Malaysia Destination Guide Contents Contents 2 Quick Facts 3 About 4 Events & Nightlife 5 Top Destinations 7 Tours & Activities 8 Food & Dining Out 12 Shopping 13 Best Time To Visit 14 Travel Tips 15 Quick Facts

Flying Time: 12 hours 30 minutes Currency: Malaysian Ringgit Language: Bahasa Melayu - English is widely spoken Time Zone: GMT+8 Visit For: Great Beaches, Scuba Diving, Safari & Wildlife, Culture, Architecture, Shopping, Trekking, Beautiful Scenery, Festivals

3 About Malaysia

Reefs and rainforests, mountains and minarets, skycrapers and sampans; Malaysia more than lives up to its official slogan ‘truly Asia’. One of the great cultural melting pots, Malaysia is a nation where Chinese joss-houses, Hindu temples and gold-domed Malay jostle for space with bustling markets and towering skyscrapers. Away from the cities, untamed nature awaits, in the form of jungles dripping with rare and exotic species and coral reefs teeming with turtles, sharks and rainbow-coloured tropical fish. Malaysia offers two countries for the price of one – , bordering Thailand at the southern end of the Malay peninsula, and , the northern half of the island of Borneo, which pushes up against Indonesia and Brunei. The peninsula is where people come for bustling cities and colonial history, but the states of and on Borneo are the gateway to a mysterious world of coral islands and lush rainforests inhabited by isolated indigenous tribes.

4 Events & Nightlife

See the list of exciting Events taking place in Malaysia, as well as the varied Nightlife on offer Events Chinese New Year From: 10-02-2015 To: 10-02-2015Date Description: January or February: Depends on the Lunar Calendar. Free. Chinese residents of Malaysia celebrate the New Year with riotous parades, lion dances, fireworks, the exchanging of gifts and delicious festival foods. World Music Festival From: 30-03-2015 To: 01-05-2015 RM90 onwards. The Penang World Music festival is back! The extensive international line-up will entertain music enthusiasts at the . Additional features are an arts and crafts bazaar, food stalls and a kidsworld for the little ones. Venue Name: Botanic Gardens, Penang. Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix From: 01-04-2015 To: 30-04-2015Date Description: April The biggest event on the sporting calendar, and a peak time for sales at department stores and shopping malls, the annual Grand Prix is followed avidly by motor enthusiasts and shopaholics. Venue Name: Sebang Circuit, Jalan Pekeliling, Borneo Jazz Festival From: 11-05-2015 To: 12-05-2015 Formerly known as the Miri International Jazz Festival, the Borneo Jazz Festival features a range of jazz styles plus a dash of blues, rock and rhythms from across the globe. The lush tropical setting, fabulous food, stalls selling cultural treasures and concert merchandise all add to the charm of the exotic location and party atmosphere. Venue Name: Parkcity Everly Hotel, Borneo Penang Dragon Boat Festival From: 01-06-2015 To: 30-06-2015 5 Energetic races in traditional dragon boats are the main event at this popular festival in Penang. Held every year since 1979, the festival attracts teams of rowers from as far away as Europe and Australia. Venue Name: Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang Gawai Dayak From: 01-06-2015 To: 30-06-2015 The annual harvest festival for the Dayak people of Sarawak, with war dances, cockfighting, blowpipe competitions and the consumption of copious quantities of tuak (rice wine). Many longhouses open to visitors to coincide with the festival. Venue Name: Kuching, and rural areas of Sarawak 15th Rainforest World Music Festival From: 13-07-2015 To: 15-07-2015 Ticket Prices to be confirmed. Held in the rainforest of Borneo in the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching this Rainforest World Music Festival is like none other. Performers come from all over the world to participate. Venue Name: Sarawak Cultural Village Nightlife Muslims in Malaysia are prohibited from drinking alcohol, but Chinese and Indian residents and foreign visitors are free to imbibe. Kuala Lumpur has the most dynamic nightlife in the country, with plenty of bars and nightclubs, particularly around Jalan Bukit Bintang, Asian Heritage Row, CapSquare, Starhill Gallery, Bangsar, Sri Hartamas and the Curve mall, in Mutiara Damansara. Nightclubs generally stay open until 0500 or 0600 from Wednesday to Sunday and most request a cover charge which includes the price of the first drink. Look out for two-for-one deals before 2000. Away from the big cities, nightlife tends to be focused around night markets, where locals gather to eat, drink and talk to the early hours. Most night markets set up around 1600 each evening. Most large towns have cinemas showing Malay, Chinese and Indian films, often with English subtitles. You’ll also find plenty of imported American blockbusters. The only permitted options for gambling are the national lottery and Malaysia's only casino at Genting Highlands .

