|
Visa requirements, security, medical & other essential information
The following information will give you the basic facts you need to know before starting out on your trip. Visa requirements, security concerns, local medical facilities and laws vary tremendously across the Asia Pacific region, so it is important that you know the facts for your destination and don't arrive without a visa or inadvertently break a local law! The information on this page is intended to give you an overview - please be sure to confirm entry requirements with your travel agent when purchasing your ticket.
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with an elected federal parliamentary government. The country is comprised of 13 states, 11 on the Malay Peninsula and two, Sabah and Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. There is also a federal district, which contains the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, the administrative center of Putrajaya, and the island of Labuan (located off the southwest coast of Sabah).
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country of 25 million people. Malays form the predominant ethnic group. The two other large ethnic groups in Malaysia are Chinese and Indians. Islam is the national religion. Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, although English is widely spoken.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months to enter Malaysia, but you do not need to obtain a visa in advance for a pleasure or business trip if your stay in Malaysia is 90 days or less. Upon or prior to entry into Malaysia, you will be given a Malaysian Disembarkation Card to complete and present to Malaysian immigration upon arrival. Immigration officials will then issue you a social visit pass (visa) in your passport.
Travelers are required to carry their passports for travel from peninsular Malaysia to eastern Malaysia (on the island of Borneo) and between the provinces of Sabah and Sarawak, both of which are on Borneo.
Social visit passes (visas) issued at immigration points (such as KLIA airport, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), etc.) for entry into peninsular Malaysia are not valid for entry into the state of Sarawak, and usually have 3 months’ validity.
New social visit passes (visas) must be obtained upon arrival at Kuching or Miri airports in Sarawak. In most cases, social visit passes (visas) issued by Sarawak immigration officials are valid for any part of Malaysia and usually have 1 month’s validity.
VISA OVERSTAYS:
Since 2003, Malaysian immigration authorities routinely have detained foreigners who overstay their social visit passes (visas). In light of the arrests of several foreigners in connection with immigration sweeps conducted by Malaysian police and immigration authorities in early 2005, foreigners are reminded to carry a copy of their passport identification and visa page(s) with their Malaysian social visit pass at all times.
Depending upon the nature of the violation, detentions may last from a few hours to several weeks, pending a formal hearing. Visitors are urged to check their visa status periodically while in Malaysia and strictly follow immigration laws and regulations.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
Currently, the Department of State has a Public Announcement for Malaysia; key portions of the text are included below.
Visitors, especially those contemplating travel along the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah and overland travel into southern Thailand, should exercise caution.
There are indications of continued planning of kidnappings, including of foreigners, in eastern Sabah's coastal areas and offshore islands. Several kidnappings and piracy incidents have occurred in this area, most recently in March 2005.
The terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), based in the southern Philippines, has been responsible for some of these incidents; other incidents have been attributed to unidentified criminals. Emergency assistance in the area may not always be available. For this reason, visitors should defer all non-essential travel to eastern Sabah’s coastal areas and offshore islands.
Extremist groups in the region have demonstrated the capability to carry out transnational attacks in locations where Westerners congregate. Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.
CRIME:
The overall crime rate in Malaysia is low and violent crime involving tourists is relatively uncommon. Petty theft, particularly purse snatchings and pick pocketing, is the most common criminal activity directed against foreigners.
Thieves on motorcycles commit “snatch thefts” in crowded shopping areas. In most incidents, two men on a motorcycle speed up from behind a victim, and the passenger on the back snatches a purse, handbag or cellular telephone.
These thefts occur at all hours and often in front of large groups of witnesses. Women walking by themselves or with small children are the most common targets. People have been injured or killed by being pulled to the ground by their purse straps by thieves on motorcycles or leaning out of cars.
Automobile burglaries also occur. Credit card fraud is a serious problem in Malaysia. Travelers should avoid using credit cards, if possible. Credit card numbers should be closely safeguarded at all times.
Visitors to Malaysia have reported serious problems after responding to private sector Internet advertisements to donate money to be directed to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Center.
