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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 2009
  • Chinese New Year, 26/27th January 2008
  • Maulidur Rasul (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W) 09th March 2009
  • Labour Day 1st May 2009
  • Wesak Day 9th May 2009
  • Birthday Celebration of Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di Pertuan Agong 6 June 2009
  • Independence Day 31 August 2009
  • Eid Al-Fitr (Hari Raya Puasa (20-21 September 2009)
  • Deepavali 17th October 2009
  • Hari Raya Qurban (Feast of Sacrifice) 27/28th November 2009
  • Awal Muharam (Maal Hijrah) 1430 Hijrah 10th December 2009
  • Christmas Day 25th December 2009
  • New Years Day 31 December-1 January 2010

Malaysia School Term Holidays 2009

School Day Starts 5th January 2009
1st Mid Term Break 14th March - 22nd March 2009
2nd Mid Term Break 30th May - 14th June 2009
3rd Mid Term Break 22nd August - 30th August 2009
End of the Year Break 21st November 2009 - 3rd January 2010
* In Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu Term Break commerce's a day earlier.

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:

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:

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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