Malaysia

General Information:

Location: Southeast Asia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Language(s): Bahasa Melayu, English
Population: 32,850,760
Total Area: 329,847 sq km
Currency: Ringitt
Curious Alcohol Fact: Alcohol is not too popular, especially among the Malays, and it is advisable that you stick to non-alcoholic beverages.
>Annual Average Liquor Consumption Per Capita: 0.80 liter
Most Popular Drink(s): Tea, fruit juices – best enjoyed with our Malaysia shot glass souvenirs

Malaysia Travel Video

Video Courtesy: UnravelTravelTV

The Country

A federation in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with the Yang-Di Pertuan Agong as the King.  As a result of a peculiar geography, Malaysia is not one contiguous country as the country has two parts –Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. The country has the following nations as neighbors: Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, although the new site for the federal government is Putrajaya. The country is located in the equatorial region and it has a tropical climate. Colonized by Britain, Malaysia gained independence in 1957.

The People:

Malaysia is a multiethnic society and I was really thrilled and impressed with the level of tolerance and harmony that existed between the various ethnic groups. I also learnt of a policy of the former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razaq called ‘OneMalaysia’ and it has helped a lot in promoting unity in the beautiful nation. Around half of the citizens are ethnic Malays and for obvious reasons, they dominate the country’s political setting. Apart from the Malays, there are Chinese, Indians, Thais, Chams and Khmers, in addition to the various native groups that inhabit the forested regions and hills of the country.

More than 60% of the citizens are Muslims and other popular faiths in the country are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism and folk worship. The most widely used language in the country is Bahasa Melayu (which I found very enchanting) and other languages are English, Chinese, Iban and Tamil. Malaysians are very nice, hospitable and warm people. The hardest part is leaving the country knowing that you will be leaving some of the kindest people on earth.

Places To Visit:

There is no state in Malaysia that does not have spectacular sites for the visitors. To start, visit the imposing architectural wonders called the Petronas Towers in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The towers are the tallest twin buildings in the world and serve as the headquarters of the national petroleum company, Petronas. Other places include the National Palace, National Mosque (Masjid Negara), Merdeka Square and Malaysian Houses of Parliament.

Dining:

Malaysians eat good foods, and the cuisine reflects the multicultural nature of the country. There are Malay, Indian, Chinese, Thai and many other types of foods. Interestingly, some meals have the flavors of even more than one ethnic group. One food that you will not be able to resist is called rendang. It is made from meat, cinnamon, cloves, coconut and onions, and is usually served with rice cakes. Another meal that you must taste is ayam goreng. It is chicken that has been deep-fried and full of tantalizing spices.

Drinking:

Alcohol is not too popular in the country except among the non-Muslims, and to be on the safer side you can take fresh fruit juices or tea.

Sports:

A progressive Muslim nation, sports occupy a central place in Malaysia. There are various forms and types of sports. Some of the most popular sports in the country include football, tennis, hockey, sailing and martial arts.

Interesting Facts About Malaysia:

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy headed by an elected king called the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
>A brand new city called Putrajaya is the new seat of administration.
>Malaysia is strict when it comes to applying the death penalty for drug traffickers.
>Malaysia is one of the most developed countries in Asia and you will really enjoy your stay in the country –full of nice and warm people.

Malaysia souvenirs

Moreover, Malaysia, with its several iconic symbols and landmarks, has always been and remains one of the most popular places to purchase souvenirs. However, among the many options of Malaysia-themed souvenirs, shot glasses are considered particularly and intriguing items for collecting or gifting.

©2025 World By Shotglass. All rights Reserved.
Special Thanks To Our Contributors:
Adebayo Ahmed Adebola (Ilorin, Nigeria) for story editing.