Since its incorporation, Petronas has grown to be an integrated international oil and gas company with business interests in 31 countries. As of the end of March 2005, the Petronas Group comprised of 103 wholly-owned subsidiaries, 19 partly-owned outfits and 57 associated companies. Together, these companies make the Petronas Group, which is involved in various oil and gas based activities. The Financial Times has identified Petronas as one of the “new seven sisters”[5]: the most influential and mainly state-owned national oil and gas companies from countries outside the OECD.

The Group is engaged in a wide spectrum of petroleum activities, including upstream exploration and production of oil and gas to downstream oil refining; marketing and distribution of petroleum products; trading; gas processing and liquefaction; gas transmission pipeline network operations; marketing of liquefied natural gas; petrochemical manufacturing and marketing; shipping; automotive engineering; and property investment.

The Petronas Twin Towers were officially opened on Malaysia’s 42nd National Day, August 31 1998 – in the Corporation’s 24th Anniversary year.

The total population of Malaysia is over 25 million people, with 1.5 million in the capital Kuala Lumpur. Bahasa Melayu is the National language though English is widely spoken throughout Malaysia as well as a number of Chinese languages – Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokien.

Malaysia is divided into 13 states, of these 11 being in Mainland Malaysia and the 2 states of Sabah and Sarawak located in East Malaysia on Borneo Island.

Top 10 Things to do in Malaysia

1. The food – for me the highlight of Malaysia is the food. The great variety that is found here is amazing. From traditional Malaysian spicy curries, to Indian Tandoori chicken to the many different types of Chinese cuisines found throughout Malaysia.

2. The Orangutan – Malaysia’s national treasure – the Borneo Orangutan found in Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia.

3. Relaxing on Langkawi Island. Langkawi is the perfect place to just sit and relax. There is plenty to do on the island if you are energetic though also perfect for relaxing.

4. Visit the Elephant Sanctuary at Kuala Gandah around 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur.

5. Food markets in Kuala Lumpur – yes food again though the food markets are an experience more than just tasting food.

6. River cruise in Sarawak – traveling down the Rajang River from Kuching inland to visit the traditional villages with their longhouses surrounded by jungle.

7. Scuba diving or snorkeling on the Perhentian Islands. Some of the best coral reefs to be found in Malaysia are found around the two island Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil.

8. Climb Mount Kinabalu – Kota Kinabalu Sabah, not for the unfit, the climb can take 6 – 7 hours leaving late at night to arrive at the summit in time to watch the sunrise.

9. Central Markets Kualu Lumpur – for a shopping spree you can’t go past Central Markets. Selling a wide variety of souvenirs and gifts including Malaysian arts and crafts, batiks, fabrics and clothing and more food!

10. Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque – located in Kuantan Pahang, this is an impressive structure. Unfortunately you cannot visit inside the mosque if you are not Muslim, though the outside and it’s surrounding grounds are still impressive.

Upcoming events in Malaysia

Each year Malaysia hold some amazing festivals and international sporting events. Here is a list of the upcoming events:

Sandakan Memorial Day 15th August 2009 commemorating the deaths of Australian soldiers in World War II at Sandakan Memorial Park Sabah.

Ramadan Bazaar 22nd August to 19 September 2010. These are night food markets arranged all throughout Malaysia for breaking the fast at night time.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri 20th September to 21st September. After the month of fasting during Ramadan this day is celebrated with morning prayers at a Mosque with a celebration with friends and family afterwards.

Penang World Music Festival 2nd October to 4th October 2009. With international and local music.

Borneo International Marathon 11th October 2009. A half marathon and full marathon run being held in Kota Kinabalu Sabah.

Deepavali 17th October 2009. Deepavali is the Hindu Festival of Lights. Hindu families celebrate by having an open house for friends and families to visit and feast. It’s common for the exchange of sweets and lollies.

National Canoe Championships 4th until the 6th December 2009.  Held at the Water Sports Complex Putrajaya.

Chinese New Year festivities will be celebrating the new Year of the Tiger on 14th February 2010. Celebrations begin the week before and continue for a week after.

Malaysia F1 Grand Prix held in Sepang. 4th April 2010