Travelers going to Malaysia should make sure that the passport is valid for at least six months. Upon entering the country, Malaysian immigration officials will stamp your travel documents so you know how long you can legally stay in the country. Do not exceed the allowed travel time, which is usually 90 days.

This passport should be carried when touring or going around. However, as a safety precaution, make sure you have a copy of your travel documents with you. You may opt to carry a photocopy of the travel documents instead and leave the originals in the hotel safe. If you plan to travel to Sabah and Sarawak, you must show your valid passport to the immigration authorities there when you move from the mainland.

Going to a foreign country entails a certain degree of risk. Overall, Malaysia is considered safe and normal safety precautions should be observed. However, there are some areas in the country that are of special concern. Check with your hotel concierge on which places to avoid and which areas are safe to explore together with a group or on your own.

For those travelers who choose to stay in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities, a certain degree of caution must be exercised. When going around Malaysia, practice basic common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Petty crime is common, although violent crime is rare. Pickpockets and purse snatchers are common. In some cases, purse grabbing is done on a pedestrian while the perpetrator is riding a motorcycle or car, resulting in some injury to the victim. Some crimes have escalated with the use of a small knife to injure the victim so that the valuables are more easily grabbed. Other items that have been snatched include handbags and cellular phones. In many instances, women, joggers and women with children have been the frequent targets of these petty crimes.

Avoid wearing flashy jewelry and expensive watches as these may lure thieves. It’s better to leave your valuables at home. Be mindful of the surroundings when using cameras, video cameras, cellular phones, laptops and other expensive electronics. Do not carry too much cash when going out during the day and leave an extra credit card in your hotel just in case.

In response to increasing petty crime against tourists, “Tourist Police” stations have been set up by the government in high tourist areas such as Petaling Street in Chinatown, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang and in Malacca. Travelers can ask for help from the police personnel stationed there. It’s also a good idea to walk against the flow of traffic and to stay further in the sidewalk, instead of near the curb. They are easy to identify. They wear dark blue uniform and a hat with a checkered hat band. Both the hat band and the blue badge have a red letter “T” on them.

Other non-violent crime against foreign nationals includes car jacking or car theft. Smash and grab robberies also occur. When at stoplights, the criminals on motorcycles can smash the windows with a hammer to grab the purse and other valuables inside the vehicle before speeding off. If you are riding a taxi or driving a vehicle in Malaysia, keep your doors locked and your windows rolled up. Keep your valuables away from prying hands and eyes by placing it on the floor or in the trunk of the car.

Credit card fraud is a growing concern in Malaysia. Use your card only in reputable establishments, such as hotels. Pay in cash when possible or use a credit card with strict security features or a low credit card limit. If using a credit card, be sure to keep an eye on it at all times, especially since under the table swiping transactions may occur, wherein the card is swiped to obtain the information. In many instances, as much as $5,000 in unauthorized transactions may be illegally charged to your card, which often reflects on the bill long after the traveler has left Malaysia, making it impossible to track down the perpetrators.

When using the ATM machines, go to well lit areas and check the surroundings before withdrawing the cash. Do not linger at ATM machines and ensure that no one else can see your PIN. Malaysian ATMs use six digit codes so travelers who have a four digit PIN may encounter some difficulty when making an ATM transaction. Change your dollars at a reputable bank instead of the black market if you need cash. Traveler’s checks are not recognized in Malaysia.

When going out, do not leave your drink unattended. There have been instances wherein drink spiking has happened, wherein the victim is robbed after losing consciousness. Women should be especially careful about accepting drinks from strangers.

It’s a good idea to get a medical check up before you leave your home country. This way, you can be assured that you are in the best medical health possible and there won’t be any medical issues that may affect your vacation or trip to Malaysia. Also, purchase travel medical insurance to ensure that you have coverage in case you need medical attention while on vacation. Most policies work on a reimbursement basis, so keep all receipts, test results and other information ready when you file a claim.

Pack any prescription medication with you in your check-in luggage so you don’t need to worry about where you will obtain your medication in case of lost or delayed luggage. Keep the prescription medication in its original packaging and bring copies of the prescription issued by your doctor that you can easily present should you be questioned about your medication. Many over the counter medications are readily available, although you may want to bring your own small supply for convenience. This is also a safeguard since recreational drug use is prohibited in the country and you if you cannot prove that the medicine have with you are not illicit drugs you may be charged and given extreme penalties.

Travelers to Malaysia are advised to pack some insect repellant spray or lotion, especially those going to Penang and other parts that tend to have a lot of foliage. There are many mosquitoes. Sunscreen lotion is another must have since Malaysia is a tropical country and is sunny and hot most of the year.

