Visit Malaysia Year 2007 Stamp

One Golden Celebration

Malaysia, a truly fascinating destination blessed with beautiful landscapes, colorful cultures as well as warm and friendly people is now ready to celebrate 2007 with joy and grandeur. This year, it's the Visit Malaysia Year 2007, a year long celebration to commemorate Malaysia's 50th Year of Independence. It is the year full of exciting festivals and events as Malaysia welcomes its guests from around the world in one golden celebration.

Visit Malaysia Year 2007 is the occasion to rejoice and to share with the world the unique qualities and virtues that have contributed to the 50 years of Malaysia's nationhood, its achievements and attainment of peace and harmony. In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007, Pos Malaysia in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia is proud to present the "Colors of Malaysia" stamp collection, featuring the unique cultural and natural assets of this country, the very essence of a "Truly Asia" nation.

Flora and Fauna

Malaysia's natural assets and rich bio-diversity lend itself quite naturally to eco-tourism. As one of the twelve mega-biologically diverse countries in the world, the nation is naturally a heaven for nature lovers. With at least 15,000 species of flowering plants, 286 species of mammals, 150,000 species of invertebrates, 4,000 species of fishes in addition to the countless micro-organisms, there is no better place in the world to experience exotic flora and fauna in their pristine tropical environment up close and personal.

Golden Treasures of the Sea

Malaysia is fast becoming one of the leading diving destinations of the world with the riches marine environment in the Indo-Pacific Basin. The incredible bio-diversity of its marine life coupled with its beautiful islands, white sandy beaches and clear warm waters keep the divers coming back for more.

Cultures and Craft of Unity

With its rich and diverse culture, Malaysia is a showcase to a delightful array of truly Asian arts and crafts. The spirit of Malaysia's harmonious existence is reflected through the craftwork and traditional artifacts of its people. The "tepak sireh" of the Malays, the "siah" tiffin basket of the Baba-Nyonya, the lanterns of the Chinese and the oil lamp of the Indians, which are still used in many cultural festivals, reflect the warm hospitality and unity of the Malaysian community.

Religious Diversity and Tolerance

The variety of religious in Malaysia is a direct reflection of the diversity of its people. Although Islam is the state religion of Malaysia, freedom of other religions is guaranteed under the Constitution. Other main religions include Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confusionism and the animism practiced by some of the indigenous people of Malaysia. The spirit of religious tolerance, mutual understanding and respect has been the bedrock of Malaysia's unity among its races as can be seen and experienced in the open house celebrations of its religious festivals - Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, Thaipusam and Gawai Dayak. Malaysians and visitors alike, regardless of race and religion, are welcomed to join in the colorful festivals and celebrations.

Faces of Malaysia and Its Culinary Delights

The Malays, Chinese, Indians, the Kadazandusun of Sabah and the Ibans of Sarawak along with the many other ethnic groups have contributed to the great gastronomic heritage of Malaysia. The Malays are well-known for their satay, the Chinese for their Yee Sang, and the Indians for their Banana Leaf Rice. In East Malaysia, the Kadazandusun of Sabah is popular with a raw fish salad known as the "Hinava" while the Ibans of Sarawak are known for their "Manok Pansuh", a dish made of chicken meat stuffed in bamboo.

From their glorious food to exquisite craft work, the many races of Malaysia have influenced each other in creating a blend of cultures that is uniquely Malaysia.

Technical Details

Date of Issue : 19-Mar-2007

Denomination : 30 Sen ( 2 designs); 50 Sen (2 Designs)

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM2.00

Miniature Sheet Size : 100mm x 70mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 30mm x 50mm

Booklet : 30 sen x 10

Perforation : 14

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Stamp Designer : Visit Malaysia Year 2007 Secretariat

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Presentation Pack Value : RM 4.00

Miniature Sheet Value : RM 2.00

Postal Card Value : RM 0.80 X 4 Designs

Stamp Booklet Value : RM 3.00

Folder Value : RM 5.00

POS Malaysia 13 March 2007, Tuesday Press Release

POS MALAYSIA TO RELEASE SPECIAL STAMPS ON VISIT MALAYSIA 2007
Stamps and First Day Cover Features Malaysia’s Cornucopia of Colours, Beauty and Culture

Pos Malaysia in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia will issue a special set of stamps and First Day Cover on “Visit Malaysia 2007” on 19 March 2007 (Monday). The collection stamps and First Day Cover features the unique cultural and natural assets of the country, the very essence of a “Truly Asia” nation.

