The Malaysia Compendium A Compilation of Guidebook References and Cruising Reports Including Singapore, Malaysian Borneo, and Brunei IMPORTANT: USE ALL INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT AT YOUR OWN RISK!! Rev 2019.1 August 7, 2019 We welcome updates to this guide! (especially for places we have no cruiser information on) Email Soggy Paws at sherry –at- svsoggypaws –dot- com. You can also contact us on Sailmail at WDI5677 The current home of the official copy of this document is http://svsoggypaws.com/files/ If you found it posted elsewhere, there might be an updated copy at svsoggypaws.com. Revision Log Many thanks to all who have contributed over the years!! Rev Date Notes A.0 01-Apr-2014 Initial version, still very rough at this point!! Not published! Added Savannah's notes on Borneo and Solita's notes on A.01 Brunei A.02 05-May-2015 Updates from our own (flying) visit to Singapore Updates from Soggy Paws delivery/cruise from Western A.03 15-Aug-2015 Peninsular Malaysia across the top of Borneo and on to the Philippines. Fixed a problem with formatting Senibong Cove Marina A.04 08-Dec-2015 (wasn’t showing as a separate section). Added comments from Yindee Plus on Senibong Cove 2016.01 24-Feb-2016 Marina 2017.01 09-Jan-2017 Brick House’s info on checking in to Singapore Updates on Singapore Facilities, and places on the east 2018.01 07-Feb-2018 coast of the Peninsula. Gua Cave near Ipoh as sightseeing trip. Added links to FB groups, anchorage comments in Penang, doctors in Pangkor. Anchoring in Johor Baru. Note on 2018.02 13-Jun-2018 Electrical shop in Singapore. Update on Port Klang. Added several Facebook group links, and some Recommended Reading. Flying to/from Pangkor. Getting diesel in Tioman. Marinas and anchorages on the east side of the Malaysian peninsula. 2018.3 19-October-2018 Some important Penang updates. Possible changes in arrival procedures in Singapore. Malaysia formalities updates. Various small bits from Sail SE Asia FB group. Major update on Langkawi check-in procedure/requirements. Dinghy theft 2019.1 07-Aug-2019 in Terengganu. Weather on east side of Malaysian peninsula in June. Warnings on a bad contractor in Puteri. Updates on the Batu Uban Marina in Penang Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDE .......................................................................................................... 8 1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE AREA .................................................................................................................. 9 1.3 TIME ZONE ...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.4 WEATHER IN THIS AREA .................................................................................................................. 9 1.4.1 General Weather Conditions ................................................................................................. 9 1.4.2 Weather Sources – With Onboard Email ............................................................................ 11 1.4.3 Weather Sources – Voice ................................................................................................... 11 1.4.4 Weather Sources – Internet ................................................................................................ 11 1.5 CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION .............................................................................................................. 12 1.5.1 Pre-Arrival Notification ........................................................................................................ 13 1.5.2 Pre-Arrival Insurance Requirements ................................................................................... 13 1.5.3 Immigration .......................................................................................................................... 14 1.5.4 Customs .............................................................................................................................. 17 1.5.5 Health .................................................................................................................................. 17 1.5.6 Stopping Before Officially Clearing In ................................................................................. 17 1.5.7 Pets ..................................................................................................................................... 17 1.5.8 Intra-Country Clearances .................................................................................................... 18 1.6 LOCAL INFORMATION AND CUSTOMS............................................................................................... 18 1.6.1 Etiquette for Visiting a Muslim Friend.................................................................................. 18 1.6.2 Ramadan ............................................................................................................................. 20 1.6.3 Smoking and Vaping Ban in Singapore .............................................................................. 22 1.7 YACHTSMEN'S SERVICES - OVERVIEW ............................................................................................ 22 1.7.1 Money .................................................................................................................................. 22 1.7.2 Diesel and Gasoline ............................................................................................................ 22 1.7.3 Propane (Cooking Gas) ...................................................................................................... 23 1.7.4 Groceries ............................................................................................................................. 23 1.7.5 Water ................................................................................................................................... 23 1.7.6 Boat Parts & Repairs ........................................................................................................... 23 1.7.7 Shipping Stuff In .................................................................................................................. 26 1.7.8 Medical/Dental ..................................................................................................................... 26 1.7.9 Insurance ............................................................................................................................. 27 1.8 EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES ....................................................................................................... 27 1.9 GETTING VISITORS IN AND OUT ...................................................................................................... 27 1.10 COMMUNICATIONS ......................................................................................................................... 28 1.10.1 VHF ..................................................................................................................................... 28 1.10.2 SSB Radio Frequencies and Nets ...................................................................................... 29 1.10.3 Telephones, Cell Phones, and Internet Access .................................................................. 29 1.10.4 Mail ...................................................................................................................................... 30 1.10.5 News ................................................................................................................................... 30 1.11 DIVING .......................................................................................................................................... 30 1.12 HAULOUT, STORAGE, AND REPAIR FACILITIES ................................................................................. 30 1.13 TSUNAMI INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 31 1.14 CRUISING INFORMATION SOURCES ................................................................................................. 31 1.14.1 Facebook Groups ................................................................................................................ 31 1.14.2 Local Websites ................................................................................................................... 32 1.14.3 Cruiser Reports ................................................................................................................... 32 1.14.4 Noonsite .............................................................................................................................. 34 1.14.5 Seven Seas Cruising Association ....................................................................................... 34 1.14.6 Ocean Cruising Club ........................................................................................................... 34 1.15 PRINTED SOURCES ........................................................................................................................ 34 1.15.1 Cruising Guides ................................................................................................................... 34 1.15.2 Recommended Reading ....................................................................................................