malaysia

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• A large street demonstration is planned to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 9 January, in the vicinity of the Jalan Duta Court Complex, to coincide with the verdict in the trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Counter protests are also being planned nearby. The police have indicated that they will set up roadblocks on a number of major roads into the city, and localised traffic disruption in the court area is likely. It is possible that police will move to disperse the protestors. Demonstrations may occur in other parts of the city and other parts of Malaysia. You should avoid all demonstrations and areas where protests are taking place, and monitor the local media for the latest developments.  
  
  
• There are indications that both criminal and terrorist groups are planning violent acts against foreign tourists in eastern Sabah. Of particular concern are resorts located in isolated parts of eastern Sabah including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan. This includes transportation routes to and from island resorts. Terrorist groups and criminal gangs have been responsible for acts of piracy and kidnappings of foreign tourists in eastern Sabah in the past. Travellers should exercise caution if travelling in these areas.
  
  
• There is a general threat from terrorism in Malaysia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See the Terrorism  section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the past in East Malaysia and we believe that this threat remains. Boats travelling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets. If you wish to visit resorts on, and islands off, Eastern Sabah, you should exercise caution.
  
  
• If you plan to travel over the border to Thailand you should be aware that there has been a resurgence of terrorism in southern Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.  We advise against all but essential travel to these Thai provinces. See our Travel Advice for Thailand.
  
  
• You should not become involved with drugs of any kind: possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment or the death penalty. See Local Laws and Customs.
  
  
• Around 435,500 British nationals visit Malaysia each year (Source: Tourism Malaysia). See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• Malaysia is a multicultural but predominantly Muslim country, and as such you should respect local social conventions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultural or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see our Travelling During Ramadan page.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is a general threat from terrorism in Malaysia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more see our Terrorism Abroad page.

There are indications that both criminal and terrorist groups are planning violent acts against foreign tourists in eastern Sabah.  Of particular concern are resorts located in isolated parts of eastern Sabah including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan. This includes transportation routes to and from island resorts. Terrorist groups and criminal gangs have been responsible for acts of piracy and kidnappings of foreign tourists in eastern Sabah in the past. Travellers should exercise caution if travelling in these areas.

You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

Foreign tourists were kidnapped from the Malaysian island of Sipadan in 2000, and foreign workers from a resort near Lahad Datu in Eastern Sabah in 2003. On 10 February 2010 two Malaysian seaweed farmers were abducted from Sebangkat Island, off Semporia in Sabah. We believe that the threat from kidnapping remains. Boats travelling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets. If you wish to visit resorts on, and islands off, Eastern Sabah (from Kudat eastwards to Tawau), you should exercise caution.

The Malaysian Government has put in place measures to combat terrorism and has arrested a number of terrorist suspects. In Sabah, the authorities have increased security, but there is a continuing risk of further incidents. If you wish to go to remote areas, you are advised to register your itinerary with the local police or your hotel/tour operator beforehand.  

In neighbouring Indonesia, Westerners were killed and injured following the terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005) and Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004).  

If you plan to travel over the border to Thailand you should be aware that since January 2004 there has been a resurgence of terrorism in southern Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. We recommend against all but essential travel to these four Thai provinces. Since January 2004, there have been almost daily attacks in the far south. These include arson, bombings and shootings. Over 2500 people have been killed and several thousand more injured. Tourist hotels and bars, shops, market places, transport infrastructure, in particular rail tracks and in trains, have all been targeted.  No British nationals have been killed in these attacks, but some foreign citizens have been killed and injured.

For more read the Travel Advice for Thailand. 

Safety and Security - Crime
There were confirmed incidents involving arson, attempted arson and vandalism against places of worship across Malaysia in early January 2010. No-one was injured in these attacks, nor were any foreign tourists involved. You should exercise caution and avoid demonstrations, which might place you at risk. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this Travel Advice. You should be aware of the dangers of street crime, particularly bag snatching and pickpockets - and scams involving gambling or spiked drinks.

