Malaysia Travel Guide ( Travel Tips )

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Complete Travel Guide of Malaysia

Travel Tips

General Tips, Entry Requirements, Immigration

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 period of stay. Most nations do not require visas for social or business visits. For further information, please check with the nearest Malaysian Mission or Tourism Malaysia office in your country.

Immigration And Customs

Trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and importing large amounts of foreign currencies requires a declaration.

o     Time

Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.

o     Tipping
Most hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge and 5% government sales tax on bills. Therefore, tipping is not customary. However, should you want to show your appreciation for good service, a small tip will do.

o     Shopping
All purchases are done in Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Major credit cards are accepted in most dining and retail outlets.

Hypermarkets, supermarkets and most retail outlets have fixed prices for their goods which are displayed on the products. However bargaining is acceptable at selected retail outlets. Bargaining is most common at night markets (pasar malam), or at bazaars. Make sure you strike the best bargains you can get!

Shopping centres operate from 10.00am to 10.00pm with extended hours during sale and festive seasons.

o     Dining
Most eateries operate until late night. Selected eateries are open 24 hours. Some Malaysians enjoy their meals using their fingers. Adventurous visitors can try savouring their meals with their fingers too. Otherwise, it is perfectly normal to request for cutlery.

Mealtimes in Malay villages or kampungs will be especially interesting. Villagefolk prefer to enjoy their meals while seated on a mat spread on the floor. Here too, families eat using their fingers. Before the meal, hands are washed using a kendi, a container resembling a teapot.

During feasts or kenduri, the host and other locals will say their prayers before beginning their meal. As a close-knit society, villagers will also invite guests for second or third helpings in a warm and friendly manner. Visitors can politely decline if they do not wish to.

o     Insurance
Visitors are strongly advised to obtain adequate insurance coverage before traveling to Malaysia.

o     Safety
While Malaysia is a relatively safe country; visitors are advised to take certain precautionary measures to ensure their safety. Safeguard your valuables at all times. Strap or sling your bags when on the move and walk against oncoming traffic. Keep your handbags and wallets safe and close to you especially when in crowded areas. Avoid entering dark and quiet alleys.

o     Electricity
Voltage is 220-240 volts A/C at 50 cycles per second. Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.

o     Telecommunications
Malaysia is linked nationally and internationally by telephone, facsimile, telegraph, telex and via the Internet. Most hotels provide International Direct Dial (IDD) telephone services. In cities and towns, public phones are available at high-traffic areas, such as bus stations, shopping complexes and office buildings, using coins or phone cards. Phone cards come in denominations of RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and are available at news-stands and petrol stations.

o     Health
Malaysia is free of most contagious diseases. However, you would need a special vaccination if you are from an endemic area. Do check on health regulations with your nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission.

