Adventurer's Malaysia guide. Facts, tips, customs, advice and essential information for travellers to Malaysia.

Alcohol
As Malaysia is a Muslim country, alcohol is expensive. Be warned, a glass of beer at a nightclub can cost as much as RM 20, and a bottle of whiskey is above RM 300. This still doesn’t stop non-muslims from drinking, but travellers can get a mild shock from the prices. A can of beer outside a nightclub / bar is at a more sensible RM 7-8. Langkawi, Labuan, and Tioman islands have been declared duty free zones. Beer is cheaper than a can of coke here, so happy drinking.

Banking hours
Most states:
Mon-Fri: 9.30 am - 4.00 pm. Closed on Saturdays for most banks, except for some in high density areas.
Sun: Closed.
Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu : Sat - wed: 9.30 am 4.00 pm • Thur : 9.30 am - 11.30 am • Fri: Closed

Bargains
Most shopping centres are fixed in their prices so you will not need to haggle your way to a good deal. You may practice your bargaining skills at the many night markets or open stalls around the country. Always have the maximum price you intend to pay for your product mentally stored and do the ‘walk away’ trick if the price doesn’t match your expectations.

Conservative
Malaysia as a whole is a conservative country and you are advised not to sunbathe nude on any of the beaches. This could offend the locals. In the major cities, it’s more acceptable to wear skimpy outfits than in the countryside. Certain states such as Kelantan and Terengganu are even more conservative so travellers are advised to remain moderately dressed. When visiting a mosque, women must be covered to enter.

Climate
Malaysia has a tropical climate and the weather is warm all year round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C and the annual rainfall ranges from 2000mm to 2500mm.

Country
The Federation of Malaysia comprises of Peninsular Malaysia which has 11 states (Selangor,Seremban, Penang, Pahang, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Johor, Terengganu, Perak, and Malacca) and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
Additionally, there are the 2 Federal Territories of Labuan and Kuala Lumpur. The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur.

Communicating / customs
Language – see “Language” under the letter L
Greeting – see “Greeting” under the letter G
Addressing persons – see “Names” under the letter N

Body Language
Pointing at or beckoning someone with the index finger is regarded as very rude in Malaysia. The appropriate way is to point with one’s thumb, bending it slightly with the fingers folded in the palm. To summon someone, hold the hand out, palm down and move the fingers together towards one’s body. The idea is to gesture discreetly with the hand, not in a pointed or direct way.

Smiling
Malaysians, and South East Asians in general, smile a lot. The visitor should also smile, especially when greeting colleagues and introducing themselves.

Standing
Avoid standing with your hands on your hips, or displaying mannerisms that suggest impatience, arrogance or annoyance. Control and order are desirable to all groups.

Sitting
If seated, do not fold your legs or point your foot at someone. More importantly, do not show someone the soles of your shoes. Try to sit with both legs tucked to your side, either to the right or left, with your feet pointing away from your guests.

Shoes
If you are visiting a Malaysian at home it is customary to remove your shoes before entering, unless you are told otherwise. Some hosts will be quite relaxed about this custom and not expect you to remove your shoes. If you are unsure, ask your host.

Greeting Elders
Remember also to greet elders and introduce yourself to them first. Do not stand back and expect them to come to you.

Touching the Head
In SE Asia the head is regarded as sacred. Do not touch someone’s head, and do not pat small children on the head.

Giving and Receiving with the Right Hand
Always take food offered to you with the right hand; the left hand is regarded as unclean.

Credit Cards
The most common credit cards accepted in the country are Visa and MasterCard. When visiting rural areas, it is better to bring cash instead.

Currency
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and sen (like ‘cent’) for coins. Foreign currencies can be converted at numerous money changers and banks around the country. We recommend changing money away from the airport or at a bank to obtain a fair deal. Many shopping centres have Foreign Exchanges. To obtain up-to-date foreign currency rates, visit the Central Bank’s website at the following link:
www.bnm.gov.my/

Diarrhoea
The most common disorder you may suffer from is diarrhoea. This could be due to the hygiene of the food you eat or even just drinking from sources that may not be agreeable to your body. Even locals suffer from diarrhoea when visiting new places in Malaysia. To minimise the chances of contracting a stomach bug, ensure you eat hot and well cooked food, keep the food spiciness to a minimum, drink only bottled water or carbonated soft drinks and keep diarrhoea medication handy such as Smecta or Imodium.
We find Smecta sachets work best and when combined with carbon pills to reduce bloated stomachs. (By the way, we do not get paid to mention pharmaceutical companies)

Diseases
The most common fear of contracting a disease in this tropical country is malaria. Malaria is endemic but you are unlikely to catch it, especially in the cities. You should see your family doctor in your home country if you have any fears and bring along a course of anti-malaria tablets.
When visiting the countryside, always keep your insect repellent handy.
More information can be found at:
http://www.tourism.gov.my/corp/essentials/default.asp

Directory
A very useful local directory can be found at www.mycen.com.my. This web portal contains many useful phone numbers and we encourage you to maximise its use.

