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Kuala Lumpur - a brief overview
The Malaysian capital offers an alluring blend of high-tech modernity with rich historic roots. Come here for first-class shopping and dining, but its cultural mix is what makes Kuala Lumpur stand out, a happy blend of influences from the Muslims, Chinese and Indians. Despite its size, the city has a less frenetic pace than others in the region.
KL’s most iconic image, symbolising its constant development, is the Petronas Twin Towers, which dwarf the many other soaring skyscrapers. Explore at ground level, however, and the old Colonial District provides a feast for the senses, from multi-coloured temples to aromatic street markets and foodstalls.
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Top 10 sights in Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Towers
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 603 2331 8080
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 0900-2100
(closed Fri 1300-1430)
At 490m (1607ft), this is currently the tallest twin structure in the world, housing the national oil company, as well as a hotel, restaurants, theatre and shopping mall. The Skybridge is the highest point open to visitors, with amazing views from 170m (558ft) above the ground.
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603 2274 2020
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1800
Housed in a stunningly designed modern building, this excellent museum contains artworks and religious artefacts from around the Muslim world, spanning 1,000 years.
Colonial District
50 500 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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The old city centre is a delightful area to explore on foot, with many old buildings, temples and markets, in the streets around Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka).
Masjid Negara
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603 2693 7784
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1200, 1500-1600 and 1730-1830
The National Mosque is a strikingly angular modern building, with stained-glass windows, latticed walls and an elegantly tall minaret, and fronted by peacefully sparkling fountains.
Masjid Jamek
50050 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 603 9235 4848
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Opening times:
Daily 0830-1230 and 1430-1600
(closed Fri 1100-1430)
Overlooking the junction of the Gombek and Klang Rivers, this early 20th-century mosque is one of the loveliest buildings in Kuala Lumpur, with pastel-coloured onion domes, minarets and arched colonnades.
Old KL Station
50050 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603 2263 1111
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Only a few trains still serve this colonial-era station in the south of the city, but it’s an architectural highlight, with its whimsical confection of arches, domes, minarets and spires.
Chinatown
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Opening times:
Daily 0800-1800
On the southern side of the Colonial District, Kuala Lumpur’s Chinese district comprises a bustling complex of alleyways packed with markets, pharmacies and ramshackle shops; also including the colourful Chan See Shu Yuen Temple.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +604 263 4941
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Opening times:
Sun-Thurs 0600-2030
Fri 0600-2130
Sat 0600-2100
Serving Kuala Lumpur’s sizeable Indian community, this is the largest and oldest Hindu temple in the city, controversially renovated in the 1960s, with a spectacularly colourful exterior.
Menara KL Tower
No. 2 Jalan Punchak Off Jalan P.Ramlee
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603 2020 5444
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-2200
This shorter rival to the Petronas Towers has an observation deck at the top of its communications tower, offering a much higher viewpoint than the Skybridge, at 335m (1,100ft) over the city.
Muzium Negara
50 480 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603 2267 1111
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1800
Housed in a modern building designed as a traditional Malay palace, the national museum gives an insightful portrayal of the country’s many ethnic communities, spanning its history from prehistoric times to the present day. Exhibits include fine wood carving, textiles and shadow puppets.
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Country information
Country overview
Reefs and rainforests, mountains and minarets, skycrapers and sampans; Malaysia more than lives up to its official slogan ‘truly Asia’. One of the great cultural melting pots, Malaysia is a nation where Chinese joss-houses, Hindu temples and gold-domed Malay mosques jostle for space with bustling markets and towering skyscrapers. Away from the cities, untamed nature awaits, in the form of jungles dripping with rare and exotic species and coral reefs teeming with turtles, sharks and rainbow-coloured tropical fish.
Peninsular Malaysia is where people come for bustling cities and colonial history, but the states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo are the gateway to a mysterious world of coral islands and lush rainforests inhabited by isolated indigenous tribes.
Geography
Malaysia is situated in central South-East Asia, bordering Thailand in the north, with Singapore to the south and Indonesia to the south and west. It is composed of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of the island of Borneo, 650 to 950km (404 to 600 miles) across the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia is an area of forested mountain ranges running north-south, on either side of which are low-lying coastal plains. The coastline extends some 1,900km (1,200 miles).
The west coast consists of mangrove swamps and mudflats which separate into bays and inlets. In the west, the plains have been cleared and cultivated, while the unsheltered east coast consists of tranquil beaches backed by dense jungle.
The major islands are Langkawi (a group of 99 islands), Penang and Pangkor off the west coast; and Tioman, Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Rawa off the east coast. In Malaysian Borneo, Sarawak has alluvial and, in places, swampy coastal plains with rivers penetrating the jungle-covered hills and mountains of the interior. Sabah has a narrow coastal plain which gives way to mountains and jungle. Mount Kinabalu, at 4,094m (13,432ft), is the highest peak in Malaysia.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 29628392
Population Density (per sq km): 89
Capital: Kuala Lumpur.