6 Top Destinations

Batu Caves Just 13km north of Kuala Lumpur, the remarkable are a series of dramatic limestone caverns, dripping with stalactites, revered as a Hindu shrine. Every year in January or February, millions of devotees parade through the chambers and perform ritual acts of self-mortification for the spectacular Thaipusam festival. Disabled Access: No Petronas Twin Towers Looming over downtown Kuala Lumpur like twin rocket ships, the iconic Petronas Towers were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004. Soaring to 436m (1,453ft), the towers are linked by a glass walkway with a viewing deck on the 41st floor. At the base of the towers is the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the swish Suria KLCC mall. Disabled Access: No

7 Tours & Activities

Langkawi Island Malaysia's premier resort island, Langkawi boasts white sand beaches, fringing coral reefs, swaying palms and superior shopping, thanks to the island's duty free status. Ferries and flights come here daily from the mainland and you can continue by boat to Satun in southern Thailand. Batu Caves Just 13km north of Kuala Lumpur, the remarkable Batu Caves are a series of dramatic limestone caverns, dripping with stalactites, revered as a Hindu shrine. Every year in January or February, millions of devotees parade through the chambers and perform ritual acts of self-mortification for the spectacular Thaipusam festival. Impressive mosques Tour Malaysia's most impressive mosques including , the Ubudiah , the State Mosque in Seremban, the Tranquerah Mosque, one of Malaysia's oldest, in , Kuching's Sarawak State Mosque, with its magnificent gilt domes and 's futuristic An'nur . Tong temple cave Explore subterranean Malaysia, with a visit to the cave temples at Perak Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong. The Museum Cave has a display of statues and murals from Hindu mythology. Gunung Mulu National Park A former haunt of headhunting tribes, Gunung Mulu National Park is a World Heritage site, thanks to the most extensive cave system in the world. Five caves are open to the general public, and many more can be explored by caving expeditions. You can also trek along a former headhunters’ trail and climb to the razor-sharp limestone outcrop known as the Pinnacles. Rainforests Traverse Malaysia's stunning rainforests and jungles. Templar Park, 22km (14 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is a well-preserved tract of primary rainforest. Jungle paths, swimming lagoons and waterfalls lie within the park boundaries. Taman Negara Malaysia is covered in pristine jungles, but Taman Negara National Park offers the chance to get deep into the rainforest without having to cut a path through the lianas. Marked trails and boardwalks snake between the trees, offering the chance to spot monkeys, snakes, deer and tapir. Expert guides can be hired from the Wildlife Department at Kuala Tahan. Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary Don a pair of binoculars at the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary in Ipoh, host to over 150 species of birds. Lucky visitors may see smooth otters, long-tailed macaque and ridge-back dolphins. Penang Bird Park Horticulturalists and bird lovers ashould head for Penang Bird Park . This landscaped park in Seberang Jaya is home to over 400 bird species and specially designed aviaries are placed among manmade islands with beautiful waterfalls and ornamental gardens. 8 Perhentian Besar Visit the twin islands of Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil . The country's most beautiful islands boast pristine white beaches, crystal clear waters and are still relatively unexploited. The islands are popular for scuba-diving and snorkelling with accessible reefs. For an unusual attraction, go to the Snake Temple in Penang, which swarms with poisonous snakes, their venomous threat countered by heavily drugging them with incense. In the southern state of Johor, be sure to watch the trance-inducing Kuda Kepang dances in Muar, accompanied by the euphony of ghazal music and devotional chanting. Lake Chini's In the interior of , visit Malaysia's answer to Loch Ness: Lake Chini's waters are said to contain mythological monsters that guard the entrance to a legendary sunken city. Orang-utan sanctuary Offering the rare chance to see wild orang-utans in their natural habitat, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan, Borneo, exists to rehabilitate orangutans rescued from hunters and loggers. In fact, it has the world's largest population of these 'wild men of Borneo', numbering some 80 individuals. Mountain resorts Take respite from Malaysia's humid cities and soak up the magnificent views from the mountain resorts of the Central and Cameron Highlands. Puja Umur Attend one of Malaysia's annual festivals, magnificent spectacles bursting with colour. Puja Umur (the Sultan's birthday) is celebrated with a week-long festival, beginning with a parade in Kota Bharu. The Annual Sabah International Dragon Boat Festival is also popular. Scuba-dive Malaysia is a famous scuba diving destination, with teeming reefs and sunken islands that attract plenty of megafauna, including schooling hammerheads and rare whale sharks. There are dive sites all over the country, but the finest lie around the islands of Sipadan and Layang Layang, offshore from Sabah in East Malaysia. Jungle trekking Go jungle trekking in the Taman Negara National Park . There are many clearly marked trails including a canopy walkway. Expert guides should be hired from the Wildlife Department at the Taman Negara Resort at Kuala Tahan. Mount Kinabulu

