Malaysia
Capital:
Kuala Lumpur
Official Language: Malay,
Chinese and English
Religions:
53% Muslim, 30% Buddhist and Confuianist, 17% Other
Currency:
Ringgit = 100 cents
Placements:
Borneo Lodge
Map
Background
Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in
southeast Asia. It's buoyant and wealthy, and has moved towards a pluralist
culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and
indigenous cultures and customs.
Most visitors to Malaysia stick to the insane headlong rush of Kuala Lumpur,
the colonially soothing Cameron Highlands Hill Station or the hedonistic torpor
of Langkawi. However, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, offers spectacular
wildlife, longhouses and the awe-inspiring Mt Kinabalu.
Special Events
The major Islamic events are connected with Ramadan, the ninth month of the
Muslim calendar. The major Malaysian festival is Hari Raya Puasa, which
marks the end of Ramadan with three days of joyful celebrations. Hari Raya
Haji marks the successful completion of the hajj (pilgrimage to
Mecca) with a two-day feast of cakes and sweets. Chinese New Year, in
January or February, is welcomed in with dances, parades and much good cheer.
The festival of Thaipusam in late January is one of the most dramatic
Hindu festivals (now banned in India) during which devotees honour Lord
Subramaniam with acts of amazing masochism - definitely not for the squeamish.
In KL, devotees march to nearby Batu Caves; in Penang, the event is celebrated
at the Waterfall Temple. The Kota Belud Tamu Besar is a huge tribal
gathering held in May at Kota Belud near Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. It includes a
massive market, traditional ceremonies, ornately decorated horsemen, medicine
men and tribal handicrafts. A smaller tamu is held in Kota Belud every
Sunday if you're not visiting during May.
Climate
Malaysia is hot and humid all year. Temperatures are usually between 20-30°C
(68-86°F); humidity is usually 90%. The region has a monsoonal climate, but only
the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia has a real rainy season. The wettest
season on the west coast of the peninsula is between September and December; on
the east coast and in Sabah and Sarawak it's between October and February. Rain,
when it comes, generally interrupts the sunshine only briefly; most of it falls
in short, strong bursts.
Travel Info
Malysia's main international airport is at Sepang, 50km (31mi) south of KL.
Most tourists either fly into Sepang or arrive overland from Thailand or
Singapore. However, Penang also has international flights, and Kuching in
Sarawak and Tawau in Sabah have flights to/from Kalimantan. There is a departure
tax of 40.00 on international flights, but if you buy
your ticket in Malaysia the tax is already included in the ticket price.
Departure tax for flights to Singapore and Brunei is only 5.00.
There are five road border crossings between Malaysia and Thailand (two on
the west coast, one in the centre and two on the east coast). There is also a
west-coast rail link. To get to/from Singapore, you can cross the causeway at
Johor Bahru, catch a ferry or take the train. There are three ferry services
between Malaysia and Indonesia (Penang-Medan, Melaka-Dumai and, in East
Malaysia, Tawau-Tarakan). There's also a difficult road link between Sarawak and
Kalimantan.
Visas
Commonwealth citizens and most European nationals do not need visas for
visits of less than three months. Visitors are usually issued an extendable 30-
or 60-day visa on arrival.
Safety
Terrorism
There is a threat from terrorism in Malaysia. Attacks could be
indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by
foreigners. In neighbouring Indonesia, Westerners were killed and injured
following the terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005) and
Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004).
We believe that terrorists and criminal elements are continuing with plans
to kidnap foreign tourists from the islands and coastal areas of Eastern
Sabah. Previous kidnappings in this area include the taking of foreign
tourist and local hostages from the Malaysian island of Sipadan in 2000, and of
foreign resort workers from a resort near Lahad Datu in 2003. On 12 April
2004, a Malaysian vessel was hijacked and three crew members taken hostage just
outside Malaysian waters off the eastern coastline of Sabah. In 2001,
kidnappers took hostages (including two foreigners) from the Philippines island
of Palawan, close to the Philippine/Malaysian border. In June 2002, one
foreign hostage was killed and another rescued. Boats travelling to and
from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets. If you wish to
visit resorts on, and islands off, Eastern Sabah (from Kudat eastwards to
Tawau), you should exercise extreme caution. If you wish to go to remote
areas, you are advised to register your itinerary with the local police
beforehand.
The Malaysian Government has put in place extensive measures to combat
terrorism and has arrested a number of terrorist suspects. In Sabah, the
authorities have significantly increased security, but there is a continuing
risk of further incidents.
If you plan to travel over the border to Thailand you should be aware that
since January 2004 there has been a resurgence of terrorism in southern
Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala,
Narathiwat and Songkhla. We recommend against all but essential travel to
these four Thai provinces. Since January 2004, there have been almost
daily attacks, including over 100 bombings and many more shootings, stabbings
and, more recently, beheadings. More than 1000 people have been killed and
several hundred injured. No British tourists have been killed in these
attacks but tourist hotels and bars, shops, market places, transport
infrastructure, in particular rail tracks and in trains, have been
targeted. Some foreign citizens have been killed and injured.
