Travel To Malaysia

Travel tips for Malaysia 

 Once you have overcome your jet-lag fatigue, step into the real heart of Malaysia--the citizens of the country. You would be pleasantly surprised at the warmth of Malaysians. For deeply entrenched within each of the different races is the engaging charm and traditional hospitality for which Malaysia is renowned. Malaysians enjoy meeting people from other lands. So, do go right ahead and strike up a conversation. After all, the whole point of travelling is to know other cultures. When greeting a Muslim, offer your right hand then bring it towards you, fingertips lightly touching your heart. This is the traditional Salam or 'greeting of acceptance'. Hindus greet with a Namaste (in Hindi) or Vanakam (Tamil). Both palms are brought together as in prayer at mid-chest level. With a Chinese, you may shake hands. If you are really unsure about all the different forms of greetings, just smile and nod your head slightly when introduced. 

Entry Formalities 

Passport/Travel Documents Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of valid passport/travel documents with a minimum validity of six months beyond the period of intended stay. In the case of a national passport not recognized by the Malaysian Government, the holder must be in possession of a document in lieu of passport obtainable at the nearest Malaysian Mission abroad. The national passport must also ensure his re-entry into the country of his citizenship. Every visitor to Malaysia has to fill in a Disembarkation Card (IMM. 26). The card has to be handed over to the Immigration Officer on arrival together with the national passport or other internationally recognized travel document endorsed for travel into Malaysia. A passport/travel document is also necessary for travel between Sabah and Sarawak. Visitor passes issued for entry into Peninsular Malaysia are not valid for entry into Sarawak. Fresh visit passes must be obtained on arrival at the point of entry in Sarawak. However, subject to conditions stipulated, visit passes issued by the Immigration Authorities in Sabah and Sarawak are valid for any part of Malaysia. 

Visa Requirements: 

Commonwealth Citizens (except Bangladesh/India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British Protected Persons or Citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Citizens of Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein do not need a visa to enter Malaysia. Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Italy, United States of America, Bahrin, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, North Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia,Qatar United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Tunisia do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding three months.

Nationals of ASEAN Countries do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one month. 

Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, South Yemen do not require visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding 14 days. 

Citizens of Bulgaria, Romania and Russia do not require a visa for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one week. 

Nationals of the Republic of China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cuba, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, North Korea, Nepal, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam and all Certificate of Identity (CI) holders must obtain a visa before entering Malaysia. 

 Citizens of nations other than those stated above (except Serbia Montenegro and Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia for a Social and Business visit not exceeding one month without having a Visa. 

A visitor intending to visit any part of Malaysia is required to be in possession of only one visa to travel direct from one part of the nation to another. Visas are issued by Malaysian Diplomatic Missions abroad or British Consulates which act for Malaysia in countries where no diplomatic representation of Malaysia is established. All visitors to Malaysia should inquire at the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission for the latest entry procedures and requirements. 

Tourist Police Lost your way? Need help? 

Look for a tourist police officer. Tourist police officers are recognized by their checkered hat bands, dark blue shirts and trousers, and the letter "I" (for information) on a red and blue badge on their breast pocket. Public Holidays

With its multi-ethnic population, it is not surprising that almost every month sees a different festival. Some of these are declared as Public Holidays. As festivals vary from year to year, it is best to check the dates with the nearest Tourism Malaysia Office before you plan your trip. School Holidays There are five term breaks in the year for schools throughout Malaysia. 

The term breaks vary slightly from state to state. However, they fall roughly during the later part of the months of January (1 week), March (2 week), May (3 weeks), August (1 week), October (4 weeks). 

Water It is generally safe to drink water straight from the tap. Bottled mineral water, however, is easily available in shops and supermarkets. Electrical Supply Electric supply is on a 240-volt 50-cycle system. 

Newspapers English Language newspapers are available i.e. The New Straits Times, The Star, Business Times, Malay Mail, Daily Express, Sabah Daily News and Sarawak Tribune. International newspapers can be obtained at most bookshops and newsstands. Several dailies in other languages include Utusan Melayu, Berita Harian, Nanyang Siang Pan, Sin Chew Wit Poh and Tamil Nesan. There are also weeklies, such as the Leader and Straits Shipper. Radio Radio services are in Bahasa Melayu, English, Chinese, and Tamil. Television There are 4 television stations with TV 1 and TV 2 being government networks while the other two are privately run. 

Health Services In the event you need medical care, there are private clinics in most towns. It is a good idea to take out a medical insurance before you travel as Malaysia does not have reciprocal health service agreements with other nations. For over-the-counter prescriptions, there are pharmacies and 'Chinese medical halls'. Health Regulations No vaccination is required for cholera and smallpox. Climate With a temperature that fluctuates little throughout the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure. 

Average temperature is between 21 C and 32 C.

Humidity is high. Rain tends to occur between November to February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on western Sarawak, and north-eastern Sabah. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia the rainy season is April to May and October to November.  

Clothing As Malaysia's climate is sunny almost year round, light clothing is ideal. It is advisable for ladies, when entering mosques and temples, to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts. 

Time Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard Time. Etiquette To avoid "cultural offenses," here are some tips: Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship. Dress neatly in a suitable attire which covers arms and legs when visiting places of worship. Handle food with your right hand. Do not point your foot at someone. When giving or receiving money gifts to/from a Malaysian, do so with your right hand.

