Malaysia at a Glance
The People
Malaysia is a multicultural country and one of its greatest resources
is its rich cultural diversity. 57% of the populations are Malays
while the other half comprises of Chinese, Indians, Iban, Kadazans
and other ethnic groups.
Language
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is
widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages
and dialects. Islam is the official religion but all other religions
are practiced freely.
Climate and Clothing
Malaysia has an equatorial climate with uniform temperatures throughout
the year. Temperatures range from 32°C during the day to 22°C
during the night. It is slightly cooler in the hill country. Rainfall
is common throughout the year, averaging 200-250 cm a year. Light
comfortable clothing is the norm with lightweight woolens required
for visits to highland areas.
Government
Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The
Head of State is the Yang Di Pertuan Agong and the Head of Government
is the Prime Minister.
Getting around
Malaysia has excellent domestic links and a well developed and
effective public transportation system served by buses, taxis
and trains. The centre of Kuala Lumpur is about 60 minutes by
express bus or taxis from KLIA.
Currency and Banking
The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is issued in notes from RM100 to RM1,
and coins from RM1 to one sen (cents). Major credit cards are
accepted. All commercial banks are authorized foreign exchange
dealers, and licensed money changers are found in urban centres,
key entry/exit point and shopping complexes. Foreign currency
and travellers cheques can also be exchanged at major hotels.
Time
Standard Malaysian Time is eight hours ahead of GMT.
Entry Requirements
A valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of
six (6) months (and visa if applicable) is required for all persons
entering Malaysia. A passport is also necessary for travel between
Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak,
as well as between Sabah and Sarawak.
Immigration
All visitors and residents are required to complete an Arrival/Departure
Card, a Custom Declaration, and, if required, a Travellers Declaration
Form (TDF) and Quarantine Form. These are given out on all inbound
Malaysia Airlines’ flights.
Travellers are no longer required to complete
the TDF except under the following circumstances:
- Resident and non-resident travellers who
carry Ringgit in excess of RM1,000 per person.
- Resident travellers who take out foreign
currency notes and/or travellers cheques in excess of the equivalent
of RM10,000.
- Non-resident travellers who bring into Malaysia
more than US$2,500 equivalent.
- The current practice of obtaining
prior written approval from Bank Negara Malaysia remains unchanged
for the following:
- Resident and non-resident travellers
who carry Ringgit in excess of RM1,000 per person.
- Resident travellers who take out foreign
currency notes and/or travellers cheques in excess of the
equivalent of RM10,000.
Non-resident travellers who take out foreign currency notes
and travellers cheques in excess of the amount brought in,
provided the amount taken out is more than the equivalent
of US$2,500.
- The TDF form is given out on all inbound
Malaysia Airlines’s flights and at check-in counters.
It should be handed to the immigration officer together
with the disembarkation card and passport.
Visas
No visa is required for nationals of Commonwealth countries except
for Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
Nationals from Republic of Ireland, Switzerland,
Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein do not require visas.
No Visa is required for a stay not exceeding
three (3) months for nationals of Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland,
Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg,
Morocco, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovak, Sweden,
Tunisia, Turkey, U.A.E., *U.S.A. and Yemen.
*No visa is required for U.S.A citizens visiting
Malaysia for social, business or academic purposes (except for
local employment).
No visa is required for a stay of not more
than one (1) month for nationals of all ASEAN countries and Hong
Kong. For a stay exceeding one month, a visa will be required,
except for nationals of Brunei and Singapore.
No visa is required for a stay not exceeding
one (1) month for nationals of Argentina, Angola, Benin, Bolivia,
Bosnia, Herzegovina, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad,
Chile, Colombia, Congo, Corsica, Costa Rica, Croatia, Djibouti,
Dominica Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Gabon, Greece,
Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Laos, Macedonia, Slovenia,
South Africa and Zaire.
No VISA is required for a stay not exceeding
fourteen (14) days for nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya,
and Syria.
No visa is required for a stay not exceeding
seven (7) days for nationals of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Byelorussia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirghistzan,
Latvia, Lithuania, Moldovia, Romania, Russian Federation, Tadjikistan,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Nationals of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Republic of
China, Cuba, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam and Certificate of Identity (CI) holders
must obtain a visa before entering Malaysia.
Nationals of countries other than those stated
above (with the exception of Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia
without a visa for a visit not exceeding one (1) month.
Note:
Visas are issued by Malaysian Diplomatic Missions abroad. In countries
where there is no diplomatic representation of Malaysia, the British
Consulate acts on behalf of Malaysia.
The above regulations are subject to change.
Visit Passes
A social or Tourist Visit Pass does not permit the holder to take
up employment, business or professional work in Malaysia.
The Business Visit Pass allows foreign visitors
to enter Malaysia for business negotiations or inspection of business
houses. However, these passes cannot be used for employment purposes,
or for supervising the installation of new machinery or the construction
of a factory.
No fee is charged for a Business Visit Pass
issued for a period of up to three (3) months. A nominal fee is
imposed for each month beyond this.
Foreign visitors, except from the Republic
of Singapore, who have entered Malaysia on Social Visit Passes
may contact the Immigration Department to convert their passes
to Business Visit Passes.
Health Requirements
Visitors arriving from areas affected by yellow fever endemic
zones (South Africa and South America) and other infected areas
are required to present International Health Certificates. This
regulation does not apply for children below the age of one.
Customs Regulations
TRAFFICKING OF ILLEGAL DRUGS CARRIES
THE MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY IN MALAYSIA.
Transportation from the Airport
Taxis use a coupon system and taxi booths are available upon exit
from the arrival hall. There is a choice of an airport limousine
service as well as a budget taxi service.
Public bus services to the city and hotels
are available one floor down from the Arrival Hall.
For a faster travel, there is an express
train service called the KLIA
Express
which will take you to the KL City Air Terminal (KL Sentral).
Tickets can be purchased from the arrival hall.
|