Crime
You should be aware of the dangers of street crime, particularly bag
snatching and pickpockets - and scams involving gambling or spiked drinks.
You should:
- Take particular care of your passport, as visitors' passports have been
stolen on aircraft, in airport terminals, and from hotel rooms.
- Be cautious if approached by a stranger who seems interested to learn more
about the UK, and introduce you to his or her family and friends.
Organised groups are known to be using this approach as a ploy to take you
back to their house where you will be encouraged to play cards, at the end of
which victims are intimidated into paying large sums of money as payment of
gambling debts. These groups are known to operate in major tourist
areas.
- Be careful if offered a drink by a stranger, even in a reputable bar or
restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Such approaches can involve spiked drinks,
and have resulted in cases of robbery and assault.
- Do not open your hotel room door to strangers, even those wearing hotel
uniform, and especially late at night. This applies particularly to
women travelling alone.
- When going out, avoid carrying valuables with you, and be aware of your
surroundings.
- Do not leave possessions in unattended vehicles, even if out of sight in a
locked boot.
- Credit card fraud is widespread therefore take great care when making
payments by credit card.
- Scams involving ATMs and the duplication of cards are on the
increase. Caution should be exercised when using ATMs in case there is a
"skimming" devise attached.
Visitors to Malaysia from several countries, including the United Kingdom,
have reported serious problems after responding to advertisements for volunteer
work at a wildlife/elephant sanctuary in Pahang State. Requests for
volunteers are posted on a number of websites together with a related
opportunity for jungle trekking and survival experiences. Those interested
in these offers in this region of Peninsular Malaysia should contact the
Consular Section of the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur before
responding.
Police permission is required for certain kinds of public
gatherings in Malaysia. You should therefore avoid street gatherings and
demonstrations, which might place you at risk.
The sites of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, which lie in
international waters off Kuantan, have been declared “Protected Places” under
the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986; you should only dive there on a
“look not touch” basis. If you have evidence of any other type of activity
on or near the wrecks, please report it to the British High Commission in Kuala
Lumpur.
Road Safety
Road conditions in Peninsular Malaysia are generally good. Traffic
(particularly motor cyclists) will not always stop at traffic lights or on
pedestrian crossings. Visitors should take care when crossing the street
to avoid accidents. If you are involved in a road accident as a driver,
you should not leave the scene until the police have attended.
A UK driving licence can be used in Malaysia for three months only.
We therefore advise British nationals staying in Malaysia for longer than three
months to get a Malaysian driving licence or an annually renewable International
Driving Permit.
Sea Safety
There have been a number of attacks against ships in and around Malaysian
waters. Mariners should be vigilant and take appropriate precautions;
reduce opportunities for theft; establish secure areas onboard; and report all
incidents to the coastal and flag state authorities.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Drugs
There are severe penalties for all drug offences in Malaysia, including in
cases of trafficking (defined here as the possession of a certain quantity of
drugs) a mandatory death penalty, or, in the case of possession, a custodial
sentence imposed and possible whipping. This also includes the possession
of or trafficking in Amphetamine-type stimulants. You could be asked to
take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if you are suspected of having used
drugs before your visit. Should the test prove positive, you could be
referred for rehabilitation treatment or be deported.
Alcohol
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence in Malaysia and
the traffic police regularly carry out breath tests. Anyone over the legal
limit can face a heavy fine or a jail sentence.
Firearms
The importation of unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia is
prohibited. Possession can carry the death penalty.
Local Customs
Malaysia is a multicultural but predominantly Muslim country, and as such,
visitors should respect local social conventions. You should dress
modestly in conservative and rural areas, and when visiting places of
worship. Homosexual acts are illegal.
Muslim tourists should be aware that they may be subject to local Shari’a
law.
Health
Haze
Malaysia has periodic problems with air quality reaching hazardous levels
because of smoke haze. With the onset of the monsoon season air quality
has greatly improved.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
In February and March 2006, local health authorities confirmed the deaths
of poultry from Avian Influenza (also known as Bird Flu) in a series of separate
outbreaks across Peninsular Malaysia. No human infections or deaths have
been reported.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.
As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms
and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or
wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
There have been large-scale outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
(HFMD) across Sarawak in early 2006. HFMD is a communicable disease, which
affects all age groups, but children are particularly vulnerable. As a
precaution, the Malaysian Government has ordered day care centres, kindergartens
and some primary schools across Sarawak to close. The disease usually
causes mild illness but may occasionally take a more serious form, sometimes
resulting in death. If you experience the following symptoms - fever,
blisters on the hands, feet, buttocks and in the mouth, a sore throat and
headaches – you should seek medical advice.
Injections required
Immunisations advised
Diptheria/Tetanus,
Poliomyelitis,
Hepatitis A,
Typhoid,
Yellow fever
Immunisations that maybe required
Tuberculosis,
Hepatitis B,
Rabies,
Japanese B encephalitis
Malaria Yes
Reciprocal Health Care None
