Malaysia Travel Tips & General Information

SOME FACTS ON MALAYSIA

Malaysia, renowned historically as "The British Indies" and "The Fabled Spice Islands of the East", is made up of two regions, namely, Peninsular Malaysia, comprising 11 states and East Malaysia, comprising the two states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Before independence in 1957, the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British colonized Malaya, as the country was once known. Relics of her colonial past have left behind a legacy that has lured many visitors to return to its shores for many decades.

The country's urban areas still retain the sentiment of bygone era, where modern buildings and businesses flourished side by side with historical structures and small traders. Malaysia's unspoiled tropical forest, magnificent mountains and rich flora and fauna are pronounced among the best in this part of the world.

On the weather, Malaysia has two not very marked seasons - a moderately wet and a moderately dry season. During the wet season thunderstorm are very frequent in the afternoons because of the high humidity, but they are brief and seldom dampen the mood for outdoors activities. The East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia however tends to have a heavier wet season and is best avoided during the rainy period (November-February). During these months, most beach resorts take a break and receive visitors again in March.

Malaysia has a cosmopolitan population comprising mainly Malays, Chinese, Indians and numerous indigenous people with everybody living in peace and harmony. Mutual respect of each others' cultures, traditions, religious belief and way of life offer a potpourri of colorful festivals and opportunities for perennial celebrations.

In relation to its racial diversity, Malaysia is also a gourmet's paradise. It offers all sorts of cuisine. Bargain hunters are also in for a good time as Malaysia is also a shopper's paradise. Experience shopping in night markets, side street stalls, and the many shopping complexes.

Malaysia's abundance of sun, sea and sand offers great opportunities for diving enthusiasts and idyllic holidaymakers. From marine parks to white sandy beaches, visitors are treated to explore, relax and seek peaceful refuge in some of the best resorts in Asia.

CLIMATE

The climate in Malaysia is hot and humid all year round, with some rain in the afternoons. The average temperature ranges from 24 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius in the lowlands. The days are generally sunny and warm and the nights are cool. On the East Coast the rainy season is from early November to the middle of February.

PASSPORT - VISA

Visitors must be in possession of national passports or other internationally recognized travel documents, endorsed for travelling in Malaysia and with a validity period of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia.
Malaysia Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah) have their own Immigration Department and when one enters Malaysia Borneo through Mainland Malaysia, one has to go through Immigration check again and a new stay permit is issued again, mostly for 30 days only.
All visitors are required to complete a Disembarkation Card, which has to be shown to the Immigration Control upon arrival and departure from the country. This card can be obtained on all inbound Malaysia Airlines' flights.

Visitors on social and business visit purposes are to be guided by the following visa requirements:

Visa Exemption: No visas are required for citizens of Commonwealth countries (except Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria), British Protected Persons or citizens of the Republic of Ireland and citizens of Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein.

Three Month Visa-Free Visit: Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Slovak, Spain, South Korea, Republic of Bosnia, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United States of America, United Arab Emirates and Yemen are eligible for three-month visas.

One Month Visa-Free Visit: Applicable to citizens of ASEAN countries.

14-Day Visa-Free Visit: Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Syria are eligible for 14-day visas.

7-Day Visa-Free Visit: Applicable to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kirghizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Air travelers on transit (not exceeding 72 hours) are eligible for a visa-free visit.

Social or Tourist Visit Pass: A Social or Tourist Visit Pass does not permit the holder to take up employment, business of professional work in Malaysia.

The Business Visit Pass allows foreign visitors to enter Malaysia for business negotiations or inspection of business houses but cannot be used for employment purposes, or for supervisory work or construction of a factory. No fee is charged for a Business Visit Pass issued for a period of up to 3 months. A nominal fee is imposed for each month beyond this.

Foreign visitors, except from the Republic of Singapore, who have entered Malaysia on Social Visit Passes may contact the Immigration Department to convert their passes to Business Visit Passes.

