MALAYSIA - FACTs AND INFO

Collection of facts about Malaysia 

Collected by Hj Zulheimy Bin Maamor

Fast Facts:

• Official Name: Malaysia
• Location: in the heart of Southeast Asia 
• 2 parts > Peninsula Malaysia & East Malaysia
• Population: 32,652, 083
• Area: 329,847 sq km, land : 328,657 sq km and water : 1,190 sq km. Malaysia is slightly larger than New Mexico. Malaysia is the only country that sits on both the Malay Archipelago and mainland Asia. 
• Capital City : Kuala Lumpur always abbreviated as 'KL'. 
• Malaysia is a Federal Constitutional Monarchy > Comprises of 13 States and 3 Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya) . 
• The name "Malaysia" comes from the words "MALAY" (referring to a group of people) and "Ia" a LatinpGreek suffix. The country's name means "Land of the Malays".
• Major Language: Bahasa Malaysia, English,Chinese and Tamil (Bahasa Malaysia is the Official language). 
• Major Religion: Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu (Islam is the official religion).
• Time Zone: UTC+8 (Malaysian Standard Time)
• Remains part of the Commonwealth Nations and part of ASEAN. 
• Shares a boundary with Thailand to the north and is connected to Singapore via the Tuas Second Link Bridge and the Johor-Singapore Causeway. 
• In 2009 - Malaysia was the Ninth most visited country in the world with over 23.6 millions visitors, according to the World's Tourism Organization (WTO). 

INTERESTING FACTS & MALAYSIA'S RECORDS IN THE WORLD:

