Malaysia is the 48th most populous nation in the world (July 2005: 23,953,136) and consists of 13 states (Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Penang, Selangor, Malacca, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah and Sarawak) and the Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan).

States of Malaysia

Perlis

The smallest state in Malaysia. The majority of its people are Malays (78%), followed by Chinese (17%). The economy is based on rice, rubber and fishing.

Kedah

The rice bowl state. The majority of the people are Malays (72%), followed by Chinese (19%) and Indians (8%) with a million plus population. Kedah is Malaysia's oldest state. The ruling traces its origin ti Hindu times, and is the only state that still has ruins from that period.

Penang

The state occupies an island and a part of the mainland. The Chinese (55%) are the majority of the population at over a million with Malays (33%) and Indians (11%)

Perak

The second largest state in peninsular Malaysia, it was once the richest state during the tin bloom and Ipoh was known as the city of millionaires. This is no longer the case since the worldwide drop in tin prices. With a population of a little more than 2 million, the percentage of Malays (45%) and Chinese (41%) are almost the same. There is also quite a small percentage of Indians (14%)

Selangor

Selangor is the state surrounding the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Total population is above 2 million, composed of 44% Malays, 35% Chinese, 18% Indians. The Klang Valley is a big industrial centre containing the cities of Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam (its capital), Klang and Port Klang, the second largest port in Malaysia.

Putrajaya

Malaysia's new administrative capital, a metropolis of landscaped gardens and domed buildings is Malaysia's third Federal Territory after Kuala Lumpur and Labuan. This new city will ultimately provide for an approximately 330,000 people and will function as the principal seat if government. It will be served by advanced communications and transportation infrastructure.

Kuala Lumpur

The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, a modern, bustling city if well over 1.8 million people. Whereas ethnic Malays are the majority nationality, ethic Chinese constitute the predominant group in KL. Even so the city still has a large Malay population and a substantial ethnic Indian minority.

Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan is practically an inland state with only 48km of coastline. It has a population of about 757,000 of whom 46% are Malays, 36% are Chinese and 17% are Indians. The state is set on industrialisation as its agriculture had already been fully developed. Rice, cocoa, oil palm, rubber trees, livestock and fish (including shrimps are all raised here).

Melaka

With a population of 75,000 of whom 54% are Malays, 36% are Chinese and 8% are Indians. The state is industrialising rapidly. Noted for its history and remnants of past colonisers.

Johor

The southernmost state on the peninsula, it has a population of about 2 million, consisting of 55% Malays, 36% Chinese and only 6% Indians. Johor is a leading agricultural state, especially rubber, palm oil and pineapples. Johor is Industrialising rapidly, its proximity to Singapore is a big factor to the development.

Pahang

Pahang, the largest state in peninsula Malaysia, lies on the east coast and has a population of 1 million people. It has vast stretches of primeval rainforest that dominate the state offering exotic flora and fauna. It has hill resorts, waterfalls, an invigorating mountains and palm-fringed beaches.

Kelantan

With a population of about 1 million, it has the percentage of Malays with 93%. The Chinese make up only 5% and Indians only 1%. The people are mostly rice and tobacco farmers. Other products include rubber, palm oil, coconuts and fruit. Fishing is also an important industry. Kelantan is well known for traditional Malay handiwork, silverwork, brocade, batik etc.

Terengganu

The highest number of Malays among all the states. The population of about 750,000 is 93% Malay and 5% Chinese. People earn their living from fishing, boat building (for which they are famous), coconuts and rubber. Though it is the least developed state in the peninsula, the discovery of oil and gas along its coast is changing the landscape dramatically.

Sabah

Though Sabah is among the most expansive places in South East Asia, the land has much to offer. Sabah is primarily mountainous. Oil as well as mineral resources make the state an important player in the Malaysian economy. Another important economic product is timber. Though Islam is practiced by Malays and Bajau, Christianity is alo more widespread here with adherents from Kadazan. With a population of about 1.25 million, here the Malays are a real minority with only 8%, 63% are from various indigenous ethic groups and the remainder is from other groups, primarily Indians and Chinese. The predominant ethnic group is Kadazan Dusun (18.4%) followed by Bajau (17.3%) and Malays (15.3%).

Sarawak

The largest Malaysian state, it has a population of about 2.3 million with 40% living in the 3 big cities of Kuching, Sibu and Miri. The remainder of the population lives in the countryside or in the jungle. The economy of the state is mainly oil and gas, timber and pepper. Islam is not very widespread and is limited mostly to the large towns. In the interior, many of the people are Christians and some still practice Animism. The predominantly ethnic group is the Ibans which accounted for 30.1% of the state's total Malaysians citizens followed by the Chinese (26.7%) and Malays (23.0%)

Labuan

Formerly part of Sabah. In 1984 it was given the status of a Federal Territory. With her free port status, Labuan, economically speaking was a 'sleeping beauty' with growth taking place after becoming a Federal Territory. The population of Labuan is about 78,000 comprising 41,900 males and 36,100 females. Malays - 24,000, Chinese - 9,400, Indians - 900, with other races -20,900 and foreigners - 22,400.

Our Churches in Malaysia

Of these, we have churches in only 4 states. It is our dream and prayer that will have a church in every state of Malaysia. Many of our families, relatives and friends are in places where we do not have a church. They have been waiting a long time.