Malaysia is a liberal, colonial, capitalist state in Southeast Asia, near Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Having its origins in the Malay kingdoms that were eventually colonised by the British Empire, it gained independence in 1957. It's one of the most multi-cultural and multi-ethnic states in the world, with large amounts of Malaysian Chinese, Malaysian Indians, and indigenous peoples. It is a relatively wealthy third world country but faces several severe environmental issues.