1. A Famosa : built by the Portuguese in 1511 as a Fortress. 
2. Air Asia: Malaysia is home to world-class budget airline, the AirAsia. AirAsia isn't just any budget airline; it's an award-winning one! They snag the coveted Skytrax award for Best Low-Cost Airline year after year, showing they're all about quality service. But here's the deal: AirAsia operates on a strict budget.
3. Alocasia Macrorrhiza : largest specimen of leaves in the world, over 3 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide.
4. Alor Setar Tower, Kedah : one of the tallest telecommunication towers in the world and the second tallest in Malaysia. 
5. Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN): Malaysian Trust Share scheme was launched on 20 April 1981 while Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) on 2 January 1990. 
6. Aurea Chersonesus : means "Peninsula of Gold" > the old name of Malaysia given by Greco-Roman geographer Ptolemy in his book Geographia which he wrote around 150 A.D. 
7. Batu Caves, Selangor: founded by William Hornaday an American naturalist in 1878. 
8. Bintangor tree, Sarawak: found only in Sarawak, East Malaysia are believed to have properties that can actually cure AIDS.
9. Borneo Island, East Malaysia: the 3rd largest island in the world stretching over 743,000 km2 which also have the world's oldest reinforest. There are 26 different ethnic groups while Sabah is home to another 33 ethnics who communicate in over 50 languages and 80 dialects. 
10. Bukit Cina : at Melaka, the largest Chinese cemetery outside China with many of the tombs dating back to Ming Dynasty. 
11. Bukit Larut, Taiping, Perak:  the oldest Hill Resort in the country. Credited as the wettest place in Malaysia.
12. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Melaka: the oldest Chinese temple in the country built in 1646. 
13. Clearwater Cave: located at Gunung Mulu in Miri, Sarawak, boasts the longest cave system in Southeast Asia. 
14. Communism: Malaysia is the only place in the world where the war against Communism was won. The 12-year guerrilla warfare conducted by Communist forces was finally put down in 1960. This period was known as the Malayan Emergency.
15. Cricket was played in Malaysia as early as 1857. The earliest inter-state match was recorded in Taiping in 1884 between Perak and Penang. The first annual test between Singapore and the Federated Malay States was in 1905. The first oversea match was against Hong Kong in 1890. 
16. Cycling: the first publicised race was from Kuala Lumpur to Klang and back held in 1929. 
17. Deer Cave, Miri, Sarawak : located at Mulu National Park at Miri, Sarawak was the world's largest cave passage.
18. Durian: Malaysia's National Fruit > known for its strong odor and spikey exterior. It's so strong that it's often banned in hotels, shopping malls and public transportation. 
19. Eco-Edu Tourism Recreational Forest: Located at Sungai Menyala, Port Dickson was the first eco-edu tourism park in Malaysia.
20. Electric Supply: the earliest Public electricity supply in the Peninsula dates back to 1904 when Electric Lightning and Power was provided by the Municipality of Georgetown in Penang. The first recorded Electrical mining pump being employed by the Loke Yew and Thamboosamy Pillai in their mine at Rawang in 1896. 
21. Federal Territories of Malaysia:the special administrative division governed directly by the Federal Govenrment rather by a state government. The three FT's are Kuala Lumpur (established 1 Feb 1974), Labuan (established 16 April 1984) and Putrajaya (established 1 February 2001).  
22. First World Hotel : Located at Genting Highland,Pahang was the world's largest hotel with 7,351 rooms. 
23. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) : at Kepong, Kuala Lumpur was the world's largest manmade Rainforest.
24. Fort Cornwallis & Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower : is where Captain Francis Light  of the British East India Company first landed on the island in 1786.
25. Fourth Floor in Malaysia: don't be surprised if you do not find the fourth floor in some of the buildings in Malaysia, but a floor called 3A instead. This is because the sound of four bears a resemblance to the sound of death in Chinese. 
26. Geographic Huphegests: The oldest surviving map of the Peninsula is the 13th century Geographic Huphegests (Guide to Geography), based on data collected by Ptolemy. The earliest modern map of Malaya and Sumatra is by Martin Waldseemuller in 1513. 
27. George Town: a town in Penang named after the reigning British Monarch King George III. It was the first town in Malaysia to obtain City Status way back in 1960's. 
28. Grand Old Lady : The first Oil Well in Malaysia was Well No.1 situated on top of Canada Hill at Miri, Sarawak, discovered in 1901. 
29. Gua Tempurung: at Gopeng, Perak was the largest cave in Peninsular Malaysia. 
30. Gunung Kinabalu : Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah > The highest mountain in Southeast Asia (4101 m). 
31. Gunung Mulu: Home of the largest Cave Chamber in the world. It is estimated that the massive cave can comfortably hold as many as 50 Boeing 747's within. 
