Facts for the Traveler
Malaysia
Population: 23 million
People: 50% Malay, 33% Chinese, 9% Indian, plus indigenous tribes
such as Orang Asli and Iban
Language: Malay, English, Tamil (click
here to learn some basic Malay words)
Religion: 52% Muslim, 17% Buddhist, 12% Taoist, 8% Christian, 8%
Hindu, 2% tribal
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8
Dialling Code: 60
Electricity: 240V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: MetricVisas: Commonwealth citizens and most European nationals do not
need visas for visits of less than three months. Visitors are usually issued
an extendable 30- or 60-day visa on arrival
When to Go
Malaysia is hot and humid all year so you're going to have sunshine and
sweat pretty much whenever you visit. It is, however, best to avoid the
November to January rainy season on Peninsula Malaysia's east coast if you
want to enjoy the beaches. The time to see turtles on the east coast is
between May and September.
Events
The major Islamic events are connected with Ramadan, the ninth month of
the Muslim calendar. The major Malaysian festival is Hari Raya Puasa,
which marks the end of Ramadan with three days of joyful celebrations.
Hari Raya Haji marks the successful completion of the hajj
(pilgrimage to Mecca) with a two-day feast of cakes and sweets. Chinese
New Year, in January or February, is welcomed in with dances, parades
and much good cheer. The festival of Thaipusam in late January is one
of the most dramatic Hindu festivals (now banned in India) during which
devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing masochism - definitely
not for the squeamish. In KL, devotees march to nearby Batu Caves; in Penang,
the event is celebrated at the Waterfall Temple. The Kota Belud Tamu
Besar is a huge tribal gathering held in May at Kota Belud near Kota
Kinabalu in Sabah. It includes a massive market, traditional ceremonies,
ornately decorated horsemen, medicine men and tribal handicrafts. A smaller
tamu is held in Kota Belud every Sunday if you're not visiting during
May. |
