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Travel
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Currency
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated
as RM, which is equivalent to 100 cents. Coins are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10,
20, 50 sen and RM1. Currency notes are in RM1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Foreign currency
and traveler's checks can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or authorized money
changers throughout the country.
Airport
Tax
An airport tax of RM5 and RM40 is charged upon departure
for all domestic and international flight passengers respectively.
Telephone
Local calls can be made from public
phones, whether coin or card operated. International calls can be made from phone booths
with card phone facilities or at any Telecom offices. Most hotels are equipped with IDD
services with a minimal service charge.
Tourist
Police
Visitors who encounter unforeseen problems and
difficulties can seek the Malaysian Tourist Police Unit for assistance. They often patrol
tourist spots and will render assistance, as well as safeguard tourists' security.
Business
Hours
The country runs on a normal eight hours a day system
with Saturday as half day and Sunday as a day of rest. In the states of Kelantan,
Terengganu, and Kedah, Friday is a day of rest with Thursday as half days. Department
Stores and supermarkets are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tipping
Tipping is not a way of life in Malaysia, but is fast
becoming one.
What
to Wear
Light, cool, and casual clothing is recommended all year
round. For more formal occasions, men should wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik
shirts whereas women should wear dresses.
Water
It is generally safe to drink water straight from the
tap, but it is safer to drink boiled water or bottled beverages.
Medical
Services
Medical services are available in most towns at
government hospitals and private clinics. Non-prescription drugs are available at
pharmacies, as well as supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centers.
Local
Touch
Food hawkers selling traditional
and local delicacies make up the everyday scenes in big or small towns throughout the
country. One can try "teh tarik", a smoothened, creamed tea, and "roti
canai", a fluffy pancake prepared by a local person of Indian Muslim ancestry. Spicy
Malay food, such as "nasi lemak" and various kinds of Chinese noodles are also
popular. People from all walks of life frequent these food stalls.
As Malaysia is a multi-religious
country, various Muslim mosques, Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, and Christian churches
can be found almost anywhere. Despite the many changes and developments in the cities and
big towns, Malaysia has many "kampung" (villages), jungles, beaches, and rice
fields. Many houses in the "kampung" are built on stilts. Batik cotton fashion
is popular in Malaysia . It can be used for casual wear, as well as formal functions.
Drug
traffickers are sentenced to death by Malaysian Law.
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