32. Henry Talalla & Cyril Talalla: two Malaysian who served with the British Royal Air Force during the Second World War. They served with the RAF Spitfire Squadron. Henry Talalla, a pilot in 182 Squadron was killed in action during the Battle of Normandy. There is Jalan Talalla in Kuala Lumpur and Route Henry Talalla at French. 
33. Hibiscus: (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) > the National Flower of Malaysia, chosen on 28 July 1960. 
34. High 5 Bread Museum : Location : Shah Alam, Selangor > the first Bread Museum in Malaysia. 
35. Highway Road in Malaysia: Malaysia has over 65,877 kilometres of highway roads, which is more than 1.5 times around the Earth's circumferences. 
36. Hukum Kanun Melaka: or "The Malacca Code" promulgated in the year 1424 CE by Sultan Muhammad Shah of Malacca. It was used earlier than the British "Bill of Rights" promulgated in 1689, mean that the Malays law are in force earlier than the said British Law. 
37. Hockey: The Malayan Hockey team first hit International limelight when it took part in the 1956 Olympic in Melbourne, Australia. In 1975, it reached the semi-final of the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur for the first time. The first women's hockey competition was held in 1920's at inter-club and inter-state level. 
38. "Ipoh Mali" : Most Malaysians would be familiar with the expression, “Ipoh mali”, (misspelled from Malay 'Ipoh Mari') used to refer to someone who hails from the capital city of the Silver State (Perak). 
39. Islamic Art Museum: located at Perdana Botanical Garden, Kuala Lumpur was one of the world's largest models of Mekah's Masjidil al-Haram.
40. Island in Malaysia: Malaysia has over 80,000 islands, including the popular Pulau Langkawi. 
41. Jalur Gemilang: name of the Malaysian Flag created by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammd in 1997. 
42. James Wan: The director of Hollywood film "The Conjuring", is proudly a Malaysian born. Born in Kuching, Sarawak, he's not confined to horror, having directed superhero blockbusters like Aquaman and the adrenaline-pumping Furious 7, both smashing the billion-dollar mark.
43. Jelita Ostrich Farm : at Seremban, Negeri Sembilan > the first Ostrich farm in Malaysia.
44. Jimmy Choo : The Maous shoe designer > was born in Penang, Malaysia. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II. 
45. K.D. Mutiara :The first Royal Malaysian Navy ship to use the prefix "KD" (Kapal DiRaja) was KD Mutiara on 3 November 1961.
46. Kampong Hulu Mosque: at Melaka was the oldest mosque in Malaysia built by Dato' Shamsudin in 1728. 
47. Kampong Kuantan: home to the world's largest firefly colonies, where millions of fireflies light up mangroves trees at night, creating a stunning natural display. 
48. Kek Lok Si Temple: at Ayer Itam,Penang built in 1890 has the largest Buddhist Temple Complex in the World measuring 33 m. 
49. King Cobra : Malaysia is home to one of the world's largest populations of King Cobras. 
50. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station: the old Railway Station in Kuala Lumpur completed in 1911 was designed by A.B Hubback.
51. Kuala Lumpur Tower: Bukit Nenas Kuala Lumpur >  at 421m was the oldest gazetted forest reserve in Malaysia. KL Tower is the 4th tallest in the world and the tallest in Southeast Asia. 
52. Kudat: the first capital of British North Borneo (now Sabah). Founded on 7 December 1881 by the British North Borneo Chartered Company. 
53. Langkawi Crocodile Farm : 32 km north of Kuah, Pulau Langkawi houses one of the largest numbers of crocodile and alligator species in the world. 
54. Lata Kijang Waterfall: located at Tapah, Perak was one of Malaysia's tallest waterfall cascading 850m down a steep stretch of rocky slopes.
55. Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan: built in 1885 by a Chinese contractor name Leong Choon Choong, as a water storage tank for the town and a backup for fire emergencies. 
56. Legoland Nusajaya: located at Nusajaya, Johor was the first Lego-Themed hotel in Asia.
57. Lenggong Archaeological Museum and Gallery : at Kota Tampan Village in Mukim Temelong Lenggong, Perak is the first and only museum in Malaysia specialising in prehistoric archaeology. 
58. Mah Meri Tribe: The Orang Asli tribe at Pulau Carey, Selangor is known to produce some of the world's most evocative wooden masks. 
59. Malaya Cup: the football competition started in 1921 marked by a match between Singapore and Selangor, played at the Selangor Club ground in Kuala Lumpur resulting from a visit by the British warship HMS Malaya to Malayan waters. 
60. Malaysia's Flag Pole: at the Merdeka Square at Kuala Lumpur is one of the world's highest Flagpole at 100m.
61. Malaysia's Highway: Malaysia has 65,877 kilometres of highway roads in all, which is even greater than the circumference of the Earth (40,075 kilometres). 
62. "Malaysia Truly Asia" : not merely a tagline. The country truly embodies the spirit of racial diversity and unity, which is the very element that makes it unique. 