Incidents of bag snatching are common. There have been many cases of bags being snatched by thieves on motorbikes. When going out, avoid carrying valuables with you. Bags with shoulder straps should either be carried with the bag towards the pavement rather than the road, or tucked under the arm. Do not wrap the strap around your arm or shoulder and do not try to hold on to your bag. People have been injured or killed by being pulled to the ground by their bag straps. If your bag is snatched, make a police report as soon as possible

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Take particular care of your belongings especially your passport, as visitors' passports have been stolen on aircraft, cafes, airport and railway terminals, and from hotel rooms.
• Be careful if offered a drink by a stranger, even in a reputable bar or restaurant. Such approaches can involve spiked drinks, and have resulted in cases of robbery and assault.
• Do not open your hotel room door to strangers, even those wearing hotel uniform, and especially late at night. This applies particularly to women travelling alone.
• Credit card and ATM fraud is widespread. Take great care when making payments by credit card and using ATMs. There have been many instances where cards have been duplicated and skimming devices added to ATMs.
  

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
A UK driving licence can be used in Malaysia for three months only. If you intend to stay in Malaysia for longer than three months you should get either a Malaysian driving licence or an annually renewable International Driving Permit.

If you intend to hire cars, motorcycles or any motorised water sport equipment, talk to your travel insurer to check if it is covered by your insurance policy.

Road conditions in Peninsular Malaysia are generally good but less so in East Malaysia. Traffic (particularly motor cyclists) will not always stop at traffic lights or on pedestrian crossings.    If you are involved in a road accident you are obliged by law to remain at the scene until the police have attended. However, if a crowd should gather, it would be prudent to leave the scene and report to the nearest police station.

There have been a number of fatal bus crashes in Malaysia, particularly on overnight journeys.  Choose a reputable operator for your journey.

If you rent a motorbike you should take the same safety precautions as in the UK. Malaysian law states that helmets must be worn.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence in Malaysia and the traffic police regularly carry out breath tests.  Anyone over the legal limit can face a heavy fine or a jail sentence.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Sea and River Travel
Piracy in South East Asian waters is an ongoing problem. There have been a number of attacks against ships in and around Malaysian waters, particularly in the Strait of Malacca and in the waters between Sabah and the southern Philippines. Mariners should be vigilant and take appropriate precautions; reduce opportunities for theft; establish secure areas onboard; and report all incidents to the coastal and flag state authorities. Vessels which encounter problems at sea should contact the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre on the standard distress channel.

There have been instances of passenger boats sinking, usually due to overloading and/or poor maintenance. You should exercise care at all times when travelling by passenger ferry or speedboat and avoid travel on vessels that are clearly overloaded or in poor condition. You should also ensure that life jackets are available.

Safety and Security - Water sports and scuba diving
If you choose to rent jet skis or any other type of water sports equipment, you should first consider the dangers involved and satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place. Once satisfied about this, rent only from reputable operators and insist on sufficient training before use. Also ensure that the operator is licensed and has adequate insurance cover.

The standards maintained by diving schools and rescue services are not always as high and comprehensive as they might be in the UK. Check a dive operator's credentials carefully before using them and ensure that your insurance covers you for all of the activities that you undertake. If you are an experienced diver you should purchase dive specific insurance and check that your qualifications and experience fall within the cover provided. You should contact your issuing authority if you are in any doubt (i.e. PADI or BSAC). If you have had no previous diving experience you should ask your dive operator to explain what cover they offer before signing up for a course; you should also be satisfied that sufficient safety equipment is available on the boat, particularly oxygen. You should also ask about contingency plans, which should include the ability to call for help whilst at sea and to evacuate divers to the nearest hyperbaric chamber if necessary.

The sites of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, which lie in international waters off Kuantan, have been declared “Protected Places” under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. You should only dive there on a "look not touch" basis and should not attempt to penetrate the wrecks, which lie in deep water. You should also exercise extreme caution. One British diver recently died while diving on HMS Repulse. If you have evidence of any other type of activity on or near the wrecks, please report it to the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

See our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
Airport departure tax is included in the ticket price.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Malaysia Country Profile

Police permission is required for certain kinds of public gatherings in Malaysia. Since October 2007 there have been demonstrations, which did not have the required police permission. Police have sometimes used tear gas and water cannons to control crowds. You should exercise caution and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people, which might place you at risk.

