Banks: 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00; Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 08:30 to 17:00, daily
Museums: 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Business Offices: 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday

Pahang is not considered a dangerous part of Malaysia for travelling. The capital Kuantan is small and safe, and can be explored without hesitation. The only places where visitors should be more careful with their valuables are in the resort areas like the hill stations, some beach towns and in remote locations like Taman Negara National Park. It’s unlikely you’ll run into any problems, but travel at these types of tourist attractions carries the highest risk of becoming a victim of petty theft. Buying travel insurance before arriving in Pahang will ensure that any unforeseen theft will be fully covered.

Police: 100
Electricity: 220V AC, 50Hz; all plugs are round European two-pin types.

The health concerns in Pahang state stem from contaminated food and water. Never assume that the tap water is safe to drink. Bottled water is available everywhere, so stick to that. Drink plenty of it as well, because dehydration can happen quickly in the hot, humid climate of Pahang. As for food, be more careful when you eat in smaller rural towns, at street-side food stalls or in small cafés. As long as the food has been thoroughly cooked and is hot in the centre, it shouldn’t cause you a problem.

The sun is another thing to consider in Pahang. Being this close to the equator, the sun can be extremely strong, resulting in sunburn or dehydration in a less than an hour. Use plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat when you venture to beaches or are on a trek. Insects are mostly annoying, but some mosquitoes carry malaria and other diseases. Bring a good supply of insect repellent and wear long pants at dusk to avoid being bitten.

If anything serious happens, there is a decent hospital in Kuantan which can handle most problems. You will need to pay any hospital bills in cash. Buying travel insurance will cover any medical costs, making it a worthwhile investment. 

Ambulance: 999
Assunta Hospital (Kuantan): +60 9 538 2023

The official language of Malaysia and Pahang is Bahasa Melayu. Since this region is somewhat remote and has a small tourism infrastructure, you may not hear much English being spoken. However, most hotels and tourist services have staff who can speak English.

The currency in Malaysia is called the ringgit (RM). One ringgit is worth 100 sen. Banknotes come in denominations of RM1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100. Coins come in denominations of RM1 and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen.

Getting your hands on cash in Pahang is sometimes more difficult than in the more developed parts of Malaysia. The best place to get full bank service is in the capital Kuantan, where several major banks and ATMs can be found along Jalan Bank near the State Mosque. Other resort towns such as Cherating have a limited number of ATMs. If you venture into the hinterlands, bring enough cash to cover expenses.

Credit cards are only accepted in larger towns and resort areas. Even then, only the main hotels, restaurants and shops will accept Visa and MasterCard. In Pahang, it is better not to rely on plastic.

Each visitor to Malaysia is allowed to take home 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225 grams of tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol or wine; perfume and cosmetics with a value of RM200; souvenirs with a total value of RM500 and a maximum of three pieces of clothing and one pair of footwear. Visitors are often checked upon departure, so be prepared to pay duty tax if you buy more than the allowed quantities of goods.

Despite being a multicultural society, Malaysia is predominantly Muslim so expect a conservative environment when you travel around Pahang. One of the easiest ways to fit in is to dress conservatively. Men should wear long pants and shirts, even though it is quite hot. Women need to be even more aware of the way they dress. Short skirts, halter tops, and other revealing clothing may result in scowls from locals. This type of dress is considered very rude. Women don’t need to cover as much skin as the local Malay women, but they should try and be considerate. The rule of thumb is to look at what the locals are wearing and follow suit.

Keep in mind the role that feet play in Muslim society. The feet are considered dirty, so never show someone the soles of your shoe or use your feet to point to something or touch someone. Public displays of affection are another taboo in Pahang. Even holding hands with your spouse may earn you a stare or two. Above all, when visiting a religious site like a mosque or temple, be extra conservative and take the time to observe the social rules.

Dining Etiquette
There are few social rules when it comes to eating out in Pahang. The traditional way of eating is to use the right hand to eat food, although most places in tourist areas are prepared for foreigners. It’s fun to try eating local style, but if this is too awkward nobody will mind you using utensils. If you are lucky to be invited into someone’s home, it is customary to bring a gift of food or fruit. The host will indicate to you where to sit, when to eat and so on.

Tourist visas are issued upon arrival and are free for citizens of most countries. Visitors are allowed to stay for up to 30 days and can extend their tourist visa at the immigration office in Kuantan. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after date of entry into Malaysia.

Apart from a small kiosk at the airport in Kuantan, the best place to get tourism information is at the Tourist Information Centre in the heart of Kuantan.

Tourist Information Centre
Jalan Penjara Road
Kuantan
Phone: +60 9 516 1007
Website: www.pahangtourism.com.my