63. Malaysian Airlines: it's history dates as far back as 1937 when it was known as Malayan Airway Limited (MAL). In 1967 it was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airline (MSA). However in 1971 the partnership was dissolved and Malaysia Airline System (MAS) was formed. It changed its named to Malaysia Airlines on 15 October 1987. 
64. Malaysian Army: began with the formation of its first Experimental Squad of the Royal Malay Regiment with 25 dedicated and adventurous Malay youth to joined on 1 March 1933 at Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. 
65. Masjid Jamek: located at Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur, was built in 1908 designed by an Englishman Arthur Benison Hubback, the same architect who designed the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. 
66. Masjid Kampung Hulu: the oldest mosque in Malaysia built by Dato' Shamsudin in 1728. 
67. Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve : at Matang District,Perak is regarded as the best-managed sustainable mangrove ecosystem in the world.
68. MEASAT : (Malaysian East Asia Satellite) > the MEASAT 1 was launched on 12 Janaury 1996 atKourou, French Guiana, South America while MEASAT 2 was launched on October 1996.
69. Megadiverse country: Malaysis is recognised as one of the 17 megadiverse countries, meaning there is a very high biodiversity. 
70. Melaka Bird Park: located at Ayer Keroh, Melaka was one of the largest aviaries in Malaysia. 
71. Melaka Planetarium: situated at Ayer Keroh, Melaka, the 3D space Theatre is deemed one of the most sophisticated in Asia.
72. Michelle Yeoh : beloved Hollywood actress and Bond Girl is proudly a Malaysian, born in Ipoh, Perak. 
73. MISC : Malaysian International Shipping Corporation was incorporated on 6 November 1968, its first vessel Bunga Raya, a cargo line of 18 901 dwt tonnes, named after Malaysia's National Flower the Hibiscus. 
74. Nasi Lemak: the National dish of Malaysia > made up of fragrant coconut rice, fried anchovies, boiled eggs, cucumber and sambal sauce.Various type of meat such as fish and chicken can be served with it too, creating an incredible mixture of flavours. 
75. National Anthem: the "Negara Ku" is the National Anthem of Malaysia. The tune has a romantic background which inksit ot the exile of Sultan Abdullah of Perak. It is in fact an adaption of the Perak State Anthem. 
76. National Elephant Conservation Centre : at Kuala Gandah, Lanchang, Pahang is the only one of its kind in Malaysia. 
77. National Monument : at Kuala Lumpur is one of the world's largest free-standing bronze sculptures. It is a brainchiled of the American Sculptor, Felix de Weldon, who also the creator of the famous Iwo Jima Memorial in Washinton D.C.
78. National Post Code: was launced on 1 October 1985. 
79. New Strait Times: Malaysian Newspaper in English had its beginning in Singapore on 15 July 1845. The company was incorporated in Malaysia on 20 December 1961.
80. Nordmann's Greenshark: found at Kuala Selangor Nature Park was one of the world's rarest birds has been spotted here.
81. Number 4 in Malaysia : Don't be surprised if you do not find the fourth floor in some of the buildings in Malaysia, but a floor called 3A instead. This is because the sound of four bears a resemblance to the sound of death in Chinese. 
82. Olympic Games : The first Olympic Contingent of Malaya was the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games comprised of 6 athletes, 2 swimmers, 18 Hockey players and 4 shooters. There was only one female athlete in the contingent that is Ms Annie Choong who participates in Athletics. 
83. Orang Asli: the earliest of the present-day inhabitants of Malaysia. People Semang, Senoi, Jakun etc in Peninsular Malaysia and the Penan of Sarawak and Rungus of Sabah, their presence in the country probably dates back over 5,000 years. 
84. Orang Utan: Asia's only great Ape was only found in Sabah and not found anywhere else in the world. 
85. Palm Oil: the first exclusive Oil Palm estate in the Peninsula started in 1917 by a Frenchman, Henry Fauconnier. By 1940 the Peninsula ranked 4th among world producers of Palm Oil. 
86. Pantai Sabak: (Sabak Beach) located at Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The site of the first landing of Japanese troops in Malaya during World War II on 8 December 1941.  
87. Penang Bridge:the longest bridge in Asia and the 3rd longest in the world with 8.5 km over water, 13.5 km long.In 1986 it was awarded the American Engineering Excellence Grand Award, and the FIABCI Special Award by the International Real Estatee Federation  of Malaysia in 1993. 
88. Penang Clock Tower: located at Persiaran Raja Edward, Penang. It was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. 
89. Penang Free School:  the oldest English Medium School in Southeast Asia.
90. Penang War Museum: at Batu Maung, Penang > listed as Top 10 Most Haunted Sites in Asia by the National Geographic Channel.
91. Perak Man: dating back some 11,000 years, currently on display at Lenggong Archaelogical Museum in Hulu Perak is the World's oldest complete human skeleton ever found.
92. Perak Museum: in Taiping, Perak is the oldest museum in Malaysia.
93. Peta Padang Bermain Futbal : The Malay version of Football rules was printed in Singapore in 1895, entitled "Peta Padang Bermain Futbal dan peraturan mengatur pemain" drawn by Syed Mahmoed. 
