MALAYSIA
Travel Information |
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Introduction
Area : 329,758 sq km (127,320 sq miles).
Population : 21,793,293 (2000).
Population Density : 66.1 per sq km.
Capital : Kuala Lumpur. Population: 1,297,526 (2000).
Geography : Malaysia is situated in central South-East
Asia, bordering on Thailand in the north, with Singapore
and Indonesia to the south and the Philippines to the
east. It is composed of Peninsular Malaysia and the states
of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of the island
of Borneo, 650-950km (404-600 miles) across the South
China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia is an area of forested
mountain ranges running north-south, on either side of
which are low-lying coastal plains. The coastline extends
some 1900km (1200 miles). The west coast consists of mangrove
swamps and mudflats which separate into bays and inlets.
In the west, the plains have been cleared and cultivated,
while the unsheltered east coast consists of tranquil
beaches backed by dense jungle. Sarawak has alluvial and,
in places, swampy coastal plains with rivers penetrating
the jungle-covered hills and mountains of the interior.
Sabah has a narrow coastal plain which gives way to mountains
and jungle. Mount Kinabalu, at 4094m (13,432ft), is the
highest peak in Malaysia. The major islands are Langkawi
(a group of 99 islands), Penang and Pangkor off the west
coast; and Tioman, Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Rawa
off the east coast.
Government : Constitutional monarchy since 1963. Gained
independence from the UK in 1957. Head of State: King
Syed Sirrajuddin ibni al-Marhum Syed Putra Jamalullail
since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Mahatir Mohammad since 1981.
Language : Bahasa Malaysia is the national and official
language, but English is widely spoken. Other languages
such as Chinese (Cantonese and Hokkien), Iban and Tamil
are spoken by minorities.
Religion : Muslim (53 per cent) and Buddhist (19 per cent)
majorities. The remainder are Christian, Taoist, Confucianist,
Hindu and Animist.
Time : GMT + 8.
Electricity : 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs
and bayonet-type light fittings are generally used.
Communications :
Telephone: Full IDD is available. Country code: 60. Outgoing
international code: 00. Public coin-operated phones can
be found in many areas, such as supermarkets and post
offices. Local calls cost 10 sen. Public cardphones can
be found throughout the country. Cards can be purchased
at airports, petrol stations and some shops for amounts
ranging from RM3-50. There are currently two types - Kadfon
and Unicard - and these can only be used in their appropriate
marked phone booths.
Mobile telephone : GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover practically
the whole country. Network operators include Celcom (website:
www.celcom.com.my).
Fax : Centres for public use are located in the main post
offices of all large towns. Most main hotels also have
facilities.
Internet : ISPs include Jaring (website: www.jaring.net.my),
TMnet (website: www.tm.net.my)
and Maxis (website: www.maxis.com.my).
There are numerous cybercaf?s. Hotels and hostels often
have facilities.
Telegram : Telegrams can be sent from any telegraph office.
Post : There are post offices in the commercial centre
of all towns, open Mon-Sat 0800-1700.
Press : The English-language dailies printed in peninsular
Malaysia are the Malaysiakini, Business Times, Malay Mail,
New Straits Times, The Sun and The Star. There are also
several English-language Sunday newspapers and periodicals.
English-language newspapers available in Sarawak include
the Sarawak Tribune and Borneo Post. English-language
dailies in Sabah include the Sabah Times, Daily Express
and Borneo Mail. |
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Travel
Tips
What to take
It is not advisable to use suitcases if your itinerary
involves traveling overland by bus. A backpack or, preferably,
a travel pack is highly recommended.
For clothing, do take note that Malaysia is relatively
casual. Where, formal attire may be the exception, tidy
dressing is acceptable. Women should observe that in many
areas of the country there are unwritten 'dress codes'
such as keeping shoulders covered and wear knee-length
skirts or trousers. This is particularly true in the east
coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu, but does not
generally apply at most beach resorts
Checklist
Waist pouch, earplugs, first aid kit, insect repellent
and/or electric mosquito mats, coils, international driving
licence, passports (valid for at least six months), photocopies
of essential documents, short wave radio, spare passport
photos, sunglasses, sun block, Swiss Army knife, umbrella,
wet wipes, zip lock bags.
If you intend to stay in budget accommodation, do include
cotton sheets sleeping bag, money belt, padlock for hotel
room and pack), soap, student card, toilet paper, towel
travel wash.
For women travelers: a supply of feminine towels (although
you can buy this almost everywhere). There are camping
grounds in Malaysia. If you intend to camp, all the usual
equipment is necessary
Health
Although inoculations are not required for entry into
Malaysia the immigration authorities may want to check
for yellow-fever vaccination that you may have had within
the last 10 years if you arrive from a region that has
a long history of the disease. All the same, most visitors
want that extra assurance by going for hepatitis A, tetanus,
typhoid and polio vaccinations
Insurance
You are well advised to take out an insurance policy to
safeguard against any eventualities while travelling in
Malaysia. Usually such a policy may get you covered for
loss of baggage, tickets (up to a certain amount), money
or traveller's cheques, including journey cancellations.
Be mindful that if you plan to participate in any risky
sports in Malaysia such as diving, jungle trekking or
mountaineering, the policy may not have you covered. So,
to avert such inconvenience thoroughly enquire what is
included as some underwriters may go that extra mile to
provide a reasonably comprehensive insurance protection.
If you include medical insurance, find out whether you
will be paid upon returning to your country or during
treatment or whether there is a round-the-clock contact
number.
Should anything untoward happen, ensure that you are able
to produce the receipts for your purchase and a report
from the police
Medical Problems
Generally, Malaysia has a very high standard of hygiene
and medical care. The emergency and outpatient departments
of Government hospitals will see foreigners and the charges
are very affordable even for a budget traveller. So, you
may not have to worry much in this area. However, if you
were arriving from a region with a different climate,
it would be advisable to give serious thought to personal
hygiene as the humid tropical climate may take its toll
in other forms, through sweating for example. Incidentally,
it is also for this reason that Malaysians wash themselves
at least twice daily.
The Heat
Under the sometimes-sweltering tropical heat of Malaysia
there may be instances of dehydration and sunburn among
those not used to the conditions. So, be warned! Don't
be reckless if you're new to the tropics. Among precautions
you can take include using sunscreens with high Sun Protection
Factor (SPF),wear shades for your eyes and a hat, although
despite the searing afternoon heat most Malaysians prefer
to go bareheaded. Also, drink lots of water and should
you be dehydrated, observe regular intake of fluids supplemented
with oral rehydration preparations.
The Stomach
The reason for the occasional occurrence of upset stomach
among visitors to Malaysia, especially those from non-Asian
regions is the unfamiliarity with local foods and not
lack of hygiene. Although very enticing and mouth-watering,
Malaysian foods may be very spicy and hot at times - too
much for the unfamiliar stomach to accept. Our advice:
introduce yourself to the cuisine gradually and allow
your body t time to get used to it
Do's and 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 I 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.
- Toasting is not a common practice in Malaysia. The
country's large Muslim population does not drink alcoholic
beverages.
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