Fun Facts about Malaysia

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country that includes the Malaysian Peninsula and a portion of Borneo Island (Sarawak & Sabah). Malaysia is a multicultural society with a population of about 32.7 million people from many ethnic groups. Malaysia is a multicultural country with nice weather, vibrant cities, a rich history, and a diverse range of landscapes, stretching from the southern hemisphere’s beaches to the northern hemisphere’s mountains.

Malaysia is a famous tourist destination because of its delicious cuisine, and because it is a Muslim-majority country, there are numerous halal restaurants to choose from. Malaysia is a fantastic country with a fascinating history and culture. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit!

The following are some fascinating facts about Malaysia:

1. From 1998 to 2004, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur held the record for being the world’s tallest structures. The Petronas Structures, which stand 451.9 metres (1,483 ft) tall and have 88 storeys, are the world’s highest twin towers and remain so to this day.

2. Datuk Jimmy Choo is a Malaysian shoe designer who was born in Penang. He was one of the co-founders of Jimmy Choo Ltd, a company noted for its handcrafted women’s shoes. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the Order of the British Empire upon him. Choo became a celebrity favourite thanks in large part to Princess Diana, Michelle Obama, and millions of other ladies who fell head over heels for the shoes.

3. Gunung Mulu National Park is home to three notable caves: Sarawak Chamber, which is the world’s largest underground chamber by surface area, measuring approximately 1.66 million square feet (154,500 square metres), Deer Cave, which is the world’s second largest cave passage, and Clearwater Cave, which is the longest cave system in Southeast Asia and the 9th longest cave in the world at 236.796 km (147.138 mi), all of which are located within the park.

4. Malaysia is said to be the location of the world’s largest undiscovered treasure. The sunken ship Flora de la mar (Flower of the sea) sank in December 1511 on the seafloor of Malaysia’s Strait of Malacca while returning from a voyage to Portugal. The ship was loaded with treasure and sank at sea while returning from a voyage to Portugal.

5. Malaysia is also the home of the Rafflesia flower, which is the largest flower on the planet. It’s called a “corpse flower” since it blooms with a foul smell. It has a bloom that can reach a diameter of more than a yard. It can be found in Borneo’s rainforests.

6. Malaysia is home to the “king of fruits,” the Durian. Others find the durian’s perfume overbearing with an unpleasant odour. It is a popular dish in Malaysia. When in season, you may find it in markets all across town. The fruit’s lingering odour led some hotels and public transportation agencies in Southeast Asia to ban it.

7. Borneo Island is the third-biggest island in the world, behind Greenland and New Guinea, and the largest island in Asia. Located in Southeast Asia, Borneo is a tropical island that is shared by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Southeast Asian nations of Brunei and Indonesia.

8. The island of Borneo is home to orangutans. Orangutans are known as “persons of the forest” in Malay, because their natural home is the rainforest. Orangutans are considered to be among the most intelligent non-human primates. Among the conservation areas are the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Matang Wildlife Centre in Sarawak, as well as the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary in Sabah, which both protect orangutans.

9. The Putrajaya Roundabout in Malaysia has a diameter of 3.5 kilometres, making it the world’s largest roundabout. The construction began in 1997 and was completed in 1999. It is the primary roadway or roundabout in the Malaysian capital of Putrajaya. The Putrajaya roundabout goes past several notable sites, including the Seri Perdana Complex (which houses the Prime Minister’s Office), the Putra Mosque, and the Istana Melawati Palace.

10. Every five years, the Malaysian king (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) is chosen from among the nine royal families. Traditional Malay monarchs are constitutionally in control of 9 of Malaysia’s 13 states. To be eligible for the crown, you must be a Malay Muslim of royal descent. Sultan Abdullah of Pahang is the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and his queen consort is known as the Raja Permaisuri Agong.

11. Dr. Wu Lien-teh, a Chinese-Malaysian epidemiologist, is credited with creating the first surgical face mask. As part of the effort to combat a highly contagious pneumonic plague (Manchurian plague of 1910–1911) in China, Dr. Wu helped develop techniques like as mask wear that are still utilised today in the fight against COVID-19.

12. The world’s tallest tropical tree was discovered in Sabah, Malaysia’s Borneo island state.
    The 330.7-foot (100.8-meter) Yellow Meranti Tree (Shorea faguetiana) in Sabah’s Danum Valley was the first 100-meter tropical tree found. The tree was named “Menara,” which means “tower” in Malay. Menara is the tallest flowering tree (angiosperm) in the world and the tallest tree on the Asian continent.

Quiz: Test your knowledge of Malaysia