Business & Formal Occasions o     Business Cards It is customary to exchange business cards with those in your business circle. Business cards are usually given with both hands or with the left hand holding up the right one. It is polite to spend some time studying the card. o     Dressing for Formal Occasions For men, business attire is commonly made up of dark pants or slacks, long-sleeved shirts and tie. Suits are worn during presentations and formal meetings. The attire for Malaysian women is more flexible and creative. Working women may wear appropriate attire such as skirts, slacks or traditional costumes. Revealing attire is discouraged. Batik attire is considered both appropriate and fashionable when attending formal occasions. This unique and versatile Malaysian fabric features hand-pointed or block motifs. Working Hours In Malaysia Government Offices All government offices operate on a five-day week. In all states, except Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, offices are open from Mondays to Fridays and are closed during the weekend. Government offices in the states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu operate from Sundays to Thursdays. They are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. If a public holiday (for festivals and special occasions) falls on a non-working day, the following day will be declared a holiday. The working hours for government offices are as follows: Ø Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya : 8.00am to 5.3Opm, Monday to Friday Ø In Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu 8.00am to 4.45pm (from Sundays to Wednesdays) and 8.00am to 4.30pm (on Thursdays). Ø In all other states, working hours are from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. There is a long lunch break on Fridays (12.15pm – 2.45pm) to allow the Muslims to perform their prayers. o     Money Matters Travellers are advised to bring a combination of traveller’s cheques, cash and credit cards. Credit cards are widely used in larger shopping establishments and hotels. Smaller establishments accept transactions in cash only. Those embarking on an island trip are advised to make prior financial arrangements on the mainland. Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, airports and money changers around the country. o     Banking All states except Kedah. Kelantan and Terengganu opening hours are as follows; Ø Mondays to Thursdays :           9.15am – 4.30pm Ø Fridays                          :           9.15am – 4.00pm Ø Saturdays                      :           11.00am - 2.00pm (major branches only Ø Sundays                        :           Closed Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu opening hours are as follows; Ø Sundays to Wednesdays           :           915am - 430pm Ø Thursdays                                  :           9.15am - 4.00pm Ø Fridays                                      :           Closed Most banks are closed on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Visitors are advised to obtain further information on local banking hours upon arriving at their destinations. Social Life in Malaysia Social Etiquette in Malaysia In Malaysia, introductions are normally acknowledged with a handshake. In the Muslim culture, handshakes are generally exchanged between people of the same gender. Some Muslim ladies may acknowledge an introduction to a gentleman with a nod of her head and a smile. A handshake can be reciprocated if the lady offers her hand first to a man. The traditional Malay greeting or salam resembles a handshake, but with both hands outstretched and without the grasp. The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friend’s hands, and then brings his hands back to his chest to mean, “I greet you from my heart”. The visitor should reciprocate the salam. o     Addressing a Person Malay men and women can be addressed by their first names. For instance, Amirul bin Yusof should be addressed as Mr Amirul and not Mr Yusof, as the latter is his father’s name. The term Bin means ‘son of’ and binte means ‘daughter of’. Hence, they need not be mentioned. Chinese people have surnames which precede their given names. For instance, a lady whose name is Chia Wei Li con be addressed as Ms Chia. Some Chinese people have English names, such as James Wong. It would be proper to address him as Mr Wong. Indians can be addressed with their given names. For instance. Anand a/l Ravindran should be addressed as Mr Anand. The abbreviation ‘a/l’ stands for ‘anak lelaki’, meaning ‘son of’ and ‘a/p’ means ‘anak perempuan’ or ‘daughter of’. Sometimes, names are preceded by the terms Encik, Puan or Cik. These are Malay terms for Mr. Mrs and Miss, respectively. o     Titles A number of Malaysians have been conferred titles by the Malaysian Government. Among these titles are Tun, Tan Sri, Dato’ and Datuk. It is appropriate to address them by their titles. Political dignitaries are conferred titles such as Yang Berhormat (YB) and Yang Amat Berhormat (YAB). The term Mr or Encik will not be necessary when addressing a person who has been conferred titles. o     Social Visits Before visiting a home, it is polite to call and inform of one’s arrival. Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian home. Drinks are generally offered to guests. It would be polite to accept. o     Gestures The right hand is always used when eating with one’s fingers or when giving and 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. o     Conduct Public behaviour is especially important in Malaysian culture. Most Malaysians refrain from displaying affection (i.e. embracing or kissing) in public. It would be appropriate for visitors to do the same.  