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Malaysia Travel Guide Hotels Guesthouses Map and Information
MALAYSIA
INFORMATION
EMBASSIES
MAP
Malaysia, located partly on a peninsula of the Asian mainland and partly on the northern third of the island of Borneo.
West (peninsular) Malaysia shares a border with Thailand, is connected by a causeway to Singapore,
East Malaysia (part of Borneo) shares borders with Brunei and Indonesia.
Malaysia Beach
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Visas:
Tourists do not generally require a Visa in advance. Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond period of stay.

On arrival unlimited time visa is granted to Commonwealth citizens (except Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), to British Protected Persons, citizens of the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein.

3 months visa on arrival for citizens of: Albania, Austria, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordon, Kuwait, Luxembourb, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Spain, South Korea, Bosnia, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, USA, UAE and Yemen.
one month for citizens of ASEAN countries.

14 days for citizens of : Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria.
7 days for : Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kirghistan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
72 hour Transit avialable to all.

Customs:
Some items are dutiable on entry, e.g carpets, alcohol, cigarettes, jewellery, garments. A deposit may be required, refunded when you leave with the item.
No duty on cameras, perfume, cosmetics, watches, pens.

Departure Taxes: RM40 for international. RM5 for domestic.
Money:
There are no restrictions on carrying money in or out. Currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). One RM = 100 sen. Coins are in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 sen and 1RM.
Exchange rate US$1 = RM3.8 (Sept. '99).
Time:
8 hours ahead of GMT.
Business hours are Mon-Fri and half day Sat. Except in the states of Kelantan, Kerengganu and Kedah where Fiday and half Thursday are for rest.
Electricity:
220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles.
Warnings:
Trafficking in illegal drugs carries the death penalty.
Tourist Police Unit. Telephone no's. KL is 03-2496593, Johor Bahru is 07-2232222, Malacca is 06-2703238, Penang is 04-2615522, Alor Setar is 04-7321222, Kuala Terengganu is 09-6222222, Kota Bahru is 09-7472222 and Kuching is 082-241133.
Coming & Going:
AIR: Kuala Lumpur is served by 40 international carriers. Malaysian Airlines is the national airline. Internal airlines include Pelangi Air, Berjaya Air, Mofaz Air.
TRAIN: to Thailand and Singapore, various types. Most expensive is the Eastern and Oriental Express from Singapore - KL - Bangkok. Internal trains go to Rawang, Seremban, Port Klang.
ROAD: are among the best in the region. To Thailand and Sigapore is easy, by Bus or hire car.
SEA: Ferry and Hydrofoil services from KL to Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor, Tioman. Also Singapore to Desaru (Johor).

Tourism Malaysia, head office in KL at 17th floor, Menara Dato On, Putra World Trade Centre, 45, Jalan Tun Ismael. tel. 03-2935188. fax. 03-2935884. Web site is www.tourism.gov.my Offices also in Penang, Johor Bahru, Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. Overseas offices in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA.

Communication:
Country code is 60. International calls can be made from phone booths that have card facility and from any Telecoms Office. Most hotels have IDD. Local calls from phone booths which are coin or card operated. Post Offices are open 8am-5pm, (Closed Sunday and public holidays).
GPO in KL is open to 6pm and to 12:45pm on Sunday.
Behaviour:
Tipping is not expected. Hotels and restaurants apply a 10% service charge.
Greetings. Generally a western style handshake is OK. Some women may simply nod and smile, use handshake only if a woman offers her hand first. Traditional "Salam" is also used. Remove shoes before entering homes and Mosques and Temples. Use right hand only when giving or receiving things and when eating with the hand (i.e. no utensils). The thumb of the right hand (with fingers closed) is used for pointing, not the outstretched indexfinger. Toasting is not done, the Muslim people do not drink alcohol.
Climate:
Sitting just above the Equator, it is hot and humid all the time. The hill areas are cooler. Average rainfall is 2000-2500mm. The rainy season is from about November to February on the East Coast Peninsular Malaysia, Western Sarawak and North-East Sabah. From April-May and October-November on the West Coast Peninsular Malaysia.
Events:
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri follows Ramadan (the month of fasting).
Chinese New Year (January or February).
City Day. 1st Feb. for KL only. Flora Festival and Parade. (July). National Day. (31st August), independance celebration, parades and shows. Malaysia Fest (September), culture, cuisine and handcrafts. Shopping Carnival (October), two weeks of specials. Deepavali. (October/November) Hindu "Festival of Lights". Christmas (25th December), celebrated by people of all faiths.
The People:
About 21 million people of mixed races, main groups are Malays, Chinese and Indian, varied indigenous groups on Borneo.
Language:
Official language is Bahasa Melayu, English is widely spoken.
Religion:
Islam is the official religion. Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity are also present.
Politics:
The government is based on a Parliamentary Democracy. The Prime Minister is the head of government and heads the Cabinet of Ministers. There are 13 States and 2 Federal Territiories. Nine States have hereditary rulers from whom the King is elected every five years. Malaysia is a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Health:
Tap water is said to be safe in major areas. Malaria is possible in remote areas. Yellow fever vaccination required if you are coming from a yellow fever area.
Geography:
Covering and area of 329,758 sq.km. Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia (between Thailand and Singapore) and the two States of Sabah and Sarawak on the Island of Borneo. The other part of Borneo, Kalimantan, belongs to Indonesia.
History:
Prior to the arrival of Islam there is evidence of Hindu-Buddhist culture going back to 300AD in the north-east areas of Bujang Valley and Kedah. In 1511, Malacca fell to the Portuguese, then the Dutch took over in 1641 and then the British in 1815. The first independant Federation of Malaya was formed in 1957. The current state of Malaysia was formed in 1963.

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