This academic research institute in Malaysia focuses on the vast maritime and riverine areas of the Malay World. The research activities follow 3 distinct orientations: disciplinary (sociology, history etc.); thematic (gender studies, development studies etc.); and areas studies (Malay studies, Chinese studies etc.).

Perhaps the most valuable feature for researchers is the free access to the ATMA Malay World Studies Database. The database contains journal articles, book chapters, conference papers and technical reports on many aspects of Malay culture, society and the environment. The database is searchable by author, title, keyword and publisher. The full-text of selected articles is available.

The table of contents of ATMA's publications are also available back to 1999. Included are the Jurnal Sari and the Monograph Series. Over 7,000 photos of N.A. Halim and the associated full text are available.

Also included is an online Malaysia Dictionary and 11,204 verses of the pantun, Syair and gurindam that were extracted from 35 books and slected newspaper articles published from 1889 to the 1940's.