Dining
Importance of Sharing a Meal
Malaysian regards eating as a vital element in building the social relationships referred to above. Visitors to Malaysia can be assured that they will be invited to share a meal, attend a club, or join a working breakfast or lunch.

Chinese Hospitality
There is a tendency, particularly among Malaysians of Chinese descent, to carry out business over a meal. Visitors will find it helpful if they can use chopsticks - particularly at a Chinese banquet, but the fork and spoon used in Malay and Indian restaurants are usually available. If using chopsticks, avoid using them to pierce food, or getting them crossed. The small soup spoon can be used to dispose of waste food - bones, gristle etc - on to a side plate provided for this purpose. If one is not provided, feel free to request one.

Traditional Malay Hospitality
When dining with Malays or Indians the visitor may be invited to eat without the assistance of implements i.e. using the fingers. In this case, it is important that you use only the right hand – the left hand is reserved among Malays and Hindus for personal hygiene. You will be provided with a bowl of water or a water vessel for washing the right hand. It is handy to carry tissues or a handkerchief for drying your hand. Normally, you will be supplied with a spoon (on the right) and a fork (on the left).

Ramadhan
In the Muslim fasting month Ramadhan Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke between sunrise and sunset. You will only be invited to share a meal after sunset during that time. During this period women are busy preparing food during the restricted hours of the early morning and evening. It is inconsiderate to visit at such periods.

Dining Out
If you are the invited guest when you dine out, you will not be expected to pay, nor to share the cost. The bill is paid by the host. However, you should be ready to reciprocate and would be advised to seek advice as to where to take your guests so that you will not offend their religious or other sensibilities.

Do’s and Don’ts (customs)
As a general rule regarding local customs and practices:
- Although handshakes are generally acceptable for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge introductions to gentlemen by merely nodding and smiling. A handshake should only be initiated by ladies. To be safe, men should avoid shaking hands with Muslim ladies unless she offers her handshake 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, and then brings his hands to his chest to mean, “I greet you from my heart.” The visitor should reciprocate the salam.
- Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian home.
- Drinks are generally offered to guests. It is polite to accept.
- The right hand is always used when eating with one’s hand or giving and receiving objects.
- 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 permission beforehand.

Electricity
Voltage is 220 – 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.
Step down voltage converters and wall plug converters are widely available at electrical shops.

Embassy / High Commission
Please keep with you your country’s embassy contact at all times. The more common ones are listed below.
A full listing can be obtained at www.kln.gov.my/English/Fr-foreignmissions.html

Australia
Australian High Commission
http://www.australia.org.my/
6 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2146 5555, 03 2146 5787 (after office hours), Fax: 03 2141 5773

Britain
British High Commission
http://www.britain.org.my/
185 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2170 2200 (Main Office) , 03 2170 2345 (Consular Section), Fax: 03 2170 2360

Germany
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
http://www.german-embassy.org.my/
3 Jalan U Thant, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2142 9666, 03 2142 9825, 03-2148 3989 (Consular Section)

Netherlands
Royal Netherlands Embassy
http://www.netherlands.org.my/
Suite 7.01, 7th Floor, The Ampwalk, South Block, 218 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2168 6200, 012 235 3210 (Emergency after hours), Fax: 03 2168 6240

Singapore
High Commission of the Republic of Singapore
http://www.gov.sg/mfa/kl/
209 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2161 6277, 03 2161 6404, 03 2161 6506

United States of America USA, US, American, Amerika
Embassy of the United States of America
http://malaysia.usembassy.gov/
376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2168 5000, Fax: 03 2148 5801

Emergency Numbers
Please note the following emergency numbers.
Police/Ambulance - 999
Civil Defence - 991
Fire & Rescue - 994
To Call from any Mobile phones / Cellphones - 112

F1 Grand Prix
Usually held in the month of March each year, all hotels will be fully booked in Kuala Lumpur. Certain hotels during this period also have a policy of requiring you to book for the duration of GP weekend i.e. 2 nights even though you may not have intended to stay in Kuala Lumpur for 3 days. Expect surcharges during this period.

