Main languages:
Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil, Javanese

Main religions:
Islam (50%), Buddhism (15%), Taoism (Chinese folk-religions (15%), Hinduism (7%), Christianity (7%), other (6%)

Government:
Federal government administering 13 states. Parliament consists of a senate and a house of representatives. The head of state is a monarch, and is elected every five years by and from hereditary rulers of nine states.

National and community concerns:
Malaysia's national plan - Vision 20/20 - provides guidelines for growth covering all aspects of national life. The churches need to find ways to operate within this and to claim their rights within the constitution.

Church priorities and programmes:
• Plans to build a home for the elderly, an orphanage and a retirement centre for women workers.
• To develop a lay training centre.
• Evangelism and church planting in urban areas and in East Malaysia.
• Christian teachers opting for early retirement are trained as preachers to meet this need.

Members/Congregations:
8,000 members

Women's representation in church:
• GPM has an active women's work committee.

Youth activities:
• Youth retreats and Christian teacher retreats.
• Leadership and lay training.

Missionaries sent and received through CWM:
• None at present.

For more information:
Andrew Siew, executive secretary, Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia, No 7 Jalan Sungai Buaya, Batu 3 1/2, Off Jalan Kelang Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: +60 3 7984 7361  Fax: +60 3 7980 9037  Email: presbych@tm.net.my

Prayer requests:
• Wisdom for the national leaders to sustain peace and harmony.
• More full-time workers, and for the intercessory ministry supporting them.
• Lively and vibrant faith in the church.
• Improved training for counsellors and carers.
• The ministries to women and youth.
• That the church's self-supporting projects will not be affected by the economic slowdown.