Muslim or Islamic
The youngest of the Abrahamic traditions, it dates from the seventh century of the CE calendar, and closely identifies itself with the prophetic strands of Biblical tradition. However, it has highly developed legal and mystical traditions of its own as well. And it is a dramatic example of a "religion of the book" in which the Qur'an is widely regarded as the full, final revelation of the One Creator of the universe to his last and final prophet, Muhammad. The second (perhaps even first) most populous religious tradition in the world.

Buddhist
Established in northern India about 2500 years ago in response to the life and teachings of Gautama Siddhartha who was given the title 'Buddha' or awakened-one, the tradition has spread throughout the world and has subdivided into numerous distinct groups. Although monasticism was a major aspect of early Buddhism, the tradition has both monastic and non-monastic followers.

Confucian
A great tradition with a highly developed emphasis on ethics, ritual, and learning. Derives from the life and teachings of Master Kung (551-479 BCE). Unsuccessful in politics and government, but eventually he became a very great influence on Chinese culture.

Hindu
The mega-tradition of India (or, some would say, the artificial construct created by Western scholars to interpret religion in India). No founder or single, central authoritative institutions. Possibly the most ancient of human traditions. Requires a fairly steep learning curve to gain competence in understanding Hinduism due to the complexity, multiple classical languages, and mass of information that resists simple classification -- but is fascinating and well worth studying.

Christian
From its origins as a small Jewish sect and its success in the Greco-Roman world, this tradition -- which believes itself to be intended for all humanity and so proselytizes and converts people worldwide -- has become one of the two most populous religions on the planet. However, there are many forms of Christianity -- mainly the (Eastern) Orthodox, the (Roman) Catholic, and the many types of Protestant religion that are always in process of forming and reforming.

Sikh
The tradition that developed from the teachings of Guru Nanak and his nine successors. The lineage of human spiritual masters ended with Guru Gobind Singh and subsequently the teaching authority passed to the Guru Granth Sahib -- a highly honored scripture -- and the collective membership of the baptisted order within Sikh tradition that was established by the last of the human masters -- the Khalsa Panth. There are about fourteen million Sikhs worldwide, most of them still living in or near the Punjab state of northern India.

PEOPLE
Malaysia is a nation of diversity in unity where Malays, Chinese, Indians and the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak live in caring cultural harmony. Once you have overcome your jet-lag fatigue, step into the real heart of Malaysia-the citizens of the country. You would be pleasantly surprised at the warmth of Malaysians. For deeply entrenched within each of the different races is the engaging charm and traditional hospitality, which the country is renowned for.
Malaysians enjoy meeting people from other lands. So, do go right ahead and strike up a conversation. After all, the whole point of traveling is to know other cultures.

LANGUAGE
The National Language, Bahasa Melayu is established as such under Article 152 of the Constitution, which also safeguards other languages by stipulating that no person may be prohibited or prevented from using (except for official purposes) or from teaching or learning any other language. As the national language, Bahasa Melayu must be used for official purposes, which include its use by federal and state governments, and as defined by the constitutional amendment of 1971, by all authorities (including local authorities) and statutory bodies. By the same constitutional amendment the status of Bahasa Melayu may not be questioned, and any amendment to Article 152 can only be made with the consent of the Conference of Rulers.

CUSTOMS
These are naturally identified with the various ethnic groups. The main features of each are outlined below:
· Malay :

       There are two systems of social organizations - the Adat Temenggung which is patrilineal and the more pervasive, and the Adat Perpatih which is matrilineal and confined to the State of Negeri Sembilan and parts of Malacca.
Malay adat istiadat or customs and traditions include the adat resam that covers birth and death and the other major events of life, and the adat istiadat diraja or royal customs and traditions that apply to the royal courts.

Dress - On ceremonial occasions the men wear Malay dress consisting of a baju (loose shirt) and a pair of long trousers. A sarung is wrapped around the waist and is left to hang halfway over the trousers. The headdress consists of a black songkok. A tanjak or tengkolok is used on grander occasions.

The women usually wear baju kurung consisting of a loose fitting blouse and a sarung or the baju kebaya, a tight-fitting blouse and a sarung.

Food - The staple food is rice with accompaniments of meat, fish and vegetables. Coconut milk is an essential ingredient in most preparations with each state having its own specialties. Islam forbids the eating of pork and the flesh of predatory animals and birds, rodents, reptiles, worms and the flesh of dead animals or animals offered as sacrifice. Slaughtering of animals for food must be according to Islamic rites.

· Chinese

        The majority of Chinese in Malaysia today are local born but all of them have their origins in China. Their main dialects are Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka and Hainnanese. They brought to Malaysia not only their native skills and industries but also their culture. The Chinese's are mainly Buddhists. Some of them are Christians and Muslims.

Dress - Basically, dressing is very informal among the Chinese. Increasingly, the preference is for western styles of dressing. A few conservative Chinese women, however, still wear the samfoo - a jacket and trousers combination. The traditional cheongsam for women, once rarely seen except during ceremonies and special functions, is now making a comeback.

Food - The staple food is rice with accompanishments. The main kinds of cuisine are Cantonese, Hokkiean and Szechuan. However, northern (Shanghai, Peking) food is becoming increasingly popular too.

· Indian

        The majority of Indians in Malaysia are Tamils. They originated from South India. The main India dialects spoken here are Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi and Telegu. Most of the Indians in Malaysia are Hindus; some are Christians and Muslims.

Dress - Traditional wear is still common among the Indians here. The sarim is still popular with the women. It is a piece of material six yards long warn draped around the body.

Food - Indian food is hot and spicy. The Indians have as their staple diet either rice or bread (capati, parratta, puri) which they eat with various curries. Hindus do not eat beef. This is in accordance with their religious beliefs.

Celebrated on the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac.Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day. New clothes are bought and plenty of food are prepared.

Family members from far come back for the gathering. New year cards are exchanged between friends and relatives. A reunion dinner for the family is held on the eve of the new year.
There are lion dances and small fire works. Red paper showing chinese characters of prosperity and wealth are pasted either in front or inside the house. Ang-Pow or red packet containing money is given out to children and elderly. Open house is practised for visiting relatives and friends with various ethnic races. The new year is lasted for fifteen days which the concentration is on the first three days. The celebration ends with the Chap Goh Mei on the fifteenth day.

Celebrated on the first of June by the Dayaks or Ibans of Sarawak for a week marking the end of the paddy harvesting season and the beginning of the new planting season. There is singing, dancing and considerable drinking of tuak or rice wine in the local longhouses. The Ibans working outside their village returned to the village for the celebration. There are plenty of food and certainly not shortage of entertainment and wine in the local way.