Safety If you lose something in Malaysia, you’re more likely to have someone running after you with it than running away. Nevertheless, muggings have been known, and theft from dormitories by other tourists is a common complaint.
In the more remote parts of Sarawak or Sabah there is little crime.
If you do need to report a crime in Malaysia, head for the nearest police station where there will be someone who speaks English - you’ll need a copy of the police report for insurance purposes. In many major tourist areas, there are specific tourist police stations. It is very unwise to have anything to do with drugs of any description in Malaysia. The penalties for trafficking drugs in or out of either country are extreme - foreigners have been executed in the past.
What to Wear Light, cool and casual clothing is recommended all year round.
Tipping Tipping is normally around 10%
Trading Hours Shops are open daily 9am-7pm and shopping centres 10am-11pm. Government offices work Mon-Thurs 8am-12.45pm & 2-4.15pm, Fri 8am-12.15pm & 2.45-4.15pm, Sat 8am-12.45pm; however, in the states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengannu, on Thursday the hours are 8am-12.45pm, they’re closed on Friday and open on Sunday. Banking hours are generally Mon-Fri 10am-3pm and Sat 9.30-11.30am. Post offices are open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm.
During major holiday periods it can be difficult to get a seat on public transport or a room in a hotel, particularly over Ramadan and during Chinese New Year.
Newspapers English Language newspapers are available, for example, 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.
Water Tap water is generally safe to drink. However, bottled mineral water is readily available in shops and supermarkets.
Electricity:240V, 50Hz Weights and Measures: Metric Dialling Code: +60 Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard Time.
