Passport and travel Documents

Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport/travel documents with a minimum validity of six months beyond the period of intended stay. In the case of a national passport not recognized by the Malaysian Government, the holder must be in possession of document in lieu of passport obtainable at the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Missions Abroad. The national passport must also ensure his re-entry into the country of his citizenship.

Every visitor to Malaysia has to fill in a disembarkation card (IMM.26). This has to be handed to the immigration on arrival together with the national passport. A passport is also required for travels between Sabah and Sarawak.

Passes issued upon entering Peninsular Malaysia are not valid for entry into Sarawak. Fresh passes must be obtained upon arrival at the entry point in Sarawak. However, subject to conditions stipulated, visitor passed issued in Immigration Authorities in Sabah and Sarawak are valid for any parts of Malaysia.

Visa Requirements

Commonwealth Citizens (except Bangladesh/India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British Protected Citizens or Citizens of Republic of Ireland, and Citizens of Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein do not need a visa to enter Malaysia.

Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Italy, United States of America, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, North Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Tunisia do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding three (3) moths.

Nationals of ASEAN countries do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one (1) month.

Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and South Yemen do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding 14 days.

Citizens of Bulgaria, Romania and Russia do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one (1) week.

Nationals of Republic of China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cuba, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, North Korea, Nepal, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam, and all Certificate of Identity (CI) holders must obtain a visa before entering Malaysia.

Citizens of Nations other than those stated above (except Serbia Montenegro and Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one (1) month without having a Visa.

A visitor intending to visit any part of Malaysia is required to be in possession of only one Visa to travel direct from one part of the nation to another.

Visas are issued by Malaysian Diplomatic Missions abroad or British Consulates which act for Malaysia in countries where no diplomatic representation of Malaysia is established. All visitors to Malaysia should inquire at the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission for the latest entry procedures and requirements.

Weather & Clothing

Malaysia has an equatorial climate with fairly uniform temperatures throughout the year. Temperatures range from 32 C during the day to 22 C at night. It can be slightly cooler in the hill country. (Rainfall is common throughout the year, averaging 200-250cm a year.) Malaysia has striking climatic variation from east to west. The east gets the full fury of the monsoon between November and February. The west, sheltered by the Barisan Titwansa range, has most rainfall between March and April. Borneo lies between one and eight degrees north of the equator, so is hot and sticky all year round

Lightweight or mixed-fibre clothing is normal. Lightweight clothing which offers sun protection is best for outdoor activities. Evenings can get relatively cool, and some air-conditioned places, as well as taxis, can be quite chilly. A lightweight jacket or shawl may be useful. Malaysia is a muslim country and the people dress modestly, especially women. Shorts and swimming attire are appropriate at resorts and beaches, but less so in public places, but more modest attire is best for public places. Light walking shoes and sandals are preferred footwear.

Note: shopping in Malaysia is easy and fun. Don't worry about bringing everything with you as you will easily be able to pick up local clothing and goods while you're there.

The following links offer up-to-date info on health and vaccination requirements for travel to Malaysia:

• World Travel Guide
• MD TravelHealth.com
• TDS Malaysia

The Malaysian currency is called the Ringgit. Ringgit banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Ringgit. Smaller values are issued as coins. 1 Ringgit = 100 Sen.

Local currency can be imported and exported for free up to amounts of 1000 Ringgit. Foreign currency can be imported for free and exported for free up to amounts equivalent to or exceeding 10,000 Ringgit.

In most towns and resorts, major credit cards (MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted. But many shops such as grocery and clothing stores ony accept local bank charge cards and cash. ATM's can usually be found for cash advances and Traveller cheques are changeable at most banks & money changers.

Voltage in Malaysia is 220 Volt. Most 220V appliances usually work without problems. UK-style 3-pin plugs are most common. USA appliances will require special 110 Volt transformers and adaptors.

Malaysians drive their cars on the left hand side of the road. If you are used to driving on the right hand side then exercising a little caution at the beginning should get used to the left hand side quickly. To hire a car a valid national car drivers licence (in English) or a international drivers licence is needed. Car hire is relatively expensive in Malaysia. In most cases you will be better advised to find a local guide to take you around and show you around or use the cheap, frequent public transport, rather then driving yourself.

