Malaysia
...s, Malaysia is has a rich history with many countries influencing its unique culture. Although the official religion is Islam, Buddhists, Hindus, Confucianists and Christians all practise their religions throughout the land. Traditional Malaysian literature, music ad dance can be seen and heard throughout the country. Sejarah Melayu is a recount of Malaysia's history, and is tought to students in Malaysian schools. Dances, of Indian and Chinese origins are popular and are performed at festivals, such as the annual harvest festival. Malaysia music is mostly percussional, and each village has its own unique music style. Family life is very important to Malaysians. Surprisingly, women play a major role in the household, however they have not made much impact in the government of business spectrum. Men and women have equal rites and are both treated relatively equally in society. Many families are moving into urbanised areas, which provide better education and health facilities opposed to the poorer rural areas. It is evident that Malaysia has a stable society and is proud to be a peaceful, multicultural nation. Malaysia has for a long time been recognised for its relatively untouched environment, which problems only recently arrising. 60% of the land is covered by lucious forest, rivers meandering through the vast mountain ranges. These forests provide the countries Rubber and Oil palm industries, which have only developed over the past 100 years. The land is home to the oldest jungles in the world, filled with many animal and plant species. But unfortunatly, Malaysia also has its share of rising problems. A government plan to construct a huge hydro-electricity dam in Sarawak requires 27,600 ha of land to be cleared. Deforestation is already a concern for the country, as is the drainage problem in Kuala Lumpur. Air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions and smoke from Indonesian forest fires is rising, and sewrage is a major problem as it is polluting the water. But Malaysia has realised these problems, and the government is taking definate action to provent further damage. The country has signed many International Environment Agreements, including a plan to protect the Ozone Layer. Malaysia is one of the most economically stablest countries in its region, becoming increasingly urbanised. Since the 1970’s Malaysia has been advancing economically, infact over the past 15 years the country has grown from a producer of raw materials to a multi-sector economy. Exports have been responsible for this growth, particularily el...