Malaysia
Last Updated: 19 September 2000
Still Current at: 19 October 2000
MOST VISITS TO MALAYSIA ARE TROUBLE-FREE. VISITORS SHOULD NOT BECOME INVOLVED WITH DRUGS OF ANY KIND: POSSESSION OF EVEN VERY SMALL QUANTITIES CAN LEAD TO IMPRISONMENT OR, IN SERIOUS CASES, THE DEATH PENALTY. WE ADVISE AGAINST TRAVEL TO THE ISLANDS OFF THE EAST COAST OF SABAH.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Visitors should be aware that the incidence of street crime, particularly bag snatching, is increasing. They should take particular care of their passports, as passport theft, including on aircraft and in airport buildings, is common. Do not leave possessions in unattended vehicles, even if out of sight in a locked boot. There are reports of muggings in Sempona and Lahad Datu, on the east coast of Sabah, East Malaysia.
Credit card fraud is on the increase. Care should therefore be taken when making payments by credit card.
Police permission is required for certain kinds of public gatherings in Malaysia. Travellers are therefore advised to avoid street gatherings and demonstrations, which might place them at risk.
There have been an increasing number of attacks against ships in and around Malaysian waters. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take sensible precautions.
There have been reports of serious personal problems as a result of taking up offers of voluntary work with the Utan Bara Adventure Team (UBAT); advice should be sought from the Consular Section of the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur before responding to these offers.
LOCAL TRAVEL
We advise against all travel to the islands off the east cost of Sabah. On 23 April a Moslem separatist group kidnapped twenty-one people, including ten foreign tourists, from the diving resort of Sipadan, an island off the east coast of Sabah, East Malaysia. They were taken to the southern Philippines. The last of these foreign tourists were released on 9 September. The next day members of the same separatist group took three further hostages, all Malaysians, from Pandanan Island, another diving resort, near Sipadan. In response to these incidents the Malaysian authorities have significantly increased security in the area. Nevertheless, while the southern Philippines remains tense, there is a risk of further attempts to take hostages. There is a need for increased vigilance when visiting parts of coastal Sabah near to the islands.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
There are severe penalties for all drug offences in Malaysia, including in some cases, the death penalty, or, in the case of possession, whipping in addition to any custodial sentence imposed. This also includes the possession of or trafficking in Amphetamine-type stimulants. Travellers should be aware that there is a possibility that they could be asked to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if they are suspected of having used drugs prior to their visit. Should the test prove positive, the person concerned could be referred for rehabilitation treatment or deported.
The importation of unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia is prohibited. Possession can carry the death penalty.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry to Malaysia is normally refused to visitors holding passports with less than six months' validity.
Under current Malaysian exchange control rules, travellers may import or export up to RM1,000 per person without prior approval. There are no limits on the amount of foreign currency (notes and/or traveller's cheques) travellers may import. Non-residents may export foreign currency (notes and/or traveller's cheques) up to the amount they previously imported, provided they have documentary evidence of the amount they imported. All travellers must complete travellers' declaration forms on entering Malaysia. Penalties for offences under the Exchange Control Act 1953 are a fine of up to RM10,000; three years' imprisonment; or both.
GENERAL
It is essential that travellers take out full insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents, as well as cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passports or luggage.
Travellers whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware that there are threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes G202, A454/A466, G668/V668, V838 and V888. Some airlines continue to use these routes. Others including all British carriers, use alternative routes V876 and G500/V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. Travellers should check direct either with travel agents or airlines which routes other airlines are using.
CONTACT DETAILS
British High Commission, 185 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur; (tel: +603 2482122; fax: +603 2449692) email: Website: www.britain.org.my/
Office hours (GMT): Mon-Fri 2400-0430/0515-0830
British Diplomatic Missions in Malaysia: contact details
For medical and inoculations advice, contact your GP. The Department of Health's Health Advice for Travellers website provides travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK. The site advises on health risks around the world and how to avoid them, a country-by-country immunisation checklist and how to obtain medical treatment abroad.
Visa information is available from the relevant Embassy/Consulate in London.
FCO Travel Advice is also displayed on BBC2 CEEFAX (see p470 for details). NB: While every care has been taken in preparing these notes, neither Her Majesty's Government nor any member of the British Consular Staff abroad can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
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