Language
Bahasa Melayu is the national and official language, but English is widely spoken. Other languages such as Chinese (Cantonese and Hokkien), Iban and Tamil are spoken by minorities.
Currency
Ringgit (MYR; symbol RM) = 100 sen. Notes are in denominations of RM100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen. The Ringgit is often referred to as the Malaysian Dollar.
Electricity
230-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are used.
General business opening hours
Most private sector offices are open Monday to Friday 0900-1700 and Saturday 0900-1300, but many public sector offices operate a five-day week.
Government office hours
Mon-Fri, 0830-1630
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December 2021.
Note
(a) Holidays falling on the weekend are observed the following day.
(b) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given below are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Hari Raya Aidilfitri itself. Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) may last up to several days, depending on the region.
(c) Buddhist festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is not possible to forecast the date of their occurrence exactly.
(d) Not all Public Holidays are observed throughout Malaysia.
2020
Hari Tahun Baru (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
Tahun Baru Cina (Chinese New Year): 25 and 26 January
Hari Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territory Day): 1 February 2020
Hari Pekerja (Labour Day): 1 May 2020
Hari Wesak (Buddha’s Birthday): 7 May 2020
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan): 24 and 25 May 2020
Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 31 July and 1 August 2020
Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year): 20 August 2020
Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia (National Day): 31 August 2020
Hari Malaysia (National Day): 16 September 2020
Maulidur Rasul (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad): 29 October 2020
Hari Deepavali (Festival of Lights): 14 November 2020
Hari Natal (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
2021
Hari Tahun Baru (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2021
Hari Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territory Day): 1 February 2021
Tahun Baru Cina (Chinese New Year): 12 and 13 February 2021
Hari Pekerja (Labour Day): 1 May 2021
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan): 13 and 14 May 2021
Hari Wesak (Buddha’s Birthday): 26 May 2021
Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 20 and 21 July 2021
Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year): 10 August 2021
Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia (National Day): 31 August 2021
Hari Malaysia (National Day): 16 September 2021
Maulidur Rasul (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad): 19 October 2021
Hari Deepavali (Festival of Lights): 4 November 2021
Hari Natal (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur
KL nightclubs and bars are loud and lively, especially the more touristy joints in the central
‘Golden Triangle’ area; for more sophisticated entertainment, head for trendy Bangsar.
Hard Rock Café
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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If you can put up with its standardised global image, you can hear some of the city’s best live music here.
Zouk
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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One of the most happening clubs in KL, attracting top DJs from around the world; dress casual smart and come prepared for wild parties.
SkyBar
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Come to this glitzy bar on the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel KL, to sip cocktails as you take in the breathtaking views, including the nearby Petronas Towers.
No Black Tie
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Cool live jazz and Japanese cuisine are on offer in this intimate venue, which often features top international artists.
Dewan Filharmonik Petronas
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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KL’s premier classical music auditorium, in the Petronas Towers; home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and hosting a reputable programme of concerts, ballet and other arts events.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur
With its wide cultural mix, spanning China, India, Thailand, Japan and beyond, the city offers some great eating options, from cheap
and hectic street stalls in Chinatown to trendy gastro eateries in Bangsar, the upmarket expat area to the west of the city centre.
G3
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Price: Expensive
This top-notch bistro serves Italian specialities as well as exotic tropical fruit smoothies, attracting a loyal expat crowd.
Tamarind Springs
68000 Ampang
Malaysia
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Price: Expensive
Excellent Thai and Indochinese cuisine is served up in this pavilion in the jungle on the city outskirts; an exotic gastro adventure.
Din Tai Fung
Sri Desa Enterpreneurs' Park
Jalan Kuchai Lama
58200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Price: Moderate
On the sixth floor of the Pavilion Shopping Mall, this Chinese restaurant serves some of the best dim sum in the city; often busy but worth the wait.
Bijan
50 200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Price: Moderate
Authentic Malay cooking is the forte in this laid-back café with a tranquil back garden; specialities include ikan bakar (fish baked in banana palm leaves).
Jalan Olor
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Price: Cheap
Come here for some of the best street food in KL; dozens of stalls serving up freshly cooked Asian meals on the go; best to go after dark when it really comes alive.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Chinese New Year
January 25, 2020
Venue: Chinatown
The Chinese New Year is welcomed by Chinese people everywhere, and KL is no exception. Centred on Chinatown, but celebrated across the city, this animated festival includes dragon dances, vast amounts of fireworks and liberal feasting at Chinese restaurants across the city.
