Religious diversity had been a characteristic of Malaysia since early in
its history. Hinduism and Buddhism made their presence felt around the
3rd century BC. By the beginning of 1st century AD the two religions
were well established in Malay Peninsula, only to fade away with the
wane of Srivijaya in the 14th century, which coincided with the rise of
Malacca and also of Islam. Islam became a very strong force in Malay
life since then and continued into the present. Christianity came together
with the conquest of Malacca by the Portuguese in 1511, and other
Europeans later. Sikhism came centuries later.