My Moments Diary: Demographics malaysia

Malaysia's population comprises many ethnic groups. Malays make up the majority of the population at 50.4%; and other bumiputra11%^[2] of the population. According to constitutional definition, Malays are Muslims who practice Malay customs (adat) and culture. Malays play a dominant role politically. Bumiputra status is also accorded to certain non-Malay indigenous peoples, including ethnicThais, Khmers, Chams and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak. Non-Malay bumiputra make up more than half of Sarawak's population (of which 30% are Ibans), and close to 60% of Sabah's population (of which 18% are Kadazan-Dusuns, and 17% are Bajaus).^[2] There also exist aboriginal groups in much smaller numbers on the peninsula, where they are collectively known as Orang Asli.^[127] Many tribes, both on the peninsula and in Borneo, were traditionally nomadic or semi-nomadic hunter—gatherers. Laws over who gets Bumiputra status vary between states.^[128]

Various other minorities who lack Bumiputra status have established themselves in Malaysia, for a variety of reasons. 23.7% of the population are Malaysians of Chinese descent, while Malaysians of Indian descent comprise 7.1% of the population.^[2] Malaysian Chinese have historically been dominant in the Malaysian business and commerce community, and form the majority of the population of Penang. Indians began migrating to Malaysia in the early 19th century.^[129] The majority of the Indian community are Tamils.^[130] Many Europeans and Middle Easterners assimilated through inter-marriage into the Christian and Muslim communities respectively. Most Eurasian Malaysians trace their ancestry to British, Dutch or Portuguese colonists.

Malaysian citizenship is usually granted by lex soli.^[131] Citizenship in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo are distinct from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for immigration purposes. Every citizen is issued a biometric smart chip identity card, known as MyKad, at the age of 12, and must carry the card at all times.^[132]

The population distribution is highly uneven, due to the population concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia.^[133] About 20million residents of the approximately 28million live on the peninsula.^[3] 70% of the population is urban.^[2] Due to the rise in labour intensive industries,^[134] Malaysia is estimated to have over 3 million migrant workers, which is about 10% of the Malaysian population.^[135] Sabah based NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million population, 2 million are illegal immigrants.^[136]

Additionally, according to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Malaysia hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 155,700. Of this population, approximately 70,500 refugees and asylum seekers are from the Philippines, 69,700 from Burma, and 21,800 from Indonesia.^[137] The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants named Malaysia as one of the Ten Worst Places for Refugees on account of the country's discriminatory practices toward refugees. Malaysian officials are reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs RELA, a volunteer militia, to enforce its immigration law.^[137]

Largest Cities of Malaysia^[138]

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City
State/Territory
Population
City
State/Territory
Population

1
Subang Jaya
Selangor
1,553,589

Kuala Lumpur

Subang Jaya
8
Kuching
Sarawak
658,549