The Infrastructure

Malaysia’s developed infrastructure is one of the main attributes that have placed here among South-Ease Asia’s most rapidly industrialising nations.  New initiatives are constantly being taken by the government to upgrade infrastructure development in step with the country’s economic growth, while privatisation has provided for increased efficiency.

Malaysia believes in investing in infrastructural facilities to provide a conducive environment for investors.  A substantial RM8705 billion is expected to be invested to upgrade transport and communication infrastructure during the Seventh Malaysia Plan period from 1996 to 2000.

A. Good Roads

Malaysia’s highway network is the backbone of the country’s transport system: 90% of passenger and cargo movements are by road.  Well-maintained roads link all parts of the country.  This is complemented by railways which traverse the west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.

B. International Airports

Malaysia’s six international airports – Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah at Subang, Bayan Lepas in Penang, Senai in Johor, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are serviced by the world’s major airlines.  The new and highly sophisticated KLIA airport was commissioned to meet the rapid expansion of trade and industry with a total capacity for up to 100 million passengers per year.  The national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, as well as numerous international airlines provide air cargo services.

C. Well-equipped Seaports

There are six major ports in Malaysia – Port Klang, Penang, Johor, Kuantan and Kemaman in Peninsular Malaysia and Bintulu Port in Sarawak.  The ports in the peninsula are well equipped to handle international container traffic, while Bintulu Port caters mainly tot he LNG industry.  More than 90% of Malaysia’s international trade is conducted through seaports.  This has greatly supported the expansion of the country’s seaborne trade.

D. Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)

Realising the important role of information technology (IT) as a catalyst for national development, the Government has initiated the construction of the Multimedia Super Corridor.  This 15-by-50-kilometre zone extends south from Kuala Lumpur, embracing Cyberjaya, a dedicated “intelligent” city for multimedia companies, and Putrajaya, the new national capital, to the KLIA at Sepang.

The Corridor will be supported by world class physical and information infrastructure.  The private sector, especially leading multimedia companies, are being encouraged to locate there to undertake remote manufacturing as well as introduce high value-added IT goods and services, thereby enabling Malaysia to become a regional IT hub.

E. Modern Telecommunications

Malaysia’s telecommunications network has seen impressive expansion and upgrading in recent years, and is now one of the most well developed among the industrialising countries of the Asia Pacific.  International communications have been facilitated by the introduction of state-of-the-art technology in telephone, telex, telefax and video conferencing services as well as other data transmission and networking facilities.  The latest digital and fibre optics technology is now being deployed in efforts to provide high quality telecommunication services at affordable prices.

Malaysia first satellite, MEASAT was placed into orbit in January 1996 marking the country’s entry into space age communications.  MEASAT will provide integrated voice, video and data services, greatly increasing Malaysia’s capacity to exchange information with all parts of the world.

F. Well-developed Industrial Parks

In Malaysia, suitable sites for industries are provided by about 200 industrial estates and parks located throughout the country.  These industrial sites are quipped with the basic infrastructural facilities such as roads, electricity and water supplies, and telecommunications.

To cater for the needs of export-oriented industries, export-processing zones called Free Zone (FZs) have been developed where customs formalities are reduced to the minimum.  Companies in FZs are allowed  duty free import of raw materials, components and parts, and machinery directly required in the manufacturing process.  Similar facilities are also provided by Licenses Manufacturing Warehouses.

Specialised parks have been and are being developed to cater to the needs of specific industries.  Examples of these parks are the Ceramic Park and the Pengkalan Foundry and Engineering Park in the State of Perak, the Olak Lempit Furniture Complex and the Selangor Marine Industrial Park in the State of Selangor, the Technology Park Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, and the Kulim High-tech Park in the State of Kedah.