Dos and Don'ts When visiting Malaysia, visitors should observe local customs and practices. Some common courtesies and customs are as follows: o     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. 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. o      It is polite to call before visiting a home. o      Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian home. o      Drinks are generally offered to guests. It is polite to accept. o     The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or giving and receiving objects. o     The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with four fingers folded under is the preferred usage. o     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 for permission beforehand. o     Toasting is not a common practice in Malaysia. The country's large Muslim population does not drink alcohol. ·         Public behaviour is important in Malaysian culture. Most Malaysians refrain from displaying affection (i.e. embracing or kissing) in public. It would be appropriate for visitors to do the same. Tropical Health o     Dehydration & Sunburn The sun is strong throughout the year in the country. Proper care against sunburn must be constantly taken. Dehydration and loss of salt through perspiration are two other common problems for the unprepared traveler. Drink plenty of fluids and replace your salt loss. Make sure you pack clothing suitable for a warm humid climate. o     Mosquitoes Due to the constant humid climate, mosquitoes tend to be present throughout the year. The three most significant diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are Malaria, Dengue Fever and Japanese B Encephalitis. To repel mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods, apply an insect repellent containing DEET to your skin or clothing. The risk of malaria for most tourists visiting Peninsular Malaysia is extremely small. There is insignificant risk in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and other major cities. However, in East Malaysia, the risk of malaria is present throughout the year. Even in these regions, the risk is mainly off the coastal plains and towards the border areas. Generally, prophylaxis is recommended for those visiting Sabah or Sarawak. o     Yellow Fever There is no risk of yellow fever in Malaysia. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry if you are coming from countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa.  o     Food Generally, the level of food hygiene throughout the country is high. However, make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food from street vendors should be treated with care. Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. If possible, avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. Bring along iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. Also, wash your hands often with soap and water. As an extra precaution, bring along anti-diarrhoea medication and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat moderate to severe diarrhoea. o     Vaccinations Recommended vaccines are Poliomyelitis (childhood booster), Tetanus (childhood booster), Typhoid (food & water borne diseases) and Hepatitis A (food & water borne diseases). For those venturing outside cities and towns, further recommended vaccines are Hepatitis B, Rabies, Japanese B Encephalitis, Tuberculosis and Meningitis. For those visiting Sabah and Sarawak, Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Tout Taxi Malaysia is rife with all sorts of misadventures. It wouldn't be a surprise to hear visitors complaining about how they were conned at Petaling Street or how they paid RM100 for a 2km taxi ride. There are a number of things that Malaysia should be ashamed of, and most of it has to do with the exploitation of tourists. Nevertheless, SD is here to give you some full-proof advice on how to survive a trip to Kuala Lumpur without being ripped off. Survival Tip #1: Touting Taxis  Malaysia has a reputation for its dishonest cabbies. These ‘touts' have a way of convincing unsuspecting tourists that RM500 is the price of a trip from KLIA to KL city and back with a scenic route thrown in. Truth be told, RM500 will be able to get you a flight to Penang and back and deluxe room in a 5-star hotel. RM500 is definitely not worth the scenic route to KLCC. Some of them are smartly dressed in three piece suits and others might be a little more subtle with only T-shirts as their uniform. They even go as far as to make badges that indicate that they are a part of a licensed agent sanctioned by a local tourism association. This comprehensive disguise is all part of their elaborate plan to con tourists out of their holiday money. We suggest that you use the KLIA Ekspres to get to KL city or alternatively you can use the Airport Limo Service that can be found stationed at the arrival hall. Do take note that a one way journey to or from KLIA would cost between RM38 to RM136 depending on the drop-off and pick-up points. Taxis within the city pose another problem. By law, they are required to use their meters, but there are some of them which prefer to take advantage of innocent tourists and sometimes the locals as well. To make sure that you get a fair deal, insist upon the cab driver using the meter. If he doesn't comply, we suggest that you bid farewell and look for another cab. If you can't get an honest cab driver, take note that journey's within the city itself usually doesn't