9 Climbing Southeast Asia's highest peak is one of the highlights of a trip to East Malaysia. Located in Kinabalu National Park, the soaring granite dome of Mount Kinabulu reaches 4,094m (13,432ft), and the summit offers epic views over the island. Most people start the trek before dawn to catch sunrise at the summit. No technical skills are required, but a guide and a climbing permit (which can be bought on location) are compulsory. Unusual sports Play one of Malaysia's traditional, unusual sports, including gasing, or top spinning (called Main Gasing), which uses tops fashioned from hardwood and delicately balanced with lead, Wau-kite flying and Sepak Takraw, a game like volleyball, played with a ball made of rattan strips. Malaysian longhouse Stay in a Malaysian longhouse, which are common along the rivers in Sarawak and Sabah, and are really entire villages housed under one single roof, inhabited by native communities. Visitors should be accompanied by a local guide. Malacca The best place to relive Malaysia's colonial past is its oldest city, Malacca , the one-time capital of Malay sultans and Portuguese, Dutch and British seafarers. A couple of hours south of Kuala Lumpur on the west coast, Malacca is famous for its Portuguese and Dutch colonial architecture, and its fascinating hybrid cuisine, which fuses Indian, Chinese and Malay influences. Tugu Negara Walk in the delightful parkland surrounding Tugu Negara, Malaysia's National Monument in Kuala Lumpur, which commemorates the ultimately successful struggle against the occupying Japanese during World War II and communist insurgents in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Pedas Hot Springs Bathe in the restorative waters of the Pedas Hot Springs, 30km (18 miles) south of Seremban. Visitors will find bathing enclosures, dining and recreational facilities. Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens Southwest of Kuala Lumpur's bustling Chinatown, the Lake Gardens are one of the capital's top attractions. Highlights of this calm green space include the KL Bird Park, with dozens of exotic species, and lush gardens devoted to orchids, hibiscus and butterflies. In the centre is the National Monument, marking the defeat of Communist forces in 1950. Petronas Twin Towers Looming over downtown Kuala Lumpur like twin rocket ships, the iconic Petronas Towers were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004. Soaring to 436m (1,453ft), the towers are linked by a glass walkway with a viewing deck on the 41st floor. At the base of the towers is the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the swish Suria KLCC mall. Penang's beaches Relax on Penang's sun-kissed beaches , and explore historic colonial George Town, the island's capital. Penang is also famous for its food. Kuala Lumpur

10 A fascinating colonial history and rich cultural diversity make Kuala Lumpur one of Asia's most invigorating capitals. Highlights include the Islamic Arts Museum, the National Mosque, the atmospheric streets of Little India and Chinatown, the historic architecture around Independence Square and shopping in the city's space-age malls. Pulau Perhentian The twin islands of Pulau Perhentian are a vision of paradise, and a perfect antidote to the over- development of many resort islands in South East Asia. Life here moves at a slow, tropical pace and apart from basking on the sand or swinging beneath a palm tree, diving and snorkelling are the main diversions. Cameron Highlands To escape the heat of the lowlands, the British colonials retreated to the hills north of Kuala Lumpur founding tea plantation and hill resorts in the cool Cameron Highlands. Today, this is Malaysia's best known hill station, with trekking and tea-tasting as the main atttractions. Batang Rejang The mighty Batang Rejang river is the gateway to Borneo's tribal heartland. Visitors who come here in May and early June can visit the longhouse homes of the Iban tribe, which shelter generations of the same family, recalling traditions that date back thousands of years. The best places to arrange a local guide are the jungle outposts of Kapit and Belaga. Kota Bharu Bordering Thailand on the east coast of Malaysia, Kota Bharu is alive with the culture and customs of the Malay peninsula. The town is famous for its traditional kites and shadow puppets and eating at the Kota Bharu night market is one of Malaysia's great feasts. Festivals abound, including the Kite Festival in June and Puja Umur (the Sultan's birthday) in March/April. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia Just a short train ride from central Kuala Lumpur, this scientific research centre offers peaceful walking trails, jungle swimming holes and a 200m long rainforest boardwalk, suspended high in the canopy. It’s a fine retreat from the hubbub of the city, and the Zoo Negara and Batu Caves are close by. Kuching The capital of Sarawak is a bustling metropolis by the standards of the tribal villages inland, but a sleepy backwater compared to the cities of Peninsular Malaysia. Highlights include temples and mosques, quirky museums, colonial relics and animated markets.

