SEA-15-Book 1.indb

MALAYSIA

lonelyplanet.com MALAYSIA DIRECTORY •• Dangers & Annoyances

DANGERS & ANNOYANCES

In general Malaysia is very safe, with vio-
lent attacks being uncommon. However, the
usual travel precautions apply, such as re-
straining your urge to go wandering around
seedy areas alone late at night. Credit-card
fraud is a growing problem so only use your
cards at established businesses and guard
your credit-card numbers. The snatching of
bags by thieves on motorcycles is a recur-
ring crime in KL, Johor Bahru and Penang’s
Georgetown, so keep bags away from the
roadside in these areas. In seedy areas such
as Ipoh and KL’s Golden Triangle, male trav-
ellers may be harassed to buy pirated porn
DVDs, drugs or the services of prostitutes.
A disturbingly high incidence of theft oc-
curs in guest house dorms. Sometimes this
involves an outsider sneaking in and other
times it involves fellow travellers. Don’t leave
valuables or important documents unat-
tended, and carry a small padlock.
See p532 for issues specific to women
travellers.
Rabies is an ever-present problem in
Malaysia – you should treat any animal bite
very seriously. Leeches can be a nuisance
after heavy rain on jungle walks; see p487
for tips on discouraging them.

DRIVING LICENCE

A valid overseas driving licence is required
for vehicle rental.

EMBASSIES & CONSULATES

Unless otherwise specified, all the follow-
ing foreign embassies are in Kuala Lumpur
and are generally open 8am to 12.30pm and
1.30pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Australia (Map pp440-1 ; %03-2146 5555; www
.australia.org.my; 6 Jln Yap Kwan Seng)
Brunei (off Map pp440-1 ;%03-2161 2800; Level 19,
Menara Tan & Tan, 207 Jln Tun Razak)
Canada (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2718 3333; Level 18,
Menara Tan & Tan, 207 Jln Tun Razak)
France (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2053 5500; 196 Jln Ampang)
Germany (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2142 9666; www
.kuala-lumpur.diplo.de; Level 26, Menara Tan & Tan, 207
Jln Tun Razak)
Indonesia Georgetown (off Map p464 ; %04-227 5141;
467 Jln Burma, Georgetown, Penang); Kota Kinabalu (Map
p493 ; %088-219110; Jln Kemajuan; h8am-1pm Mon-
Fri); Kuala Lumpur (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2116 4100;
233 Jln Tun Razak; visa R170, ready in one day); Kuching

(Map p510 ; %082-241734; 111 Jln Tun Haji Openg,

Kuching, Sarawak; h8.30am-noon & 2-4pm Mon-Fri);

Tawau (%089-772052; Jln Apas, Tawau, Sabah)

Ireland (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2161 2963; Ireland

House, the Amp Walk, 218 Jln Ampang)

Netherlands (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2168 6200; www

.netherlands.org.my; 7th fl, the Amp Walk, 218 Jln Ampang)

New Zealand (Map p444 ; %03-2078 2533; Level 21,

Menara IMC, 8 Jln Sultan Ismail)

Singapore (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2161 6277; 209 Jln

Tun Razak)

Thailand Georgetown (off Map p464 ; %04-226 8029;

1 Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman, Georgetown, Penang); Kota

Bharu (%09-744 0867; 4426 Jln Pengkalan Chepa, Kota

Bharu, Kelantan); Kuala Lumpur (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-

2148 8222; 206 Jln Ampang)

UK (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2148 2122; http://www.britain.org

.my; 185 Jln Ampang)

US (off Map pp440-1 ; %03-2168 5000; http://malaysia

.usembassy.gov; 376 Jln Tun Razak)

EMERGENCIES

Ambulance (%999)

Fire (%994)

Police (%999)

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

There are many cultures and religions co-

existing in Malaysia, which means there are

many occasions for celebration throughout

the year.

Ramadan is the major annual Muslim event,

connected with the 30 days during which

Muslims cannot eat, drink, smoke or have sex

from sunrise to sunset. The dates of Ramadan

change every year; in 2010 it begins on 11

August, and in 2011 it begins on 1 August.

January–February

Thaipusam (January/February) One of the most dra-

matic Hindu festivals, in which devotees honour Lord

Subramaniam with acts of amazing physical resilience.

Self-mutilating worshippers make the procession to the

Batu Caves outside KL.

March–April

Malaysian Grand Prix Formula One’s big outing in

Southeast Asia is held at the Sepang International Circuit in

Selangor either at the end of March or early April

May–June

Gawai Dayak (late May/early June) Festival of the

Dayaks in Sarawak, marking the end of the rice season.

War dances, cock fights and blowpipe events take

place.

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