Malaysia At The Top of The World

Selamat Datang (Welcome) !

For this time around, the post is not on architecture, but merely about it. Somehow, the thing is suddenly cropped up on my mind and I am likely to share about it. It is about my beloved country named Malaysia. . .

Every single man on this planet must belongs to some ethnics and countries. The 7 billion people on this planet are living and working at certain territories and countries. In fact, no people is stateless and race-less. It is something that God has given for us to appreciate and get to know each other well, isn't?

For those who did not know, I am a Malaysian. A multi-racial country located right in the heart of Southeast Asia and bordering Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. That shows how centrally and strategically Malaysia is located.

I have to admit that previously I am not pretty much into patriotism. And I believe some younger Malaysians do as well. But hey, no country is perfect either. Somehow, I realised how much grateful I am to be born and live here in this land, as compared to some other countries.
So, even though it is no longer August (31st August is Malaysian Independence Day), I have something to share on the things that should always make us proud born and breed as Malaysians! Malaysia Boleh! (Malaysia Can Do!)

Below is the list of rankings and achievements of Malaysia (or Kuala Lumpur, the capital city) of the world / international level, divided in various areas:

1.Geography and Natural Element
2. Infrastructure and Man Made Elements
3. Economics
4. Culture and Social

Here are some quick info on Malaysia :

The Official Seal of the Federation of Malaysia

Official Name : Federation of Malaysia
Capital City : Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya (administrative)
Area Size : 330,000 sqkm
Population : 28 million
Demographic : Malays and Bumiputera or the natives (majority), Chinese, Indian, Eurasians, Others
Languages : Bahasa Melayu or Malay Language (official), English Language, Chinese Languages, Tamil Language
Religions : Islam (official), Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity
Independence : 31st August 1957 from United Kingdom
Establishment : 16th Sept 1963 consists of Malaya Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia
Territories : 11 states and 2 federal territories in Peninsular Malaysia and 2 states and 1 federal territory in East Malaysia (Borneo)

 The Malaysian Flag a.k.a. Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory)

1. Geography and Natural Element

130 - The world's oldest tropical rain forest - 130 million years

1 - The world's longest strait, Strait of Malacca and named after one of its states, Melaka

1 - The world's most bio diverse water cum the world's top dive destination, Sipadan Island by MSN

1 - The world's largest cave chamber, the Sarawak Chamber in Gunung Mulu (Mount Mulu) National Park

1 - 1 of the world's oldest virgin forests within a city, Bukit Nanas (Nanas Hill) Forest Reserve in Kuala Lumpur

1 - 1 of the world's sweetest and most sublime beaches, the beach in Perhentian Island by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's national geopark, the Langkawi Geopark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

8 - 8 of the world's top 10 animal encounters, the synchronous fireflies in Selangor River by the National Geographic

9  - 9 of 10 world's top 10 beaches, the Datai Bay beach in Langkawi Island by the National Geographic

12 - 1 of 12 world's mega diverse countries by Conservation International

- The world's smallest elephant, the Borneo pygmy elephant in Sabah

2. Infrastructure and Man Made Elements

1 - The world's first intelligent garden city, the Malaysian federal government administrative city of Putrajaya

1 - 1 of the world's first smart cities, the hub of Multimedia Super Corridor, Cyberjaya

1 - The world's most advanced low-carbon mega-city cum world's first smart metropolis, Iskandar Malaysia region in Johor

1 - The world's tallest twin buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur by Council on Tall Builing and Urban Habitat and Guinness World Records

1 - The world's first, longest and only multi purpose tunnel, the Smart Tunnel in Kuala Lumpur

1 - The world's largest religious dome structure cum the world's tallest group of mosque minarets (towers), the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam

1 - The world's largest hotel, the First World Hotel in Genting Highlands

1 - The world's first destination for luxury hotel chains, Harrods Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

1 - The world's largest covered bird park, the KL Bird Park in Kuala Lumpur

1 - The world's first integrated bio-methionine and thiochemicals plant in Kerteh

1 - The world's first integrated lobster aquaculture park in Semporna

1 - The world's tallest indoor tube slide, LeX Slide in Subang Jaya

1 - The world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Sunway Lagoon

1 - The world's largest vortex water ride in Sunway Lagoon

1 - The world's largest man-made surf beach in Sunway Lagoon

1 - The world's first Waterplexx 5D in Sunway Lagoon

1 - The world's first on-board biometric immigration checks at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang

1 - The world's best international convention hotel, The One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya by the International Hotel Awards 2012

1 - The world's first airport with Green Globe 21 certificate, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

1 - The world's first one stop centre for government agencies, services and business, the Urban Transformation Centre throughout Malaysia

