Ethnic Groups

 

Zuziland has a range of ethnic groups that have very different values.  There is a small aboriginal community and a growing number of immigrants from poor countries.  It will be important for any political party to consider the special needs of each cultural and religious group.

 

Population

 

Total Population: 29,179,952

 

Religion

 

Buddhist 60.4%, Islam 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)

 

Education

 

Total years of public education: 12

World Ranking: 52 out of 110 countries

 

Political System

 

-Representative democracy with a president as head of state (president must work with elected legislators to pass laws)

-One person one vote (universal suffrage age 18 and over)

 

Economic System

 

-Status as a NIC (Newly Industrialized Country): Zuziland has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy (industry, ITC, manufactured goods, etc.).  It has a stated goal to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to attract investments from foreign companies specializing in finance (international banking), high-tech industries, biotechnology, and services. Previous governments have led efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, palm oil and rubber - remain a significant part of Zuziland’s economy. As an oil and gas exporter, it has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel has forced the government to reduce subsidies. The government is also trying to lessen its dependence on the state-owned oil producer Petronas. The oil and gas sector supplies more than 40% of government revenue.

 

Major products: palm oil, rubber, cocoa, rice, Sabah - palm oil, subsistence crops, rubber

 

Major Industries: rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, timber processing, Sabah - logging, petroleum production, Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging

 

 

Media

State-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays throughout the country, and the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays throughout the country; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks as well as regional and local stations; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 400 radio stations overall (2008)

 

Challenges

-Declining oil reserves

-High public debt

-Multi-ethnic nation with a history of civil unrest

-Recent upswing in religious extremism

-High youth unemployment rate

-High level of pollution related to industrial practices

Advantages

 

-Relatively safe area of the world with no active wars in the region

-Generally good relations with neighboring countries