Ma·lay·sia [ mə láyə, mə láyshə ]country in Southeast Asia, on the South China Sea, comprising the southern portion of the Malay Peninsula and parts of the Island of Borneo. It became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1957. Languages: Bahasa Malaysia. Currency: ringgit. Capital: Kuala Lumpur. Population: 25,715,819 (2009 estimate).
Area: 329,758 sq km (127,320 sq mi) Official name Federation of Malaysia
