Malaysia is a diverse tropical country encompassing both the Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It spans approximately 330,803 square kilometers and features coastline stretching 2,068 kilometers along Peninsular Malaysia and 2,607 kilometers along East Malaysia. The country shares land borders with Thailand to the north and maritime boundaries with Viet Nam and Indonesia, while to the south, it is separated from Singapore by the Johor Strait. The rich cultural diversity of Malaysia is shaped by the major ethnic groups of Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous people of Malaysia.

Islam is Malaysia’s official religion, but the country also has notable communities of Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus. This diverse belief enriches its cultural landscape, which is showcased through traditional art like Batik and Songket. he Malaysian economy is largely driven by agriculture, forestry, fishing, and tourism, with significant contributions from palm oil, rubber, and tropical fruits. The nation’s varied ecosystems encompass tropical rainforests, mangroves, and mountain ranges. However, deforestation remains a serious concern for its vast forest areas. Malaysia is home to several endangered species, including the Malayan tiger Panthera tigris jacksoni, Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros, Bornean orangutan Pongo pygmaeus, and the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. To preserve its natural heritage, the country has established around 60 protected areas, including 6 ASEAN Heritage Parks.

Malaysia boasts an impressive array of biodiversity which includes 863 bird species, 293 species of amphibians, 507 species of reptiles, and 357 species of mammals. Its plant diversity is equally diverse with 20,000 known species of trees, shrubs, ferns, lycophytes, etc. However, forest cover has diminished substantially from 73% in 1990 to approximately 54% in 2020, reflecting a 19% loss over three decades due to deforestation.

The major drivers of this loss include logging, expansion of palm oil plantations, and agricultural growth. Additionally, forest fires, whether natural or human-induced, contribute to deforestation and air pollution, while infrastructure development further fragments habitats. Despite ongoing reforestation efforts and the establishment of protected areas, the recovery of forest cover has been modest compared to the scale of deforestation.

Malaysia is remarkable and holds a concentration of diverse marine biodiversity which includes 2,983 fish species, 569 coral species, 20 marine mammal species, and seven global sea turtle species —Green, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Flatback Sea Turtle. Additionally, Malaysia’s marine waters include approximately 15 species of seagrass and 50 mangrove species, contributing to rich habitats for various marine species.

However, these diverse ecosystems face significant threats from anthropogenic pressures: overfishing depletes fish stocks and damages reefs, while coral bleaching from rising sea temperatures threatens reef health. Pollution, including plastic waste and oil spills, adversely affects water quality and marine life. Coastal development and land reclamation have led to the destruction of vital mangrove forests and seagrass beds. Illegal wildlife trade threatens species like coral, sea turtles, and sharks, while climate change exacerbates these issues by altering sea levels and ocean conditions.