MALAYSIA - GENERAL INFORMATION
SELAMANT DATANG
Selamant datang means “Welcome” in Bahasa Melayu the national language of Malaysia. This greeting is written on the faces and expressed in the unrestrained friendliness and genuine hospitality of the country.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia is a country of contrasts, featuring 3,000 kilometres of coastline, bathed in the warm tropical sun, the world’s oldest rainforest, Southeast Asia’s highest mountain, cool hill resorts in the highlands and several historic cities featuring an unique cultural mix of people. Malaysia is a country of great natural beauty with stunning beaches, forests, rivers and mountains.
Lovers of the sun, sea and underwater adventure will absolutely adore Malaysia. Both the western and eastern shores of Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarwak offer endless stretches of beaches. Of Malaysia’s 1007 islands, 38 of them have been declared Marine Parks. These islands and the surrounding sea are ideal for scuba diving and other watersport activities.
THE COUNTRY
The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
CAPITAL
Kuala Lumpur.
PEOPLE
Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.
LANGUAGE
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various other languages and dialects.
RELIGION
Islam is the official religion, but all other religions are practised freely.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Most nationalities do not require visa for social or business visits.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM. Foreign currency can be converted at banks and money changers. All residents and non-residents are required to complete the Travellers Declaration Form (TDF). Non residents are only required to declare in detail the exact amount of Malaysian Ringgit carried on them, when they enter or leave the country, and only if the amount is in excess of RM 1000.
WATER
Water is generally safe to be consumed from taps, though boiling prior to consumption or the drinking of bottled water, is advisable.
FOOD IN MALAYSIA
The Malaysian cuisine is exotic with an exciting range of flavours and culinary styles, offering an endless gastronomic adventure. It comprises of mainly of Malay, Chinese and Indian recipes, each being prepared in its own distinctive cooking styles.
SHOPPING IN MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur is a shopper's paradise. There is a wide range of shopping establishments and modern shopping malls, department stores, duty-free shops, bazaars and night markets. For a very different experience, try to visit the night markets or 'pasar malam' which begin their trading activities in the late afternoon. These open-air markets feature hawker stalls, that sell a variety of local produce, foodstuff, clothing and cakes. Bargaining is a common practice. One can also see a number of street artists and traditional medicine vendors.
The Shopping Carnival, an annual sale held during March/April (normally during the time of the Malaysian Grand Prix) in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia is an opportunity to pick up great bargains.
SHOPPING HOURS
Department stores and supermarkets are usually open from 10:00am to 10:00pm and shops from 9:30am to 7:00pm. In Kuala Lumpur as well as in most major towns, there are several 24-hour stores.
BANKING HOURS
Most states:
Mon-Fri: 9:30am-4.00pm
Sat : 9:30am-11:30am
Sun : Closed
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu:
Sat-Wed: 9:30am-4.00pm
Thur : 9:30am-11.30am
Friday: Closed
Closed the first Saturday of each month
TIPPING
Tipping is usually not necessary unless the service is excellent. Most hotels and large restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge in addition to the 5% government tax to the bill (indicated by a ++ sign on menus and rate cards).
DO'S AND DON'TS
When visiting Malaysia the visitors should observe the following local customs and practises:
Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian house or a place of worship such as mosques or temples.
The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or giving or receiving objects.
The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead the thumb of the right hand with the four fingers folded under is the preferred usage.
