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| Malaysian Travel Inforation | |||||
| General information Weather Conditions People & Culture Local Customs Currency Things To Know Visas & Passport Customs Regulations Travel To The Country Travel Within The Country Places Of Interest Dining & Drinking Entertainment Emergency Numbers Visitors Information Useful Phrases Malaysia is located in the heart of Southeast Asia. Consisting of 127,000 sq. miles (330,200 sq. km), Malaysia is divided into two main regions: Peninsular Malaysia, which lies just south of Thailand, and East Malaysia, which can be found north of Indonesia on the island of Borneo. These two regions are divided into thirteen states and federal territories. Although East Malaysia occupies the larger portion of Malaysia's total area, it is primarily comprised of undeveloped land and jungles. The terrain is certain to remain etched in the memories of all visitors for life. It is extremely diverse and consists of some of the world's finest coral reefs, vast stretches of white sandy beaches, green hills, towering mountains, limestone formations, networks of white-water rivers perfect for rafting, lakes and vast expanses of jungle and tropical rain forest. The territories that comprise of Malaysia were British protectorates in the 1920s. Malaysian nationalism reached its peak during the 1930s and again in the Post-World War II Era, culminating in the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1957, which became Malaysia in 1963.
Malaysia enjoys a tropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Temperatures typically range from 70 to 90ºF (22 to 33ºC) and cooler in the highlands. With the occurrence of the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons, the average rate of annual rainfall is high: 100 inches (250cm). Much of the rainfall is concentrated in the late afternoons. Humidity is high throughout the year. Malaysia has a combined population of over 18 million people. Because of its central location, between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malaysia has traditionally been a meeting point for traders and travelers from both the East and West. As a result, Malaysia has a multicultural and multiracial population consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians and numerous indigenous peoples. Although Malay is the official language, English is widely spoken, especially in business, and the English language is a compulsory subject in all schools. With such a varying ethnic composition, it is no surprise that a great diversity of religions is prevalent throughout Malaysia. Although the official religion is Islam, freedom of worship is practiced. As a result, it is a common to see temples, mosques and churches within the same area. Ethnic Groups: 59% Malay and other indigenous, 32% Chinese and 9% Indian. Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects, Mandarin, Hakka dialects, Cantonese, Tamil and numerous tribal languages. Religion: Muslim (primarily Malays), Buddhism (Chinese), Hindu (Indian), Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism and tribal religions.
General: Everyday etiquette is relaxed and straightforward. Visitors behaving courteously are unlikely to unintentionally cause offense. Seniority is greatly respected within Malay households. The eldest male of a family should be greeted first and frequently sits in the best or highest seat. Pointing with a finger is considered to be extremely rude. Instead, the entire hand should be used to indicate a direction, but not a person. Although no host will insist upon it, it is polite to remove one's shoes at the door of a house upon entering. It is also customary to do so upon entering a mosque or an Indian temple. Comfortable and informal clothing is suitable during the day and recommended all year round because of the tropical climate. However, as Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, conservative dress is most appropriate. Women are not encouraged to wear dresses, skirts or shorts that are too short. In mostly small towns and villages, shorts are considered highly inappropriate. Do not dress in any manner that may give the impression that you are a "hippie," as "hippies" are banned from the country. For formal occasions or evening wear, formal attire is expected. Men should wear a suit and tie or a long-sleeved batik shirt. Evening dresses or cocktail dresses are recommended for women. Business: Malaysians tend to be late for appointments yet expect others to be on time. Your contact will