Malaysia Travel Guide

Full Name

none

Former Name

Federation of Malaysia

Capital City

Kuala Lumpur

Government Type

constitutional monarchy

Area Size

total: 329,750 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +8 hours

Climate

Tropical without extremely high temperatures. Days are very warm, while nights are fairly cool. The main rainy season in the east runs between November and February, while August is the wettest period on the west coast. East Malaysia has heavy rains (November to February) in Sabah and in Sarawak. However, it is difficult to generalise about the country's climate, as rainfall differs on the east and west coasts according to the prevailing monsoon winds (northeast or southwest). Average daytime temperatures in Kuala Lumpur are around 27°C year round.

Geography

The two distinct parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the South China Sea, share a largely similar landscape in that both West and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to often densely forested hills and mountains, the highest of which is Mount Kinabalu at 4,095.2 metres on the island of Borneo. The local climate is equatorial and characterised by the annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons.

Languages

Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai

Culture

Malaysian traditional music is heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms. The music is based largely around the gendang (drum), but includes other percussion instruments (some made of shells); the rebab, a bowed string instrument; the serunai, a double-reed oboe-like instrument; flutes, and trumpets. The country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, some of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), silat (a stylised martial art) and crafts such as batik, weaving, and silver and brasswork.

History

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by Indonesian efforts to control Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965.

Travel Information

The national airline is Malaysia Airlines (MH). Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) (Sepang) is 55 km south of Kuala Lumpur. Taxis must be pre-paid in the arrivals area at the airport (journey time - 40 minutes). An express bus service operates to hotels in Kuala Lumpur via the Hentian Duta bus terminal (journey time - 1 hour). Regular feeder buses travel from Hentian Duta to Lot 10 on Jalan Sultan Ismail in the city centre during the day (journey time - 30 minutes). Airport facilities are ATMs, bureaux de change, shopping, duty-free, restaurants, postal services, tourist information, hotel reservations, medical service, left luggage, prayer rooms, car hire, executive lounges and business centres. Kota Kinabalu (BKI) is 6.5km from the city and is the international gateway to Sabah (the northeastern part of Borneo Island). Kuching (KCH) is 11km from the city and is the main gateway to Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Departure Tax MYR45; may be included in the air fare. Main ports: Georgetown (Penang), Port Kelang, Northport and Westport (for Kuala Lumpur) and, in East Malaysia (for Sabah and Sarawak), Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Lahad Datu, Rejang, Sandakan and Tawau. Ferry Link operates a ferry between Tanjung Belungkor and Changi Point in Singapore.Various cruise ships visit Malaysia's ports. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM Berhad) runs Malaysia's train services. Direct services operate to and from Singapore via Kuala Lumpur and between Butterworth and Bangkok (Thailand). There is also a 41-hour round trip available from the Eastern and Oriental Express, a luxury train service modelled on the famous Orient Express, which leaves from Singapore, journeys through Kuala Lumpur and heads north to Bangkok from where it returns to Singapore. Peninsular Malaysia is linked by good roads to Thailand and (via two causeways and the North-South Expressway) to Singapore. Those travelling from Thailand generally follow the North-South Expressway from Bukit Kayu Hitam to Kuala Lumpur. Toll fees are levied on all highways throughout Malaysia. Road connections between the two eastern states, Sarawak and Sabah, and their neighbours on Borneo, Brunei and the Indonesian state of Kalimantan are fairly good.

Accommodation

Malaysia has many luxury and economy class hotels. Many new luxury hotels have recently been built in Kuala Lumpur. It is necessary to book well in advance, especially during school and public holidays when the Malaysians take their holidays in the popular resorts, notably Penang, Langkawi and the highlands. The more basic hotels have little in the way of modern washing or bathing facilities, often only a water trough instead of a bath or shower.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for stays of up to three months; nationals of Bulgaria may stay visa-free for up to one month. Nationals may still require a pass upon arrival, even if they are permitted to enter Malaysia visa-free. All visitors must have proof of adequate funds and an onward or return sea or air ticket. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. A valid passport or other travel documents recognised by the Malaysian government are required by all nationals referred to above. The former must have enough pages for the embarkation stamp upon arrival and be valid for at least six months at date of entry. The latter should be endorsed with a valid re-entry permit.

Getting Around

Malaysia Airlines (MH) serves numerous commercial airports in Peninsular Malaysia. In East Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines crisscrosses both Sabah and Sarawak. Budget airline Air Asia also operates a number of domestic routes. Coastal ferries sail frequently between Penang and Butterworth and there is a scheduled passenger service linking Port Kelang with Kuantan, Sarawak and Sabah. Ferries also run between Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, Penang, Satun and Langkawi. Regular boat services connect Lumut to Pangkor Island and Tunjung Gemak or Mersing to Tioman Island. In Sabah, long boats connect Labuan to Menumbak. Small rivercraft often provide the most practical means of getting about in East Malaysia. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad operates train services in Peninsular Malaysia. The main line heads north from Kuala Lumpur to Thailand or south to Singapore. Another line separates from the west coast line at the town of Gemas and takes a northeastern route to Kota Bharu. There is also a passenger service to two of Malaysia's seaports - Penang and Padang Besar on the west coast. East Malaysia has one railway line, the North Borneo Railway. Children under four travel free; children aged four to 11 pay 50% of the adult fare. Traffic drives on the left. Most roads in the peninsular states are paved and signs leading to the various destinations are well placed and clear. The north-south expressway spans 890km from Bukit Kayu Hitam to Johor Bahru is the main highway. Local coach networks are extensive, with regular services in and between all principal cities. Car hire is available through international and domestic agencies. An International Driving Permit is required. For UK citizens, a national driving licence is sufficient, but it has to be endorsed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in Malaysia. Public transport services in Kuala Lumpur are provided by conventional buses, ‘Bas Mini' fixed-route minibuses, taxis and pedi-cabs (trishaws). The two Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, are a quick way to get around the city and provide links to the eastern and western suburbs of Kuala Lumpur.

Health & Safety

Hepatitis A and B are common, as is dengue fever, which has no vaccination or immunisation. Malaria risks are isolated to the inland regions; the exception is Sabah, where there is an all-year risk. 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 smoke haze and 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. 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. Malaysia shares with the rest of South East Asia a threat from terrorism, including places frequented by Westerners. Visitors should be aware that street crime such as bag snatching, pick-pocketing and scams are a problem.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year's Day. 20 Jan - Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year). 1 Feb - Federal Territory Day. 18 Feb - Chinese New Year. 31 Mar - Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of Prophet Muhammad). 1 May - Labour Day. 2 May - Wesak Day (Birth of Buddha). 3 Jun - King's Birthday. 31 Aug - National Day. 13 Oct - Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan). 9 Nov - Deepvali. 20 Dec - Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice). 25 Dec - Christmas.

Currency

Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

Electricity

220-240v AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm and Sat 9.00pm-1.00pm. Government office hours: 8.30am-4.30pm.

Emergency Numbers

999(Ambulance/Police) 994(Fire)