Federal Territory Day
February 5, 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
Public holiday marking the ceding of Kuala Lumpur to the federal government of Malaysia in 1974 by the surrounding state of Selangor. It’s marked by colourful celebrations including fireworks and parades with streamers and balloons.
Thaipusam
February 8, 2020
Venue: Batu Caves
The most important Hindu festival in Malaysia, celebrated mainly by Malaysian Hindus with Tamil origins. The celebrations are vividly colourful and marked by acts of self-mortification, with devotees adopting painful body piercings before parading en masse to the Batu caves. More than a million pilgrims gather for the festival every year.
King's Birthday Celebrations
June 4, 2020
Venue: Various venues in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysians celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the King of Malaysia with a series of extravagant ceremonies in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Events include a ceremonial Trooping of the Colours symbolising the loyalty of the Malaysian Armed Forces to the monarchy.
Aidilfitri (Hari Raya Puasa)
June 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
Two days of joyful celebration mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Muslims make up the majority of the Malaysian population, and while the celebrations are largely family-oriented, it’s quite a special time of year to be in the city.
Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival
June – August 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
A shopping bonanza, based on similar events in neighbouring Singapore, the annual Mega Sale from mid-June to August sees prices plummet in stores across the city. This is also the time for Malaysian Fashion Week and the Made in Malaysia exhibition.
Merdeka Celebrations
August 2020
Venue: Merderka Square and other city venues
A month-long festival marking Malaysia’s independence from Britain, which was finally gained in 1957. Celebrations come to a head on Independence Day, August 31, with a huge parade and the ceremonial raising of the Malaysian flag at Merdeka Square.
Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix
The annual Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix is one of Kuala Lumpur’s best-loved sporting events. Held at the spectacular Sepang International Circuit, this is a highlight of the sporting calendar and huge crowd gather to soak up the noise, excitement and the distinctive smell of super-charged engines.
Deepavali
November 14, 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
The famous ‘Festival of Lights’ is one of the most popular Hindu celebrations, commemorating the triumph of good over evil. As with the Chinese New Year, every community joins in the celebrations, lighting candles, lanterns and fireworks to bring good luck. This is a public holiday in most of the country, including KL.
Sepang 12 Hour
The Sepang 12 Hour (MMER) is a 12-hour endurance race for cars between 1600-1900cc. First held in 2000, this has grown to become one of the biggest events of its kind in Malaysia. It’s seen as a good training ground for the racing stars of the future.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is well supplied with budget and mid-range hostels, particularly in Chinatown and close to the KL Central Station, though some rent by the hour so check rooms first.
Most top-end hotels are clustered close to the Petronas Towers, as well as the central business district near the KL Convention Centre.
KL Ritz-Carlton
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Category: Expensive
This classically designed modern hotel offers the ultimate of comfort and style, with luxuriously appointed rooms, as well as a pool and sauna.
Anggun Boutique
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Category: Expensive
Think eccentrically arty for this attractively kitsch boutique hotel, with four-postered beds and dark tropical wooden furnishings.
Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Category: Moderate
Coolly decorated modern rooms in this smart, formal hotel, ideal for special occasions.
Istana
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Category: Moderate
This large luxury hotel is excellent value for money, with outdoor pool in manicured grounds; yoga and salsa classes are also on offer.
AnCasa Express
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
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Category: Cheap
Simple but clean rooms at this friendly hotel, centrally located in Chinatown.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 15.01.2021 08:00 UTC

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24°C
wind speed
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78%7 days forecast
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Climate & best time to visit Malaysia
The best time for beach holidays or scuba-diving will depend on which part of Malaysia you intend to visit. The country is affected by the south-west monsoon from May to September and the north-east monsoon from November to March, and different parts of the country have their dry and wet seasons at different times of year.
