Selangor Travel Tips

Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday; 09:30 to 11:30, Saturdays
Government offices: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 22:00, daily
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 13:00, Saturdays

Most visitors to Selangor experience a safe and enjoyable stay. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon here. Incidents of petty crime are commonly reported, however, such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching. Areas where you should be particularly alert include attractions that are frequented by large numbers of tourists and transportation centres, such as rail stations and airports.

As a visitor, you’re advised to take reasonable precautions to avoid unpleasant incidents by keeping valuables out of sight and also by leaving important travel documents, large amounts of cash and expensive jewellery in your hotel safe.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz; three-pin plugs - both round and square - are in use.

Immigration authorities don’t require visitors to show proof of vaccinations on arrival in Malaysia. It’s recommended, however, that you ensure you are up to date with standard inoculations before you travel.

Tap water is considered safe to drink here, but many people choose to purify the water by boiling it first. Bottled water is also widely available. Foods shouldn’t present a problem, but peeling raw fruits and vegetables before eating them is a good safeguard. It’s also important to make sure any seafood is properly cooked, as parasites can cause severe stomach and intestinal problems.

Medical services are available to visitors at reasonable prices throughout Malaysia, and are typically of a high standard both at government and private hospitals. In fact, the Malaysian government is promoting medical tourism, where visitors can combine a holiday in the country with treatment at any one the many private hospitals or clinics. Non-prescription medications are readily available at pharmacies, shopping centres and supermarkets in Selangor.

Assunta Hospital: +60 3 7782 3433
Emergency services: 999

Bahasa Melayu is the official language of Malaysia and is the primary language spoken in Selangor, although English is widely understood and spoken as well. Other languages and dialects that are also spoken here include Chinese dialects such as Cantonese, Foochow, Hainanese, Hakka and Hokkien as well as other languages such as Malayam, Panjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Thai. Most people working in the tourism sector are able to speak English.

Malaysia’s unit of currency unit is the ringgit, which is abbreviated as RM. One ringgit equals 100 sen. Banknotes of the following denominations are in circulation: RM100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of: RM1 and 50, 20, 10 and 5 sen.

Major foreign currencies can be exchanged for ringgits readily, with the best rates typically offered by licensed currency exchange offices. The rates at banks are generally not as favourable. Licensed exchange outlets can be found at airports, city centres and at most major shopping malls.

ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, but are virtually nonexistent in remote areas. It’s a good idea to have cash available when you head out of the population centres, although credit cards are generally accepted at most hotels, resorts, restaurants and upscale shops.

Visitors may bring in the following items duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; one bottle of liquor; and perfume for personal use. Gifts, in a reasonable amount and of a reasonable value, may also be brought into Malaysia duty-free. If you’re a non-resident and bringing in foreign currency in an amount exceeding USD10,000, your funds must be declared on arrival. Firearms, ammunition, narcotics and endangered animal and plant species may not be brought into the country.

As Malaysia is a melting pot of several cultures, visitors will find that the country is largely westernised when it comes to social etiquette, but there are still clear cultural and religious practices which should be understood. The more devout Muslims follow conservative practices that it’s best for visitors to be aware of and to follow.

You’ll find that many Malaysians greet each other using a very light handshake and then place their right hand over their heart. It is not considered polite to use your left hand to offer or receive anything, as the left hand is thought of as unclean. Public, physical displays of affection between sexes in public are frowned upon.

Some mosques are restricted to Muslims only and there are areas of mosques that should not be entered unless you are Muslim. It’s best to look for signs or to ask in advance. Conservative, modest dress is also expected and shoes must be removed before entering mosques, temples and private homes.

Malaysians don’t point at people using their right forefinger, as this is considered impolite. Typically, they point with their right thumb, with the fingers of their right hand folded into a fist, underneath.

Dining Etiquette
When you’re in a restaurant, you’ll likely to observe Malaysians eating using the fingers of their right hand. If you would like to do the same, be sure that you use your right hand only, as the left hand is normally used in personal hygiene.

If you’re invited to a Malaysian’s home, it’s a good idea to arrive with a gift. Although this isn’t essential, it will be appreciated by your host, particularly if it’s a souvenir from your home country. You’ll find Malaysians to be very hospitable, and if you are offered something to eat or drink it’s considered rude to refuse.

All visitors who enter Malaysia must possess a passport that is valid for at least six months longer than their intended stay. For those who require a visa for entry, application must be made in advance at a Malaysian embassy or consulate abroad.

Nationals of most Commonwealth countries do not require a visa. Nationals of the following countries do require a visa: Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Nationals of the Republic of Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, San Marino and Switzerland do not require a visa.

For stays of up to three months, nationals of the following countries do not require a visa: Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, USA and Yemen.

For stays of up to one month, nationals of all ASEAN countries and Hong Kong do not require a visa. For stays that are longer than one month, however, ASEAN nationals require a visa (with the exception of citizens of Brunei and Singapore).

The main tourist information office is Tourism Malaysia Selangor. You’ll find pamphlets on area attractions, free maps and some information on other destinations in Malaysia at this office. Information regarding specific tours and treks is best obtained at travel agencies and hotels. The tourist office is located in the Putra World Trade Centre on Jalan Tun Ismail in Kuala Lumpur. Phone: +60 3 2693 5188; website: www.tourism.gov.my.