94. Petronas Twin Towers: at Kuala Lumpur are the tallest twin buildings in the world,  the world's highest two-storey bridge that connect the towers. 
95. Petroleum: the first oil well was opened at Miri, Sarawak in 1910. 
96. Pomelo (Citrus Maxima): is the largest citrus fruit in the world found in Malaysia. 
97. Proboscis Monkey: the long-nosed monkey is only found in Sabah, Malaysia and is distinguished by its huge, bulbous nose. 
98. PROTON SAGA : Malaysia's first National Car, rolled out of the factory on 9 July 1985. PROTON started it export programme in 1986 with the first export of 25 car to Bangladesh. 
99. Pulau Langkawi: at Kedah considered today as one of the top island to visit in the world.
100. Pulau Redang : located 45 km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu, hold two historic World War II shipwrecks namely the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse. 
101. Pulau Sipadan: at Sabah > The best Diving site in the world.
102. Pulau Tioman : in Pahang is one of the world's finest beach getaways.
103. Putrajaya Roundabout: at Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah is the world's largest roundabout with a diameter of 3.5 km.
104. Putrajaya Wetland : at Putrajaya was the first constructed freshwater wetland in Malaysia.
105. Radio Malaysia: Set up on 1 April 1946, then known as Radio Malaya. 
106. Rafflesia: found in Sabah & Sarawak is  the world's largest flower. The flower can reach up to 1 metre or 3 feet in diameter and weight as much as 10 kg or 22 pounds. Nepenthes Raja the largest of the pitcher plants which can hold over two litres of water is known in Sabah only. 
107. Rainforest: Malaysia is home to the oldest rainforest in the world. The Taman Negara is believed to be over 130 million years old. 
108. Ringgit: The national currency of Malaysia. The word ringgit means "jagged" in Malay, which refers to the jagged edges of Spanish silver dollars that used to be used in the region.
109. Royal Belum State Park : at Gerik, Perak is one of the largest untouched forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. About 3,000 species of flowering plants are found here including Rafflesia, the world's largest flower. 
110. Royal Malay Regiment :The Royal Malay Regiment today was not the first Malay Regiment that was formed in Malaya in 1933. In 1801, the British recruited the local Malay in their wars with the King of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) . These troops were admitted to the service of King George II and was called Malay Regiment.
111. Royal Malaysian Air Force: was formed at the Royal Air Base in Kuala Lumpur on 2 June 1958, it began with the arrival of the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer as its first aircraft in service. 
112. Royal Malaysian Navy: was formed on 27 April 1934 by the British Government at Singapore. It was originally called the Malay Section of the Royal Navy. On 23 May 1952, the Queen Elizabeth II of England bestowed the title "Royal" to the Malayan Navy. 
113. Royal Malaysian Police : or Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM), started during the Era of the Melaka Sultanate where duties were carried by the Temenggung. The formal of the modern Police in Malaya began in 1807 that led to the formation of the first Organised Police Forces at Penang.
114. Royal Museum Kuala Pilah: a former Royal Palace of Negeri Sembilan, built out of wood in 1908 without the use of a single nail.
115. Rubber Tree : the original batch of Rubber Tree brought by Englishman H.N. Ridley from London's Kew Garden in 1877 can still be seen at the Kuala Kangsar District Office, Kuala Kangsar, Perak. 
116. Rugby: the first Asian Rugby Club emerged in 1925 in Negeri Sembilan. The first purely Malayan inter-state Rugby competition was held in 1934. 
117. Sailing & Yatching: first introduced to Malaya by the British in 1927 where the first Yatch Club was formed in Port Dickson. 
118. Sam Poh Tong Temple : located at Ipoh is the biggest cave temple in Malaysia. 
119. Sarawak Chambers : at Mulu National Park, Miri, Sarawak was the world's largest natural rock chambers. It can accomodate 40 Boeing 747 without the planes even havig to overlap their wings to fit in. 
120. Selangor Golf Club: founded in 1893 and the first National Golf Tournament was held in 1902. 
121. Sepak Takraw: a native sport of Southeast Asia, Sepak is the Malay word for "kick" and "Takraw" is the Thai word for the "Woven rattan ball" traditionally used in the game. The first organised competition was held in Pulau Pinang in 1945. The game received International Status in 1965 when it was included in the SEAP Games (SEA Games) in Kuala Lumpur. 
122. SOGO Shopping Complex: at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur > was previously the first high rise apartment known as Sulaiman Courts which was built in 1957 and had 295 apartments between them. They were demolished in 1986 to make room for the SOGO shopping complex.
123. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple: at Jalan Bandar, Kuala Lumpur is the oldest Hindu Temple in Malaysia.
