Malaysia Travel Information
The Federation of Malaysia
comprises Peninsular Malaysia and
the states of Sabah and Sarawak on
the island of Bomeo.
Geographical Location Located 7 degrees
north of the Equator Peninsular Malaysia
is separated from the swa of Sabah and
Sarawak by the South China Sea. In the
north of the peninsula is Thailand while
its southern neighbour is Singapore.
Area
329,758 sq km
Population
21 million
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
People
Malays who make up about 57%
of the population are the predominant
group with Chinese, Indians and other
ethnic groups making up the resl
Language
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the
national language but English is widely
spoken. The ethnic groups also speak
various languages and dialects.
Religion
Islam is the official religion but
all other religions are practiced freely.
Government
Parliamentary democracy
with a bicameral legislative system.
The Head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan
Agong and the Head of Government is the
Prime Minister.
Climate
Tropical climate with warm
and humid weather all year round.
Temperatures range from 210 C to 32 -C.
Annual rainfall varies from 2000mm
to 2500mm.
History and Culture
There is a strong
interlink between the country's
multi-racial and multicultural make
up with its history. Besides the local
Malays and the native groups, immigrants
from China, India, Indonesia and other
parts of the world have all contributed
to the multiracial composition of its
population. Its interesting cultural
diversity can be largely attributed
to the country's long and on-going
interaction with the outside world and
colonial rule by the Portuguese, Dutch
and the British. Consequently, the
evolution of the country into a cultural
melting pot is evident in the unique blend
of religions, sociocultural activities and
traditions, dress & languages and food.
The country achieved independence
on August 31, 1957 as the Federation of
Malaysia and subsequently with the
entry of Sabah and Sarawak Malaysia
was formed.
Major Holidays
New Year's Day
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (January)
Chinese New Year (January/February)
Federal Territory Day (February 1)
Wesak Day (May)
King's Birthday (June)
National Day (August 3l)
Deepavali (October or November)
Christmas
Economic Profile
Manufacturing
constitutes the largest single component
of Malaysia's economy. Tourism and
primary commodities such as petroleum
palm oil, natural rubber and timber
are major contributors to its economy.
Entry Requirements
Visitors to Malaysia
must be in possession of a valid passport
or travel document with a minimum
validity of six months beyond the intended
visiting period. Most nationalities do not
require visas for social or business visits,
For further information, please check
with the nearest Malaysian diplomatic
mission or Tourism Malaysia Office.
Currency
The unit of currency is the
Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM.
Foreign currencies can be converted at
banks and money changers.
All residents and non-residents are
required to complete the Travellers
Declaration Form (TDF). The revised
TDF has two separate sections and
separate columns for residents and
nonresidents to declare their currencies;
the blue section for the residents and
the white section for the non-resident.
Residents are only required to declare in
detail the exact amount of ringgit carried
when they enter or leave the country only
if the amount is in excess of RM1,000.
They are also required to declare in
detail the exact amount in foreign
currency, including traveller's cheque
carried, when they leave the country only
if the amount exceeds the equivalent
of RM1O,000. Residents do not have to
declare any amount of foreign currency,
including traveller's cheques, carried
with them when they re-enter the country,
Non-residents are only required to
declare in detail the exact amount of
ringgit carded when they enter or leave
the country only if the amount is in
excess of RM1,000. As for foreign currency,
including travellers cheques, declaration
in detail is required only if the amount
exceeds the equivalent of USD2,500.
Residents are required to keep the TDF in
their passport when they leave the country
and surrender the TDF on their return
journey. Non-residents are required to
keep the TDF with their passport and
surrender the TDF on leaving the country.
Banking Hours
Most states:
Mon-Fri: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Sat: 9.30am-11.30am
Sun: Closed
Kedah, Kelantan &
Terengganu:
Sat-Wed: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Thur: 9.30am-11.30am
Fri: Closed
Closed first Saturday of the month.
Post Offices
Open from 8.30am to
5.00pm daily except first Saturday
of the month, Sundays and public
holidays. In Kedah, Kelantan and
Terengganu post offices are closed
on Fridays, first Saturday of the
month and public holidays.
Time
Eight hours ahead of GMT
and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific
Standard Time
Electricity
Voltage is 220-240 volts AC
at 50 cycles per second.
Weights and Measures
Malaysia
follows the metric system in weights
and measures.
Telephones
Local calls can be made
from public phones using coins or
pre-paid cards. International calls
can be made from public phones
with card phone facilities or at any
Telekom offices.
Getting There
The main gateway
to Malaysia is through the new KL
International Airport at Sepang
located approximately 50km south
of Kuala Lumpur. The Sultan Abdul
Aziz Shah Airport in Subang serves a
few domestic and regional airlines.
other major international airports
which serve as entry points are
Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and
Langkawi.
The main entry point by sea to KL
is at Port Klang, about 50km away
from KL. Malaysia is also accessible
by rail and road from Singapore
and Thailand.
Getting Around
Malaysia has
excellent domestic air links and a
well developed and effective public
transportation system served by
buses, taxis and trains.
Accommodation
Malaysia has a
wide range of accommodation at
competitive rates. International
standard hotels, medium and budget
hotels, youth hostels and timeshare
apartments are just some of the
types of accommodation available.
Privately operated motor-homes are
also available for rental.
Do's & Don'ts
When visiting
Malaysia, the visitor should observe
local customs and practices. Some
common courtesies and customs are
as follows:
- Although handshakes generally
suffice for both men and women,
some Muslim ladies may
acknowledge an introduction with
a gentleman with a nod of her
head and smile. A handshake is
only to be reciprocated if
the lady offers her hand first.
The traditional greeting or
"salam" resembles a handshake
with both hands but without
the grasp. The man offers both
hands, lightly touches his
friend's outstretched hands, then
brings his hands to his chest
to mean, "I greet you from my
heart ". The visitor should
reciprocate the "salam".
- It is polite to call before visiting
a home.
- Shoes must always be removed
when entering a Malaysian home.
- Drinks is generally offered to
guests. It would be polite to accept.
- The right hand is always used
when eating with one's hand or
when giving and receiving objects.
- The right forefinger is not used to
point at places, objects or persons.
instead, the thumb of the right
hand with the four fingers, folded
under is the preferred usage.
- Shoes must be removed when
entering places of worship such as
mosques and temples. Some
mosques provide robes and
scarves for female visitors.
Taking photographs at places of
worship is usually permitted but
always ask for permission first.
