Banks: 09:15 to 16:30, Monday to Friday; some banks are open on Saturday mornings.
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday
Government Offices: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; some companies open 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays.
Shops: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; some big department stores open later; Sunday opening hours vary.

Generally, you’ll find Malaysia is a safe place to visit. However, as with travel to any destination there are a few things to be aware of. While few people experience any problems in Perak, it is not advisable to go wandering around any dark alleys outside of busy areas at night.

Most Malaysians are devout Muslims and tourists should respect this, in particular with regards to dress. While the main tourist centres are relatively relaxed, if you go off the beaten track dress conservatively. This is especially true for women who should keep shoulders covered and not wear high cut shorts or skirts.

Some female tourists have reported being hassled by Malaysian men, and this can be a problem in resort areas where some locals falsely stereotype western women. Again, the best advice is to make sure shoulders and thighs are covered, especially when you travel in more remote areas. Topless bathing is an absolute no-go.

When you arrive in Malaysia, you will notice signs saying ‘Drugs Mean Death’. This is not an idle threat. Using or distributing drugs in Malaysia has a mandatory death penalty, so don’t even consider it.

If you are travelling to Perak via Kuala Lumpur you should be aware of a scam that some travellers have reported. A friendly person may try to persuade you to visit their family home to meet someone who has a friend in your country (or some such link). Once there, you may be scammed into playing card games, which could result in you losing vast sums of money.

Caving is a popular activity in Perak, but of course safety is of paramount importance if you plan to take part. Some caves can be easily explored, while others are only suitable for cavers with experience. You shouldn’t venture into any caves alone, and always take the advice of a local person who knows the area. Always take a torch with spare batteries and keep an eye out for any loose rocks. Some people recommend taking a ball of string to tie to a rock so you have something to follow back if you get lost.

Electricity: 220 to 240 volts, 50 hertz.

When you undertake any foreign travel, you should check with your doctor about any inoculations that might be required. Visitors to Perak should be up to date with hepatitis A, tetanus, and typhoid vaccinations before travel, as a minimum.

Some areas of Malaysia have malaria-spreading mosquitoes, although urban and coastal areas are generally safe. Be sure to consult your doctor before you travel about malaria prevention. Many travellers take anti-malarials as a precautionary measure, while others prefer to carry curative medicines with them. Malaria risk or not, mosquitoes can be a real irritant so it’s a good idea to cover up at night, use insect repellent, or a combination of the two.

Another disease spread by mosquitoes is dengue fever, which can be fatal, especially if someone contracts it for a second time. There is no preventative medicine so the only way to protect yourself is to try not to be bitten.

Hospital care outside of the main cities might be of a lesser quality than you are used to, so a travel insurance policy that includes adequate healthcare is important, as with any foreign trip. It is also a good idea to remember to bring with you any medications that you take regularly.

Any water should be regarded as potentially unsuitable to drink. Water for drinking should be boiled first or sterilised using another method. Most visitors drink bottled water, which is relatively inexpensive.

The official language of Malaysia is Malay, known as Bahasa Malaysia. English is widely spoken and it is a compulsory subject in schools. Other languages which are relatively widely spoken are Chinese and Tamil. It’s not uncommon to find a group of young friends in Kuala Lumpur all happily chatting in a mixture of Malay, Chinese and English, sometimes at the same time! Tourists should have few problems getting by in Perak speaking English.

The official currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian ringgit (RM). One ringgit has a value of 100 sen. Banknotes are available in denominations of RM1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100. Coins are issued in denominations of RM1 and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen.

Withdrawing cash from ATMs in Perak is easy, especially in larger towns and cities where ATMs are widespread. In rural areas, ATMs are harder to come by and it is best to carry adequate cash. The best places to find full banking services is in Ipoh, where major banks are on hand. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted in larger towns and resort areas, but should not be relied upon in more rural parts of the state.

The import of the following items is prohibited: weapons, goods from Haiti, non-prescribed drugs, pornographic material, or reproductions of currency. Duty free allowances are: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1 litre of wine or spirit, perfumes up to a value of RM200.

In Perak and anywhere in Malaysia, it is considered impolite to use your left hand to pass or receive something. Always use your right hand, as the left hand is used for hygiene purposes. Similarly, pointing at someone or beckoning is considered rude. If you need to hail someone, you should face your hand down and wave your fingers.

If you visit a mosque or are a guest in someone’s house, always remember to take your shoes off before entering. Remember that Malaysia is an Islamic country and you should respect this by dressing conservatively. While this may not be such an issue in the big centres, it is definitely true if you travel off the beaten track.

Dining Etiquette
There are few rules of etiquette that should be observed when eating out in Perak. Traditionally locals use the right hand to eat food, although most tourist restaurants will offer spoons and forks to foreigners. If you are invited to someone’s home to eat, it is customary to bring a small gift of food or fruit.

All visitors require a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Malaysia. Nationals of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, other EU countries and the USA do not require a visa for stays of less than three months. Nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia can enter without a visa for stays of up to one month. Visitors may be asked to show proof of adequate funds for their visit and a return or onward ticket.

The main tourist information centre in Perak is in Lumut at the Lumut Tourist Information Centre, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 32200 LUMUT, Perak. Phone: +60 87 423445/423446;
email: mtpblbu@tourism.gov.my.