Brief History:

In the first century AD, two far-flung but related events helped stimulate Malaysia's emergence into international trade in the ancient world. As maritime trade among Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese ports flourished, the peninsula benefited from its location as well as from development of its diverse resources, including tropical woods and spices. Indian trade brought Indian culture, economy, religion, and politics, with historic results for what is now Malaysia.

From the 9th to 13th century, the Buddhist Malay Kingdom of Srivijaya dominated much of the peninsula, which was followed by the Hindu Kingdom of Majapahit in the 14th century,. In the early 14th century conversion of the Malays to Islam began and this led to the formation of the state of Malacca in the 15th century. The Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511, which marked the beginning of European expansion in Southeast Asia. In 1641the Dutch ousted the Portuguese from Malacca and the British captured the region in 1795.

During British control, a well-ordered system of public administration was established, public services were extended, and large-scale rubber and tin production was developed. This control was interrupted by the Japanese invasion and occupation from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. Communist guerrillas, who fought the Japanese throughout the occupation, began an armed struggle against British rule in 1948 and Malaya achieved independence in 1957. Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore combined with Malaya to establish Malaysia in 1963, but two years later Singapore withdrew from the confederation. The formation of Malaysia was opposed by both the Philippines and Indonesia, as each had territorial claims on East Malaysia.

Tension rose in 1963 during the 'Confrontation' with Indonesia. Indonesian troops crossed Malaysia's borders but were repelled by Malaysian and Commonwealth forces. In 1969, violent riots broke out between Malays and Chinese, though the country's racial groups have since lived in relative peace together. The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has been in power since 1974. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is keen to exert his influence on the world stage as a pan-Asian leader, presided over a booming economy until 1997, when tumbling Asian currencies dragged the ringgit down with them.

In September 1998 the country hosted the Commonwealth Games, but the public relations aspect of the competition came apart when students and citizens protested against the unfair sacking and later imprisonment of deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim. Continuing street protests,calling for the resignation of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have unsettled Malaysia's reputation as one of the most politically stable of South-East Asian countries.

Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail was installed as Malaysia's 12th king on 25 April 2002. Mahathir Mohamad was elected as the prime minister in 1981 and he continues to serve the role for the past 22 years.