Banks: 10:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday; 09:30 to 11:30, Saturdays
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays
Government Offices: 08:00 to 12:45 and 14:00 to 16:15, Monday to Thursday; 08:00 to 12:15 and 14:45 to 16:15, Fridays
Business Centres: 10:00 to 21:00, Monday to Saturday, some open on Sundays
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays

Malaysia is a safe country for visitors, and a great deal of attention is given to protecting the tourism industry. The petty crime rate in Sabah is relatively low. While pick-pocketing is present in crowded areas like bus terminals or busy shopping centres, most areas that tourists frequent in Sabah are largely free from such nuisances.

All the same, it's wise to keep your valuables close at all times. Hotel security—especially in the budget arena—is variable and it's unwise to leave valuables unattended in your room. Instead, pack your own padlock and make use of lockers or deposit boxes when available. Credit card fraud is also on the rise, making it a good idea to use cash for small transactions. However, top-end hotels and fine restaurants are generally reliable and will guard the integrity of your card.

Gambling is illegal throughout Malaysia and there have been instances of sting operations put on by law enforcement to trap tourists. Even more stringent, illegal drug infractions carry the death penalty. Tourists are not exempt from this law.

It's a good idea to inspect a hotel room before you commit to an overnight stay. Take a look at the door and window locks before you agree to stay in the room. Both sexes are discouraged from venturing out alone late at night.

Electricity: 230 volts, 50 hertz

Visitors to Malaysia should avoid government-run hospitals, as practices at these establishments are sometimes not on par with international standards. Private medical clinics cost more, but the quality of care provided in this sector is modern and far outweighs the additional expense.

Mosquito-borne illnesses pose a constant low-level threat in this tropical climate. Malaria sticks primarily to rural environments and is rare in touristy areas, although it remains a threat in the Sabah backcountry where hikers and campers venture. Consult your doctor before departing to arrange an anti-malarial course of medication if you plan to spend a lot of time in rural areas.

Dengue fever is of increasing concern, mainly because it's more difficult to prevent than malaria and it thrives in populated urban areas. Your first line of defence here is to prevent getting bitten by using mosquito repellent and wearing clothes that cover as much skin as you can tolerate in the heat. If you fear you may have contracted dengue, it's imperative that you don't take aspirin as this can cause severe complications.

Sanitation standards are good and tap water is safe to drinking. Even so, most Malaysians stick to drinking bottled water. Cylindrical, hollow-shafted ice that has been factory processed is safe to use. Anything else such as chipped, cubed or shaved ice is best avoided.

Bahasa Melayu is the official language of Malaysia. The diversity of local ethnic tribes in Sabah means that you'll constantly come across pockets of people that speak local dialects or a different language from the Malaysian mainstream. Within the tourism sector, English is spoken.

The official currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian ringgit (RM). This is the only currency accepted across the country, except on a few toll roads off of Borneo, where the Singapore dollar is accepted. Banknotes are issued in increments of RM1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 (along with a rare 2RM note). Coins are available in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen increments.

Malaysia enjoys modern banking infrastructure and most of the larger shops and restaurants accept MasterCard and Visa. Banks and ATMs are available in all of the major towns throughout the state, with the greatest selection available in Kota Kinabalu. The moneychangers here in Centre Point Mall offer better exchange rates than the banks. Only cash is accepted in the more rural parts of the state.

When entering Malaysia, all tourists are required to submit a customs declaration form. Any foreign currency totalling RM1,000 or more has to be declared along with any potentially hazardous items. The most commonly prohibited items are drugs, obscene or prejudiced materials, counterfeit money, firearms or any other weapons (including realistic-looking fake weapons).

Duty-free allowances in Malaysia are as follows: 225 grams of tobacco (50 cigars or 200 cigarettes); gifts not exceeding a value of RM200; and 1 litre of alcohol. Make sure to hang on to your customs declaration form, as this must be presented again before exiting the country.

If you choose to take advantage of the many home stay options in Sabah, you’ll be expected to respect the local customs and religious beliefs of the host family. This includes dressing in a way that doesn’t offend the locals and following any rules specific to the household.

With so many indigenous people coming together across the Sabah countryside, you’re certain to come across a variety of cultures during your stay. An essential part of the Malaysian psyche is tolerance of the various religions and political beliefs that present themselves here. All the same, tourists do well to avoid broaching political or religious topics with locals.

Across Malaysia, especially in the countryside, couples are expected to behave modestly. Public displays of affection are frowned upon and even though locals may realise that your cultural norms are a little different, it’s still a good idea to be discreet.

Dining Etiquette
Kota Kinabalu is blessed with a striking assortment of culinary scenes, including Japanese and European specialties and lots of seafood. Chinese noodle stands and coffee shops are popular too though these don’t dominate the scene here as in other parts of the country.

Indigenous families usually stick to using their hands when eating at home, and chopsticks are used in noodle shops and Chinese restaurants. Restaurants almost always supply a spoon and fork, though knives are often unavailable since they aren’t of much use with local cooking.

Some of the best food in Malaysia comes from street-side food hawkers. Taking your dinner in this relaxed and inexpensive atmosphere means you’ll have access to a stunning variety of flavours and influence all in one stretch.

In Malaysian restaurants, tipping isn’t generally expected although the rise of Western tourism has made the practice more common. Most upscale restaurants include a 10 per cent service charge in the bill.

In most cases, tourists in Malaysia are issued a visa upon arrival and don’t need to make any prior arrangements. However, as Sabah is a semi-autonomous region of Malaysia, it’s subject to its own set of immigration laws. Restrictions on tourists are lax and it’s normal to receive a 90-day visa.

Applying for an extension is an easy process and can be accomplished at any immigration office. Since regulations in this arena are subject to constant change, it’s wise to check with a Malaysian embassy before scheduling your holiday.

The Sabah tourism board runs an office in the old post office at Kota Kinabalu. The staff here are knowledgeable and eager to assist tourists with information and itineraries. There are also several free brochures that can picked up here. Website: www.sabahtourism.com

The Sabah parks department also has several offices throughout the state, with the main branch located in Kota Kinabalu. If you’re planning a trip to a national park or the backcountry, you can arrange permits at this office or at one of its satellites. Website: www.sabahparks.org.