AMSA was originally established in 1970 to enable both Malaysian and Singaporean residents and their families in Sydney to meet socially and network with each other. The Association was restructured in 1999 in an attempt to adapt to the changing social and community demands in the new millennium. Over the following five years of its development and guided by its constitution AMSA gradually evolved into a responsible multicultural organisation that has been officially recognised by the Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship (formerly known as Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), Malaysian High Commission, Malaysian Consulate, Australian & Ethnic Community Organisations in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and Business Corporations.AMSA is an autonomous community organisation which is non-profit, non-political and non-religious. The Association is fully funded by its members and corporate sponsors. It is operated and managed by an Executive Committee which comprises volunteers who willingly give their time to participate in and organise community conferences, social and business networking functions for the benefit of members, their families and the community at large.The majority of members of AMSA are persons of business, commerce or professional background. The Association is heavily dependent on the initiatives of its members and, crucially its supporters. It continues to draw upon input from its members and other like-minded organisations to ensure relevance and timeliness. The core membership continues to grow and this provides the Association and its members with a unique opportunity and a challenge to build a bigger and better AMSA.