exceed RM20 and after midnight to 6am, there will be a 50% surcharge. It would be good if you can estimate the distance you wish to travel and roughly calculate the prices based on the meter price. That way you'll be able to figure out whether the cab driver is just lazy to use the meter or whether he's just out to rip you off. Smart Packing Tips This is an equatorial country. And the weather being warm and humid all year round means that u pack as little as possible. Stay light, stay cool. Coz temperatures range from 32?C during the day to 22?C at night. Rain is regular and predictable averaging at 200-250 cm a year so do carry umbrellas, raincoats and slippers. However it does get cooler in highland areas, but that'll demand only medium weight woolens. This is a culture driven country and so apart from the weather, attitudes also determine what you'll pack and wear. It's partial but it's the law of the land that women when entering mosques and temples cover up a bit more? wear long sleeves, loose pants or long skirts. Not that you won't be allowed in without them but just that, heads may turn. Anyways it's wise to blend in. Travel Safety Tips As beautiful as Malaysia may sound, it also has its drawbacks. The most apparent one will be the petty crime rate. Snatch thieves and robbers roam the streets in search of their next victim and unfortunately, there is not enough man power in the law enforcement to curb that. However do not let that dampen your spirits as there are ways to avoid from becoming an unsuspecting victim. One of the most common incidents would be snatch thieves. They will ride their motorcycles close to the pedestrian crossing and pavement then snatch handbags from the innocent pedestrian. The best possible way to avoid being a victim is to tuck your wallets into the front pocket of your pants or else strap them onto your body by using one of those travel pouches that you can hide under your shirt. Do not leave your important documents, cash and credit cards in the pouch or hand bag as these sneaky thieves are able to snatch just about anything from your hands. If you are walking on a sidewalk, carry your bag facing inwards away from the road. That way, the snatch thieves would have difficulty trying to manoeuvre around your body to grab it. In some cases, these thieves might use force and to avoid injury and further harm, we advise that you comply with their demands. It is better to lose possessions rather than to end up with stitches during your holiday. Other ways to avoid falling prey to these petty criminals is to just watch your back. Take heed not to walk around the dark alleys and quiet streets alone during the early hours of the morning because you will never know what to expect. Carry less cash and dress down on your accessories as these are valuable items which attracts sly creatures. Be alert and remember your life is more precious than your possessions. With that in mind, you will do just fine. KL Coaches Some people might say that I'm an authority on commuting between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur . I would have to agree with them. I've gone through the causeway, pass Ayer Keroh and the other way around so many times that I'm able to pinpoint where I am by looking out the window. The trees and hills become familiar and even the curves of the roads are imprinted in my mind. Yes, that takes a whole lot of years of practice, many bus rides and thousands of dollars. I would even go as far as to say that I've probably tried every mode of transportation (barring the seafaring kind) and every combination humanly possible to get home. The most common and convenient being the express bus. There are many different express bus companies offering transportation to and from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore . It's affordable and not as time consuming as many might think. Here are some of my personal favourites. First Coach @ Bangsar (KL)/ Novena Square (SG)  This friendly and convenient express bus service tops the list because of its departure and arrival location. Not many bus services come with the convenience of a LRT/MRT station within walking distance. If you're in KL, First Coach buses depart from Bangsar and Novena Square if you're travelling from Singapore . It's all within walking distance to the Bangsar and Novena train stations. The buses are very punctual and it's a non stop journey, with a 10-20 minute toilet break in between. The only setback with First Coach is its no frills policy. They do not serve food on the bus but a bottle of mineral water will keep you company throughout the journey. Biscuits and crackers are distributed before the bus departs but that's about all the food you're going to get from First Coach. This is turns justifies the reasonable prices: Purchased tickets in KL: KL -> Singapore: RM40           Singapore -> KL: RM60 Purchased tickets in Singapore : Singapore -> KL: S$30            KL -> Singapore -> S$20 First Coach is highly recommended if you are looking for a simple express bus with no frills. Movies are shown occasionally so it really depends on your luck. The air conditioning might get pretty cold so it would be advisable to bring a jacket or a small blanket aboard. This would be considered one of the newer express bus services as it is roughly 2 years old but its popularity has grown immensely. Getting tickets last minute is somewhat of an impossible feat so be sure to book your tickets in advance. Nice Express Bus @ KTM Station (KL)/Copthorne Orchid (SG)  This would undoubtedly be one of the most luxurious buses