There are many adequate medical facilities and well-trained doctors in the country. Many speak English, and may in fact, be even western-trained, so it’s not difficult to get proper medical care while in Malaysia in case travelers have a medical emergency. However, emergency ambulance care may not be similar with those in the US and other countries.

Travelers should be aware that there are times of the month wherein air quality may be compromised because of the burning of vegetation in Malaysia and the other neighboring islands. This is especially true in the months of March, April, May and June, as well as September and October. Travelers with respiratory conditions should check out any advisories regarding air quality during this time.

As a precaution, be careful about buying and eating street food, especially in the Bukit Bintang area. The food items being sold by street hawkers may look appealing, but may not always have been prepared with strict adherence to food sanitation procedures. When you want to buy local fruits, prefer to buy whole fruits rather than the cut ones. Tap water is not potable so travelers should purchase bottled water when dining out. It’s also a good idea to bring a bottle of drinking water when touring so you can easily re-hydrate during the day. Packing along some anti-acids may also prove useful, especially for travelers with a sensitive constitution. Some food items can be too spicy for travelers and may result in indigestion or an upset stomach.

When out shopping, check your merchandise thoroughly before paying for the item and determine if you really want the item or not. Return policies may not be as liberal as in other countries. Also, do not get tempted to buy pirated goods and other fake items. This is illegal to bring back to your home country, and may subject you to strict fines and penalties.

Travelers should be aware that there are some laws in Malaysia that may differ from other countries. For example, there are strict penalties when people remove certain types of flowers, plants or animals from the country without any authorization from the Malaysian government. Caning is a recognized penalty for some crimes.

When visiting zoos and other places such as the Batu Caves, be careful when you are around animals that freely roam around. Some animals can get quite mischievous or sometimes even aggressive, such as the macaques, which may get too playful with the guests. Some animals may eat the lunch or any food items you have brought with you. Some animals may playfully snatch hats, fruits, snacks, small purses and other items, so keep an eye out and keep a safe distance.

The majority of the people in Malaysia are Muslims. It is against the law to distribute leaflets and other religious materials about another faith to Muslims in Malaysia. This is a crime that is subject to penalties, including imprisonment. Travelers should also be careful about the type of reading materials, videos and other electronic recordings they bring in to the country. Those that are deemed too risqué or obscene may be confiscated. Likewise, display of affection in public is frowned upon. While in Malaysia you should remember not to use your index finger to point at things. Use your thumb instead.

Travelers, especially women are advised to dress appropriately and conservatively. Bare arms, legs or clothing that is quite revealing is not appropriate in Malaysia, especially when visiting temples and other religious sites. Be sure to check what other people are doing. While it is mandatory that you remove your shoes when entering someone’s home, there are shops in Malaysia that require patrons to remove their shoes, too.

Travelers should be aware that public restroom facilities are not readily available in many areas of Malaysia. Often, these may not be as clean as expected and may not always have toilet paper. There are some public toilets with a minimal entrance fee. Pack your own travel tissues or travel sized moist towelettes in your purse and carry some hand sanitizer with you at all times.

Because of people’s strict adherence to their Muslim beliefs, certain practices are also not condoned. These include premarital sex, nudity, gambling and drinking. Religious authorities have the capacity to coordinate with local police officials to conduct raids of places in order to stop certain activities that may offend religious sensibilities, such as bar, nightclubs or casinos.

Getting around Malaysia is quite easy for travelers, as taxis abound. Those who wish to drive may rent a vehicle and are advised to use an international driver’s license. Keep in mind that people drive on the left hand side in Malaysia and operate right hand drive vehicles. Also, road quality conditions may differ, especially during the monsoon season when flooding occurs. Traffic tends to be quite heavy. There are also many motorcyclists to contend with, making driving conditions a bit tricky for some travelers. It is illegal to drive while using the cellular phone and wearing a seat belt is a must. Drinking and driving is against the law. Travelers may encounter various mandatory checkpoints to ensure the sobriety of drivers in Malaysia.

For those travelers who will stay in Malaysia for a short while and prefer to relax, it’s best to use public transportation, such as taxicabs to get from one point to another. Travelers who go out at night should know that meter rates differ after midnight. Many drivers will also opt to negotiate the fare instead of using a meter, especially when there is a high volume of passengers or when there is inclement weather.

Keeping these Malaysia travel safety tips should help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to the country. There’s so much to see and so many activities to do, but make your safety a priority at all times. Our Travel Guide Malaysia handbook is an excellent resource to have during your trip, so keep it handy.