14 surprising things you didn't know about Malaysia

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Malaysia is one of Asia's hidden gems. 

The country is often overlooked — it lacks the economic prestige of its neighbor and former state Singapore, and it isn't a renowned tourism destination like two of its other neighbors, Thailand and Indonesia.

But take a closer look and you'll find a country with a rich history, fascinating people, and delicious food.

Here are some surprising things most people don't know about Malaysia:

It's one of the most diverse countries in Asia

About half of Malaysia's 31 million people are ethnically Malay, according to the latest figures from the CIA. Chinese people make up about 23% of the population and Indian people about 7%.

Another 12% is comprised of hundreds of indigenous groups, including native groups from Malaysia's two states on the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia.

Islam is Malaysia's official religion, and all Malays are Muslim by law. About 61% of the country is Muslim, with Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism comprising most of the rest of the population, according to the CIA.

Malaysia's diversity results in an unmistakable blend of religion, food, language, and culture.

Malaysia has affirmative action … for the majority race

Malaysia's history is rife with ethnic tension that influences its politics. 

A deadly race riot in 1969 led to the New Economic Policy, a government measure aimed at reducing inequalities between Malays and the richer Chinese class. It's a rare example of an affirmative action program that benefits the majority race.

Today, Malays have fewer barriers to getting into college, opening a business, and buying a house than their Chinese-Malaysian and Indian-Malaysian compatriots.

According to The Economist, 71% of Malaysians consider the affirmative action "obsolete" and wish to replace it with a "merit-based policy."

Nobody knows when the next election is

Unlike in the US, Malaysian elections are not scheduled for a particular day, and it's anyone's guess exactly when the next one will occur.

Malaysia's constitution mandates a federal election be held at least once every five years. But the prime minister can force an early election by dissolving the Parliament at any time, effectively controlling which day the election falls.

In 2013, the year of Malaysia's most recent election, many Malaysians feared Prime Minister Najib Razak would schedule the election on a holiday weekend, in an effort to repress turnout among supporters of the growing opposition coalition. That didn't end up being the case, although the ruling party still narrowly won in a contentious decision.

The same political coalition has ruled Malaysia since its independence in 1957.