Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common illness and potentially life threatening especially in older adults and those with co-morbid disease. It is a major cause of morbidity and death worldwide. Recognising the clinical importance of CAP, many countries have developed national guidelines for the management of this condition. In Malaysia, the Malaysian Thoracic Society together with the Ministry of Health and the Academy of Medicine, Malaysia are developing guidelines for the management of CAP in adults.