About four-fifths of Malaysia is covered by tropical rainforest, one of the most complex and rich ecosystems in the world. It is home to about 15,000 species of flowering plants and trees, 600 species of birds and 210 species of mammals. The Malaysian government has set aside more than 1.49 million hectares to protect them from development and has enacted legislation to save Malaysia's precious rainforest and its rare wildlife.

Malaysia is richly endowed with natural resources. It has the world's largest tin deposits and extensive reserves of oil and gas. Its forests contain valuable tropical hardwood trees.