meet you at your hotel or at his or her office. Meetings are often held over lunch or dinner. Malaysians are usually called by their given names preceded by Mr., Mrs., or Miss. The Chinese use their family names preceded by Mr., Mrs., or Miss. A firm handshake and a "hello" are suitable as a greeting. Muslims bring their hand to their chest after shaking hands, and you may follow suit if you wish to. Business cards are always exchanged and should be both given and received with both hands at all times. Study the card for a few moments before placing it in your pocket. A suit and tie is suitable business attire for men, with the jacket removed on warmer days. Long-sleeved batik shirts are always acceptable. For women, a suit or blouse and skirt are best for daytime appointments. The many cultures and religions of Malaysia may make giving a suitable gift a complicated issue. Never give liquor to a Muslim (alcoholic beverages are forbidden in the Muslim faith), or clocks, watches, knives or white flowers to a Chinese person (white flowers are associated with death in Chinese culture, and so are clocks, knives and watches - the word for time and death sound similar). A pen or a similar object having a company logo is probably the most appropriate and safest kind of gift. The Malaysian unit of currency is the Ringgit (RM), which is divided into 100 sen. Currency comes in notes of RM 1, RM 2, RM 5, RM 10, RM 20, RM 50, RM100, RM 500 and RM 1,000 (Both RM 500 &RM1,00 will be valueless affective Jun 1999. Coins are issued in 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and RM 1 denominations. USD 1 = RM 3.80 Population: 18,410,920 Capital: Kuala Lumpur Flag: Fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the U.S. flag. Shop Hours: Department stores and supermarkets are usually open from 10.00am to 10.00pm and shops from 9:30am to 7.00pm. In Kuala Lumpur, as well as in most major towns, there are several 24-hour convenience stores. Bank Hours: Monday through Friday from 9.30am to 4.00pm, and Saturday 9:30am to 11:30am. Holidays: Weekly holidays vary from region to region. In Selangor, Melaka, Penang, Perak, Pahang and Negri Sembilan, there is a half-day holiday on Saturday and a full-day holiday on Sunday. In the states of Johor, Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu and Kelantan a traditional half-day holiday is observed on Thursday and full-day holiday on Friday; Saturday and Sunday are treated as weekdays. January 1 - New Year's Day (except Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis) April 13 - Good Friday May 1 - Labour Day May 9 - Wesak Day (except for Federal Territory of Labuan) June 6 - Birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) July 23 - Maal Hijrah August 31 - National Day December 25 - Christmas Day In addition , there are many other minor festivals peculiar to the various cultures or religious faith still being commonly observed among the Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu, for example:- Chinese New Year (2 days; except Kelantan and Terengganu - 1 day) Hari Raya Puasa (2 days) Hari Raya Haji (1 day; 2 days in Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perlis) Prophet Mohammed's Birthday Awal Ramadan Deepavalli Thaipusam Mid-Autumn or Moon Cake Festival Note: If a holiday falls on a weekend or Friday, the following day becomes a holiday. Time: 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time, 7 hours of GMT. Tipping: Tipping is usually not necessary, unless service is excellent. Most hotels and large restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge in addition to the 5% government tax to the bill (indicated by a ++ sign on menus and rate cards). Restaurants: 10% service charge added automatically. Additional tipping is unnecessary, unless service is excellent. Porters: Tip porters about M$1 per bag. Any tip less than 50 sen would be considered insulting. Hotel Maids: Service charge is added automatically. Additional tipping is unnecessary, unless to acknowledge excellent service. Taxis: Most taxis are fitted with meters, but these are used only in major towns such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Ipoh. Taxi rates are currently RM2 for the first kilometer (.62mi) and 30 sen for each subsequent half kilometer (.31mi). Malaysians usually tip drivers with their coin change. To acknowledge excellent service, tipping is greatly appreciated but not expected. When traveling early in the morning or late at night, drivers prefer to fix a price for the destination. Negotiating is advisable.