Food
If there is one thing Malaysia is famous for and pre-occupies most of its citizen’s time, is the subject of food. The melting pot of different cultures provide a smorgasboard of flavors and uniquely cooked special delicacies that will satisfy every single visitor’s gastronomic desires.
The must-try favourites for any visitor to Malaysia are:
- Nasi Lemak – if Malaysia had a national dish, this is it. Fragrant coconut rice, with spicy ‘sambal’ (anchovies in chilli), served with chicken curry, cucumber and nuts.
- Chicken rice – this must be the second national dish. You can find them roasted, boiled or braised and served with a unique chili sauce.
- Fried Kueh Teow – Flat rice noodles fried over a hot wok with prawn, garlic, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts and a mixture of secret sauces.
- Roti canai – A localised Indian delicacy similar to a freshly baked croissant (possibly better!) served with dhal (lentil) curry.
- Satay – Another Malaysian favourite! Skewered marinated meat of chicken or beef served with hot and sweet peanut sauce together with rice cakes, onion and cucumber.

Geographical Location
Located between 2 and 7 degrees north of the Equator, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsular Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are bordered by Indonesia while Sarawak also shares a boundary with Brunei Darussalam.

Greeting customs
Malays
Urbanised Malays will often shake hands, but usually quite gently - more a brief touch than a clasp. Women may not wish to shake hands. When a woman does not offer her hand it is appropriate to nod or bow slightly. Strong handshakes, back-slapping or elbow grabbing as well as embracing and kissing, are not appropriate in Malaysia.

Malaysian Chinese & Other Ethnic Groups
Malaysian Chinese will usually shake hands.

Malaysian Indians
Malaysian Indian men and women will usually shake hands. The traditional Indian greeting is for each person to put his or her palms together in a prayer position with the hands to the chest and a slightly bowed head. The visitor may use this form of greeting, particularly where an Indian woman does not offer her hand to shake.

Hospitals
Healthcare facilities are found in every town and major city. Malaysian healthcare facilities are of international standards.

Language
Bahasa Malaysia is the national language. English is the official second language and is widely spoken in the major cities and the bigger towns. Most locals understand a little bit of English and you would be fine to get around in English. The language of business is also conducted in English. The other languages include various Chinese Dialects and Tamil. Chinese dialects will vary from the region of Malaysia you are visiting with the more popular ones being Mandarin, Hokkien and Cantonese.

Malay
Officially referred to as ‘Bahasa Malaysia’. There are some essential words which will buy you a lot of mileage in Malaysia.
- ‘Tolong’ – Help
- ‘Terima Kasih’ – Thank you
- ‘Makan’ – Eat
Many Malay words are converted from English. Therefore, you can often interpret what they mean. E.g.
- ‘Klinik’ – Clinic
- ‘Doktor- Doctor
- ‘Restoran’ – Restaurant
- ‘Telefon’ - Telephone

Medication
Essential medication to keep handy:
- Paracetemol such as Panadol
- Diarrhoea medication such as Smecta
- Carbon pills in case you get stomach aches
- Flu medication
- Antibiotic cream
- Band-aid for blisters (from walking too much!)
Don’t worry if you forget to bring your medication, there are plenty of well stocked pharmacies at all major towns & cities. Getting your usual brand of medication or alternatives should not be a problem.

Mobile Network
GSM 900 & 1800
Major telcos are Celcom, Maxis and DIGI and they offer both pre-paid and postpaid packages at competitive prices.

Names
Malays
In the Malay tradition a person’s first name is used in greeting together with the title of Mr or Mrs. For example, Rashid Abdullah or Rashid bin Abdullah - Rashid the son of Abdullah, will be addressed as (Mr) Rashid, or the Malay equivalent Encik (pronounced enche or inche) Rashid if a young man, and Tuan Rashid if addressing an older man. Malays also use occupational titles in address e.g. a teacher would be addressed as Encik (Mr) guru or Cikgu (pronounced chigu or chegu) for short.

Professional titles such as Doctor or Professsor should be respected and used. There are many other titles by which Malaysians may be identified. These are often awarded by royalty as a reward or recognition of the individual.

Malaysian Chinese
When addressing a Chinese person use the title Mr, Mrs or Miss followed by the surname. The first name in the sequence is the family name, so Tan Chee Beng is Mr Tan.

Malaysian Indians
The majority of Indians (other than Sikhs) do not have surnames as such. They are addressed and referred to by their personal name e.g. B. Siva or Siva B. would be called Mr Siva (his personal name).

Malaysian Sikhs
Sikh names are readily recognised. “Singh” indicates a man and is placed after the personal name e.g. Ranjit Singh. The indicator of a female is “Kaur” which is added to a personal name as in Amarjit Kaur. A married woman uses her own name not her husband’s.