that you can find. Comfort and convenience is what they're trying to achieve and I must say that they've succeeded. There are 2 variants of buses for you to choose from, Nice 2 and Nice ++. Nice 2 is a double decker bus where else Nice ++ is a luxurious 18 seater bus. Both services get you where you want to go but in different styles. The double decker bus (Nice 2) has a seating capacity of 27 and is the cheaper option but not by much. It uses slightly older buses but are equally as reliable as their newer counterparts. The Nice ++ is the latest in super luxury buses. It boasts a personal TV for each passenger and has something like 4 to 5 movies for viewing during the journey. The seats are spacious and comfortable and there's a lot of leg room to move around. Both the Nice++ and the Nice 2 comes with food and refreshments. The most common item on the menu would be a sandwich but sometimes you might be surprised with a hot dog. Either way, the food can only be described as similar to airplane food (if you know what I mean). I highly recommend paying the extra RM8 for the Nice++ because it's a smooth and comfortable journey all the way. Nice ++ KL -> Singapore: RM80           Singapore -> KL: RM80 Singapore -> KL: S$55            KL -> Singapore : S$55 Nice 2 KL -> Singapore: RM73           Singapore -> KL: RM73 Singapore -> KL: S$49            KL -> Singapore : S$49 Transnasional @ Jalan Duta or Pudu (KL)/ Lavender Street (SG)  Transnasional probably has the most options to choose from. They have a luxury bus that departs from Jalan Duta and the budget buses that depart from the Pudu Terminal. The Singapore arrival and departure terminal is located at Lavender Street , the Melaka – Johor bus terminal as it is commonly known to the locals. Ticket prices range from RM35 to RM80 and S$35 to S$47. The downside of taking the economy coach is the 30 minute break. It is mandatory for the economy coach to make a stop at a designated area for food. This would extend the journey by about 30 minutes. Not such a bad thing if you're actually hungry but for those who ate before boarding, you're better off sleeping in the bus. For a non stop journey, I suggest taking the Executive Coach from the Jalan Duta terminal. It is a non stop (with a 10 minute toilet break) journey that would take about 5 hours. A cheaper option compared to Nice buses but the comfort and luxury of Nice++ is unsurpassed. Kuala Lumpur Accommodation Kuala Lumpur offers many types of accommodation for every traveller. We have the 5 star hotels, the not so 5 star hotels, the backpackers’ inns and service apartments all over the city. There’s something for everyone and every budget, even if you don’t have a budget per se. If you’re looking to live it large and experience all the luxury that Kuala Lumpur has to offer, the 5 star hotels around the city would suffice. Some of these hotels have been around for almost 20 years but refurbishment work is done regularly to maintain its immaculate condition. These hotels would go for roughly RM300 to RM400 per night. Check out SD’s hotel reviews to find out more about the hotels in Kuala Lumpur. The not so 5 star hotels that grace the streets of Kuala Lumpur are somewhat more stealth than the towering skyscrapers that house the shining 5 star ones. They look more dated and faded but still serves its purpose well. These hotels would be sufficient for those who aren’t looking to spend so much time lounging in their rooms. Besides, there’s so much to see in the city so chances are the hotel room is merely what it is, a place to dump luggage and sleep if necessary. This option would save you some cash as they could start as low as RM120 and go up all the way to RM250 for the 4 star accommodations. There are also the backpackers’ inns if you’re looking for the ultimate el-cheapo accommodation. It is sporadically located around town with most of them concentrated near tourist attractions such as Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street for convenience sake. These accommodations provide the bare minimum, a bed, a closet, a small desk and a dressing table (if you’re lucky). Housed within shop lots that rarely go above 4 storeys, backpackers’ inns can’t accommodate many because of the lack of rooms. The upside of it is that you’ll be able to meet fellow backpackers who you can travel with while you’re in town. This option would definitely cost less than RM100 per night and if anyone tells you otherwise, move along to the next backpackers’ inn. You can probably try to negotiate the prices if there are no published rates in sight. If you’re looking for longer stays, service apartments would be ideal. There are many service apartments around town that provide short term to long term stay. These places offer a beautifully furnished apartment style accommodation with hotel like services. It is ideal for families or larger groups. The units usually come with separate bedrooms, a living and dining area and a tiny kitchen. There’s usually a cleaning service, a swimming pool and car park services available. The units usually go for RM250++ per night with discounts for longer stays. So whatever your budget, whatever your preference, Kuala Lumpur has it all. Just beware of the backpackers’ inns as they might try to swindle you if you don’t look or talk like a local. For all the other options, you can be rest assured that you’ll be treated based on the prices you pay. The more you pay, the better off you’ll be. KL Busses Getting around the city and its surrounding areas might be a bit of a challenge in Kuala Lumpur. Considering the size of Klang Valley, it isn’t surprising as well. It isn’t easy to regulate buses for such a large area and even so, utilization rate is very low. Most locals would prefer to drive rather than to make use of public transportation. In any case, there are several bus services that one can use to get around Klang Valley. The main bus operator would be the government owned Rapid KL (formerly Intrakota and City Liner). Rapid KL currently operates 179 bus routes with 3 express, 15 city shuttles, 19 trunk routes and 140 local shuttle services daily.  