Visitors must be in possession of a current passport or other internationally recognized travel document. They must be endorsed for traveling to Malaysia and have a period of validity of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia. No visas are required for citizens of British Commonwealth countries (except India), British Protected persons, and citizens of the Republic of Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland and the United States (for social, business or academic purposes only). No visas are required for stays not exceeding three months for citizens of: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Tunesia, U.S.A. , France and Germany (except for local employment). Duty-Free Items: Items such as cameras, watches, pens, portable radio-cassette players, perfume, cosmetics and lighters are duty-free in Malaysia. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure - usually 50% of the value (carry receipt of purchase and obtain an official receipt for any tax or deposit paid). |
Airports Kuala Lumpur International Airport Kota Kinabalu International Airport Kuching International Airport Penang International Airport Airlines: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MAS Building, Jalan Sultan Ismail Tel (03)2161-0555 ~ 24 Hour reservation: Tel (03)774-7000 British Airways: Tel (03)2142-6177 Trains: From Butterworth and Singapore to the main railway station at Kuala Lumpur: Tel (03)2274-7434 Buses: To Kuala Lumpur: Regional buses travel to the main Pudu Raya Terminal on Jalan Pudu. Ships and Ferries: Feri Malaysia, Menara Utama UMBC, Jalan Sultan Sulaiman, 5000 Kuala Lumpur, Tel (03)238-8899. Airlines: Malaysia Airlines flies to 35 towns and cities in Malaysia. Domestic flights are relatively inexpensive and often fully booked. Confirm reservations at least a day in advance. The Discover Malaysia Pass is offered by the airline. This enables international visitors to travel on domestic routes for about half the normal fare. Cars: It is advisable to obtain an international driver's license in addition to a valid permit from home. Laws regarding seat belts are stringent. They are required for drivers and front seat passengers. Driving is on the left side of the road. Avis stands as the largest car rental service in Malaysia Main office (Kuala Lumpur) 40 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Tel (03)2142-3500 Trains: Malayan Railways (KTM) offers an inexpensive yet comfortable service on the peninsula. Foreign tourists may purchase at main railway stations a KTM Railpass, which grants unlimited travel for ten days or thirty days. For information about service from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom (East Malaysia, Sabah), contact Sabah State Railways at (088) 54611. Buses: Bus services are both extensive and inexpensive, and are commonly air-conditioned. Town or express buses are quite regular and efficient. Ships and Ferries: Feri Malaysia, Menara Utama UMBC Jalan Sultan Sulaiman 5000 Kuala Lumpur Tel (03) 238-8899 Feri Malaysia offers cruises on the ship "Muhibah" from Port Klang and Kuantan to the eastern states. The Muhibah is equipped with air-conditioned cabins and suites, restaurants, a cinema, a disco, a gym and a swimming pool. Feri Malaysia also offers a regular ferry service to various outlying islands. Malaysia has much to offer the traveller. Visit Kuala Lumpur, the "Garden City of Lights" and shop till you drop at its many ultra modern shopping complexes or colourful bazaars in Chinatown or pick up some handicraft at the Central Market, the local cultural hup. Malacca is the oldest town in Malaysia. Visit Jonkers Street for antiques; watch cultural performances at Portugese Square; or visit Stadthuys; the oldest Dutch building in the East. For food lovers, a trip to Penang is a must! There are many stalls selling local delicacies. You can reach Penang via the Penang Bridge. While there, visit the Snake Temple or take the funicular train up Penang Hill for a panoramic view of the island. Langkawi boasts of beautiful beaches and interesting legends. There is the Mahsuri's Tomb which has a tragic tale behind it, the Beach of Black Sand, The Lake of the Pregnant Maiden and more. Nature lovers will love Sabah, a mountainous place with lush tropical rainforests. Visit Mount Kinabalu (4,101 metres), located at Kinabalu National Park, is popular with climbers, orchid lovers, bird and butterfly watchers. Near the National Park headquarters is Poring Hot Spring, a refreshing refuge to visitors. Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is a riverine town with beautifully landscaped parks and gardens, historic buildings, colourful markets and an intersting waterfront. Terengganu also has many natural delights. Visitors can witness giant leatherback turtles lay their eggs at Rantau Abang between May to September each year. Those who love the sea, sun and sand can visit Tanjung Jara whose resort is designed after an old Malay palace. Other enchanting beaches can be found at Pulau Tioman and Pulau Sibu on the South China Sea, and Cherating in Pahang.
Discover adventure unlimited at Taman Negara in Pahang. One of the world's oldest tropical rainforest, Taman Negara is the embodiment of nature's conservation at its best. For a rejuvenating experience, take to the hills! Stay at one of Fraser's Hill's bungalows or hotels and wake up every morning to fresh, cool air. At Cameron Highlands, visit the many fruit and vegetable farms. Visitors who want both the relaxing surroundings of a hill resort and the excitement of city life will love Genting Highlands, a cool mountain vacation retreat. It has the only casino hotel in Malaysia where gambling is legal. There is also a very well developed an amusement park for a day of fun rides and more.