Malaysia, a truly fascinating destination that is blessed with beautiful landscapes, colourful culture as well as warm and friendly people is now ready to celebrate 2007 with much joy and grandeur. Visit Malaysia 2007 is a year-long celebration to commemorate Malaysia’s 50 years of independence. It will be a year full of exciting festivals and events as Malaysia welcomes its guests from around the world in one golden celebration.

“Malaysia is a melting pot of culture and tradition, a result harmonious mix of the different ethnic groups that make up the people of Malaysia. Pos Malaysia is very pleased with the opportunity to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism in celebrating Visit Malaysia 2007 by featuring the unique identity of Malaysia through our special stamps and First Day Cover,” said YBhg Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid, Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer of Pos Malaysia & Services Holdings Berhad.

“We hope that through the special stamps and First Day Cover, it will provide added impetus for tourists to visit our country as we celebrate our 50 year of nationhood and beyond. The beautiful and colourful images featured in our stamps will be a unique addition to all stamp enthusiasts’ collection,” he added.

The stamps, 40mm X 30mm in size, are printed in sheets of 20 on SPM watermarked, phosphor coated paper and are available in two denominations :

• 30sen : Flora & Fauna
  
  Malaysia’s natural assets and rich biodiversity lends itself quite naturally to eco-tourism. As one of the twelve mega-biologically diverse countries in the world, Malaysia is a haven for nature lovers. With at least 15,000 species of flowering plants, 286 species of mammals, 150,000 species of invertebrates, 4,000 species of fishes in addition to the countless micro-organism, there is no better place in the world to experience exotic flora and fauna in their pristine tropical environment, up close and personal.
• 30sen : Golden Treasures of the Sea
  
  Malaysia is fast becoming one of the leading diving destinations of the world with the richest marine environment in the Indo-Pacific Basin. The incredible biodiversity of its marine life coupled with its beautiful islands, white sandy beaches and clear warm waters keep the drivers coming back for more.
• 50sen : Cultures and Craft of Unity
  
  With its rich and diverse culture, Malaysia is a showcase to a delightful array of truly Asian arts and crafts. The spirit of Malaysia’s harmonious existence is reflected through the craftwork and traditional artefacts of its people. The “tepak sireh” of the Malays, the “siah” tiffin basket of the Baba Nyonyas, the lanterns of the Chinese and the oil lamp of the Indians which are still used in many cultural festivals, reflect the warm hospitality and unity of the Malaysian community.
• 50sen : Religious Diversity & Tolerance
  
  The variety of religions in Malaysia is a direct reflection of the diversity of its people. Although Islam is the state religion of Malaysia, freedom of other religions is guaranteed under Constitution. Other religions include Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and the animism practised by some of the indigenous people of Malaysia.

The spirit of religious tolerance, mutual understanding and respect has been the bedrock of Malaysia’s unity among its races as can be seen and experienced in the open house celebrations of its religious festivals – the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, Thaipusam and the Gawai Dayak. Malaysians and visitors alike, regardless of race and religion, are welcomed to join in the colorful festivities and celebrations.

Also available is Miniature Sheet, 100mm x 70mm in size, at RM2 and stamp booklet at RM3.00 which features :

• Faces of Malaysia & Its Culinary Delight
  
  The Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazandusuns of Sabah and Ibans of Sarawak along with many other ethnic groups have contributed to the great gastronomic heritage of Malaysia. The Malays are well-known for their satay, the Chinese for their Yee Sang and the Indians for their Banana Leaf Rice. In Sabah, the Kadazandusun is popular with a raw fish salad known as “Hivana” while in Sarawak, the Ibans are known for their “Manok Pansuh”, a dish made of chicken meat stuffed in bamboo.

First Day Covers are at 30 sen each, Presentation Packs at RM4.00 each, postal card at 80sen each and Stamp Booklets at RM3.00 each can be purchased at all Post Offices nationwide. Folders at RM5 each is only available at selected post offices.