The ads also offer opportunities to do wildlife volunteer work, and to engage in jungle trekking and survival experiences. The Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Center (KGECC) is operated by the Government of Malaysia Department of Wildlife and National Parks and does not accept donations or support of this nature, nor does it operate jungle trekking and survival programs.
Please visit the KGECC web site, http://www.wildlife.gov.my/i_eco_gondah.htm for the most recent information.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and your Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact your Embassy or Consulate for assistance.
The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.
Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
Medical facilities and services are adequate in the larger cities, where Western-trained doctors can be found. Psychological and psychiatric medical and counseling services are limited. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation overseas can cost thousands of dollars or more.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services although major credit cards are acceptable.
Callers to Malaysia's "999" emergency number are connected to the Red Crescent and patients are directed to whichever hospital the dispatcher chooses.
Foreigners staying in Malaysia for extended periods, especially those who have known health problems, are advised to investigate private ambulance services in their area and to provide family and close contacts with the direct telephone number (s) of the service they prefer.
Air quality in Malaysia is acceptable most of the time. However, when burning of vegetation occurs in Malaysia and nearby countries, especially from March through June and during September and October, air quality can range from “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “unhealthy.”
MEDICAL INSURANCE:
You are advised to consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether your policies remain in force overseas and whether they cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those at home. The information below concerning Malaysia is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Visitors are reminded that traffic in Malaysia moves on the left side of the road and that most vehicles use right-hand drive. Seat belts are mandatory. Cell phones cannot be used while driving.
Laws against drinking and driving are strictly enforced with stiff penalties. Motorcyclists attempt to circumvent traffic blockage by weaving through vehicles and pedestrians. There has been a recent rise in the reported number of incidents involving late-night road rage.
The majority of these violent incidents occur after midnight. Traffic is heavy during the morning and afternoon rush hours and slows down considerably when it rains.
Bottlenecks are common in major cities. Development of the infrastructure has not kept pace with the proliferation of motorized vehicles.
Multi-lane highways often merge into narrow two-lane roads in the center of town and cause added congestion. Many streets are narrow and winding. Taxis are metered, but some drivers charge a rate much higher than the metered rate during peak hours, when it is raining, or when the passenger’s destination is to or through a heavily congested area.
A well-maintained, heavily used, divided multi-lane toll highway runs the length of peninsular Malaysia from Singapore to the Thai border. Malaysia’s West Coast also has well-developed paved roads between major cities.
These two-lane highways are usually congested. Serious accidents can occur from collisions and from drivers who lose control of their vehicles while driving too fast in hilly regions.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Malaysia as being in compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards for oversight of Malaysia’s air carrier operations.
NATURAL DISASTERS:
Since the December 26, 2004, Asian tsunami, aftershock earthquakes have been felt in parts of Malaysia.
Because earthquakes may occur at any time in this region and, in rare cases, may cause tsunamis, visitors are urged to move away from beaches following an earthquake and to monitor local media for important information.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Currency exchange is readily available; international bank-to-bank transfers may take several days and require adequate identification.
Credit cards are accepted throughout the country, but travelers should be aware that criminal syndicates have frequently compromised credit card numbers, even at well-established businesses. ATMs can be a safer means of obtaining Malaysian Ringgit.
Western Union money transfers are available through Bumiputra Commerce Bank.
Malaysia’s customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Malaysia of items such as firearms, narcotics, medication, business equipment, currency and books or other printed material, video, and audio recordings which might be considered obscene or in any way harmful to public interest and cultural property.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
While in a foreign country, a visitor is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those at home and do not afford the protections available to the individual at home.
Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than at home for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be fined, expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malaysia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Malaysia strictly enforces its drug laws. Malaysian legislation provides for a mandatory death penalty for convicted drug traffickers. Individuals arrested in possession of 15 grams (1/2 ounce) of heroin or 200 grams (seven ounces) of marijuana are presumed by law to be trafficking in drugs.
The Malaysian criminal code includes a provision for a sentence of caning for certain white-collar crimes, including criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and cheating.
Unauthorized collection and/or removal of local flora and fauna may be prosecuted as a crime and can result in heavy fines, expulsion, and/or imprisonment. |
HOTEL RESERVATIONS 