Passport
Please ensure that your passport is still valid for at least 6 months before you arrive. Else you may get stuck at airport immigration.

Police
‘Polis’ in Malay language. Take note of the contact number ‘999’ should you need to contact one in an emergency. The police head quarters in Kuala Lumpur is located in Bukit Aman. The general line is (03) 2262 6222.
If you are stopped by the police for any reason, insist on checking their identification. You may insist on calling their
headquarters or the numbers given in earlier paragraph to verify their identity before proceeding any further.

Population
Current population is around 25 million people and growing.

Post Offices
Open from 8.00am to 5.00pm daily except on Sundays and public holidays. In Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu post offices are closed on Fridays and public holidays.

Public Telephones
Public telephones are located all around the country and you may be lucky enough to find one that works. Phones accept a minimum of 20 sen to make a call. We strongly recommend you buy a prepaid phone card instead and connect your own mobile phone if you wish to be contactable. The rates are competitive and prepaid cards are available all over the country.

Public Transport
Around Kuala Lumpur, we advise travellers to try and use the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the KL Monorail to get around the city centre. You could reach there faster than taking a cab or by car. There are grouses about our public transport efficiency. However, it generally seems to work well enough and will get you from Point A to Point B. Buses and commuter trains seem to run less efficiently.
In January 2006, the LRT operator launched new buses and routes that will allow the public and visitors to travel many locations in the city on a single fare. To find out more on this and view the LRT route network visit:
www.putralrt.com.my/rapidbus_cityshuttle.htm

Public Holidays
You might want to find out when the public holidays are to help plan your adventures effectively. Expect larger crowds at tourist destinations and surcharges from resorts or hotels.
Major Holidays
New Year's Day (January 1)
Chinese New Year (varies)
Federal Territory Day (February 1 )
Labour Day (May 1)
Wesak Day (varies)
King's Birthday (June 5)
National Day (August 31)
Deepavali (November 11)
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (varies)
Christmas (December 25)

Religion
Islam is the official religion of Malaysia but freedom of worship is practiced. Hence, there are many Buddhist and Hindu temples, and Christian churches dotted throughout the country.

Raincoat
A handy raincoat keeps you warm in the highlands, dry from the rain, frees your hands to take pictures in the rain and doubles as a mat to sit on. Buy one!

School holidays
Be sure to note the local school holidays and avoid booking your tour if possible during this period. Resorts are usually booked out and surcharges apply. Dealing with noisy kids around the poolside can be annoying to some.

Safety
Malaysia is generally a safe country but the usual precautions apply when visiting any big city. Pickpockets may occur. Always keep your money bag, purse or wallet safely to prevent your pocket being picked. Wear a hidden waist pouch if possible. Pickpockets may lurk in a crowded train, shopping mall, or any other crowded place. This is generally not a big problem, but visitors should be wary.

Shopping
If Malaysians truly had a national sport, it would be shopping. This is evident by the number shopping malls dotted around Kuala Lumpur and the Klang valley. The famous shopping malls around KL are Star hill, Lot 10, Sungei Wang, the Pavillion. Around the Klang valley the better ones are 1Utama, Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid. Shop till you drop.

Snatch Thefts
The most common safety problem is ‘snatch thefts’. This is where a motorist rides or drives up behind an unsuspecting pedestrian and attempts to snatch their handbag.
To avoid snatch thefts, please keep your hand-carried purse or bag close to your body and always avoid having it located facing the side of the traffic. We encourage you not to carry a big handbag if possible to minimise any of these occurrences. It is also advised not to wear any valuables unnecessarily.

Taboos
Malaysians take pride in the way their country has progressed. Visitors should be sensitive when comparing to how things run in other countries. E.g. healthcare, public transport, government departments.
When talking about politics, refrain from discussing ethnic issues.

Generally, sharp instruments, clocks and handkerchiefs - with their inappropriate associations with severing, the passage of time or tears - are not welcomed as gifts in Asian cultures. Articles such as letter openers are therefore not suitable.

Taxis
Taxi drivers are the source of most of the complaints for foreigners in this country. All passengers have the right to insist that the meter is used before getting into the cab. If they refuse, then kindly excuse yourself and hail down another.
However, certain small towns may have taxi services which do not run on the meter but by a negotiation. Please check with a local in that area before hailing a taxi.
Services after midnight until about 6am, there will be additional charges of approximately 50% on the taxi fare displayed on the meter.
Some useful taxi cab numbers are listed below:

Public Cab
Tel: 03 6259 2020
Radio Taxi.
Tel: 03 9221 7600
Sunlight Radio Taxi
Tel: 03 9057 1111
Supercab
Tel: 03 2095 3399

Time
Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time.

