Travel guide – malaysia

malaysia
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Overview

‘Selamat Datang’ is the traditional Malaysian greeting that welcomes visitors to this vibrant and exotic country. Ethnically diverse cultures share the same lush landscape and create a fusion of cultural styles, cooking and religions that is distinctly Malaysian. Festivals throughout the year mark the Malay, Chinese and Indian holidays, as well as those of the indigenous Orang Asli and the tribes of Sabah and Sarawak.

Malaysia is a country with two distinct parts. Peninsula Malaysia constitutes the long fringe of land, extending down from Asia, that borders Thailand and Singapore. The South China Sea separates the mainland from the less populated East Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak. The dense jungles of Sabah and Sarawak support abundant plant and wildlife and Mt Kinabalu in Sabah stakes its claim as the highest peak in South East Asia.

It is the Peninsula that seems to attract the most visitors, probably because of the diversity it offers in the way of people, activities and climates. The highland regions offer cool relief from the clinging humidity of the mainland, while Langkawi is the popular choice for sand and surf enthusiasts. The east coast, particularly the northern Kelantan province, offers the chance for an interesting cultural exploration of traditional Malay life. The city of Kota Bharu and its surrounds is possibly the most fascinating part of the peninsula, and the least visited, with a remote beauty and rich culture. The west coast is favoured for historical interest, and is where Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur is to be found, the icon of Asian prosperity and the meeting point for expats and city slickers who enjoy the energy of urban life. The city is a powerful mesh of tradition and technology, vying for equal status.

Regions and cities within Malaysia...

Kuala Lumpur
Hill Resorts
The Islands
East Malaysia

Climate

Malaysia has a tropical, humid climate with temperatures averaging 86°F (30°C), though it is cooler in the highland areas. The major change in seasons is marked by the arrival of the monsoons that bring with it heavy downpours on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, the northeastern part of Sabah and the western end of Sarawak (from November to February). Boat trips to the islands do not run during the height of the monsoon. The best time to visit Malaysia is between April and October.

Health

Some tropical illnesses are prevalent in Malaysia and travellers should seek medical advice regarding any recommended vaccinations before travelling. Hepatitis A and B are common, as is dengue fever, which has no vaccination or immunisation. There has been an increase in cases of dengue fever since January 2005. Malaria risks are isolated to the inland regions; the exception is Sabah, where there is an all-year risk. Since April 2005 there has been a severe outbreak of typhoid in Kelantan. Dysentery and travellers' diarrhoea afflict travellers in Malaysia; visitors should stick to bottled water and avoid uncooked meat, fish and vegetables, unpeeled fruit, ice and salads. A further health hazard in Malaysia is air pollution, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, which has the worst air quality in Asia with very high Benzene pollution levels. This could aggravate cardiac or respiratory problems. There were outbreaks of bird flu in 2004 in poultry in the Kelantan State, but no human infections have been reported. Although the risk is very low, travellers should avoid contact with domestic, caged or wild birds and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. An outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in 2006 has spread across Sarawak and Sabah; children are particularly susceptible and several schools and day care centres have been closed. The hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and other cities are of a high standard. Medical insurance is recommended. Travellers older than one year coming from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

The basics

Time

GMT +8.

Electricity

220 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are used.

Language

Bahasa Melayu is the national language, but English is widely spoken and is the language of business. Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are spoken by Malaysias Chinese population and Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi among the Indian population.

Tipping

Although tipping is not customary in Malaysia, the more expensive hotels and restaurants add a 10 % service charge to their bills and further gratuity is unnecessary. All hotel rooms are subject to a 5% government tax, though many cheaper hotels quote a price inclusive of this tax.

Safety

Malaysia shares with the rest of South East Asia a threat from terrorism, including places frequented by Westerners. The US State Department updated its warning in November 2003 and stressed extra caution in the troubled eastern Malaysia state of Sabah, where the risk of kidnapping is high. Terrorists are believed to be planning to kidnap foreign tourists from the islands and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah and boats travelling to dive sites and between the islands are possible targets. Tourists wishing to visit the resorts and islands in the state should stick to larger resorts and exercise extreme caution. Visitors should be aware that street crime such as bag snatching, pick-pocketing and scams are a problem.

Customs

It is customary to remove shoes before entering homes and places of worship. When eating or exchanging money, the right hand is used. Arms and legs should be covered when visiting places of worship.

Communications

The international access code for Malaysia is +60. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). International Direct Dial is available throughout the country, but the service can be erratic. Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is best to check before making long international calls. Coin and card-operated public phones are widespread, and phone cards can be purchased at the airport, petrol stations and newsagents. Cards are not transferable between phone companies: Uniphone and Telekom phone boxes are the most common. Mobile networks cover most of the country; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international phones. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.

Duty Free

Travellers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 litre wine, spirits or malt liquor; 100 matches; cosmetic products to the value of RM200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM500). Prohibited items include goods from South Africa and Israel, counterfeit money, and illegal drugs.

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