124. St. Francis Xavier Church: located at Melaka, was built in 1849 by Reverand Farve, a Frenchman dedicated to St. Francis Xavier,a 16th century Catholic saint who visited Melaka multipel times. 
125. St. George Church: at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Penang built in 1816 was the first Anglican Church in Southeast Asia.
126. St.Mary Cathedral : the first brick church to be erected in the country in 1895.
127. Stadhuys : at Bandar Hilir, Melaka was built by the Dutch in 1605 is the oldest remaining Dutch colonial building left in Southeast Asia.
128. Strait of Malacca : The richest unrecovered treasure from a sunken ship lies on the seafloor in the Strait of Malacca in Malaysia. In December 1511, the Portuguese ship Flora de la mar was returning to its home carrying the largest treasure that the Portuguese navy had collected when, unfortunately, the ship sank. Today, the area is patrolled by modern-day pirates. 
129. Submarine Museum : located at Dataran 1 Malaysia in Klebang, Melaka was the first and only submarine museum in Malaysia. It is a decommissioned Agosta 70 Class submarine named SMD Quessant from France. 
130. Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery : located at Kuala Kangsar, Perak was the first concrete palace to be built in Perak. 
131. Sultanate of Kedah is one of the oldest sultanates in the world, established in AD 1136. 
132. Sungai Pahang: The longest River in Peninsular Malaysia (475 km). 
133. Sungai Rejang : at Sibu, Sarawak was the longest river in Malaysia (563km). 
134. Sunway Lagoon: at Bandar Sunway, Selangor had the world's largest man-made sandy surf beach as well as Asia's tallest slingshot ride.
135. Swimming: began at club level in 1903. Malaya sent its first swimming entrants to the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956. 
136. Sybil Kathigasu: a gallant nurse who sacrified herself in the fight against the Japanese and treated the people on the hill. She was the only Malaysian Woman to be awarded the George Medal, the highest British award for bravery. 
137. Taiping Lake Garden : opened in 1880, is the first cultivated gardens in Malaysia. 
138. Taman Negara: at Pahang is the oldest Natural Rainforest in the world,  older than the Amazon Rainforest, has more than 10,000 species of Plants. Initially called King George V National Park before Malaysian Independence in 1957. 
139. Taming Sari Tower: located at Bandar Hilir, Melaka has the only gyro tower in Malaysia. 
140. Tanjung Piai: located in Southern Johore is the southernmost tip of mainland Asia.
141. Tasik Bera : located 32 km from Jerantut, Pahang is the largest natural freshwater lake in Malaysia and also the country's first Ramsar heritage site. 
142. Teh Tarik: means 'pulling tea' is one of Malaysia's beloved drinks. It's made by throwing the tea back and forth from one cup into another, without any spillages. 
143. Telekom Malaysia Berhad: the first operator in the Southeast Asia to introduce Nation-wide cellular Communications network with radio coverage composite of 182 075 sq.km area of land and 145 488 sg.km of sea. 
144. Television Malaysia: lauched on 28 December 1963. Colour transmission was launched on 28 December 1978. 
145. Terengganu State Museum : is the largest museum in Southeast Asia, spread across 27 hectares of land in Kampung Losong just 3 km from the city centre. 
146. Terusan Wat Mat Saman : stretching from Alor Setar to Gunung Jerai, built in 1885 was the longest canal in Malaysia.
147. Tree Top Walk & Sungai Sedim: ocated at Kulim Kedah is one of the world's longest tree top walk. 
148. Toong Fong Omnibus: The first Double-Decker bus in Malaya in 1948. 
149. Tualang Tree : the world' tallest tropical tree found in Malaysia, base diameter over 10 feet (3m) and reaches height of around 262 feet (80m).
150. Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad : the Oldest Prime Minister in the World at the age of 92 in 2018. 
151. TV 3 : Malaysia's first private network, went on air as a fully commissioned station on 1 June 1984. 
152. Underwater World Langkawi : the largest marine and fresh water aquaria in Southeast Asia. 
153. Utusan Malaysia: Malaysia's newspaper in Malay language. The Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad traces its name and history to year 1938 when Utusan Melayu Press Limited was incorporated in Singapore. The company move to Kuala Lumpur in 1958. In 1964, Mingguan Malaysia, the first newspaper in romanised Malay was published. 
154. Wang Kelian: in Perlis is the only place in the world where large-scale of cave tin-mining was conducted. 
155. Wat Chayamangkalaram : located at Lorong Burmah, Penang is the 3rd largest reclining Buddha in the world measuring 33 m. 
156. Wet World Shah Alam:is one of the longest uphill Water Coaster rides in the world. 
157. White Coffee in Malaysia: Ipoh in Perak is among the world's pioneers of white coffee. Lonely Planet placed Ipoh alongside Chiang Mai in Thailand and Tokyo, Japan on its list of Top 3 Best Coffee Town in Asia in 2018. 
158. Zenxin Organic Park : at Kluang, Johor is the first and largest organic farm in Malaysia.
159. Zoo Johor : one of the oldest zoo in Malaysia and Asia. 