1 - The world's fastest cable car and 1 of the world's top 10 funiculars and cable cars, the Genting Skyway in Genting Highlands by the National Geographic

1 - The world's most scenic cable car ride, the Panorama Cable Car in Langkawi Island by the  Environmental Graffiti

1 - 1 of the world's top performing arts centre, the Istana Budaya (Cultural Palace) in Kuala Lumpur

1 - 1 of the world's most challenging and best motor racing circuits, the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang

1 - 1 of the world's best airports, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang

2 - 2 of the world's heritage cities, George Town and Melaka by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and Organisation of World Heritage Cities

2 - 2 of the world's top 10 greatest mansions and grand houses, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in George Town by Lonely Planet

3 - 3 of the world's top 10 largest shopping malls, which are located in Kuala Lumpur ( 1 Utama and Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya, Mid Valley Megamall in Bangsar)

3 - 3 of the world's most bizarre hotel, the Seaventures Dive Resort, Sipadan Island by Trip Advisor

7 - 7 of the world's tallest telecommunication towers, the Kuala Lumpur Tower by World Federation of Great Towers

4 - 4 of the world's top 10 hideaways and inns, the Pangkor Laut Resort in Pangkor Island by the National Geographic

8 - 8 of the world's top 10 child-friendly airport, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine

8 - 8 of the world's top 10 city skylines, the Kuala Lumpur skyline by Reuters / Yahoo Travel

10 - 10 of the world's top 10 cities to have most buildings above 100 meters, Kuala Lumpur by Council on Tall Builing and Urban Habitat

11 - 11 of the world's top 20 biggest stadiums, the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur

3. Economics

1 - The world's biggest palm oil producer

1 - The world's largest large scale cave tin-mining in Wang Kelian, Perlis

3 - 3 of the world's largest initial public offering (IPO) venue 2012, the Bursa Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur

18 - 18 of 135 of the world's ranking of ease doing business by the International Finance Corporation 2012

25 - 25 of the world's top 30 most competitive countries by Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013

4. Culture and Social

1 - The world's best airline cabin staff, the Malaysia Airlines by World Airlines Awards 2012

1 - The world's first country to introduce intelligent citizenship identification card, MyKad that incorporates both photo identification and fingerprint biometric data on an in-built computer chip embedded in a piece of plastic

1 - 1 of the world's top Muslim tourists destination by DinarStandard

1 - 1 of the world's best high teas, the E&O's tea room at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, George Town by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's best festivals, the Thaipusam by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's best breads, the Malaysian roti canai by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's top medical adventure destinations by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's top 11 best street foods, Murtabak by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's top food menu, the Penang Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice) by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's best-value destinations in 2010 by Lonely Planet

1 - 1 of the world's top 10 countries in 2010 by Lonely Planet

2 - 2 of the world's top 10 cheapest countries to visit by Yahoo Travel

4 - 4 of the world's top 10 best shopping cities, Kuala Lumpur by CNN

4 - 4 of the world's most dedicated workforce by Expedia's 2012 Vacation Deprivation Survey

6 - 6 of the world's best shopping destinations, Kuala Lumpur by The Globe Shopper Index

9 - 9 of the world's top 10 regions in 2012, the Malaysian Borneo of Sabah and Sarwak by Lonely Planet

9 - 9 of the world's top 10 international tourism destinations by World Tourism Organisation

9 - 9 of the world's top 10 halal tourism destinations by Yahoo Travel

10 - 10 of the world's top 15 friendliest countries by HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey

10 - 10 of the world's top 10 best countries for food, together with Indonesia by Lonely Planet

20 - 20 of the world's global peace index ranking by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)

- The world's lowest death rate of respiratory diseases, together with Qatar

Thus, these are the facts and info that you should know about Malaysia. Believe it or not, this small country has lots to offer, more than just meet the eye. After all, I am proud to be part of this country.

And this all thanks to the leadership and wisdom of the leaders. There are good and bad criticism about them, but then, look at what they have turned this country into, as compared to others. Due to the economic prosperity, Malaysia has become the 'magnet' country attracting foreign workers as far as from South Asia and Africa, including the neighbouring South East Asia.

As a Muslim, being grateful is something that always been encouraged and reminded every single time. I am indeed, very much thankful to live here, granted with a good family and friends, exciting career and a great lifestyle on this blissful land named Malaysia . .

p/s : Thanks for reading. This post has nothing to do with any political motives or upcoming political landscape in Malaysia, but a factual post with genuine feelings of the writer towards his beloved country. Should you have anything to share or say about the post, feel free to leave your comments below.