Introduction

Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South-East Asia. Several decades of sustained economic growth and political stability have made it one of the most buoyant and wealthy countries in the region, and although political power (Malay) and economic clout (Chinese) are still traditionally divided along racial lines, Malaysia has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs.

Most visitors to Malaysia stick to the Peninsula, where the insane headlong rush of Kuala Lumpur is offset by the colonially soothing Cameron Highlands hill station or the hedonistic torpor of Langkawi. Far fewer make it to Sarawak or Sabah, on the island of East Malaysia, with their spectacular wildlife, longhouses and the awe-inspiring Mt Kinabalu.

People

Indigenous Malays constitute roughly 59 percent of the population. But immigrants, especially Chinese (who make up 32 percent of the population), have a tremendous presence in the country. Most of the nation's millionaires, outside royalty, are Chinese. Indians constitute about 8 percent of the population. The rest are small numbers of Arabs, Indonesians, Filipinos, and Pakistanis.

Although Malaysia's ethnic mix is generally harmonious, the various communities remain largely separate, and things have not always been so peaceful. Chinese and Malays fought each other during the Japanese occupation, and in 1969 hundreds of Chinese were killed in riots. This violence grew out of Malay discontent about Chinese dominance in business. The government's solution was the New Economic Policy, which emphasized the unity of all peoples.

Malaysia has adopted many Chinese customs. The entire country celebrates Chinese New Year, when streets are lined with banners and lion-dancers weave through excited crowds.

Indians were among the first traders to arrive on Peninsular Malaysia, their numbers growing in the 1800s. Unlike Malays and Chinese, Indians are clustered in a handful of areas, notably Penang, Perak, and Selangor, but their influence on Malaysian culture is profound.

Malaysia's indigenous inhabitants are the Orang Asli, which means "original people." The Orang Asli belong to many different races and tribes. Among them are Negritos, a dark-skinned people.

Sabah and Sarawak are so different in character and demographic makeup that many consider them separate countries altogether.

Health & Safety

Malaysia's commitment to countrywide development is reflected in its standards of health and safety, which tend to be higher than those in other Southeast Asian countries. However, travelers should still be aware of health problems they may face in the country. Check with your doctor at home to decide which, if any, vaccinations you should receive before leaving for Malaysia.

No inoculations are required, unless you're coming from a country where disease is endemic (such as a yellow fever area, in which case you will need to present an International Certificate of Vaccination at customs). Diseases such as malaria, hepatitis, and dengue fever are present in Malaysia, however. Your doctor can tell you how much you will be at risk, depending on what areas you'll be traveling to and which activities you'll be pursuing.

Malaria is a threat in the jungles of Sabah (northeast Borneo) and can occur in rural areas of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. However, malaria in urban and coastal areas of the country is not a risk. Before venturing into remote rural or jungle areas, check with your doctor or local health authority about receiving prescription drugs for malarial prevention. As the disease is spread by a certain type of mosquito, you can take precautions to prevent being bitten: wear hiking boots and dark clothing and cover up as much as possible, sleep with mosquito netting, and use an insect repellent that contains deet (diethylmetatoluamide).

Dengue fever is also caused by mosquitoes but, contrary to malaria, in residential areas. Travelers have a low risk of acquiring the disease, unless there is an epidemic. Check with your doctor about any recent breakouts.

Hepatitis is present in most Southeast Asian countries, and it is usually the result of unsanitary conditions, as is the most common traveler's illness, diarrhea. Some things you can do to prevent the illnesses: use sealed bottles of water for drinking and for cleaning your teeth. Avoid ice, however tempting. Stay away from salads and any fruit you can't peel. Be very selective about marine fish and avoid river fish altogether. Do not consume any unpasteurized milk products. Make sure all meats and shellfish are thoroughly cooked. Fresh, well-cooked, hot food from clean restaurants and food stalls is the safest option. You will see plenty of the popular and tasty hawker cuisine in Malaysia. You needn't avoid it, but be smart about what you eat and drink—follow the above guidelines and be prepared for some spicy food! Also, talk with your doctor about receiving a hepatitis A inoculation.

Private health clinics are easy to find. In major cities, your best bet is to visit medical centers, where doctors dispense medicine on the spot. Government hospitals serve the local population, not foreign visitors, except in emergencies. Obtain traveler's medical insurance before leaving home.

A good health resource book for travelers is Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, by Dirk G. Schroeder, M.D.

Malaysia is a relatively safe country for travelers. You need take only the normal precautions when walking around towns and cities at night; residents are generally far too busy eating, talking, and doing business to bother you. Pickpockets are seldom encountered, but be on the lookout for credit card fraud. Check your receipts and bills.

Malaysia has a harsh penalty for drug trafficking—death—and little distinction is made between different types of drugs. A number of foreigners have been sentenced to death, sometimes for possessing little more than 200 grams of marijuana. In other words, when in Malaysia, just say no.