Title
- see “Names”

Torchlight
Consider carrying a portable torchlight or flashlight with you at night in case of a power failure or to look for items where there may be no light. It is essential if you are going outdoors.

Tourism Malaysia
The official Tourism Malaysia can be found at www.tourism.gov.my. Visit to get official updates of what’s happening around the country.

Traffic Jams
You will definitely find yourself stuck in one at some point during your stay in Kuala Lumpur or some of the other major cities.

Tuak
A special rice wine brew that can be found when visiting one of the many longhouses in Borneo. This is generally mild tasting (like a dry white) and has a strong kick to it. A pleasant way to liven up any long house party. It's creeps up slowly but surely on you.

Umbrella
Consider carrying a retractable umbrella to keep you dry from the rain and to keep you protected from the sun.

Values (Malaysian Values)
Influence of Family Connections
Visitors should be aware that Malaysians place importance on close personal, family and ethnic ties, and on patronage, for most aspects on their lives i.e. business, work. Assistance received or provided in these areas are usually not perceived as unethical.

Losing Face
The notion of losing face is an important concept to the Malaysian people. To the Malaysian, it is important not to lose standing or honour in front of others. “Face” is a matter of both self respect and the respect of others.

Respecting Emotions
Emotions play a more important role in negotiations by Malaysians. In contrast to Western people who tend to put emotions aside while they argue logically and objectively, Malaysians, and in particular Malays, allow emotions and inner feelings to influence their decision making. They are more concerned than their Western counterparts with the need to preserve social harmony. They stress the importance of courtesy, humility and deference, and act in a way that will avoid anyone losing face. The foreign visitor should make every effort to avoid embarrassing their Malaysian colleagues or causing them to lose face.

The Value of Tact
While Westerners may value open and frank discussion, even confrontation on some issues, Malaysians prefer tact and compromise. In the same vein, Malaysians regard criticising or humiliating someone in public for their shortcomings or wrong doing as rude and thoughtless. When visitors behave in this way, they bring censure on themselves and lose the esteem of others far more significantly than the person they have criticised.

Using an Intermediary
Where a visiting person is concerned about the performance / behaviour of his or her guide, it is appropriate to demonstrate concern through an intermediary rather than through face to face confrontation.

Interpreting Malaysian Behaviour
The Malay’s attachment to tact and consideration for preserving face and avoiding conflict, can create difficulties for the foreigner in interpreting the significance of smiles, nods or silences. The Malaysian smile can mean a range of things. It may, when accompanied by a nod, mean agreement or enthusiasm. It may alternatively mean “I hear you”, but not necessarily “I agree with you”. It may be used as a way of avoiding confrontation or admitting ignorance. The visitor will gradually learn to recognise subtle changes in facial expression, tone of voice and manner that indicate the significance of the smile.

Silence
Malaysians are not uncomfortable with silences during business discussions. They see silence as allowing the parties to evaluate progress, or to retrieve a tense situation.

Behaving Appropriately
Appropriate social interaction and etiquette in Malaysia involve more than a general sensitivity to the “dos” and “don’ts” outlined above. Malaysians genuinely respect the rights of others, and act to maintain the harmony of the group. They are rightly proud of their emergence as an independent, rapidly changing country which commands their loyalty. The visitor must recognise that for all the cosmopolitan sophistication of the Malaysian, real cultural differences remain and are cherished.

Be careful then to respect those differences, to remember that this country and its people are not seeking merely to imitate the West.

Visa
Visitors must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Citizens of most countries do not require visas for social or business visits. For further
information, please visit or call the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission or Tourism Malaysia office.
For up-to-date information on visa restrictions please visit the following link:
http://www.kln.gov.my/english/Fr-visainfo1.html
Citizens of most countries do not need visas for social or business visits.

Weather
The tropical weather in Malaysia can be characterised generally as ‘hot and dry’ or ‘hot and wet’. The ‘hot and wet’ months are generally during the months of November to February, while the driest times of the year is from April to June. If you are not used to the heat and humidity be sure to keep your fluid intake high. Up to date weather forecasts can be obtained here:
http://www.kjc.gov.my/english/weather/forecast/public.html.
Temperatures range form 21 degrees C to 32 degrees C and the annual rainfall ranges form 2000mm to 2500 mm.

Weights and Measures
Malaysia follows the metric system in weights and measures.

WHOA!
That's us baby! And at your service... :D

Sources:

Malaysia Central Directory - www.mycen.com.my
Tourism Malaysia – www.tourism.gov.my
Cultural Sensitivity Booklet – University of Newcastle, Australia
Most importantly, our local experience!