The express route is basically a point to point service with very little stops in between. The city shuttles is pretty self explanatory as it basically operates within Kuala Lumpur’s central business district. Trunk route buses service the hubs in the city and links them to the suburban or regional hubs. These buses stop at all regulated bus stops along the way. The local shuttles would then link the suburban and regional hubs to its respective residential areas. Rapid KL has divided Klang Valley into 6 separate areas: 1.      Kuala Lumpur Central Business District 2.      North and North West: Kepong, Selayang, Gombak, Batu Caves, Sri Damansara and Bandar Menjalara 3.      East and North East: Setapak, Hulu Kelang, Wangsa Maju, Keramat, Ampang and Pandan 4.      South and South East: Cheras, Serdang, Kajang, Balakong, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Bandar Baru Bangi 5.      South West: Subang Jaya, Puchong and Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang south of the Federal Highway 6.      West: Damansara, Bandar Utama, Kota Damansara and areas of Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang north of the Federal Highway The downside of Rapid KL’s service would be the interchanging of buses as one would be expected to hop on and off more than one bus to complete a journey. The upside would be the low fares. A daily pass worth RM4 can be purchased and this pass will allow commuters unlimited access to the local, trunk and city routes. If you want a more comprehensive pass, you can purchase one for RM7 and this would give you access not only to the buses (including the express routes) but also the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Passes for individual routes would cost between RM1 to RM4. Do remember that these daily passes are for unlimited travel depending on the type of pass purchased. Concession prices are available for students in uniform as well as the elderly. Detailed schedules of arrival times are not published but you can expect to wait a considerable amount of time for the buses. This is due to the unpredictable traffic conditions in Klang Valley. The frequency of the buses would be as such: City Shuttle: 10 to 20 minutes Trunk Routes: 15 to 30 minutes Local Shuttle: 15 to 30 minutes Express: 30 to 60 minutes The buses are a cheap way to get around Klang Valley and it allows you to view the city and its surrounding areas at ground level. The wait might be substantial and it might get crowded during the peak hours but with such low prices you’d expect as much. Do remember to check with the bus driver about the routes as you don’t want to be taking the wrong bus. Other than that, a bus ride in Klang Valley can prove to be quite an adventure. Driving in Malaysia Driving in Malaysia, you get to reap the benefits of the best road system in Southeast Asia. You can find more than 98,700 kilometers of roadways in this peninsular country. It is especially well-linked with its neighboring countries Thailand and Singapore. The popularity of cars in Malaysia is immense: Many Malaysian families have more than one car. Therefore it is no surprise to see a lot of clogged roads, especially in larger cities. It is said that the driving style is rather frantic, leading many drivers to succumb to road rage. It is best to avoid partaking in this: If you are involved in an accident, you as the foreigner will probably end up with the higher fine. Also try to stick to a manner of driving that will not lead to conflict with the police. They may think you are disrespecting them and request bribes, sadly a common practice among Malaysian law enforcement. GENERAL TIPS AND ROAD INFORMATION Driving in Malaysia is on the left hand side of the road. The country offers a good system of road transport, and driving across the country is easy. Road signs are efficient. Highways connect from north to south. ROADS AND MOTORWAYS There are 49,935 km of paved roads (including 1,192 km of expressways) in Malaysia and its infrastructure is excellent. Most roads are in good condition with little or no congestion. The completion of the north-south highway provides a first class road from Malaysia to Thailand and the secondary roads are generally in good condition. Road signs are blue for federal, state and municipal roads and green for toll expressways or highways. Some state road use letters. PARKING Parking in Malaysia’s most crowded cities is not easy. FINES Speeding may be fined up to RM300 and offenders may also receive demerit points as subject to KEJARA System by Malaysian Road Transport Department. Laws against drunk driving are strictly enforced by stiff penalties and Malaysian driving laws prohibits the use of mobile phones. FUEL Petrol can be easily purchased at the many petrol stations around the island and is very affordable. SPEED LIMITS On motorways, the speed limit is at 110 km/h. On municipal, state, and federal roads, it is 90 km/h. In cities or urban areas it is 60 km/h. Highway patrols monitor speed limits and speed limits may