How Powerful Is Malaysia?
Malaysia has reached out to its neighbors seeking support against China, and its claims on the South China Sea.
in terms of its size, Malaysia is somewhat average At nearly 130 thousand square miles,or about the size of the US state of New Mexico, Malaysia is the 67th largest country in the world.
Malaysia’s population of nearly 30 million ranks higher than most countries, but pales in comparison to neighboring Indonesia and the Philippines, which together account for more people than that of the United States.
Malaysia’s population is growing, and the country has considerable economic potential.
With a GDP of just under 340 billion dollars, Malaysia joins the ranks of South Africa and Colombia as a middle-income country.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Najib Razak hopes to boster the country to high-income status by 2020, in-part by reducing its dependence on exports, which account for more than 80 percent of their GDP.
Historically, Malaysia relied solely on resource-based exports, like palm oil and gas.
However today, the country boasts a wide range of exports, many of which are non-resourced based, like electronics and cars.
Malaysia is also part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Trans
Pacific Partnership, both of which promise greater economic cooperation between member states.
Malaysia’s government is plagued with corruption scandals Prime Minister Najib himself has been accused of pocketing more than one billion dollars of state funds.
Militarily, Malaysia is also somewhat unimpressive. Stacked against the world’s defense, the country comes in 34th, just below Myanmar.
Malaysia only allots about one-and-a-half percent of its GDP towards its armed forces, well below the US’s nearly four percent and NATO’s recommended two percent.
In the case of an invasion, Malaysia’s army of just over 400,000 troops would likely be outnumbered, as most of their neighbors have significantly stronger militaries.
Indonesia’s army boasts more than twice as many troops as Malaysia, and China has roughly ten times as many.
Malaysia’s advantage, as the country has military partnerships with most of its powerful neighbors.
Malaysia is seeking help from its Southeast Asian allies in its battle over the South China Sea Malaysia has historically taken a back seat in the dispute.
after China encroached on the country’s territorial waters in 2015, Malaysia has taken a harder line toward China.
In the scope of this conflict and on the world stage, Malaysia is effectively powerless on its own.
Until the country makes significant strides toward its promising economic future, it will surely remain subordinate to its powerful neighbors.
in terms of its size, Malaysia is somewhat average At nearly 130 thousand square miles,or about the size of the US state of New Mexico, Malaysia is the 67th largest country in the world.
Malaysia’s population of nearly 30 million ranks higher than most countries, but pales in comparison to neighboring Indonesia and the Philippines, which together account for more people than that of the United States.
Malaysia’s population is growing, and the country has considerable economic potential.
With a GDP of just under 340 billion dollars, Malaysia joins the ranks of South Africa and Colombia as a middle-income country.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Najib Razak hopes to boster the country to high-income status by 2020, in-part by reducing its dependence on exports, which account for more than 80 percent of their GDP.
Historically, Malaysia relied solely on resource-based exports, like palm oil and gas.
However today, the country boasts a wide range of exports, many of which are non-resourced based, like electronics and cars.
Malaysia is also part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Trans
Pacific Partnership, both of which promise greater economic cooperation between member states.
Malaysia’s government is plagued with corruption scandals Prime Minister Najib himself has been accused of pocketing more than one billion dollars of state funds.
Militarily, Malaysia is also somewhat unimpressive. Stacked against the world’s defense, the country comes in 34th, just below Myanmar.
Malaysia only allots about one-and-a-half percent of its GDP towards its armed forces, well below the US’s nearly four percent and NATO’s recommended two percent.
In the case of an invasion, Malaysia’s army of just over 400,000 troops would likely be outnumbered, as most of their neighbors have significantly stronger militaries.
Indonesia’s army boasts more than twice as many troops as Malaysia, and China has roughly ten times as many.
Malaysia’s advantage, as the country has military partnerships with most of its powerful neighbors.
Malaysia is seeking help from its Southeast Asian allies in its battle over the South China Sea Malaysia has historically taken a back seat in the dispute.
after China encroached on the country’s territorial waters in 2015, Malaysia has taken a harder line toward China.
In the scope of this conflict and on the world stage, Malaysia is effectively powerless on its own.
Until the country makes significant strides toward its promising economic future, it will surely remain subordinate to its powerful neighbors.
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