As regulations may change from time to time, it is advisable to check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy before departure or check the Tourism Malaysia website: http://mocat.gov.my/index.cfm

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Prohibited Goods
- Trafficking of illegal drugs carries the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia.
- A special permit is required for the carriage of firearms and ammunition. Other prohibited items include flick knives, daggers and pornographic material.
- Taped videocassettes should be submitted for clearance by Customs.
- Export of antiquities and historical objects is not allowed unless an export license has been obtained from the Director Genera I of Museums, Malaysia, or if the antiquity was originally imported and declared to customs.
- All passengers must declare the following items to the Plant Quarantine Office upon arrival: plants and plant parts (including fresh plant produce and processed products), insects and other organisms, microorganisms, herbarium, dried flowers, soil and growth or rooting media. Penalty for failure to do so is liable to a fine of up to RM 1,000 or up to six months imprisonment, or both. Penalty for maliciously introducing a pest or a plant into Malaysia is liable to a fine not exceeding RM 10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both.
- Passengers from South and Central America and Central Africa are required to report to the Plant Quarantine Office.

Duty Free
Visitors entering Malaysia for a period of not less than 72 hours, except from Labuan (24 hours) enjoy customs' exemption on the following purchases:

- wines, spirits/malt liquor not exceeding one liter
- tobacco not exceeding 225 gm or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
- footwear not exceeding one pair
- apparel not exceeding one pair
- one unit each of portable electrical and/or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene
- food preparations of a total value not exceeding RM 75
- cosmetics, soap and dentifrice to a total value not exceeding RM 200
- souvenirs and gifts not exceeding RM 200, except for Labuan and Langkawi where the total value shall not exceed RM 500

Except for the last item, all duty free items must be for personal use only. A 30% tax will be levied on items that exceed the above limits.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

No vaccinations are required. However visitors arriving from Yellow Fever and Endemic Zones and other affected areas are required to present International Health Certificates showing Yellow Fever vaccination. This regulation does not apply to children below the age of one. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended in Sabah and for Jungle tours. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel immunization clinic for further details. Medication may be obtained at licensed clinics and pharmacies.

MONEY

CURRENCY:
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit. Notes in circulation are RM 100, RM 50, RM 10, RM 5 and RM 1. Coins in circulation are RM 1, 50 sen, 20 sen, 10 sen, 5 sen, and 1 sen.

MONEY EXCHANGE:
Money and travelers cheques of all major currencies can be exchanged at hotels, banks, licensed money changer in tourist areas. Banks and money changers usually offers the best rates.

CREDIT CARDS:
International credit cards are widely accepted in department stores, major hotels, up-market shops and restaurant. Make sure that you have enough cash in local currency before you leave for smaller towns or remote areas.

Please take note!
All arriving and departing travelers (including children) must fill in a Travelers Declaration Form (TDF) regardless of the amount of currency carried. The TDF is available in all inbound Malaysia Airlines' flights and at check-in counters. It should be handed over to the Immigration Officer together with the traveler's Disembarkation Card and Passport.
Effective from October 1, 1998, please take note of the following currency regulations for travelers to Malaysia:
Local Currency (Ringgit Malaysian - RM): Residents and non-resident travelers are not allowed to bring in or take our more than RM 1,000 per person.
Foreign Currency: Resident travelers are not allowed to take out more than the equivalent of RM 10,000 worth of any foreign currency from Malaysia (i.e. maximum RM 10,000 worth of foreign currencies). Non-resident travelers are allowed to take out not more than the amount of foreign currencies, which they had brought in at the time of their arrival.
Definitions:
Resident: a citizen of Malaysia residing in Malaysia or a non-citizen of Malaysia who is residing permanently in Malaysia.
Non-resident: any person not residing in Malaysia, whether the person is a citizen or not.

ELECTRICITY

The electricity current in Malaysia is 220 volts or 250 volts AC, 50 cycles. 3-pin British Plug is generally used. Adaptors could be used for other types of plug.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Malaysia is a safe country, but like anywhere in the world, it is wise to be a little cautious. Simple safety precautions such as ignoring touts, keeping away from trouble areas, not wearing excessive jewelry, being careful when crossing roads (remember: left-hand traffic!) and taking care of valuables will keep you out of trouble. Valuables such as money, travelers cheques, passports and flight tickets are best kept in the safety box of your hotel.

AIRPORT TAX

The airport tax is usually included in the flight ticket. There are additional taxes at RM5 for security tax. In view of continuous updates of surcharges by international airlines for security, insurance and fuel, all international airport check-in counters in Malaysia may be charging international passengers at departure when applicable.

TIME ZONE

Malaysia runs at GMT +8 hours and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time. Malaysia is in the same time zone as Singapore, Hong Kong and Perth.