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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.