The Malaysian Time Zone is GMT +8 Hours. A great website for International time is World Clock

No one in Malaysia expects tips for services. Tips have never been part of the culture. This is not to say that people don't like to be rewarded for very good service. Tipping is a very personal decision, for tips are your ways of expressing satisfaction.

Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and covers an area of 329,750 sq km. It is the only country that occupies territory on both the mainland and insular regions of Southeast Asia. The region of Malaysia on the mainland is commonly referred to as either Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia. It occupies the southern half of the Malay Peninsula and accounts for 40% of the country's land mass. It is bordered by Thailand on the north and Singapore on the south, the Strait of Malacca on the west and the South China Sea on the east. The insular region is commonly referred to as East Malaysia. It occupies the northwestern part of the island of Borneo. (Kalimantan (Indonesian) Borneo occupies the southeast portion of Borneo.) Approximately 400 miles (650 km) of the South China Sea separates East Malaysia from Peninsular Malaysia.

Peninsular Malaysia is largely mountainous with half of the total area more than 500 feet (150 meters) above sea level. There are several mountain ranges that run north-south with elevations rising to more than 7,000 feet (2,000 m). Heavily populated coastal lowlands (fertile plain) run along the west side and narrow, swampy, and densely forested lowlands run along the east side. The Pahang River is the principal river flowing through Peninsular Malaysia

In East Malaysia the coastal plains rise to a hill and valley region and then rise to a mountainous core with elevations between 4,000 and 7,000 feet (1,200 and 2,000 m). The highest point in the country, Mount Kinabalu (13,455 feet [4,101 m]), is located in the extreme northeast portion of this mountainous core. The two principal rivers in East Malaysia are the Rajang and the Kinabatangan. The Rajang is located in the state of Sarawak and the Kinabatangan is located in Sabah.

Approximately two-thirds of Malaysia is forest with the majority of it being tropical rainforest. Vegetation includes bamboo, camphor, ebony, sandalwood, teak, and mangrove forests among the over 8,000 species of flowing plants which include 2000 tree species, 800 different kinds of orchids and 200 types of palm trees. Wildlife in Malaysia includes elephant, tiger, leopard, wild ox, sun (honey) bear, wild pig, orangutan, gibbon, and some rhinoceros. East Malaysia is known for having one of the largest and most varied bird populations in the world.

Malaysia is hot and humid year round with a temperature 20° - 30° C, (68° - 86° F), and a humidity level of 90%. Since the temperature fluctuates little throughout the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure year round.

The rain forests and other tropical vegetation thrive in the hot and humid climate and are fed by the wet seasons. There are two distinct wet seasons for this country. The West Coast of Malaysia will experience slightly more rain through the months of September to December. The East Coast of Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak experience significantly more rain through the months of October to February. When the rain comes, it typically falls in short hard bursts briefly interrupting the strong sunshine.

Malaysia is a federation of states governed by a constitutional monarchy with a two-house legislature consisting of a Senate (Dewan Negara) and a House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat). The head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head of the Federation) and is selected by and from nine hereditary sultans, or rulers. Executive power is exercised by the prime minister, who is the leader of the majority party or coalition in the house of representatives and is appointed by the head of state. He governs with the assistance of an appointed ministerial cabinet.

The Federal Court (formerly the Supreme Court) is the highest court. Below the Federal Court are the two High Courts, one serving West Malaysia and the other serving East Malaysia. Each High Court has a chief judge and several other judges. The chief judges from the high court each serve on the Federal Court with the federal court chief justice and seven other judges. Lower courts include the Sessions Courts and the Magistrates' Courts.

On the local level, Malaysia is divided into the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (West Malaysia), Federal Territory of Labuan (East Malaysia) and 13 states: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pinang, Selangor and Terengganu in West Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia. Each of the 13 states has a titular ruler. Each state has its own written constitution and a unicameral legislative assembly empowered to legislate on matters not reserved for the federal parliament.

The federal government is responsible for foreign affairs, defense, internal security, justice (except where Islamic and native law prevail), federal citizenship, finance, commerce, industry, communications, and transportation. The state governments deal with immigration, civil service, and customs matters.