TOURISM BOARD
With a country full of natural beauty, it's easy to see why Tourism Malaysia takes a nature-lover's approach to promoting Malaysia's array of beaches, mountain parks and unique slices of tropical paradise. For more information about Malaysia Tourism Malaysia, please contact Tourism Malaysia.
http://tourism.gov.my
http://www.sabahtourism.com/home.asp
Airport Tax
An airport tax of RM 5.00 and RM40.00 is charged upon departure for all domestic and international flight passengers respectively.
Attire
Smart-casual attire is recommended for restaurants and nightspots
Business hours
Banks open from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays.
Major shopping places are open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
Currency
The unit currency is Ringgit Malaysia.
RM1.00 is equal to 100 Sen.
Denominations in notes are RM1.00, RM2.00, RM5.00, RM10.00, RM20.00, RM50.00, RM100.00, RM500.00 and RM1000.00. (Denomination in notes for RM1.00, RM500.00 and RM1000.00 are no longer in circulation)
Denominations in coins are 1 Sen, 5 Sen, 20 Sen, 50 Sen and RM1.00
Currency Converter
Get the current Exchange Rates from Yahoo! Finance
Customs
With effect from 1 October 1998, all travellers are required to fill in the Travellers Declaration Form (TDF) on arrival/departure.
Residents and Non-Residents are allowed to bring in not more than RM1,000 in cash and an unlimited amount of foreign currency.
Residents leaving Malaysia can take out up to RM1,000 in cash and foreign notes including travellers cheques not more than the equivalent of RM10,000 on departure.
Non Residents are only allowed to take out amounts less than or equivalent to the sums they have declared upon entry.
Failure to declare is an offence. Prohibited amount in the possession of a travellers may be seized.
Drinking Water
In most parts of Malaysia, tap water is chlorinated and you can drink water straight from the tap.
Duty Free
Antiquities may not be exported without a license from the Director- General of the Museum Department.
Electricity
Malaysia's voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
Entertainment
Nightspots are permitted to operate until 1.00 a.m. on weekends and 12.00 a.m. on weekdays.
Various types of entertainment are available, i.e. Discos, Pubs, Karaoke, Lounge with live bands.
Emergencies
Contact respective hotel Assistant/Duty Manager
Entry & Exit Requirements
Visitors must be in possession of national passports or other internationally recognised travel documents, endorsed for travelling in Malaysia and with validity period of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia.
No visas are required for citizens of Commonwealth countries (except Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British Protected Persons or citizens of the Republic of Ireland and citizens of Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein.
Food
Various types of international cuisine are available in restaurants
Language
Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) is the National language;
English and Mandarin are widely spoken and written
Location
Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam.
Money Changer
Money changing services are available at most banks, hotels and shopping complexes.
Population
21,376,066 (July 1999 est.)
Religions
Islam, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism; note-in addition, Shamanism is practised on East Malaysia.
Taxis
Fares should be fixed before journey is made for taxis without meters.
Tipping
Tipping is discouraged at the airport and discouraged in hotels and restaurants.
Transportation
Kuala Lumpur and several other major cities in Malaysia have extensive transportation networks.
Weather & Climate
Equatorial climate
Average temperature - 21 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius
Updated On: 03.12.03