This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Health section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Terrorism

 

There is a threat from terrorism in Malaysia. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. In neighbouring Indonesia, Westerners were killed and injured following the terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005) and Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004). Please read Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas pages on the FCO website for further information and advice.

 

We believe that terrorists and criminal elements are continuing with plans to kidnap foreign tourists from the islands and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah. Previous kidnappings in this area include the taking of foreign tourist and local hostages from the Malaysian island of Sipadan in 2000, and of foreign resort workers from a resort near Lahad Datu in 2003. On 12 April 2004, a Malaysian vessel was hijacked and three crew members taken hostage just outside Malaysian waters off the eastern coastline of Sabah. In 2001, kidnappers took hostages (including two foreigners) from the Philippines island of Palawan, close to the Philippine/Malaysian border. In June 2002, one foreign hostage was killed and another rescued. Boats travelling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets. If you wish to visit resorts on, and islands off, Eastern Sabah (from Kudat eastwards to Tawau), you should exercise extreme caution. If you wish to go to remote areas, you are advised to register your itinerary with the local police beforehand.

 

The Malaysian Government has put in place extensive measures to combat terrorism and has arrested a number of terrorist suspects. In Sabah, the authorities have significantly increased security, but there is a continuing risk of further incidents.

 

If you plan to travel over the border to Thailand you should be aware that since January 2004 there has been a resurgence of terrorism in southern Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. We recommend against all but essential travel to these four Thai provinces. Since January 2004, there have been almost daily attacks, including over 100 bombings and many more shootings, stabbings and, more recently, beheadings. More than 1000 people have been killed and several hundred injured. No British tourists have been killed in these attacks but tourist hotels and bars, shops, market places, transport infrastructure, in particular rail tracks and in trains, have been targeted. Some foreign citizens have been killed and injured. For more information you should read the Travel Advice for Thailand.

 

Crime

 

You should be aware of the dangers of street crime, particularly bag snatching and pickpockets - and scams involving gambling or spiked drinks. You should:

Visitors to Malaysia from several countries, including the United Kingdom, have reported serious problems after responding to advertisements for volunteer work at a wildlife/elephant sanctuary in Pahang State. Requests for volunteers are posted on a number of websites together with a related opportunity for jungle trekking and survival experiences. Those interested in these offers in this region of Peninsular Malaysia should contact the Consular Section of the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur before responding.

Police permission is required for certain kinds of public gatherings in Malaysia. You should therefore avoid street gatherings and demonstrations, which might place you at risk.

 

The sites of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, which lie in international waters off Kuantan, have been declared “Protected Places” under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986; you should only dive there on a “look not touch” basis. If you have evidence of any other type of activity on or near the wrecks, please report it to the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

 

Road Safety

 

Road conditions in Peninsular Malaysia are generally good. Traffic (particularly motor cyclists) will not always stop at traffic lights or on pedestrian crossings. Visitors should take care when crossing the street to avoid accidents. If you are involved in a road accident as a driver, you should not leave the scene until the police have attended.

 

A UK driving licence can be used in Malaysia for three months only. We therefore advise British nationals staying in Malaysia for longer than three months to get a Malaysian driving licence or an annually renewable International Driving Permit.

 

Sea Safety

 

There have been a number of attacks against ships in and around Malaysian waters. Mariners should be vigilant and take appropriate precautions; reduce opportunities for theft; establish secure areas onboard; and report all incidents to the coastal and flag state authorities. Vessels which encounter problems at sea should contact the Martime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre on the standard distress channel.

Drugs

 

There are severe penalties for all drug offences in Malaysia, including in cases of trafficking (defined here as the possession of a certain quantity of drugs) a mandatory death penalty, or, in the case of possession, a custodial sentence imposed and possible whipping. This also includes the possession of or trafficking in Amphetamine-type stimulants. You could be asked to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if you are suspected of having used drugs before your visit. Should the test prove positive, you could be referred for rehabilitation treatment or be deported.

