HVS In Focus: Malaysia - Reinvigorated Opportunities
The Federation of Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, comprises 13 states and three federal territories covering a total area of 329,847 square kilometres across Peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia. Malaysia's population is approximately 31.4 million (2017 government estimate) with 62% being of Malay heritage. The country's diversity is reflected in the share of different ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Indians and Indigenous, in its total...
Malaysia - Country Overview
The Federation of Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, comprises 13 states and three federal territories covering a total area of 329,847 square kilometres across Peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia.
Malaysia's population is approximately 31.4 million (2017 government estimate) with 62% being of Malay heritage. The country's diversity is reflected in the share of different ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Indians and Indigenous, in its total population.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the direct and total contribution of Travel & Tourism to Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 4.9% and 13.4%, respectively of the total GDP in 2017, making tourism one of the key supporting industries by the economy.
In May 2018, Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over the office from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party and its Barison Nasional (BN) coalition government who has been in office since independence in 1957.
The change in government has ushered in a new era filled with optimism but uncertainty about the direction that the country is headed for. As of June 2018, GST has been abolished and several major infrastructural projects are under review as PH demonstrated a stern stance towards fiscal commitment.