History

Aboriginal Malays (Orang Asli) began moving down the Malay peninsula from south-western China about 10,000 years ago. The peninsula came under the rule of the Cambodian-based Funan, the Sumatran-based Srivijaya and the Java-based Majapahit empires, before the Chinese arrived in Melaka in 1405. Islam arrived in Melaka at about the same time and spread rapidly. Melaka's wealth soon attracted European powers, and the Portuguese took control in 1511, followed by the Dutch in 1641. The British established a thriving port in Penang in 1786 and took over Melaka in 1795.

The British colonised the interior of the peninsula when tin was discovered. East Malaysia came into British hands via the adventurer Charles Brooke (who was made Rajah of Sarawak in 1841 after suppressing a revolt against the Sultan of Brunei) and the North Borneo Company (which administered Sabah from 1882). Britain took formal control of both Sabah and Sarawak after WW II. The indigenous labour supply was insufficient for the needs of the developing rubber and tin industries, so the British brought large numbers of Indians into the country, altering the peninsula's racial mix.

The Japanese overran Malaya in WW II. Communist guerrillas, who fought the Japanese throughout the occupation, began an armed struggle against British rule in 1948 and Malaya achieved independence in 1957. Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore combined with Malaya to establish Malaysia in 1963, but two years later Singapore withdrew from the confederation. The formation of Malaysia was opposed by both the Philippines and Indonesia, each having territorial claims on East Malaysia. Tension rose in 1963 during the `Confrontation' with Indonesia. Indonesian troops crossed Malaysia's borders but were repelled by Malaysian and Commonwealth forces. In 1969, violent riots broke out between Malays and Chinese, though the country's racial groups have since lived in relative peace together. The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has been in power since 1974. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is keen to exert his influence on the world stage as a pan-Asian leader, presided over a booming economy until 1997, when tumbling Asian currencies dragged the ringgit down with them.

In September 1998 the country hosted the Commonwealth Games but the public relations aspect of the competition came unstuck when students and citizens protested against the unfair sacking and later imprisonment of deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim. Continuing street protests,calling for the resignation of Dr Matahir Mohamad, have unsettled Malayasia's reputation as one of the most politically stable of South-East Asian countries.

Culture

Malaysia is a multicultural society, with Malays, Chinese and Indians living side by side. The Malays are the largest community. They are Muslims, speak Bahasa and are largely responsible for the political fortunes of the country. The Chinese comprise about a third of the population. They are Buddhists and Taoists, speak Hokkein, Hakka and Cantonese, and are dominant in the business community. The Indians account for about 10% of the population. They are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India, they speak Tamil, Malayalam, and some Hindi, and live mainly in the larger towns on the west coast of the peninsula. There is also a sizeable Sikh community. Eurasians and indigenous tribes make up the remaining population. Despite Bahasa Malaysia being the official language, when members of these different communities talk to each other, they generally speak English, which was recently reinstated as the language of instruction in tertiary education.

The main indigenous tribe is the Iban of Sarawak, who number 395,000. They are largely longhouse dwellers and live along the Rejang and Baram rivers. The Bidayuh (107,000) are concentrated on Sarawak's Skrang River. The Orang Asli (80,000) live in small scattered groups in Peninsular Malaysia. Traditionally nomadic agriculturalists, many have been absorbed into modern Malaysia.

Malaysian music is heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms. The music is based largely around the gendang (drum), but includes percussion instruments (some made of shells), flutes, trumpets and gongs. The country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, some of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow-puppets), silat (a stylised martial art) and crafts such as batik, weaving and silver and brasswork.

It's not easy to find authentic Malay food in Malaysian restaurants, though you can take your pick of Chinese, Nyonya (a local variation on Chinese and Malay food - Chinese ingredients, local spices), Indian, Indonesian or (sometimes) Western cuisines. Satays (meat kebabs in spicy peanut sauce) are a Malaysian creation and they're found everywhere. Other dishes include fried soybean curd in peanut sauce, sour tamarind fish curry, fiery curry prawns and spiced curried meat in coconut marinade. Muslim Indian dishes have developed a distinctly Malaysian style. The variety of wonderful tropical fruits and fruit juices available is huge, and strange sweet concoctions include cendol (sugar syrup, coconut milk and green noodles) and ais kacang (beans and jellies topped with shaved ice, syrups and condensed milk).

Telephone Numbers

Police: 999

Tourist Police:
Johor Bahru: Tel (07) 232-222
Kuala Lumpur: Tel (03) 241-5522 or (03) 243-5522
Melaka: Tel (06) 222-222

Fire and Ambulance: 994
Rescue: 991

Country Code: 60

City Codes:
Ipoh: 05
Johor Bharu: 07
Kota Bharu: 09
Kota Kinabalu: 088
Kuala Lumpur: 03
Kuala Terengganu: 09
Kuantan: 09
Kuching: 082
Melaka: 06
Penang: 04
Seremban: 06
Sungai Pentai: 04
Taiping: 05

Introduction

People

Health & Safety

History

Culture

Telephone Number