The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of 7 emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
The capital city is Abu Dhabi.
The UAE is the Middle East's third largest economy.
UAE’s GDP in 2023 was at US$509 billion while Malaysia was at US$400 billion.
UAE’s population as at 2023 was 9.97 million with the population in Malaysia at 34 million in the same period.
UAE’s GDP per capita was US$53,000 as at 2023 and Malaysia was US$11,600.
The UAE has 6% of the world's oil reserves and the 7th largest proven natural gas reserves while Malaysia’s reserves are 0.2% of the world’s oil and 1% of the world’s total gas.
UAE’s petroleum exports were US$94.7 billion in 2023 while Malaysia exports were US$6.3 billion.
70% of UAE’s GDP are generated by sectors other than oil and gas as compared to Malaysia which was 80%.
About 60% of UAE’s population are Muslim, of which roughly 80% belong to the Sunni branch of Islam whereas for Malaysia 63.5% of its population are Muslims.
UAE is nearly self-sufficient in fruit and vegetable production whereas Malaysia appears to be grappling with self sufficiency on almost everything, be it meat, poultry, eggs, fruits and vegetable production.
The self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for the supply of food such as rice was at 62.6% and vegetables were at 44.7. The situation appears to be worsening with the country depending more on imports.
Hospital services are free for all UAE citizens whereas in Malaysia health in public health facilities charges patients minimal fees – RM1 for a general consultation and RM5 for a specialist visit.
Education is free and mandatory at the primary and secondary levels for all children from age 6 to 18 for all UAE nationals whereas in Malaysia education is free for 6 years at primary level which is compulsory and 5 years at secondary level.
The UAE government makes housing available to citizens through direct low-interest loans, subsidies on rental units, and grants of housing at no charge whereas in Malaysia, despite several affordable housing schemes for low-income families, such as Residensi Wilayah (formerly known as RUMAHWIP), PRIMA, MyHome Scheme, housing affordability remains a significant issue among many Malaysians.
UAE’s constitution includes a number of guarantees and protections for women.
Similarly, Malaysia's constitution also guarantees and protect the rights for women.
The economy of Dubai, city and capital of the emirate of Dubai, one of the 7 emirates that constitute the federation of the United Arab Emirates has a population of well over 2 million is centred on business where it serves as a commercial and financial hub with the city operating two of the world’s largest ports and a busy international air cargo hub.
In 2023, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw over 44 million visitors from which 17.15 million visited Dubai .
Malaysia, meanwhile, welcomed 20.1 million international tourists in 2023.
In Oct 2024, an American hotel and casino operator Wynn Resorts announced that it was awarded the first commercial gaming operator's license in the United Arab Emirates by the country's General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.
Then on 28 Nov 2024, Sirocco, a joint venture of Heineken and Dubai-based Maritime and Mercantile International, announced that they have secured all necessary permits to build a brewery set for completion in 2027 in Dubai that will produce popular beer brands in the emirate, a landmark move for a region that’s long had strict restrictions around the sale and consumption of alcohol.
The incessant and continuous calls by politicians from PAS, a political party that has long aspired to govern the country, for a ban on alcohol and the only casino in this country contrasts sharply with the actions of UAE and Dubai.
While UAE and Dubai are taking active steps to reform, propel and prepare its citizens for the future where they would be relying less and less on its oil and gas reserves and allow the Emirates to maintain its edge as the region's trade, tourism and financial hub, Malaysia, however appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
Oh Malaysia, should we shed a tear for you?
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