsular Malaysia: 3,209 km Sabah: 1,569 km Sarawak: 2,518 km
Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km
Ports: Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Labuan, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjong Berhala, Tanjong Kidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine: total: 248 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,035,684 GRT/4,494,476 DWT ships by type: bulk 43, cargo 83, chemical tanker 13, container 31, liquefied gas tanker 12, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 55, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 4 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 105 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 with paved runways under 914 m: 74 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 2,550,957 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international service good domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.08 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 5,160,884 males fit for military service: 3,129,626 males reach military age (21) annually: 184,236 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, 2.9% of GDP (1995)
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@Maldives --------
Map ---
Location: 3 15 N, 73 00 E -- Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Flag ----
Description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
Geography ---------
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total area: 300 sq km land area: 300 sq km comparative area: nearly twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili 24 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 3% other: 84%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
People ------
Population: 270,758 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 65,559; female 62,399) 15-64 years: 50% (male 69,071; female 65,659) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,336; female 3,734) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.52% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.88 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 47 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.17 years male: 64.6 years female: 67.82 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 93.2% male: 93.3% female: 93%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives
Data code: MV
Type of government: republic
Capital: Male
Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978) was reelected for a five-year term by secret ballot of the Majlis; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM was reelected with 92.76% of the vote cabinet: Ministry of Atolls was appointed by the president; note - need not be members of Majilis
Legislative branch: unicameral; members elected for five-year terms or appointed by the president Citizens' Council (Majlis): elections last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president) independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, headed by Ahmed ZAKI
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
Economy -------
Economic overview: During the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1994, tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounted for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Fishing is a second leading growth sector. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. The Maldivian Government initiated an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. In 1994, industry which consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts accounted for about 15% of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $390 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.6% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,560 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 21.5% industry: 15.3% services: 63.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 66,000 (est.) by occupation: fishing industry 25%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget: revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants) expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 5,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fishing
Exports: $75.3 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: fish, clothing partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: $195.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand
External debt: $137.5 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (January 1996), 11.770 (1995), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km; note - Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city (1988 est.)
Ports: Gan, Male
Merchant marine: total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 73,284 GRT/113,669 DWT ships by type: cargo 17, container 2, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 2 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,284 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 59,179 males fit for military service: 33,016 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
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@Mali ----
Map ---
Location: 17 00 N, 4 00 W -- Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Flag ----
Description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Geography ---------
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 1.24 million sq km land area: 1.22 million sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina Faso and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina Faso and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 7% other: 66%
Irrigated land: 50 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Nuclear Test Ban
Geographic note: landlocked
People ------
Population: 9,653,261 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2,310,294; female 2,308,941) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,231,244; female 2,488,276) 65 years and over: 3% (male 149,370; female 165,136) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.95% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 51.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 19.49 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)