Malaysia - Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: Visitors must respect local conventions and religious beliefs at all times, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslim visitors to the country should be aware that they may be subject to Sharia law.

Taking photographs at places of worship is usually allowed but permission should always be obtained.

There are severe penalties for all drug offences in Malaysia and trafficking incurs a mandatory death penalty. Visitors may be asked to take a urine test on arrival if suspected of having used drugs before their visit.

When shaking hands in Malaysia, visitors should adopt a relaxed wrist and gentle touch. Food must only be touched with the right hand.

Most Malaysians dress informally but are not over-casual, and visitors are advised to adopt a modest dress, particularly in rural areas or in places of worship. Shoes must be removed before entering a house, mosque or temple.

Businessmen should wear suits and businesswomen clothes appropriate to local sensibilities. Appointments are customary and punctuality is important. The use of business cards is expected. Business hours are Mon–Fri 0900–1700.

Immigration and customs: Visas are not usually required by British, Australian, Canadian and US citizens for short visits but are needed for all those planning to stay longer than three months. Passports must be valid for six months. It is advisable to store passports in a hotel safe and to keep a copy of the passport photopage and entry stamp as ID.

Before entering the country, care should be taken to read the list of what can be brought into Malaysia without incurring import duty.

Single parents travelling with children should carry documentary evidence of parental responsibility. A yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required from all those travelling from infected areas.

Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left. Car hire is available through international and domestic companies. An international driving permit is required. There is a speed limit of 110kph on expressways, 90kph on main roads and 60kph in built-up areas.

The wearing of seatbelts is mandatory and driving under the influence of alcohol carries heavy penalties.

Malaysia Airlines links many commercial airports on Peninsular Malaysia, and the budget airline Air Asia has routes across Sabah and Sarawak.

Coastal ferries sail between Penang and Butterworth and there are scheduled passenger services between Port Kelang, Kuantan, Sarawak and Sabah. Rivercraft are often the most efficient way of getting around the eastern part of the country and can be the means of accessing the more remote regions.

The KTM Komuter train connects suburban or adjoining districts with Kuala Lumpur. There is a west coast line and rail services to Penang and Padang Besar. Sabah has the North Borneo Railway.

Public transport in Kuala Lumpur includes buses, taxis, minibuses and pedicabs (trishaws). Trishaw fares must be negotiated before travel. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. There is also a Light Rail Transit (LRT) that links the city to the adjoining Klang Valley District.

Travel health: The cost of treatment in private hospitals is high and visitors are recommended to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

Malaysia can experience problems with air quality because of smoke haze and this may affect some travellers to the country.

Tuberculosis and Hepatitis A are common, and Japanese encephalitis can occur. Malarial cover is required in certain areas and outbreaks of dengue fever are also known to occur, so visitors should take insect repellent and suitable loose-fitting clothing to protect themselves against insect bites. Visitors should check current vaccination requirements well before departure (visit www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm).

Water needs to be sterilised or boiled before use. Milk is unpasteurised.

Money: Pounds sterling and US dollars are the easiest currencies to change and all commercial banks change money. Hotels are only licensed to accept notes or travellers cheques. Travellers cheques are best exchanged if in US dollars or pounds sterling. Changing money outside tourist centres may be difficult. For most states, banking hours are Mon–Fri 0915–1630, Sat 0930–1130. (For Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, banking hours are Sat–Wed 0930–1600, Thur 0930–1130.)

There were 16,431,055 tourist arrivals in 2005.