|
MALAYSIA > FACTS ABOUT THE VISITORS
GETTING THERE
Getting to Malaysia is quite easy with around 40 airlines flying to and from
Malaysia's new international airport at Sepang, 50 kilometers south of Kuala
Lumpur. Penang also has international flights, and Kuching in Sarawak and Tawau
in Sabah have flights to and from Kalimantan. By road, rail and sea, Malaysia
is also easily accessible, with many tourists traveling overland from Thailand.
There are five road border crossings between Malaysia and Thailand and there
is also a west-coast rail link. The causeway at Johor Bahru is the link to Singapore,
and there are three ferry services between Malaysia. There is also a road link
between Sarawak and Kalimantan. The main port-of-call for cruise liners is Port
Klang, 41 kilometers from KL.
PLANNING
Light, cool, and casual clothing is recommended all year round.
VISAS AND DOCUMENTS
Commonwealth citizens and most European nationals do not need visas for visits
of less than three months. Upon arrival, visitors are usually issued with an
extendable 30 or 60-day visa.
CUSTOMS
Items such as cameras, watches, pens, portable radio-cassette players, perfume,
cosmetics and lighters are duty-free in Malaysia. Visitors bringing in dutiable
goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, this is refundable
on departure and is usually 50% of the value, but it is necessary to produce
the receipt of purchase and obtain an official receipt for any tax or deposit
paid.
MONEY
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit and this is indicated as RM. Coins
are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 sen and RM1. Currency notes
are in RM1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Foreign currency and traveler's checks
can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or authorized moneychangers throughout
the country. Bank hours in most states are Mon-Fri: 9:30am-4.00pm, Sat: 9:30am-11:
30am, Sun: Closed. In Kelantan and Terengganu the working week is a little different:
Sat-Wed: 9:30am-4.00pm, Thur : 9:30am-11.30am, Fri : Closed
POST AND COMMUNICATIONS
Local calls can be made from coin or card operated public phones. International
calls can be made from phone booths with card phone facilities, or at any Telecom
offices. Most hotels are equipped with IDD services.
BOOKS
Culture Shock Malaysia, by JoAnn Craig; God's Dust by Ian Buruma; A Short History
of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, by C Mary Turnbull; A Stroll Through Borneo,
by James Barclay; Borneo Stories by Somerset Maugham; The Malayan Trilogy by
Anthony Burgess; The Consul’s File by Paul Theroux; Turtle Beach Blanche
d'Alpuget.
ELECTRICITY
220-240V, 50 Hz
TIME
Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of the U.S. Pacific Standard
Times.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Metric
HEALTH
Health risks in Malaysia are Dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, and rabies
DANGERS
Drug traffickers are sentenced to death by Malaysian Law.
BUSINESS HOURS
The country runs on a normal eight hours a day system with Saturday as half
day and Sunday as a day of rest. In the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and
Kedah, Friday is a day of rest with Thursday as half days. Department Stores
and supermarkets are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Major Holidays: New Year's Day- 1st January, Hari Raya Aidil Fitri- January,
Chinese New Year- January/February, Labor Day- 1st May, Vesak Day- May, The
King's Birthday- June, August 31 - National Day, Deepavali- October/November,
Christmas Day- 25th December. The major Islamic events are connected with Ramadan
and the major Malaysian festival is Hari Raya Puasa, which marks the end of
Ramadan with three days of joyful celebrations. Hari Raya Haji marks the successful
completion of the pilgrimage to Mecca with a two-day feast of cakes and sweets.
The Chinese New Year is welcomed in with dances, parades and lots of festivities.
The festival of Thaipusam is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals (now banned
in India) during which devotees honor Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing
masochism. The Kota Belud Tamu Besar is a huge tribal gathering that includes
a massive market, traditional ceremonies, ornately decorated horsemen, medicine
men and tribal handicrafts.
FOOD
The food or Malaysia is as diverse and varied as its culture, with a great selection
of Indian, Malay, Chinese, Peranakan and Eurasian food. . Each state has its
own specialized dishes as well as different means of preparation and variations
in taste. There is a huge variety of wonderful tropical fruits and fruit juices
available and restaurants in the large hotels also offer international cuisine
from countries such as Japan, Korea, France and Italy. Meanwhile, street food
is widely available throughout Malaysia with food hawkers selling traditional
and local delicacies in big and small towns throughout the country. "Teh
tarik", is a smoothened, creamed tea, and "roti canai" is a fluffy
pancake of Indian Muslim origin. Spicy Malay food, such as "nasi lemak"
and various kinds of Chinese noodles are also popular. People from all walks
of life frequent these food stalls. Satays (meat kebabs in spicy peanut sauce)
are a Malaysian creation and they're found everywhere. Other dishes include
fried soybean curd in peanut sauce, sour tamarind fish curry, and spiced curry
prawns or meat in coconut marinade. Famous, and unique, sweets include include
endol (a mixture of sugar syrup, coconut milk and green noodles) and is kacang
(beans and jellies topped with shaved ice, syrups and condensed milk).
ENTERTAINMENT
Most of the nighttime entertainment in Malaysia is in hotel lounges and clubs.
Pubs and bars are generally located in the suburbs and may be hard to find.
The clubs feature live music performances in styles ranging from jazz, to piano/singer
acts, to popular music and singers. Pubs close around 11pm, but discos and nightclubs
usually stay open until 2am. Some have live bands and light shows but often
require cover charges or drink minimums. Cabarets, or "kelab malam"
offer a Fifties-style atmosphere, often with variety acts, floorshows and bands.
|
