Travel Malaysia
all the information you need
Facts about Malaysia
Government
Travel Malaysia, don't you want to know some facts about this beautiful country?
Here we go. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy since 1963. It gained
independence from the United Kingdom in 1957.
The Head of State is King Syed Sirrajuddin ibni al-Marhum Syed Putra
Jamalullail since 2001. The Head of the Government is Prime Minister Datuk
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he is in charge since 2003.
Language
Bahasa Malaysia 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.
Religion
Islam is the main religion in Malaysia. 53% of the population is Muslim and 19%
is Buddhist. The remaining 28% religions practised in Malaysia are: Christian,
Taoism, Confucianism, Hindu, Sikh and Animism. Shamanism is practised in East
Malaysia.
Time
GMT + 8.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs and bayonet-type light fittings are
generally used. You can buy converters in many shops if you bring two-pin plugs.
Public Holidays
- New Years Day 1st January 2008
- Maal Hijrah (Awal Muharram) 10th January 2008
- Birthday of Sultan Kedah 20 January 2008
- Chinese New Year, 7th & 8th February 2008
- Maulidur Rasul (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W) 20th March 2008
- Labour Day 1st May 2008
- King's Birthday 7 June 2008
- Independence Day 31 August 2008
- Eid Al-Fitr (Hari Raya Puasa (1-2 October 2008)
- Deepavali 28th October 2008
- Hari Raya Qurban (Feast of Sacrifice) 8-9 December 2008
- Christmas Day 25 December 2008
- New Years Day 31 December-1 January 2009 2
Communications
Telephone
Full IDD is available.
Country code: 60.
Outgoing international code: 00.
Public coin-operated phones can be found in many areas, such as supermarkets and
post offices. Local calls cost 10 sen. Public card phones can be found
throughout the country.
Cards can be purchased at airports, petrol stations and some shops for
amounts ranging from RM30-50. There are currently two types – Kadfon and Unicard
– and these can only be used in their appropriate phone booths.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover practically the whole country. Network operators
include:
DiGi (website: www.digi.com.my)
Celcom (website: www.celcom.com.my)
TIMECel (website: www.time.com.my).
Maxis Mobile (website: www.maxis.com.my)
Fax
Centers for public use are located in the main post offices of all large towns.
Most main hotels also have facilities.
Internet
Internet Service Providers ISPs include:
Jaring (www.jaring.net.my)
TM Net (www.tm.net.my)
Internet cafes
All over the country, even in small towns you will find internet cafes. Hotels
and hostels often have facilities too.
Post
There are post offices in the commercial centre of all towns, open Mon-Sat
0800-1700.
Press
The English-language dailies printed in peninsular Malaysia are the Business
Times, Malay Mail, Malaysiakini, New Straits Times, The Star and The Sun. There
are also several English-language Sunday newspapers and periodicals.
English-language newspapers available in Sarawak include the Borneo Post and
Sarawak Tribune. English-language dailies in Sabah include the Borneo Mail,
Daily Express and Sabah Times.
Capital
The capital is Kuala Lumpur although the administrative capital is Putraya. This
is a new build city south of Kuala Lumpur. The government decided to build the
administrative centre here to avoid the traffic problems of Kuala Lumpur.
States
There are 13 States (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 3 federal territories
- The States are : Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan,
Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu,
- The Federal Territories are Labuan, Putrajaya and Wilayah Persekutu
Currency
Malaysian Ringit, shortened to RM (ringit Malaysia), sometimes referred to
Malaysian dollar. Old notes still carry the $ sign.
Currency Exchange
US$ 1 to approximately RM 3.4. When leaving the country you have to change your Ringits back to dollars, pounds or euros. The Malaysian Ringit is not
convertible outside Malaysia.
Check the
currency converter for the exact exchange rate.
Geographic details Malaysia
total: 329,750 sq km
land: 328,550 sq km
water: 1,200 sq km
Border countries
Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
Climate
Malaysia has a tropical climate. There is a dry season from
April to October. The monsoons come from October to February. This does not mean
it rains every day but there will be showers regularly.
To travel Malaysia, you need to be prepared. Here's some information to stay
healthy
We have included a page on visa information. Wherever you come from, you will
find all the information you need.
We have more on the history of Malaysia, click here for a brief overview
For those who still want more information on Malaysia, check the Wikipedia Free
Internet Encyclopedia
And for
more information about Events and Festival, click here
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