Because Malaysia is a country of diverse cultures and traditions, it is not surprising that its cuisine is just as varied. As one might expect, each state has its own specialized dishes as well as different means of preparation and variations in taste. Generally, the Indians and Malays use spices liberally in their food. The Chinese, on the other hand, are more subtle, while the Peranakan have developed their own style of cooking. Even the Eurasions, although small in number, have perfected their own blend of Eastern- and Western-style cooking. "Authentic" Malay food is not as widely available in Malaysian restaurants as Chinese style or American fast food. Restaurants in large hotels offer international cuisine from such countries as Japan, Korea, France and Italy. Street food is widely available throughout Malaysia. Alcoholic beverage is quite expensive in Malaysia. Muslims are forbidden to drink alcohol, so it may be necessary to head for the hotels or Chinese liquor stores for beverages. Wine, although expensive, even by the glass, may not have a good flavor, due to the tropical heat. Beer is fairly common, and is often served chilled. Prices and varieties range from state to state. At dusk, a new face of Malaysia reveals itself. Hotel lounges and clubs, frequently found within the larger hotels, are active at night. Although somewhat expensive, these clubs usually have entertainment on a nightly basis, excluding Sunday. Performances and styles range from jazz, to piano/singer acts, to popular music and singers. Pubs and bars can also be found. Locating these may require some effort, even for taxi drivers, as the pubs and bars are usually situated in the suburbs. Major hotels also have pubs, but these are more expensive than their suburban counterparts. Music, often live, is played on a nightly basis. Pubs and laraoke lounges close around 1am and Fun Pubs stay open until 2am. Most have "live" bands, mostly local or regional entertainers and cover charge is normally imposed at the door. Consult with the locals for the current hot spots. A few deluxe Nightclubs and cabarets, or "kelab malam" as the locals call them, are flambouyant and expensive affairs where international artistes and show bands play for the local rich and famous. Police & Ambulance: 999 Tourist Police: Johor Bahru: Tel (07) 232-222 Kuala Lumpur: Tel (03) 241-5522 or (03) 243-5522 Melaka: Tel (06) 222-222 Fire: 994 Country Code: 60 City Codes: Ipoh: 05 Johor Bharu: 07 Kota Bharu: 09 Kota Kinabalu: 088 Kuala Lumpur: 03 Kuala Terengganu: 09 Kuantan: 09 Kuching: 082 Melaka: 06 Penang: 04 Seremban: 06 Sungai Pentai: 04 Taiping: 05 When calling a telephone number from within the same city, delete the area code from the number. When calling from within another city in Malaysia, use the entire area code. When calling from another country, delete the first digit (0) from the area code. Kuala Lumpur Tourist Information Centre Jalan Parlimen, 50380 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel (03) 293-6664 MATIC (Malaysian Tourist Information Complex) 109, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel (03) 242-3929 TDC Malaysia (Tourist Development Corporation of Malaysia) Head Office 24-27th Floor, Menara Dato Onn Putra World Trade Centre 45, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel (03) 293-5188 Fax: (03) 293-5884 Tourist Information Centre Subang International Airport Terminals 1 and 2 47200 Subang, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel (03) 746-5707 or (03) 746-5907 TDC (Tourist Development Corporation) Northern Region 10 Jalan Tun Syed Shah Barakbah 10200 Penang Tel (04) 620-066 or (04) 619-067 Penang Tourist Association 3rd Floor, KOMTAR Building Jalan Penang Penang Tel (04) 614-461 Sabah Tourist Association Level 1, International Airport Kota Kinabalu Tel (088) 211-484 ext. 335 TDC (Tourist Development Corporation) Sarawak Tingkat 2, Bangunan AIA Bukit Mata Kuching Jalan Song Thian Cheok 93100 Kuching Tel (082) 246-575 or (082) 246-775 Malaysia Tourist Information Centre 818 West 7th Street Suite 804 Los Angeles, CA 90017 USA Tel 213-689-9702 Consulate General of Malaysia 350 South Figueroa Street #400 Los Angeles, CA 90071 USA Tel 213-621-2991 Malaysia Tourist Information Center 830 Burrard Street Vancouver, B.C. Canada Tel 604-689-8899 Tourist Development Corporation of Malaysia 57 Trafalgar Square London WC2N, 5DU United Kingdom Tel (071) 930-7932 Tourist Development Corporation of Malaysia 65 York Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia Tel (02) 294-441 Yes - Ya / No - Teedak / Hello - apa kabar ; Good bye - se la mat jalan / Thank you - Teri Mah Kah Say ; Excuse me - Ma af kan sah-ya / Do you speak English? - Ta-hoo-kah ber -ba ha sa Ingris? / I don't understand - Sah-ya tee dak fah-harm / Help! - Toh-long! / Please bring me the menu - Toh long bahwa untuk sah-yah menu / Please bring me the bill - Toh long bahwa untuk sah-yah bill |
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