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 Malaysia
is located in the heart of Southeast Asia. Consisting of 127,000 sq. miles (330,200 sq. km), and is divided into
two main regions: Peninsular Malaysia, which lies just south of Thailand, and East Malaysia, which can be found
north of Indonesia on the island of Borneo.
Malaysia is a land of fascinating sights and attractions. Rich in color and contrasts, it's multi-faceted charm
provides intriguing images that leave visitors to the country in awe. The natural warmth of Malaysians is legendary;
wherever one goes, the friendliness and hospitality of the people would prove to be a very special experience.
Malaysia is paradise. Its sun-drenched beaches, enchanting islands, diverse flora and fauna, forest retreats and
magnificent mountains are among the best in this region. Many visitors have discovered  Malaysia's
other attractions: a shopping haven, a versatile conference venue, an incentive destination, an adventure land
and much more.
Malaysia has many great dive destinations such as Palau Sipadan, an atoll island sitting on top of an underwater
volcanic island, it offers prestine reefs, wall dives on 2000' (600m) drop offs, current drift dives, and the easiest
of shore diving. The coral atoll of Layang Layang offer high powered open ocean diving with lots of sharks and
large schooling fish.
Climate: 78 - 86F (26 - 30C)
Water Temperature: 77 - 86F (25-30C)
Visibility: 50' - 100' + (15 - 30m +)
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Air Travel
The following major airlines service Malaysia:
Aeroflot
Air Asia
Air India
Cathay
Pacific
Japan Airlines
KLM
Korean
Air
Lufthansa
Airlines
Malaysia
Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Singapore
Air
Entry Requirements
Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid national Passport or internationally recognized Travel Document
valid for travel to Malaysia. Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document which is recognized
by the Malaysian Government, must obtain a Document in lieu of Passport. Application for the Document in lieu of
Passport can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad. Holders of Travel Documents like a Certificate
of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage or a Country's Certificate of Permanent Residence must ensure that
their return to the country which issued the document or the country of residence is guaranteed. The documents
shall be valid, for more than six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia.
Visa Requirement
Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at Malaysian Representative
Office before entering the country. A visa is an endorsement in a passport or other recognized travel document
of foreigner indicating that the holder has applied for permission to enter Malaysia and that permission has been
granted. Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at any
Malaysian Representative Office abroad before entering the country. Visa which has been granted is not absolute
guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter Malaysia.The final decision lies with the Immigration Officer
at the entry point.
Countries with partial Visa abolition agreemenst with malaysia. Nationals of these countries do not require a visa
to enter Malaysia for the purpose of social/business visits for not more than three (3) months. For other purposes,
a visa is required.
The countries are: ARGENTINA, ALBANIA, ALGERIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, CZECH & SLOVAK, DENMARK,
FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ICELAND, ITALY, JAPAN, KRYGYZSTAN, LUXEMBOURG, NORWAY, PERU, SOUTH KOREA, SPAIN,
SWEDEN, TURKMENISTAN, TUNISIA, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA, WEST ASIA COUNTRIES.
Nationals of these countries also do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for the purpose of social/business visit
not more than three (3) months. For other purposes, a visa is required.
The countries are: BAHRAIN, MOROCCO, UNITED ARAB EMIRATE, OMAN, JORDAN, QATAR, KUWAIT, SAUDI ARABIA, LEBANON, TURKEY,
EGYPT.
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for the purpose of social/ business
visits of not more than 14 days. For other purposes, a visa is required.
The countries are: AFGHANISTAN, IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA, SYRIA EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, BALTIC AND COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT
STATES(CIS) Nationals of these countries do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for the purpose of social/business
visits of not more than thirty (30) days. For other purposes, a visa is required. The countries are: ARMENIA, ATZERBAIJAN,
BULGARIA, ESTONIA, GEORGIA, KAZAKHSTAN, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, MOLDOVIA, RUMANIA, RUSSIA, TADJIKISTAN, UKRAINE, YELORUSSIA.
Travel to Tioman Island
From Singapore
By Air
Berjaya Air (Tel: +65-64816302) flies daily from Seletar airstrip to Tioman at 12.20 p.m. on Dash 7 (48-seater)
aircraft.
Flight time is about 40 minutes.
Price is SGD244 for return tickets for adults and SGD134 for return tickets per child (add RM40 airport tax).
By Sea
Penguin Ferry Services (Tel: +65-62714866) runs ferries from Tanah Merah Terminal (close to Changi Airport) on
a daily basis (except on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
The ferries dock at the Berjaya Resort jetty from which we will gladly pick you up.
The ferry normally departs at 8.30 a.m reaching Tioman at about 1.00 p.m. in the afternoon.
On the return trip, the ferry departs daily from Tioman at 2.30 p.m and arrives Singapore at 6.30 p.m.
Prices (one way) are RM199.50 per adult and RM136.50 per child.
From Kuala Lumpur
By Air
Berjaya Air (Tel: 603-78468228; www.berjaya-air.com) flies several times daily from Subang Airport to Tioman and
back, also on Dash 7 (48-seater) aircraft.
Flight lasts about 55 minutes.
