ENTRY INFORMATION
Most Western nationalities can enter Malaysia without a visa, and are normally issued 30, 60, or 90 day entry permit stamps. Some nationalities that are not eligible to enter without a visa can get a tourist visa on arrival; other nationalities must apply for a visa in advance. Most notably, holders of Israeli or Serbia-Montenegro passports are not allowed to visit Malaysia without separate, prior approval from the Home Ministry (a fairly routine but bureaucratic process). See the Immigration Department of Malaysia website for the current scoop or see the Malaysian embassies page to find an embassy in your country.
TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
Photo by Raj
Costs - most visitors will find Malaysia quite cheap. You can live in
hostel dorms and feast on hawker food for less than RM50 per day, but you'll
wish to double this for comfort, particularly if traveling in more expensive
East Malaysia. At the other end of the spectrum, luxury hotels and air fares are
comparatively affordable, with even the fanciest 5-star hotels costing less than
RM400/night.
Tipping is not customary in Malaysia. However, hotel porters and taxi
drivers will appreciate a small tip if you have been provided with exemplary
service. Most expensive restaurants, bars and hotels may indicate prices in the
form of RM19++, meaning that sales tax (5%) and service charge (10%) will be
added to the bill. Hotel tax of 5% may also be added to this.
Alcohol - Although Malaysia is a self-proclaimed Islamic country, alcohol is widely available, however some states (notably Kelantan and Terengganu) place considerable restrictions on sales by and to Muslims. With the exception of tax-free islands (Labuan, Langkawi, Tioman) and duty free shops (for example in Johor Bahru), prices are comparatively high, with a can of beer costing RM4 or more even in supermarkets.
Sleep - The choice of accommodation in Malaysia runs the gamut, ranging from RM20 beds in tribal longhouses to Pavarotti's favorite, the US$1000+/night luxury resort of Pangkor Laut. Accommodation is often extremely good value for money, with even top-of-the-range five-star hotels available for as little as US$50 if you book in advance with the right discounts, which makes Malaysia a great place for a little splurge. In cities, avoid any hotels marked Rumah Tumpangan instead of Hotel, as there are typically boarding houses for foreign workers.
Halal Food -
Finding halal food in Malaysia is easy, but most Chinese restaurants are
not halal — ask if in doubt. Meals at Malay restaurants and Western fast food
restaurants like McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut are halal.
Restaurants at major hotels serve halal food. Generally local Muslims will eat
at Western, Chinese and Indian eateries if there is a halal sign or a framed
picture of Quranic verses on the walls at the payment counter.
Vegetarianism is well understood and every restaurant will be able to
come up with something on request, but don't rely entirely on menu descriptions:
innocuous-seeming dishes like "fried vegetables" etc will often contain pork
bits, shrimp paste (belacan), fish sauce etc. Indian restaurants usually have
very good vegetarian selections, and purely vegetarian Chinese restaurants
(often serving remarkable "mock meat" products made from tofu, gluten etc) are
also not uncommon.
STAY SAFE
Photo by Neo Saguaro
Never bring any recreational drugs into Malaysia, even if you are only there for transit. Possession and/or trafficking of even minute amounts can lead to a mandatory death sentence.
Crime levels are relatively low in Malaysia, but common sense precautions should be observed. Pickpockets and snatch-and-run thieves ply their trade in Kuala Lumpur and large cities, and the security of cheaper accommodations may have room for improvement.
Vehicles will not stop at pedestrian/zebra crossings. Seeing that this will not change, the problem is overcome by building pedestrian bridges and installing pedestrian traffic lights.
Drunk driving is a serious offence and breathalyser tests by the police are common.
Travel documents and valuables are best deposited in a hotel safe or carried safely with you, as there is a potential of theft from hotel rooms while guests are away.
Women travelling alone should be wary of opening their room doors to strangers. In such situations, common sense judgement should prevail.
If using a taxi after midnight or before dawn, it is best to use the dial-a-taxi service as there have been incidents where taxis flagged down during those hours being fake/unregistered. The unregistered taxi driver might then rob or assault their victims with the help of assailants.
Do not accept drinks from strangers in any pub or club as there is a risk they might be spiked.
Credit card fraud can be a problem, so use plastic only at large, reputable retailers, and do not let your card out of sight.
Public demonstrations are almost unheard of in Malaysia - should any occur, they may be treated with heavy-handed tactics, so avoid them at all costs.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Ambulance - 999
- Fire Brigade (Malay:Bomba) - 994
- Civil Defence - 991
- From mobile phone - 11
- Foreign embassies in Malaysia contact details
STAY HEALTHY
Tap water is drinkable but even locals boil or filter it first just to be on the safe side. Otherwise stick to bottled water.
Generally, you can eat pretty much anywhere in Malaysia. Food outlets are comparatively clean - the only thing you should avoid is ice for your drinks, when you frequent the street or hawker stalls since the blocks of ice used there might not be up to your hygienic standards. Ice of the cylindrical variety with a hollow tube down the middle are mass-produced at ice factories and are safer to consume. In actual restaurants this is not a problem. Also you might want to avoid ordering water from hawker stalls or the mamak restaurants as they are usually unboiled tap water.
Avoid buying cold drinks or cut fruit from street vendors.
Heat exhaustion is rare, but do consume lots of fluids, use a hat and sunscreen and shower often!
Peninsular Malaysia is largely malaria-free, but there is a significant risk in Borneo especially in inland and rural areas.
Dengue fever occurs throughout Malaysia in both urban and rural areas, and can only be avoided be preventing mosquito bites. The mosquito that transmits dengue feeds throughout the daytime, and is most active at dawn and dusk. If you experience a sudden fever with aches and lethargy, seek medical attention immediately. Aspirin and ibuprofen should not be used until dengue fever has been ruled out.
Haze from burning vegetation in neighbouring Indonesia may come and go without warning from the months of May to August so travellers with respiratory ailments should come prepared. The Malaysian government is actively seeking Indonesia's co-operation in this matter but up until now, efforts seem to have been mostly futile.
Most public washrooms make a small charge (generally between RM0.20-RM2.00, usually depending on the standard of the facilities) so keep some loose change to hand. If the condition of the sitting toilets is questionable, use the squatting toilets instead - both are usually available, and the latter are more hygienic and (once you get used to them) are just as easy to use as sitting toilets.
It is extremely rare for tourists to seek medical treatment from government hospitals. Private medical care is the only option and costs can be staggering (albeit generally much less expensive than in the West). Be sure to have the appropriate travel health insurance.
RESPECT/FAUX PAS
As in any predominantly Muslim country, you should dress respectfully, particularly in rural areas (wearing trousers not shorts and covering your shoulders is recommended but not essential). In more metropolitan areas such as Kuala Lumpur, attitudes are more liberal.
As a tourist, it is best not to criticize the Government and especially the Malay royal families.
When entering a home or a place of worship, always take off your shoes. Also, never eat with your left hand, or give a gift with your left hand; and never point with your forefinger (you may use a closed fist with the thumb instead), point the bottoms of your feet at a person or touch a person's head.
Public showing of affection in larger cities is tolerated but might invite unnecessary attention from the public. In more rural areas it is frowned upon and is to be avoided.
Same-sex relationships is a taboo subject in Malaysia. Gay and lesbian travelers should avoid any outward signs of affection, including holding hands in public.
Month of Ramadhan - Non-Muslims, as well as Muslims travelling (musafir), are exempt from fasting but it is polite to refrain from eating or drinking in public.