Other Readings:

1. The Smart Local : 15 Unique Guiness World Records Held by Malaysia That confirm only our locals can achieve. 
2. Malaysian Records
3. Malaysia world Records
4. The Fact Life : 60 Interesting Facts about Malaysia.
5. Fact Retriever: 65 Interesting Malaysia Facts

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

Updated: 8 July 2025: 10.33 p.m

MALAY SHIPBUILDING: A RICH HISTORY

Is it true tha the Malays only received the new ships from Chinese Emperor, they did not build their own ships. Any evidence?

That is a common misconception, but historical and archaeological evidence actually tells a much more impressive story. While the Malay kingdoms certainly traded with China and received gifts from Emperors, they were prolific and sophisticated shipbuilders in their own right for centuries.

In fact, Southeast Asian naval technology was so advanced that it influenced many other cultures, including the Chinese.

1. The Evidence: Archaeological Finds

We don't just have stories; we have physical remains. Several shipwrecks prove that local builders used unique "Southeast Asian" construction techniques (like the sewn-plank and dowelled technique) long before heavy outside influence.

• The Pontian Ship (ca. 3rd–5th Century): Found in Pahang, Malaysia. This is one of the oldest examples of a "lashed-lug" vessel, proving locals were building sturdy, seafaring boats nearly 2,000 years ago.
• The Butuan Boats: Found in the Philippines (part of the wider Malay maritime world), dating back to the 4th century.
• The Phanom Surin Ship: A massive vessel found in Thailand showing the distinct "stitched" hull common to the region's early shipwrights.

2. Historical Records (The "Jong")

The most famous evidence comes from the accounts of early explorers and the Chinese themselves. The Jong (the origin of the word "Junk") was a massive Malay/Javanese sailing ship.

• Chinese Records: During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Chinese chroniclers described massive Southeast Asian ships called Kunlun Bo. They noted these ships were often larger than Chinese vessels at the time, sometimes carrying up to 1,000 people.
• Portuguese Accounts: When the Portuguese arrived in the 1500s, they were stunned. Duarte Barbosa and Tome Pires wrote about the Great Jongs of Malacca and Java, noting they were so thick-walled that Portuguese cannons couldn't easily pierce them.

3. Distinct Technology

Malay shipbuilders didn't just copy others; they had a specific "signature":

• No Nails: Early Malay ships used wooden dowels and fiber lashings rather than iron nails, which allowed the hull to be flexible in rough seas.
• Multiple Rudders: They often used twin lateral rudders (one on each side) long before the center-mounted rudder became global standard.
• Multiple Masts: They were using multiple masts and "tanja" sails (rectangular tilted sails) that allowed them to sail against the wind.

4. Why the Confusion?

The idea that they "only received ships" likely stems from the Tribute System. Malay Sultans would send envoys to China, and the Emperor would often gift luxury vessels or escort them back with Chinese fleets (like Zheng He’s). While these gifts were prestigious, they were a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands of locally built merchant and war vessels that dominated the Spice Trade.

Summary: The Malays were masters of the "Monsoon Trade." You can't control the world's busiest trade straits (Malacca) for a millennium without being a powerhouse in shipbuilding.

TYPES OF SHIPS USED BY THE MELAKA SULTANATE

The Malacca Sultanate (1400–1511) was a global trade hub, and its power relied entirely on its ability to protect the straits and transport massive amounts of cargo. They didn't just use one type of ship; they had a specialized "navy" ranging from massive cargo haulers to lightning-fast interceptors.

Here are the primary types of ships that defined the Malacca era:

1. The Jong (The Great Ship)

The Jong was the "super-tanker" of the 15th century. These were the vessels that carried spices from the Moluccas to Malacca and then to China or India.

• Size: They were massive, often reaching 50 to 80 meters in length.
• Construction: Built with multiple layers of planks (up to 4 layers thick) to withstand cannon fire. They were built without any iron nails, using wooden dowels instead.
• Capacity: A large Jong could carry 400–600 tons of cargo and hundreds of people.
• Significance: When the Portuguese commander Afonso de Albuquerque encountered a Malaccan Jong off the coast of Sumatra, he noted that his flagship's cannons were almost useless against its thick wooden hull.

2. The Lancaran

While the Jong was for heavy transport, the Lancaran was the versatile "workhorse" of the Malaccan fleet.

• Design: These were narrower, faster ships equipped with both sails and oars.
• Utility: They were used for both trade and war. Because they had oars, they could move even when there was no wind—a massive advantage in the calm waters of the Malay Archipelago.
• Defense: They usually carried meriam (bronze cannons) or lela (swivel guns) on their bows.

3. The Ghali (Gali)

As Malacca interacted more with Middle Eastern and (later) European traders, they developed the Ghali, which was a local adaptation of the Mediterranean Galley.

• Features: These were long, lean warships designed specifically for combat. They were heavily armed and relied on large crews of rowers to provide high-speed bursts during naval engagements.
• Tactics: The Sultanate used these to patrol the straits and enforce "passes" on foreign ships, ensuring that everyone paid their taxes at the Malacca port.

4. The Kelulus and Penjajap

These were the "special forces" vessels of the Sultan.