11 Food & Dining Out

Malaysia is not just a melting pot, it is a cooking pot, blending culinary influences from as far away as Europe, and India. The national cuisine shares obvious similarities with Thai and Indonesian food, but Malaysian cooking has its own unique specialities, based on exotic spices, chilli, ginger, lemongrass, lime leaves, coconut milk and peanuts. The Indian and Chinese communities have their own traditions – be sure to sample mamak cuisine, imported to Malaysia by Tamil Muslims. Traditionally served at street stalls, mamak dishes can be sampled at nasi kendar (rice and curry) canteens across the country. Western food is popular with younger Malaysians, and Thai and Korean restaurants are found in most parts of the country. Restaurants offer table service - Chinese food is usually eaten with chopsticks, while Indian and Malay food is eaten with the fingers or with Western cutlery. Although Malaysia is predominantly Islamic, bars and restaurants in larger cities serve beer, wine and spirits. In tribal areas of Borneo, look out for tuak – traditional rice wine. Regional Specialities • Nasi lemak (rice steamed with coconut milk, served with dried anchovies, sambal, peanuts and eggs) is the national dish, found absolutely everywhere. • Char Kway Teow (a dish of fried rice noodles with meat or fish) is a very popular and cheap quick meal. • Nasi goreng (Malay-style fried rice) is a favourite at street stalls and night markets; it’s a popular takeaway for long bus journeys. • Roti canai (fried flat bread with curry sauce) a delicious and cheap snack served everywhere, best washed down with a strong cup of teh tarik (literally, ‘pulled’ tea). • Rendang daging (slow-cooked beef with lemongrass and coconut) is a rich and satisfying main course, often served at festivals. Things To Know Table service is normal, and chopsticks are customary in Chinese restaurants. Indian and Malay food is traditionally eaten with the fingers, but western cutlery is generally used. Set lunches, usually with four courses, are excellent value for money. Tipping 10% service charge and 5% government tax are usually included in bills, and added to the menu prices. Regional Drinks •Locally brewed beers such as Tiger and Anchor. •The famous gin sling. •Sugar cane juice.

12 Shopping

Shopping Malaysia is a world-class shopping destination, with futuristic malls, unique cultural stores and bustling street markets. Bargaining is expected in the markets, but shops and department stores charge fixed prices, and offer bargain prices during the annual sales from July to September and November to January. Kuala Lumpur is the most popular shopping destination, rivalling Singapore and Hong Kong for fashions and electronic goods. At the base of the Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC, houses a great selection of leading international brands. Sleek Starhill Gallery and Lot 10 have more glamorous brands, while Berjaya Times Square has its own amusement park, with rollercoasters looping past the stores. The Jalan Petaling street market in Chinatown is good for inexpensive souvenirs, and quality handicrafts can be found in the eye-catching Central Market. Electronic goods, cosmetics and perfumes are available duty-free throughout Malaysia, and distinctive Malaysian souvenirs include Royal pewter, batiks, wood-carvings, jewellery, handmade kris knives and songket brocade cloth. The islands of Labuan and Langkawi are duty-free zones. Enquire at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department about claiming cashback on duty-free goods. Opening Hours: Hours vary, but larger shops, malls and department stores open 1000-2200 daily.