Kellie's Castle Night Tour

 Latest on Kellie's Castle - Batu Gajah,Perak, Malaysia

Batu Gajah -Kellie’s Castle — known as one of the top few most haunted buildings in Malaysia — has announced it is set to launch night tours for those eager to experience supernatural activities at the unfinished Moorish-styled mansion from the end of January.

General manager for Le Shuttle, the management company running the castle, Zamari Muhyi, said the tour would be the first of its kind in the country.

“Kellie’s Castle is known as a haunted mansion, therefore having such tours will attract many international and local paranormal research groups,” he said.

Zamari said he had experienced the supernatural when he listened, through ultrasound equipment, to the sound of a woman crying somewhere in the castle and it gave him the shivers.

“The paranormal tour will add to the mansion’s tourism potential, which is well known for its colonial-era history and architecture.

“Safety will be a top priority and each tour will be accompanied by our guides, including an ustaz (Muslim scholars trained in Islam and Islamic law), in case of something ‛unexpected’,” he said.

Each tour will have a maximum of eight persons, and will only be conducted on four nights in a month.

He added that visitors would also have the chance to use special equipment used by paranormal researchers.

The mansion was built — at the cost of many workers’ lives — in the 1900s on the bank of the Kinta River here by William Kellie Smith, a wealthy Scottish planter who prospered after coming to Malaya.

Borneo Rainforest Musical Festival

 

 

Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia covering an area of nearly125,000 square kilometers in the Borneo land mass. With such a large land area, Sarawak is home to an incredible range of tropical bio-diversity. With a population of around 2 million, Sarawak's rich ethnic diversity offers a unique local experience at the very moment you step of the plane. All that stands between you and Sarawak is your desire for an adventure and experience that is waiting to happen.

From rainforest canopies to jungle wildlife, discover the diverse ecosystem of Malaysia's largest state. A city of modernity yet cloaked with its rich historical charms, Sarawak is a place where commonality and peacefulness is a way of life. A paradise of adventure for the adventure buffs, from the land to the sea, from mild to vigorous, whatever the challenge; if you're ready for it, you can be sure Sarawak will give you an experience like no other.

 

 

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Top 50 Events and Festivals - Visit 1Malaysia 2014

Millions of fascinations. Hundreds of events and festivals await your discovery for 365 days and beyond. It's a non-stop fusion of colourful sights, sounds and experiences. It's the nation's biggest and grandest tourism celebration.

Visit 1Malaysia 2014  Launching

Admiral Cheng Ho - (Zheng He The Explorer)

Admiral Cheng Ho

Zheng He (Cheng Ho)  is best known for his voyages to the Middle East and Africa, and across Southeast Asia while climbing in rank from a captured servant to one of his nation's most trusted statesmen. He was born in 1371 in what is now China's Yunnan province during the reign of the Ming Dynasty. Like his father and grandfather, he was a Muslim.

And his great-great-great-grandfather was a Persian who served at the top ranks of the Mongolian Empire and as a governor under the Yuan Dynasty. Zheng He's father was killed when the Ming Dynasty sought to destroy remnants of the Yuan era, and Zheng He was captured, castrated and brought to Beijing. There he served in the palace of Prince Zhu Di, a son of the Ming Dynasty's founder. Zheng He quickly gained the prince's trust in the course of several battles and campaigns across China as a bodyguard and informal adviser.

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Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple-Malacca

The Chettiar community from South India were profoundly involved in the construction of Hindu temples, especially dedicated to their loving Vinayagar. As mercantile tradesmen, they travelled the world, but also brought along their worship of Lord Vinayagar to Malacca. Located at Jalan Tukang Emas, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, built in 1781. This street is called Harmony Street because of the close proximity of holy sanctuaries of different religions in this area. The sanctuaries here are the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the Kampung Kling’s Mosque and the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple. The temple was built a land donated by Kapitan Thaivanayagam Chitty, a distinguished Indian resident residing in Malacca. As many Hindu ancestors from Malacca had a close association with this temple, that bond has been reinforced over time, creating a strong connection with the Hindu families residing in Malacca. 


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Bukit Cina- Melaka

Bukit Cina - Malacca

Bukit Cina is the ancestral burial ground of Malacca’s Chinese community. Also known as Chinese Hill, it is the largest and oldest Chinese graveyard outside of China itself with over 12,500 graves. Although it is primarily a graveyard for early Chinese settlers, the cemetery has about 20 Muslim tombs, too.

The oldest grave in Bukit Cina is that of Tin Kap, the first Chinese kapitan (a mediatory position created by the Dutch East India Company which made it possible for them to rule the various ethnic communities). These days the 20ha hill is chiefly used as a jogging track.

According to the Malay Annals, Bukit Cina was a marriage gift from Sultan Mansur Syah (ruler of the Malacca Sultanate) to Princess Hang Li Poh from China.  After Princess Hang Li Poh had converted to Islam, Sultan Mansur Syah married her and ordered a palace to be built at Bukit Cina for his wife and her entourage that followed her from China. They stayed in this Chinese settlement until the Portuguese invaded in 1511. The Chinese community eventually grew into a class of straits-born Chinese known as the Peranakan. The Portuguese once built a Franciscan chapel on the hill dedicated to “Madre de Deus” (Mother of God) but the chapel was destroyed during the Achinese attack in Melaka  in 1629.

 

 

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