Return tickets are priced at RM448 for adults and RM234 for children.
From Mersing
By Ferry
Many ferry operators operate boats and ferries between Mersing and Tioman several times a day.
Amongst the most reliable, Auto Raider (Tel: 607-7992582, 019-7781120 – Jimmy) operates its first speedboats/catamaran
from Mersing at 7.30 a.m. and its last ones at about 5.00 p.m.
Tickets cost about RM30/RM35 one way. From Tioman, the first boat leaves at 8.00 a.m and the last at about 4.30
p.m. daily.
While in Malaysia
Getting Around
Travel within Malaysia is relatively cheap and convenient. When traveling from one center to the other, unless
connected by an air-route can be negotiated by rail, road or boat.
Car and motorbike rental is also easy on the purse strings. Your home country’s driving license or an International
one is required for all vehicle hire. Malaysian law requires car drivers and front passengers to wear seat belts.
If renting a motorbike, helmets are required. Ask for a second helmet if carrying a pillion passenger.
When opting for public transport, such as taxis, it is recommended that you agree on a price before you set off
or you may end up paying more than you should.
Shopping
Malaysia is a shopper's paradise. Shopping in Malaysia is an adventure of discovery. Since it is situated at the
crossroads of Asia, it presents visitors with some of the best that the region has to offer. It has rare treasures
of the Orient, branded designer goods and local handicrafts. The Malaysia Ringgit exchange is comparatively lower
to other currencies enabling tourist dollars to be stretched further. The exemption of duty on certain items has
also resulted in more competitive pricing and made shopping in Malaysia an attractive option.
Shoppers can shop within the cool comforts of one-stop multi-story shopping complexes or at sidewalk stalls, bazaars,
and night markets (pasar malam). There is certainly no shortage of places to shop. Malaysia's tax havens are Pulau
Langkawi and Labuan. Duty free areas are also found at Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubur in Kelantan, and Padang
Besar and Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah.
Dining
Dining in Malaysia is a highlight in any visitors visit. From traditional Malay to Chinese, Indian and western
dishes, Malaysia has it all. A wise choice if unsure of which restaurant to choose...go where the locals go, they
know the best eateries.
Customs and Rules
Malaysia's culture is vastly different to the west and it is much appreciated when foreigners respect both its
laws and heritage. Most Malaysians are devout Muslims and Islam itself provides the social fabric of the country.
Therefore it is advised that unless travelling in the main centres respectful attire should be worn, especially
by women. Covered shoulders and NO high-cut shorts or skirts. Best to purchase a sarong to wrap up in if you feel
you may expose a little too much flesh in ALL Muslim areas. Not only will you feel more comfortable, the locals
will appreciate it when they see you have made an effort.
Generally the rules that apply in your own country apply in Malaysia, but the visitor will soon find a few customs
and regulations not encountered within their homelands. The main obvious custom, is the dress code. COVER UP! Especially
women. This means covered shoulders and thighs, no topless bathing on the beaches or in hotel pools. Men take note,
bare torsos are also not accepted in the villages and towns. Do not take your cue from fellow travellers but rather
from the Malaysians themselves.
It is very impolite to use the left hand to give or receive something, as the left hand is used for washing after
going to the toilet.
Pointing or beckoning is also considered rude. Malaysians indicate with their thumb atop a loose fist, while hailing
someone is done with the palm of your hand facing down and waving your fingers (opening and closing them) downwards.
Traveler Tips
Medical
It is advisable when traveling to any foreign destination that you check with your local hospital as to what inoculations
or medications you may need for your trip. This applies even more so when traveling to tropical areas. If there’s
a Tropical Diseases hospital nearby, contact it before departure for Malaysia. If not, then chat to your local
doctor.
Some areas of Malaysia do have malaria so it’s a good idea to keep this in mind before you visit. Mosquitoes generally
throughout Malaysia can at times be bothersome so it is advised that you come prepared, especially if you go plan
on going outside at night. Many western hospitals will advise taking precautionary medical measures against the
possibility of contracting the disease but those that live in malaria infested areas, around the world, often advise
against this. The reason for this is that if you are on medication and still contract malaria, it is harder to
detect than if you are on no medication at all. Some travellers prefer to carry the cure with them rather than
taking preventative measures all the time. The choice therefore is yours entirely but do speak to your local doctor
before visiting.
Sun Exposure
Cover up! The seas around Malaysia are generally clear and warm, the kind that beg you to go swimming. Make sure
you put sunscreen on and wear a hat and sunglasses when venturing onto the beach. If your skin is sensitive, it’s
a good idea to limit your tanning time to a cooler time in the day or tan for a few minutes at a time. It is also
suggested for those with particularly fair skin, to wear some form of protective clothing even when swimming. Some
of the worst sunburn cases seen here have been when a fair skinned person has been off snorkeling for a few hours,
not realizing the water magnifies the suns rays, they burn even faster, particularly across their backs and legs.
Currency
Most currencies can be exchanged at the banks or local moneychangers. Travellers cheques denominated in most countries
can also be exchanged. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments and the transfer of funds into the country
through one of the banking systems, though generally slow by western standards, can be achieved. |
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