13 Best Time To Visit

Climate: Malaysia weather benefits from a tropical climate with high temperatures and high humidty throughout the year. Daytime temperatures rise above 30°C (86°F) year-round and night-time temperatures rarely drop below 20°C (68°F). Geography and climate Malaysia is situated in central South-East Asia, bordering Thailand in the north, with Singapore to the south and Indonesia to the south and west. It is composed of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of the island of Borneo, 650 to 950km (404 to 600 miles) across the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia is an area of forested mountain ranges running north-south, on either side of which are low-lying coastal plains. The coastline extends some 1,900km (1,200 miles). The west coast consists of mangrove swamps and mudflats which separate into bays and inlets. In the west, the plains have been cleared and cultivated, while the unsheltered east coast consists of tranquil beaches backed by dense jungle. The major islands are Langkawi (a group of 99 islands), Penang and Pangkor off the west coast; and Tioman, Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Rawa off the east coast. In Malaysian Borneo, Sarawak has alluvial and, in places, swampy coastal plains with rivers penetrating the jungle-covered hills and mountains of the interior. Sabah has a narrow coastal plain which gives way to mountains and jungle. Mount Kinabalu, at 4,094m (13,432ft), is the highest peak in Malaysia. Best Time To Visit The best time for beach holidays or scuba-diving will depend on which part of Malaysia you intend to visit. The country is affected by the south-west monsoon from May to September and the north-east monsoon from November to March, and different parts of the country have their dry and wet seasons at different times of year. On the west coast, the wettest months are May to October, while on the east coast, the wettest months are September to December. Kuala Lumpur is wettest from March to April and September to November, while Malaysian Borneo sees its heaviest rainfall between November and February. The best time to visit for dry weather is June and July on the east coast, January and February on the west coast, April in Sabah and June to July in Sarawak. Required Clothing Lightweight, loose-fitting clothes are sensible at any time of year. To avoid offending local sensibilities, female travellers should wear clothes that cover the legs and upper arms. Note that shorts are rarely worn by adults, except at the beach. Full-length trousers will create a better impression. Because of the rainfall patterns and the vagaries of Malaysia weather, always carry an umbrella.

14 Travel Tips

Air: The main hubs for domestic flights are Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines (MH) serves airports across the peninsula and Borneo. However, the cheapest fares are on rapidly expanding budget airline Air Asia , which serves most of the larger airstrips around Malaysia. Unless you travel through Indonesia, the only way to get from Peninsular Malaysia to East Malaysia is by air – the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu takes 2 hours 30 minutes. Advance bookings are recommended, particularly during school and religious holidays. Air Passes Discover Malaysia Pass: available from Malaysia Airlines and valid for 28 days from the date of issue; pass holders can take up to three flights to any Malaysian destination. Available to overseas visitors only. Departure Tax A MYR5 tax applies for domestic flights. Road: The road network is extensive and major roads are well maintained. However, standards deteriorate once you leave the big cities, and road rules are followed erratically in rural areas, particularly in Malaysian Borneo. For this reason, it is best not to drive at night. Note that unsurfaced roads in the highlands are often impassable during the rainy season. Road Quality Most roads in the peninsular states are paved and signs leading to the various destinations are well placed and clear. Car Hire This is available through international and domestic agencies. Taxi Malaysian taxis are metered, but drivers often ask for a fixed fare, particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hour, so you may need to bargain. If things are particularly busy, drivers may refuse to travel to certain destinations at all, in which case you may have to rely on local buses and commuter trains. Taxis can be flagged down in the street, but a queuing system operates at many train stations and shopping centres. In Kuala Lumpur, shared taxis run from Puduraya Bus Station to cities around the country. In rural areas, taxis supplement the bus service, picking up passengers on route; you may need to pay extra to charter the whole taxi. Taxi drivers are usually not tipped. Coach