 

Alcohol

 

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence in Malaysia and the traffic police regularly carry out breath tests. Anyone over the legal limit can face a heavy fine or a jail sentence.

 

Firearms

 

The importation of unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia is prohibited.  Possession can carry the death penalty.

 

Local Customs

 

Malaysia is a multicultural but predominantly Muslim country, and as such, visitors should respect local social conventions.  You should dress modestly in conservative and rural areas, and when visiting places of worship. Homosexual acts are illegal.

 

Muslim tourists should be aware that they may be subject to local Shari’a law.

The Malaysian authorities are currently running a vigorous campaign against illegal immigration and are therefore inspecting immigration documents, such as work permits, very closely.

 

British nationals do not need a visa to enter Malaysia as a visitor. You will normally be given permission to stay for three months on arrival. Visas for longer stays or for non-tourist purposes must be obtained from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission before travel. Please contact Malaysian representation in the UK. It is important that you neither overstay your visa, nor infringe the terms of entry. Persons doing so (even overstaying for just a few days) will incur a fine and possibly detention and deportation. Entry to Malaysia is normally refused to visitors holding passports with less than six months' validity.

 

Under current Malaysian exchange control rules, you may import or export up to 1,000 Malaysian Ringgit per person without prior approval. There are no limits on the amount of foreign currency (notes and or travellers' cheques) you may import. Non-residents may export foreign currency (notes and or travellers' cheques) up to the amount they previously imported, provided they have documentary evidence of the amount they imported. All travellers must complete travellers' declaration forms on entering Malaysia. Penalties for offences under the Exchange Control Act 1953 are a fine of up to 10,000 Malaysian Ringgit, three years' imprisonment or both.

 

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. They may want to see birth certificates, a letter of consent from the other parent or some evidence as to your responsibility for the child. Malaysian authorities do not normally require such evidence but if you have any concerns please check with Malaysian representation in the UK

Malaysia has periodic problems with air quality reaching hazardous levels because of smoke haze. With the onset of the monsoon season air quality has greatly improved. For more information on the air quality in Malaysia please visit the Malaysian Department for the Environment’s website at: http://www.jas.sains.my/jas/Air+Pollutant+Index.

Avian Influenza

In November 2004, there were outbreaks of Bird Flu (also known as Avian Flu and Avian Influenza) in poultry in Kelantan State in peninsular Malaysia. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

 

If you are travelling to Malaysia, you should consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice before departure. The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low, provided you avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

 

The continuing series of outbreaks of Avian Influenza, which started in South East Asia at the end of 2003, have led to a number of human deaths (in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic. British nationals living longer term in an Avian Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up-to-date.

 

You should read this advice in conjunction with: Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet, which gives more detailed advice and information.

Medical care in private hospitals can be very expensive. You should take out comprehensive medical/travel insurance covering all eventualities. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.

Some tropical illnesses are prevalent in Malaysia and you should seek medical advice regarding any recommended vaccinations before travelling. Tuberculosis, Hepatitis A and B are common, as is Dengue Fever, for which there is no vaccination or immunisation.

There has been a significant increase in dengue cases across Peninsular Malaysia in 2005, particularly since 1 September. The majority of cases have occurred in Selangor and Penang. You should take preventive measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitos, which transmit the dengue virus. If you suffer from a fever whilst (or shortly after) visiting Malaysia, you should consult a doctor urgently.

There are periodic outbreaks of other diseases, most recently typhoid in April 2005 in Kelantan and cholera in May 2005 in Semporna and Pulau Gaya, Sabah.

For further information on health, check the DoH website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see: What We Can Do To Help.

 

Airport departure tax is included in the ticket price.

 

Registration

 

British nationals should register with the Consular Section of the High Commission if they are staying in the country for more than a short period. This can be done online at: British High Commission, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia Country Profile