Malaysia is a multicultural but predominantly Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultural or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see our Travelling During Ramadan page.

You should also dress modestly in conservative and rural areas, and when visiting places of worship.  Homosexual acts are illegal.

If you are a Muslim you should be aware that you may also be subject to local Shari'a law.

There are severe penalties for all drug offences in Malaysia: trafficking (defined here as the possession of a certain quantity of drugs) incurs a mandatory death penalty; possession incurs a custodial sentence and possible whipping.  This includes the possession of or trafficking in Amphetamine-type stimulants. 

You could be asked to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if you are suspected of having used drugs before your visit.  Should the test prove positive, you could be referred for rehabilitation treatment or be deported.

The importation of unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia is prohibited.  Possession can carry the death penalty. 

See our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

British nationals do not need a visa to enter Malaysia as a visitor.  You will normally be given permission to stay for three months on arrival. Visas for longer stays or for non-tourist purposes must be obtained from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission before travel.

The Malaysian authorities are running a vigorous campaign against illegal immigration and are therefore inspecting immigration documents, such as work permits, very closely. It is important that you neither overstay your visa, nor infringe the terms of entry.  Persons doing so (even overstaying for just a few days) will incur a fine and possibly detention and deportation. UK citizens travelling from Peninsular Malaysia to East Malaysia (sometimes known as Malaysian Borneo and comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak) need to carry their passports to enter East Malaysia.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Malaysia. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Malaysia.

Entry Requirements - Biometric Registration
The Malaysian Immigration Department has introduced a biometric registration system. Under the new system all foreigners entering Malaysia by land, air and sea will have biometric fingerprints taken at the immigration entry point. Implementation of the system began on 1 June 2011. Children below 12 years of age will be exempted as will holders of diplomatic passports and VVIPs with prior approval from the Immigration Department.

Entry Requirements - Dual nationals
Dual nationals should also be aware that Malaysia does not recognise dual nationality, so technically you can be refused entry if you are found to be holding two passports of different nationality. If you are a dual national it is advisable to enter Malaysia on the passport on which you exited your last country of departure.

Entry Requirements - Exchange control rules
Under current Malaysian exchange control rules, you may import or export up to 10,000 Malaysian Ringgit per person without prior approval. There are no limits on the amount of foreign currency (notes and or travellers' cheques) you may import or export.  However, if your currency exceeds the equivalent of USD 10,000 you are required to declare this to the customs authorities on entry and/or exit. Penalties for non-declaration or false declaration include a fine of up to RM 1 million and/or up to three years’ imprisonment. 

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. They may want to see birth certificates, a letter of consent from the other parent or some evidence as to your responsibility for the child. Malaysian authorities do not normally require such evidence but if you have any concerns please check with Malaysian representation in the UK.

Emergency medical care in all hospitals is good. However standards of care in government hospitals can be variable. Both government and private hospitals charge for all services. Private care is expensive.

Since June 2010 there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of Leptospirosis (also known as Weil’s disease) including some deaths. Travellers should avoid bathing in rivers or waterfalls as a precaution against infection.

Malaysia has periodic problems with air quality reaching hazardous levels because of smoke haze.  For more information on the air quality in Malaysia please visit the website of the Malaysian Department of Environment.

Dengue fever, malaria and other mosquito borne illnesses (including chikungunya fever) occur in Malaysia. Dengue Fever is prevalent in all states and serious outbreaks occur from time to time. We recommend that you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent at all times. There are no vaccinations against these diseases but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website. You should visit your GP to discuss malaria prevention tablets.

There are occasional outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) across Malaysia.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 100,000 adults aged 15 or over in Malaysia were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.5% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Malaysia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our Travel Health and Eat and Drink Safely pages.

Between the months of October to February Malaysia is affected by seasonal storms, which occasionally result in heavy flooding. As at 1 February, the states of Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Pahang and Sabah are experiencing heavy rainfall which has resulted in widespread flooding.

General - Insurance
You should get comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is our When Things Go Wrong page. 

General - Consular Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
103 British nationals required consular assistance in Malaysia in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 for the following types of incident; 38 deaths; 23 hospitalisations; and seven arrests, for a variety of offences.