Malaysia
Truly Asia Unveiled: Embrace Malaysia’s Diverse Culture, Enchanting Nature, and Island Paradise!
MALAYSIA Truly represents beautiful Asia!
The South China Sea divides Malaysia in two different experiences. On the one hand you have Peninsula with of course the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. On the other hand you have the rugged untangled jungle of Borneo where the awesome ‘wild’ Orang Utan can still be discovered in its own habitat.
Visiting KL (as it is often referred to by cosmopolites) means visiting the (bridge of the) mighty Petronas Towers a fitting symbol to the cities developments. In the same area are The Golden Triangle and the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center) for some fine dining and the best malls in town. However this modern government city also offers travelers some green landscapes in the beautiful Lake Gardens, which houses the Islamic Museum and a colorful bird/orchid park.
Culture
The country of Malaysia, with a population of about 29 million people, is split into 2 significant areas:
• Peninsula Malaysia (also known as West Malaysia)
• Borneo Malaysia (also known as East Malaysia)
Peninsula Malaysia lies comfortably in-between south Thailand & Singapore. The peninsula is surrounded by the Straits of Malacca on the west coastline and the South China Sea on the east coast. The primary cultures found in Peninsula Malaysia are the Malays, Chinese, and Indians.
Borneo Malaysia is comprises the two states of Sarawak & Sabah and is located on the island of Borneo, shared with Indonesia’s Kalimantan and the small nation of Brunei. Culturally, Borneo’s ethnic groups (Ibans, Kadazandusuns, Dayaks, and other smaller tribes) are the largest cultural group, although you can also find many Malaysia and Chinese in the states.
Climate
Malaysia experiences its monsoon season from the months of November to February. During this period, there is steady rainfall and choppy seas on the eastern coastline; however the central and western coast remains quite isolated.
Malaysia is located near the equator with steady temperatures throughout the year (between 21° t0 32°C, except in the cooler highlands) and the country can be extremely humid. Light clothing is recommended.
Time & Date: GMT +8
Currency:
The word ringgit is an obsolete term for “jagged” in Malay and was originally used to refer to the serrated edges of silver Spanish dollars which circulated widely in the area during the 16th and 17th century Portuguese colonial era. In modern usage ringgit is used almost solely for the currency. The Malay names ringgit and sen were officially adopted as the sole official names in August 1975. Previously they had been known officially as dollars and cents in English and ringgit and sen in Malay, and in some parts of the country this usage continues.
Languages:
Officially, the national language is Bahasa Malaysia. However, due to the great diversity of cultures (each with their own unique language), many other languages are spoken. English, with its common roots in the country’s history, can be considered an unofficial second language and most Malaysia are able to converse in English, except in the remote areas.
That being said, Malaysian English (humorously referred to as Manglish) is practically a dialect onto itself. Grammar is often skewered as they have been influenced by their native tongues (none of which follow the same grammatical rules as English). Due to this, many Malaysians will speak an English sentence in the shortest possible way. The sentence ‘yes, I can’ could be reduced to a simple ‘can’.
Also, do not be surprised if you hear sentences partially in English and partially in some other language. Depending on how many languages a person can speak, it is entirely possible for a single sentence to comprise of 4 languages. (Usually we take the ‘easiest’ word from each language and just use that).
Travel Insurance:
When buying your travel insurance, always check the small print – some policies specifically exclude ‘dangerous activities’, which could be anything from scuba diving to horse riding. You should check whether the medical coverage is on a pay first, claim later basis and, more importantly, ensure that your medical coverage includes the cost of medical evacuation.
Visa:
Certain countries may require visas in order to enter Malaysia. You may check your country’s visa requirement status on this website:
– http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/visa/visa-requirement-by-country
– http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/syarat-kemasukan-ke-malaysia
Borneo & Peninsula Malaysia often run separate customs & immigration departments. Therefore, you will be required to present your passport when entering/leaving Borneo.
International Airports:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuching International Airport
Langkawi International Airport
Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Senai International Airport
Penang International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Currency: Malaysian ringgit
Population: 31.19 million
Official languages: Malay, Malaysian
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