also vary from road to road so be aware of the signs. TOLL INFORMATION There is a toll system for very expressway and highway toll rate classes for every Malaysian expressway except Penang Bridge and SMART Tunnel where toll rates vary. DRIVING REQUIREMENTS The minimum age to drive in Malaysia is 18. DRIVER’S LICENSE Drivers are required to hold a Malaysian Competent Driving License, Probationary Driving License or an International Driving License. Foreign licenses can be used if endorsed by the Road Transport Department, and some nationals are allowed to drive with their national license during the first three months of their stay in Malaysia. INSURANCE Third party insurance is compulsory in Malaysia. SEAT BELTS Seat belts should be used at all times. The driver must buckle up or they will be fined. CHILDREN Children under 4 years old sit in the back, and all children should use a child seat. MOTORCYCLES Motorbikes are numerous, particularly in the cities and the death rate for motorcyclists is extremely high, accounting for more than half the road deaths in Malaysia. Drivers are advised to exercise caution an be aware for their often unpredictable behavior. Police 999 Ambulance 999 Fire Brigade 994 Civil Defense 991 Mobile Service In Malaysia Keeping in touch with your loved ones back home is easy and cheap these days. That’s because of the power of Prepaid mobile. If you’re not keen on receiving a phone bill that sky rockets to 4 digits but you still want to be reachable, just purchase a starter pack for any prepaid mobile service provider and you’re all set. There are many different mobile service providers in Malaysia and all of them offer prepaid services. The most popular choices would be Maxis or Digi but Celcom has come up with a notorious X-Pax promotion where phone calls are so cheap it feels free of charge. Then again, that only applies to local calls. All three service providers offer the most basic of services such as incoming and outgoing calls as well as SMS’s. Unlike certain mobile providers in other countries, all incoming calls are free of charge. This applies to both prepaid and postpaid lines. So you family back in Timbuktu can call you and you don’t have to pay, they would. Outgoing calls are charged based on peak and off peak rates and the charges depend on the service provider. Making local calls are cheap but international calls can be quite costly especially if you’re calling rather obscure countries like Albania and Senegal. International SMS’s are RM0.20 to most mobile providers worldwide, granted that the receiving country accepts SMS’s from Malaysia. A mobile prepaid starter pack would cost something like RM18 with RM10 credit ready to use. Top ups are easy and simple. Just make your way to any 7-11 outlet, petrol station or convenient stores and you’ll be able to pick up reloads of RM20, RM30, RM50 and etc. Besides using a prepaid phone line, you can also purchase International calling cards (IDD). This is a cheaper way to make international calls but the downside is that you won’t be able to receive calls. With an international calling card, you can use any local phone line to dial a local number of the company that provides the IDD service. Since it is a local call, the charges would be local call charges. The IDD company would then connect you to the destination of your choice and you’ll be able to chit chat for as long as your credit allows you. Once again, it is a cheap option if you’re making calls to the more common countries. Most people would own a mobile phone so public phones are few and far between. Even if you manage to find one it might not be in working order. So do remember to bring your mobile phone along when you travel to Malaysia. If you’re worried about roaming charges, just purchase a prepaid mobile number. By the way, mobile phones/cell phones are commonly referred to as handphones in Malaysia. Malaysia Ringgit If you haven’t heard by now, Malaysia has changed its currency from Malaysian Dollars to Ringgit Malaysia (RM). The use of Ringgit wasn’t implemented until the 1990’s and the Dollar sign ($) was changed to RM. Its international currency code is now MYR and it is more widely known as such. There have been several revisions to the paper currency in Malaysia with the 2nd and 3rd series still being in legal tender. It is advisable to look up the images for Malaysian currency to familiarize yourself with it just so you don’t accidentally give out an RM50 note for a RM1 bottle of mineral water. There are only 6 denominations for paper money in Malaysia. The Ringgit only comes in RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM100 notes. All of them are different in colour and size. They also depict different images that represent Malaysia’s culture and infrastructure such as KLIA, Mount Kinabalu, the Wau, the Petronas Twin Towers and many more. It is these differences that makes the Ringgit easily recognizable. Malaysian currency also consists of coins and 1 Ringgit is divided into 100 cents (or “sen” in Bahasa Melayu). Similar to coins around the world, Malaysian cents come in denominations of 1c, 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c. To be consistent with the paper currency, each coin has an image on one side that depicts Malaysia’s culture and infrastructure. There are many money changers around Kuala Lumpur. Most shopping malls would have at least one money changer to aid the foreign visitors when shopping. If not, credit cards are accepted in almost all retail outlets. For the latest foreign exchange rate, check out SD’s currency converter.