15 There are dozens of private bus companies running services across Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Aeroline (tel: (03) 6258 8800; ) runs deluxe express buses from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Transnasional (tel: 1 300 888 582; ) is another reliable operator. Regulations Speed limits are 110kph (68 mph) on expressways, 90kph (55 mph) on main roads and 60kph (38 mph) in urban areas unless otherwise posted. Seat belts must be worn at all times. The use of handheld mobile phones is prohibited when driving. Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. Breakdown Services Emergency breakdown service: The Automobile Association of Malaysia (tel: 1 800 880 808; ) provides a 24-hour emergency breakdown service. Documentation Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. For UK citizens, a national driving licence is sufficient, but it has to be endorsed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in Malaysia. Travel Urban The best way to get around Kuala Lumpur is by train, on one of the four commuter rail networks that serve the city. The KL Monorail, operated by Rapid KL (tel (03) 7885 2585; ) serves destinations in the centre, connecting KL Sentral to Titiwangsa. Rapid KL also runs the main bus service in the capital and the Light Rail Transit train network, with three lines serving Ampang, Sri Petaling and Kelana Jaya. Trains serving the northern, southern and western suburbs are run by KTM Komuter (tel 1 300 88 5862; ), part of the national train company KTMB. KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit trains (tel (03) 2267 8088; ) serve destinations en route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The journey from the airport to central KL takes 28 minutes, or 35 minutes on KLIA Transit trains. It is also possible to get around by Bas Mini (fixed-route minibuses), taxis and pedi-cabs (trishaws). Larger cities, including Melaka, Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, have their own public transport systems, mainly utilising buses, taxis and trishaws. Many smaller towns have local ferry services along and across rivers and inlets and between islands. Rail: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM Berhad) (tel: 1 300 88 5862; ) operates train services in Peninsular Malaysia. The main line runs north from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and on to Butterworth and Pedang Basar on the Thai border. A second line separates at Gemas and runs northeast to Tumpat in . East Malaysia has one railway line, the North Borneo Railway, which connects Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) to the town of Papar. The only services on this line are the luxury steam trains run by the Sutera Harbour Resort (tel: (6088) 318 88; ) in Kota Kinabalu. There are no rail services in Sarawak Rail Passes

16 KTM Rail Pass: available to foreign tourists (except Singaporeans) and valid for five, 10 or 15 days. Passes permit unlimited travel on Intercity train services on the KTM network and into Singapore. Supplements apply for sleeping berths and on night trains. Passes can be purchased through travel agencies and at major railway stations, including the stations in Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Johor Bahru and Singapore. Water: Coastal ferries sail frequently between Penang and Butterworth and there is a scheduled passenger service linking Port Kelang with Kuantan, Sarawak and Sabah. Ferries also run between Kuala , Kuala , Penang, Satun and Langkawi; one of the companies serving the route between Kuala Perlis and Langkawi is Langkawi-Ro-Ro-ferries . Regular boat services connect Lumut to Pangkor Island and Tunjung Gemak or Mersing to Tioman Island.

In Sabah, long boats connect Labuan to Menumbak. Small rivercraft often provide the most practical means of getting about in East Malaysia, even in the towns, and they are the only way to reach the more isolated settlements (unless one has access to a helicopter). In rural Sarawak the major means of transport are air-conditioned express boats. Boats may easily be chartered and river buses and taxis are plentiful. Telephone: International calls can be made from public telephones or at any office of Malaysia Telekom Berhad, the national phone company . Public phones can be found in many areas, such as supermarkets, shopping centres and post offices, and most use coins or pre-paid cards, which can be purchased at petrol stations and convenience stores Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies and network coverage is good in most areas of Peninsular Malaysia, and in larger cities in East Malaysia. Signals are less reliable in the highlands and vanish entirely in rural areas of Borneo. Malaysia has GSM 900/1800 and 3G mobile networks, and pre-paid SIM cards can be purchased locally for unlocked mobile phones. If your phone is locked to a network, cheap handsets are widely available. Internet: Internet cafés are found everywhere and most chain coffee shops and shopping centres offer Wi-Fi connections. Larger hotels offer in-room internet access and Wi-Fi access in the lobby. Currency Information: Ringgit (MYR; symbol RM) = 100 sen. Notes are in denominations of RM100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen. The Ringgit is often referred to as the Malaysian Dollar. Currency Exchange

17 The best currency for exchange is the Pound Sterling, but US Dollars are also widely accepted. All commercial banks are authorised foreign exchange dealers; major hotels are only licensed to buy or accept foreign currency in the form of notes and traveller's cheques. It may be difficult to exchange foreign currencies outside the main tourist centres. Language: Bahasa Melayu is the national and official language, but English is widely spoken. Other languages such as Chinese (Cantonese and Hokkien), Iban and Tamil are spoken by minorities.

Capital: Kuala Lumpur. Dialing Code: +60 Area: 329847 Population: 29628392 Population Density: 89 Population Year: 2013 EU Member: No Electricity: 230-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are used.

18