On the west coast, the wettest months are May to October, while on the east coast, the wettest months are September to December. Kuala Lumpur is wettest from March to April and September to November, while Malaysian Borneo sees its heaviest rainfall between November and February. The best time to visit for dry weather is June and July on the east coast, January and February on the west coast, April in Sabah and June to July in Sarawak.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
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Jan | 39 °C | 16 °C | 31 °C | 22 °C | 82 % | 163 mm | 10 | 6.0 h |
Feb | 38 °C | 18 °C | 32 °C | 22 °C | 80 % | 145 mm | 11 | 6.8 h |
Mar | 37 °C | 20 °C | 33 °C | 22 °C | 82 % | 218 mm | 14 | 6.7 h |
Apr | 36 °C | 19 °C | 33 °C | 23 °C | 85 % | 285 mm | 16 | 6.6 h |
May | 36 °C | 20 °C | 32 °C | 23 °C | 84 % | 184 mm | 13 | 6.7 h |
Jun | 38 °C | 19 °C | 32 °C | 23 °C | 83 % | 127 mm | 9 | 6.5 h |
Jul | 37 °C | 18 °C | 32 °C | 22 °C | 83 % | 129 mm | 10 | 6.5 h |
Aug | 39 °C | 19 °C | 32 °C | 22 °C | 82 % | 146 mm | 11 | 6.1 h |
Sep | 39 °C | 19 °C | 31 °C | 22 °C | 83 % | 192 mm | 13 | 5.5 h |
Oct | 37 °C | 20 °C | 31 °C | 22 °C | 85 % | 272 mm | 18 | 5.5 h |
Nov | 36 °C | 20 °C | 31 °C | 22 °C | 86 % | 275 mm | 18 | 5.1 h |
Dec | 35 °C | 19 °C | 31 °C | 22 °C | 85 % | 230 mm | 15 | 5.2 h |
year | 39 °C | 16 °C | 32 °C | 22 °C | 83 % | 2366 mm | 158 | 6.1 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing Code: +60
Telephone
International calls can be made from public telephones or at any office of Malaysia Telekom Berhad, the national phone company (www.tm.com.my). Public phones can be found in many areas, such as supermarkets, shopping centres and post offices, and most use coins or pre-paid cards, which can be purchased at petrol stations and convenience stores.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies and network coverage is good in most areas of Peninsular Malaysia, and in larger cities in East Malaysia. Signals are less reliable in the highlands and vanish entirely in rural areas of Borneo. Malaysia has GSM 900/1800 and 3G mobile networks, and pre-paid SIM cards can be purchased locally for unlocked mobile phones. If your phone is locked to a network, cheap handsets are widely available.
Internet
Internet cafés are found everywhere and most chain coffee shops and shopping centres offer Wi-Fi connections. Larger hotels offer in-room internet access and Wi-Fi access in the lobby.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur
Key Areas
For some, shopping is the main reason to visit Kuala Lumpur; its numerous sprawling markets and plush malls are open till late every day, to satisfy even the most avid retail addict. The so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ area, within Jalan Pudu, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Imbi and Jalan Tun Razak, has the most shops, malls and department stores.
Markets
Central Market is a major attraction in its own right; its blue art deco archways are crammed with stalls selling all manner of Malaysian handicrafts – though a bit overpriced for tourists – as well as a food court and restaurants. Also unmissable are Chinatown and Little India, which continue late into the night: much of the claimed western brand products are cheap imitations, but it’s worth a visit for the bustling atmosphere.
Shopping Centres
The Golden Triangle has the lion’s share of malls, but Bangsar Village, in the eponymous neighbourhood, is a cut above the rest, while one of the biggest malls of all is Suria KLCC, with hundreds of stores filling the five-storey complex.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Social conventions in Malaysia are dictated by religion and culture, with different norms amongst Muslim Malays, Indian Hindus and followers of Chinese religions. The catch-all greeting in Bahasa Melayu is selamat, but Malays are more likely to use the Arabic phrase assalamualaikum, meaning ‘peace be with you’. The standard title for Malay men is Encik (pronounced Enchik), which can be used with or without the person’s name; single Malay women should be called Cik (pronounced Che) and married women Puan.
Touching the hand to the chest is a sign of respect and a relaxed wrist and gentle touch should be adopted when shaking hands.
Chinese and Indians usually use Western forms of address. Hospitality is always warm, lavish and informal. When eating food by hand, only the right hand should be used. Visitors should respect religious beliefs and follow the Malaysian example, particular when it comes to appropriate attire. Footwear should be taken off at the door when entering a house or temple. Outside the workplace, dress should be informal, but not overly casual.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 999
Food & Drink
Food is one of the highlights of any trip to Malaysia, but a little caution is required as standards of hygiene can vary. Restaurants are usually fine, and you should also be safe at street stalls and night markets where the food is prepared freshly on the premises. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish and avoid places where food has been left lying around in the open air. Avoid ice cream and other unpasteurised dairy products as they may have been defrosted and refrozen.
Tap water in larger cities is usually safe, but most people prefer to drink bottled water. Elsewhere, all water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated – stick to water that has been boiled or sterilised. Be wary of ice as it may have been prepared using contaminated water. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled – milk used in tea has normally been boiled or treated.
Other Risks
Malaria and Hepatitis A and C are present in Malaysia and Hepatitis B is also widespread, though the risk to travellers is low. Outbreaks of dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and meningococcal meningitis occur in both urban and rural areas, but are rare in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and coastal resorts. Rabies is present; if bitten by monkeys or dogs, seek immediate medical attention. There have been several outbreaks of avian influenza since 2004 but no human fatalities.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.