GENERAL
Official name of the state
Malaysia
Capital
Kuala Lumpur.
Geography
As a country located in Asia according to localcollegeexplorer, Malaysia consists of the states of West Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula between the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) in the north of the island of Borneo, 650 km away.
The landscapes of Malaysia are as diverse as the people who live here – the peninsula consists of forested mountain ranges that extend from north to south, and of low-lying coastal plains with a total length of 1900 km on both sides of the mountain ranges. Mangrove swamps and mud banks predominate on the west coast, and thick jungle and lonely white beaches on the unprotected east coast. The western plains have been cleared and are used for agriculture. The coastal plains of Sarawak consist of alluvial land, partly with swamps, as well as rivers that arise in the jungle-covered mountains of the interior. In Sabah, the narrow coastal strip turns directly into jungle and high mountains. The highest mountain in Malaysia is the Kinabalu with 4094 m.
The islands of Penang and Pangkor and the 99 islands Langkawi are off the west coast; Tioman, Redang, Perhentian and Rawa not far from the east coast.
Government
Constitutional electoral monarchy and parliamentary democracy (in the Commonwealth) since 1963. Constitution of 1957, amendment of the constitution of 1994 restricted the privileges of the sultan’s families, last amendment in 2007. Bicameral parliament: People’s assembly (Dewan Rakyat) with 222 members and Senate (Dewan Negara) with 70 members. Independent since 1957 (former British protectorate).
Head of state
King Muhammad V ibni Sultan Ismail Petra (Sultan of Kelantan), since December 2016.
Head of government
Najib Razak, since 2009.
Electricity
240 V, 50 Hz. Three-pole plugs are generally used, light bulbs have English bayonet sockets. An adapter is recommended.
Time zone
Malaysia Time: CET +9
CULINARY
Regional specialities
- Sambal(a paste made from ground chilli, onions, and tamarind) is often served as a side dish.
- Blachan(paste made from dried crabs) is very common.
- Ikan bilis(dried anchovies) are served with drinks.
- A popular dish is saté(a selection of different types of meat, especially chicken, roasted on skewers over the fire) with a spicy peanut sauce and a salad.
- Gula Malakka(a firm sago pudding with palm sugar sauce) is also offered in the restaurants.
- Nasi lemak(steamed rice with coconut milk, dried anchovies, sambal, peanuts and eggs) is a national dish that can be found just about anywhere.
- Char Kway Teow(fried rice noodles with meat or fish) is a quick and inexpensive meal.
- Nasi goreng(Malaysian style fried rice) is a popular food at street stalls and night markets; It is often taken as a travel provisions for longer bus trips.
- Roti canai(fried flat bread Urry sauce) is a delicious and inexpensive snack that happy with a cup of Teh Tarik (translated literally “pulled tea”) is washed down.
- Rendang daging(gently cooked beef with lemongrass and coconut) is a rich and filling main course that is mainly served on special occasions.
Useful information
In restaurants, meals are usually served at the table. Indian and Malaysian dishes are traditionally eaten with the right hand.
Tip
10% service and 5% government tax are added to most hotel bills. A 10% tip is advisable in the restaurant. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips.
Regional drinks
Although Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, beer, wine and spirits are also served in the bars and restaurants of the larger cities. Local beers such as Tiger and Anchor are particularly recommended, and the famous Singapore Sling Cocktail is worth trying. In Borneo you should definitely try the traditional tuak (rice wine).
Minimum age for consuming alcoholic beverages
The minimum age for drinking alcohol is not regulated in Malaysia; However, alcohol may only be sold to people over the age of 18. The purchase and consumption of alcohol is officially prohibited for Muslims.
CULTURE
Religion
Islam is the state religion; there are also Christians, Buddhists, Confucians and Hindus.
Social rules of conduct
General: Malaysia’s population is made up of a mixture of very different cultures that live together without much difficulty. In some mosques, non-Muslims are not welcome to visit, so you should always ask before entering.
Manners: The usual forms of courtesy should be observed. Malaysians greet with the Islamic “Peace be upon you”, men are addressed as Encik (Enschik), unmarried women as Cik (pronounced Sche) and wives as Puan. Chinese and Indians usually greet Europeans. The left hand is considered unclean and is not used for eating or greeting. The hospitality is always warm, generous and informal. Visitors should follow the Malaysian example and especially show respect for religious customs, e.g. B. Take off your shoes at the door, wear appropriate clothing and do not stroke strangers’ heads. Kissing and exchanging tenderness in public are frowned upon; Especially same-sex couples should refrain from making public declarations of love.
Clothing: Clothing can be casual, but not too tight. Your shoulders and knees should be covered. It is advisable to have a pair of long trousers and long-sleeved tops in your luggage, as it can be very cool in air-conditioned rooms. Swimwear belongs on the beach. Nudity in public is prohibited by law, including sunbathing without a bikini top.
Smoking: The government has been trying to curb smoking in cities for some time. A large fine is levied on smoking in public buildings such as cinemas, theaters, air-conditioned restaurants, petrol stations, shopping centers and libraries, as well as on public transport.
Note: You should absolutely refrain from using any drugs, as possession alone can result in the death penalty.
Tipping: In restaurants and hotels, tips in the form of a service fee are already included in the bill. For this reason, tips are not expected there, but are welcome. In a taxi, the travel costs are rounded up.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +60 Area (square km) 329847 Population 30 513 848 Population density (per square km) 93 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 999