• Kelulus: A very fast, light rowing boat used for messaging and coastal raids. It was small enough to be pulled up onto a beach quickly.
• Penjajap: A fast maneuvering ship used by the Orang Laut (Sea People) who served the Sultan. They were designed to navigate shallow river mouths and hidden mangrove channels, making them perfect for ambushing pirates or invaders.

Summary Table of Malaccan Vessels

Ship Type	Primary Role	Propulsion	Notable Feature
Jong	Heavy Trade / Transport	Sails (Tanja)	Multi-layered hull, no iron nails.
Lancaran	Multi-purpose / Patrol	Sails & Oars	Fast and versatile.
Ghali	Naval Warfare	Oars & Sails	Heavily armed with bronze cannons.
Penjajap	Scouting / Ambush	Oars & Sails	Extremely fast; can navigate shallow water.

Why this matters

The existence of these specific designs proves that Malacca wasn't just "borrowing" technology. They were an entrepot—a place where Indian, Chinese, and Malay ship-building ideas merged to create some of the most advanced maritime technology of the pre-colonial era.

CHINESE RECORDS ABOUT MALAY SHIPS

Chinese records are actually some of the most reliable "eyewitness" accounts we have proving that the Malay/Southeast Asian people were independent, master shipbuilders. Far from just receiving gifts, the Chinese often relied on Malay ships to travel the world.

Here are the specific records and texts that mention these vessels:

1. Nan-chou I-wu Chih (Strange Things of the South) – 3rd Century CE

Written by Wan Chen during the Three Kingdoms period, this is one of the most famous records. It describes ships called Kunlun Bo (Ships of the Southern People).

• The Quote: He describes them as "the large ones are more than fifty meters in length and stand out of the water four to five meters... They carry from six to seven hundred persons, with 10,000 bushels of cargo."
• Why it matters: He explicitly notes that these ships were not Chinese. He explains their unique construction—that they used no iron nails and instead "bound the parts of the ship together with the fibrous bark of the coconut tree."

2. Yi-Chieh-Ching Yin-Yi (Pronunciation and Meaning of All Scriptures) – 8th/9th Century

Compiled by the monk Hui-lin, this text provides technical details about the ships used by travelers in the South Seas.

• The Description: It mentions that the po (large ships) were over 60 meters long and could carry 1,000 people.
• The Observation: It notes that the crews and technicians on these ships were "Kunlun people" (a term the Chinese used for Southeast Asians/Malays), proving the expertise belonged to the locals.

3. Ting-ping Yi-lan (Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era) – 10th Century

This encyclopedia cites earlier 3rd-century works by K’ang T’ai, a Chinese envoy.

• He records that Southeast Asian ships had seven sails and were capable of traveling as far as the Roman Empire (Syria). At that time, Chinese river-based ships were much smaller and typically used only one or two sails.

4. Ying-yai Sheng-lan (The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores) – 1416

Written by Ma Huan, the translator for Admiral Zheng He during his famous voyages to Malacca.

• The Observation: Ma Huan visited the Malay world and recorded the bustling ports of Malacca and Java. He described the local shipbuilding industry and noted that the local "Jongs" were used for massive trade.
• The Difference: He distinguished between the Chinese "Treasure Ships" and the local "Jongs," noting that the local ships were better suited for the specific winds and shallow reefs of the archipelago.

5. Sung Shih (History of the Song Dynasty)

These records detail the "Tribute Missions" from kingdoms like Srivijaya.

• While they mention gifts from the Emperor, they also record that the envoys arrived on their own ships, which were so large and sturdy that the Chinese officials were often impressed by their capacity to haul tons of aromatic woods and spices.

6. 2 Account during Wu Kingcom (190-280 CE):

1. Wushi Waiguo Zhuan : Account of Foreign Countries in the Wu Period. 
2. Nanzhou yiwu zhi : Record of Unusual Things from Southern Lands. 

Key Takeaway from these Records:

Feature	What the Chinese Records Say
Origin	Explicitly called "foreign ships" (po) or "ships of the Kunlun."
Fastening	Noted as "sewn" or "dowelled" (no iron nails), unlike Chinese ships.
Sails	Mentioned multiple masts (up to 7) and unique rectangular sails.
Size	Often described as larger and carrying more people than Chinese ships of the same era.

In short, the Chinese didn't just give ships to the Malays; for the first 1,000 years of their relationship, the Chinese were the ones paying for tickets to ride on Malay ships!

Google Gemini AI

13/2/2026: 11.25 a.m