WEATHER Tropical climate with warm weather all year round.  Temperatures range from 21C to 32C.  Annual rainfall varies from 20cm - 25cm.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period.  Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits.
FOOD Dining in Malaysia is a truely gastronomic experience.  The multicultural nature of Malaysia's population has provided a rich legacy of local cuisine and creative styles of preparation. Cuisine Characters & Examples Malay Natural, home-grown ingredients figure prominently in Malay food.  Coconut, chilli, lemon grass, lime leaves, spices and tumeric are basic ingredients cooked with fish, meat or vegetables.Eg, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Padang, Mee Jawa etc. Chinese The Chinese enjoy rice as a staple served with a number of generally non-spicy vegetables and meat dishes but noodles feature prominently in great variety and combinations. Eg, Hainanese chicken rice, ngah poh fan etc. Indian Among the popular Indian Muslim dishes is nasi kandar.  Eg, Curry Laksa, Nasi Briyani etc. Nyonya This style of cooking is quite elaborate involving a fine blending of many ingredients of spices, herbs and plants with onions, garlic and chilli.  Eg, Mee Siam, Otak-otak etc. Portuguese Portuguese food reflects a unique blending of spice paste, pounded herbs, lemon grass and shallots. Eg, Devil curry, Karing karing Fretu etc.
RELIGION Islam is the official religion but all other religions are practised freely.
LANGUAGE Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken.  The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Public transport in Hong Kong is plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Taxis are numerous and fares are displayed on meters. Visitors can also use the quick and efficient Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and bus system. Also recommended are the tram on Hong Kong Island and the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. Passenger ferries connect to outlying islands.
SHOPPING A favourable exchange rate ensures that shopping is relatively cheap in Malaysia.  There is a great variety of handicraft of local origin ranging from intricate silver, brass and pewter items to pottery, rattan and wickerwork.  Art objects include curio items from the orient, carpets and rugs of lustrous silk and fine wool.
SHOPPING TIPS It is wise to compare prices before you buy to ensure you get the best bargains.  Prices in teh bigger stores are usually fixed although bargaining is still practised in smaller shops and roadside stalls.  Check for the correct voltage in electronic and electrical goods.  Malaysia uses 220 volts.   Most stores, however, often sell electrical goods without plugs, which are fitted on request.
CURRENCY The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM.  Foreign currencies can be converted at banks and money changers.
DO's & DON'Ts When visiting Malaysia, the visitor should observe local customs and practices. Handshakes generally suffice for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge an introduction to a genteman with a nod of head and smile.   The traditional greeting "salam" resembles a handshare with both hands but without the grasp.  The visitor should reciprocate the "salam". Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian home. The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or when giving and receiving objects. The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons.  Instead, the thumb of the right hand with the four fingers, folded under is the preferred usage.

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