Malaysia; an introduction to Southeast Asia's rising starMalaysia is Southeast Asia's rising star. During its 57 years of existence as a country, Malaysia has developed rapidly from its former British colonial structure. No longer considered a third world developing country, Malaysia overtook its developing regional neighbors, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei, and quickly rose to emerging country status (Central Intelligence Agency, 2013). However, Malaysia, its government and its people will not settle for emerging country status. The Government of Malaysia (GOM) has outlined a strategy to make Malaysia a fully developed modern country by 2020 (Central Intelligence Agency, 2013). Using the Blue Ocean Strategy business concept of creating uncontested market space, GOM created the Vision 2020 strategy. To fully appreciate Malaysia, one must understand the Vision 2020 strategy. Specifically, how the country's unique demographics affect the strategy, how the government is transforming, and how the economy is evolving with respect to the public and private sectors. Through the understanding of Vision 2020, a holistic understanding of the complex country that is Malaysia is developed. By 2020, Malaysia can be a united nation, with a confident Malaysian society, imbued with strong moral and ethical values, living in a democratic society. , liberal and tolerant, caring, economically just and equitable, progressive and prosperous, and in full possession of a competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient economy. (Mohamad, 1991, p. 1) Malaysia focuses on development along six dimensions: economic, political, social, spiritual, psychological and cultural. The Vision 2020 strategy aims to cultivate...... middle of paper ...... Government Transformation Agenda. Retrieved from website: http://www.pemandu.gov.my/gtp/About_GTP-@-GTP_Overview.aspxRazak, D. (2010). Tenth Malaysian Plan (2011-2015). Putrajava, Malaysia: retrieved from http://www.pmo.gov.myThe Heritage Foundation. (2013). A new vision of Asia. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/10/a-new-view-of-asiaU.S. Commercial service. (2010). Doing business in Malaysia. Retrieved from website: http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_9835943.pdfU.S. Community Liaison Office. (2014). Welcome Guide to the American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Retrieved from http://malaysia.usembassy.gov/index.htmlU.S. Department of State. (2013). Malaysia. Retrieved from http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/malaysia.html Williamson, T. (2014). Culture of Malaysia. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Malaysia.html