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General Information About Malaysia |
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The following information was taken from the CIA World Fact
Book
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and
protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from
1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula
formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was
formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East
Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the
Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a
Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims
to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. During the
22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was
successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw
materials, to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism.
Malaysia, a middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. Since coming to office in 2003, Prime Minister ABDULLAH has tried to move the economy farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology industries, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals. The Government of Malaysia is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand to wean the economy off of its dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics - remain a significant driver of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel forced Kuala Lumpur to reduce government subsidies. Malaysia "unpegged" the ringgit from the US dollar in 2005 and the currency appreciated 6% per year against the dollar in 2006-07. Although this has helped to hold down the price of imports, inflationary pressures began to build in 2007. Healthy foreign exchange reserves and a small external debt greatly reduce the risk that Malaysia will experience a financial crisis over the near term similar to the one in 1997. The government presented its five-year national development agenda in April 2006 through the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for the allocation of the national budget from 2006-10. With national elections expected within the year, ABDULLAH has unveiled a series of ambitious development schemes for several regions that have had trouble attracting business investment. Real GDP growth has averaged about 6% per year under ABDULLAH, but regions outside of Kuala Lumpur and the manufacturing hub Penang have not fared as well. For additional information, visit https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/an.html
Tourist Offices
In the United States you can get information on Malaysia
at the following:
Los Angeles - 818 West 7th Street, Suite 804, Los
Angeles, CA 90017. Tel: 213-689-9702, Fax: 213-689-1530.
New York - 120 East 56th Street, Suite 810, New York, NY 10022.
Tel: 212-754-1113/4/5, 212-754-1117(DL), Fax: 212-754-1116.
In Malaysia: 17th, 24th-27th, & 30th Floor, Menara Dato' Onn, Putra
World Trade Center, 45, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel:
03-293-5188, Fax: 03-293-5884.
Click on Malaysia Tourist Offices World Wide
for additional information.
Click on
Latest
News and Information for the latest in what is going on in Malaysia,
including some special deals for tourists!
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Currency
The currency is the ringgit (MYR). Ringgits per US dollar - 3.46 (2007), 3.6683 (2006), 3.8 (2005), 3.8 (2004), 3.8 (2003) Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
The Tourist Police Can Be Very
Helpful
If you lose your way, or need a little help, look for
a tourist police officer. Tourist police officers are recognized by their
checkered hat bands, dark blue shirts and trousers, and the letter "I"
(for information) on a red and blue badge on their breast pocket.
Public and School
Holidays
It seems that almost every month sees a different
festival of some type because of Malaysia's multi-ethnic population. Some of
these are declared as Public Holidays. As festivals vary from year to year, it
is best to check the dates with the nearest Tourism Malaysia Office before you
plan your trip.
There are five term breaks in the year for schools throughout Malaysia. The term
breaks vary slightly from state to state. However, they fall roughly during the
later part of the months of January (1 week), March (2 week), May (3 weeks),
August (1 week), October (4 weeks).
Water
It is generally safe to drink water straight from the
tap. Bottled mineral water, however, is easily available in shops and
supermarkets. I would suggest you drink only bottled water. Try to
find "clear," or non-carbonated spring water as it is the best. Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
Electrical Supply
Electric supply is on a 240-volt 50-cycle
system. Therefore, you will want to bring your converters and adaptors. Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
Health Services
In the event you need medical care, there are private
clinics in most towns. It is a good idea to take out a medical insurance before
you travel as Malaysia does not have reciprocal health service agreements with
other nations. However, it is always good to have your insurance information
with you. Check the
Getting
Away General Reference Pages for travel insurance information.
It is also always best to take all of the medications you normally take with
you. Including any over-the-counter items you prefer as you may not be
able to find the brand you want. For over-the-counter prescriptions, there
are pharmacies and 'Chinese medical halls'. Also, be sure to take copies
of your prescriptions with you when you travel.
If you need medical care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit the Getting Away Health and Safety Tips for Travelers page for additional information about insurance.
Climate
With a temperature that fluctuates little throughout
the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure. Average temperature is between 21 C
and 32 C. Humidity is high. Rain tends to occur between November to February on
the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on western Sarawak, and north-eastern
Sabah. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia the rainy season is April to May
and October to November. Click here
for the current four-day weather forecast in Kuala Lumpur. As Malaysia's climate is sunny almost year round, light
clothing is ideal. It is advisable for ladies, when entering mosques and
temples, to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts.
Language
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese
(Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu,
Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai. In East Malaysia there are several indigenous
languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan.
I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Time
Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard Time. Click here
for the current time in Malaysia.
What About Etiquette?
Whenever, and wherever you travel,
you always want to
Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship.
Dress neatly in a suitable attire which covers arms and legs when visiting
places of worship.
Handle food with your right hand.
Do not point your foot at someone.
When giving or receiving money gifts to/from a Malaysian, do so with your right
hand.
Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Travel Warning
Travel Warnings are issued to
describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or
unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to
assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or
consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below
meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues
Country Specific Information for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions,
crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the
location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
