Entry
Visitors are required to have a valid Malaysian visa and a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. Travel to the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak requires a passport. A Travellers Declaration Form, regarding value of currency brought in or taken out, needs to be filled on entering and leaving Malaysia .
Money
The official currency is Malaysian ringgit. To get a better rate of exchange transact foreign currency exchange at licensed money changers or Bureau de change than at banks. These are to be found in the airport, upmarket shopping centres, and star hotels. Traveller's cheques are best cashed at banks. Banks are open from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays, and 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. on Saturdays. The first Saturday of every month is a bank holiday.
Credit cards are widely accepted, but it would make sense to use them sparingly at smaller businesses as they may charge a 3% surcharge. Avoid possibilities of fraud by drawing enough cash from ATMs for use in these situations. ATMs are to be found in almost all shopping centres, bus and rail stations, petrol stations, and other public places. Amex cards can be used at the Maybank ATMs to draw local currency.
Health
Vaccinations are not normally required for entry into Malaysia . Having said that, it would be wise to check health conditions prior to visiting to safe guard against epidemics such as certain flu or virus outbreaks. It is safer to carry bottled water when visiting rural regions. If visiting remote parks and wooded areas, consider protection against malaria. Visitors from yellow fever prone areas such as Africa and South American countries must have vaccination certificates. Trafficking in drugs in or out of the country will have serious consequences as the penalty is death.
Major Hospitals
Johor Specialist Hospital —6(07) 223 7811
General Hospital —6(03) 7722 2692
Island Hospital —6(04) 2288 222
Language
Bahasa Malaysia is the national language. English is widely spoken but with strong Malay accent. Cantonese, Mandarin, and Tamil are spoken by the Chinese and Indian communities.
Important Information
Time zone: GMT +8.
Dialling code: +60.
Electrical Supply: 220V AC 50 Hz
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Police: 999
Ambulance: 999
Fire: 994
Tourist Police: +603-2149-6590
Tourist Information: 03- 2693 5188
Clothing
Light summer clothing for daytime attire and light woollens for the evening and highland weather are recommended. It is considered inappropriate to visit places of worship in casual clothes. Take care to cover shoulders to below knees when visiting mosques.
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