The demographics of Malaysia are represented by the multiple ethnic groups that exist in this country. Malaysia's population, as of July 2010, is estimated to be 28,250,500, which makes it the 44th most populated country in the world. Of these, 5.72 million Malaysians live in East Malaysia and 22.5 million live in Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian population continues to grow at a rate of 2.4% per year; about 34% of the population is under the age of 15. Malays and other Bumiputera groups make up 65% of the population, Chinese 26%, Indians 7.1% and other unlisted ethnic groups 1%. Population distribution is uneven, with some 20 million of 28 million citizens concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, which has an area of 131,598 kilometers (50.81 sq mi).
(Source : Malaysian Census, 2010)
What are the issues?
The data above tells us a lot of "behind the scene stories" in the Malaysian context of demography. for example, as 2010, our population stands at about 28.25 million which technically huge we compare to our land size. the spark in the population booming sine the last 5 years show that the fertility rates, the medical services and the socio-economic level of people in our country is good. this is the result of our prosperous economy development thanks to the good government policy too.
Malaysia, since the era of Dr Mahathir, had proposed a vision to maintain the current growth rates to achieve 70 million people by the year 2100. This can be achieved through the Dasar Kependudukan Negara, started from 1982. because of this policy also, the government have prepared with the infrastructure such as good network system, better transportation services, more well planned housing scheme, food security, and good education, medical and job opportunities. however, despite a good number of population we have by now, there are several issue need to be tackled.
The first, when there are so many people in one place, is the resources in that place is enough to support the ever increasing number of population? for example, Kuala Lumpur is home to about 2 million of people, not including the foreign workers and illegal immigrant from all over the world is struggling to provide enough housing, foods and basic infrastructure as the demands is relatively high. for example, the housing areas in Kuala Lumpur are selling like a hot cakes when the pre-order for the new one is open. this is just for the high-rise and luxury type apartment, not including the standard housing unit or even the lower price one as the demand is quite high too. Why this had happen? from my own perspective, KL is the leading centre of infrastructure, technology, education, financial, entertainment, retailing or even administration where people across the country would do anything they could to come and find a job here.
This, combine with the immigrant form the Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Philippines create a massive pressure on the city's infrastructure and natural sources like water. at one time, the water demand in Klang Valley is very high even the entire state of Selangor water reservoir cannot provide enough demand for the KL alone. how can KL be called a sustainable city if such thing happen? Well, we cannot simply forbid people from entering the city to find the job. but, we can discourage them to go the the other city, or even the new city that may need a huge labor force in various sectors to help them develop and sustain. this huge number of people can serve as the valuable workforce, especially in the construction and industrialization sector.
Penang, under the late Lim Chong Eu as the chief Minister, has long view this opportunity as their platform to become much better and developed state since the early 1970s. by looking at the Singaporean model, they are ready to sacrifice their sandy beaches, paddy field and traditional Malay village in the Bayan Baru to serve as the new industrial park in Malaysia. combining with the low corporate tax (at that time), better infrastructure (near to Penang Port and Bayan Lepas Airport) and also cheap yet skilled labour force, it has now become one of the important industrial zone in the South East Asia with many multinational companies (MNC) have their own factory here such as Sony, Intel, Samsung, Western Digital and Mattel. This is just an example of how can we make a sustainable city that benefits all, not just one side only, but most important, the PEOPLE get the benefits from our decision
Conclusion
Having a huge number of population isn't just showing that we can be a great nation. It is all about on how we, the people in the country manage our resources properly so that we can have enough sources to maintain our economic growth along with the increasing number of people, without anyone left form the benefits. if a tiny Singapore with only 5 million people and WITHOUT any single natural resources could survive, how could our country cannot do the same?
=)
Malaysia, since the era of Dr Mahathir, had proposed a vision to maintain the current growth rates to achieve 70 million people by the year 2100. This can be achieved through the Dasar Kependudukan Negara, started from 1982. because of this policy also, the government have prepared with the infrastructure such as good network system, better transportation services, more well planned housing scheme, food security, and good education, medical and job opportunities. however, despite a good number of population we have by now, there are several issue need to be tackled.
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| Multi cutural Malaysian. |
The first, when there are so many people in one place, is the resources in that place is enough to support the ever increasing number of population? for example, Kuala Lumpur is home to about 2 million of people, not including the foreign workers and illegal immigrant from all over the world is struggling to provide enough housing, foods and basic infrastructure as the demands is relatively high. for example, the housing areas in Kuala Lumpur are selling like a hot cakes when the pre-order for the new one is open. this is just for the high-rise and luxury type apartment, not including the standard housing unit or even the lower price one as the demand is quite high too. Why this had happen? from my own perspective, KL is the leading centre of infrastructure, technology, education, financial, entertainment, retailing or even administration where people across the country would do anything they could to come and find a job here.
This, combine with the immigrant form the Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Philippines create a massive pressure on the city's infrastructure and natural sources like water. at one time, the water demand in Klang Valley is very high even the entire state of Selangor water reservoir cannot provide enough demand for the KL alone. how can KL be called a sustainable city if such thing happen? Well, we cannot simply forbid people from entering the city to find the job. but, we can discourage them to go the the other city, or even the new city that may need a huge labor force in various sectors to help them develop and sustain. this huge number of people can serve as the valuable workforce, especially in the construction and industrialization sector.
 |
| Malaysian? Certainly not! |
Penang, under the late Lim Chong Eu as the chief Minister, has long view this opportunity as their platform to become much better and developed state since the early 1970s. by looking at the Singaporean model, they are ready to sacrifice their sandy beaches, paddy field and traditional Malay village in the Bayan Baru to serve as the new industrial park in Malaysia. combining with the low corporate tax (at that time), better infrastructure (near to Penang Port and Bayan Lepas Airport) and also cheap yet skilled labour force, it has now become one of the important industrial zone in the South East Asia with many multinational companies (MNC) have their own factory here such as Sony, Intel, Samsung, Western Digital and Mattel. This is just an example of how can we make a sustainable city that benefits all, not just one side only, but most important, the PEOPLE get the benefits from our decision
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| Two great leaders in the nation in the old days. |
Conclusion
Having a huge number of population isn't just showing that we can be a great nation. It is all about on how we, the people in the country manage our resources properly so that we can have enough sources to maintain our economic growth along with the increasing number of people, without anyone left form the benefits. if a tiny Singapore with only 5 million people and WITHOUT any single natural resources could survive, how could our country cannot do the same?
"Everyone can talk about sustainability, but less can actually apply it."
=)
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