Currency
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM, which is
equivalent to 100 cents.
Coins are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10,
20, 50 sen and RM1. Currency notes are in RM1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100.
Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or authorized money changers throughout the country.
Telephone
Local calls can be made from public phones, whether coin or card operated.
International calls can be made from phone booths with card phone
facilities or at any Telecom offices.
Most hotels are equipped with IDD
services with a minimal service charge.
Business Hours
The country runs on a normal eight hours a day system with Saturday as
half day and Sunday as a day of rest.
In the states of Kelantan,
Terengganu, and Kedah, Friday is a day of rest with Thursday as half days.
Department Stores and supermarkets are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tipping
Tipping is not a way of life in Malaysia, but is fast becoming one.
What to Wear
Light, cool, and casual clothing is recommended all year round.
For more
formal occasions, men should wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik
shirts whereas women should wear dresses.
Water
It is generally safe to drink water straight from the tap, but it is safer
to drink boiled water or bottled beverages.
Medical
Services
Medical services are available in most towns at government hospitals and
private clinics.
Non-prescription drugs are available at pharmacies, as
well as supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centers.
Local Touch
Food hawkers selling traditional and local delicacies make up the everyday
scenes in big or small towns throughout the country.
One can try "teh
tarik", a smoothened, creamed tea, and "roti canai", a
fluffy pancake prepared by a local person of Indian Muslim ancestry.
Spicy
Malay food, such as "nasi lemak" and various kinds of Chinese
noodles are also popular.
People from all walks of life frequent these
food stalls.
As Malaysia is a multi-religious country, various Muslim mosques, Buddhist
temples, Hindu temples, and Christian churches can be found almost
anywhere.
Despite the many changes and developments in the cities and big
towns, Malaysia has many "kampung" (villages), jungles, beaches,
and rice fields.
Many houses in the "kampung" are built on
stilts.
Batik cotton fashion is popular in Malaysia . It can be used for
casual wear, as well as formal functions.
Drug traffickers are
sentenced to death by Malaysian Law.
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