Malaysia money currency

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Travellers cheques can be exchanged for Malaysian Ringgit at commercial banks, hotels or at authorised money changers. All major hotels are only licensed to buy, but not sell, foreign currencies in the form of notes and travellers cheques. Credit cards including American Express, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club are accepted at most hotels, shopping centres and major restaurants. ATMs are widely available

Duty Free: Travellers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 litre wine, spirits or malt liquor; 100 matches; cosmetic products to the value of RM200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM500). Prohibited items include goods from Haiti, counterfeit money and illegal drugs.

malaysia climate and weather

The country is made up of two regions. Peninsular Malaysia which lies between Thailand and Singapore, and East Malaysia across the South China Sea on the island of Borneo. The combined land area of both regions is about 330,400 sq km (127,000 sq miles). 
 
The Peninsular is divided into the ‘east coast’ and the ‘west coast’ by the Main Range, known as Banjaran Titiwangsa, which runs from the Malaysia-Thai border in the north to the southern state of Negeri Sembilan. Geographically, East Malaysia is rugged, with a series of mountain range encompassing the interior regions of both states.

The Crocker Range in Sabah is the site of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. Low’s Peak, at 4,093 metres above sea level, is the highest point of the mountain.

 
  The country is generally warm throughout the year with humid tropical climate temperatures ranging from 21° to 32° Celsius in the lowlands.Temperatures and humidity are high all year round, Malaysia’s position in the equatorial zone guarantees a classic tropical climate with relative humidity levels usually around 90%.but it is slightly cooler in the mountains. This can however be as low as 16° Celsius in the highlands. Annual rainfall is heavy at 2,500mm (100 inches). Malaysia has a hot with two monsoon seasons, one between October and February and the other from April to October; the latter is characterised by thunderstorms. 
 
On a rainy day, thunder and lightning often accompany the heavy downpour which normally lasts for about an hour or two. The high humidity level at 80% throughout the year favours light and sweat-absorbent material like cotton for daily dressing.

Generally, Malaysia has two distinct seasons. The dry season occurs during the south-west monsoon from May and September. The northeast monsoon brings the rainy season to the country during mid-November till March. 
 
Try to avoid east coast destinations and Island Malaysia between November and January. Otherwise, Malaysia can be enjoyed at any time of year as the weather is generally hot, sunny and fairly uniform; it’s rare to have a day without showers and unusual to have a day without sunshine. Take light summer clothes, carry an umbrella and an extra warm sweater if visiting the hill stations.
Slightly thicker clothing may also be worn in air-conditioned spaces like cinemas and meeting rooms.

If heat is your enemy, the only alternative is to ensure the home you choose for yourself has excellent ventilation with lots of windows for better air circulation, and is fitted with air-conditioning.
Most accommodation will have air conditioning although many houses and apartments will only have it in the bedrooms.

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.

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. – Useful Phone Directory

Passports and Visas

Passports

Malaysian government recognized all National Passport or Internationally recognized Travel Document. Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document that is recognized by Malaysian Government must get 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 make sure that their return to the country that issued the document or the country of residence is guaranteed. . The former must have enough pages for the embarkation stamp upon arrival and be valid for at least six months at date of entry. The latter should be endorsed with a valid re-entry permit.

Visa

Foreign nationals who need a Visa whether using Single entry Visa, Multiple Entry Visa and Transit 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.

How To Apply For A Visa

Application for visas should be made at the nearest Malaysian Missions abroad. In countries where Malaysian Missions have not been established, application should be made to the British High Commission or Embassy. The applicant should present himself together with the following documents:

Passport or Travel Document
Form IM.47 (3 copies)
Three (3) passport sized photographs
Return or onward – journey traveling ticket
Proof of sufficient funds

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.
Conversely, states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah, Friday is a day of rest with Thursday as half days workday.

Private sector hours are generally operates from 9am to 5pm (Monday-Friday) and 9am to 1pm (Saturday) while government office hours are usually from 8.30am to 5.30pm work on a five-day week. At present, many private sector companies operate on a five-day week.

Tipping

Tipping is not a way of life in Malaysia, but is fast becoming one, depends entirely on you. Most hotels and large restaurants have already included a 10% service charge in addition to the 5% government tax to the receipt (indicated by the ++ mark on menus and rate cards) so tipping is needless.

Taxis in major cities of Malaysia are using a meter. Currently the rates are at RM2 for the first two kilometres and 10 sen for every following 200 metres. On the other hand, there’s a surcharge of 50% levied between midnight and 6am.

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.

Weather

Generally the country is warm throughout the year with temperatures ranging from 21? to 32? Celsius in the lowlands, which is low as 16? Celsius in the highlands. Annual rainfall is heavy at 2,500mm (100 inches). On a rainy day, thunder and lightning often go together with the deep downpour, which normally lasts for about an hour or two. The high humidity level at 80% throughout the year favours light and sweat-absorbent material like cotton for daily dressing.

Commonly, Malaysia has two different seasons. The dry season occurs during the southwest monsoon during May till September. The northeast monsoon brings the rainy period to the country from mid-November and March.

Local Touch

Traditional and local delicacies that are sold by Food hawkers make up the everyday scenes in big or small towns throughout the country. Try our “teh tarik”, a smoothened, creamed tea, and “roti canai”, a fluffy pancake prepared by a local person of Indian Muslim ancestry. “nasi lemak” and a variety of kinds of Chinese noodles are also popular. People from all walks of life common these food stalls.