All About Malaysia Introduction Malaysia is a tropical wonderland situated in the heart of SouthEast Asia just north of the Equator. It is made up of two regions, i.e., Peninsular Malaysia which lies between Thailand and Singapore, while East Malaysia is situated across the South China Sea on the island of Borneo.Together, these two regions cover an area of about 330,434 square kilometers. The climate is hot and humid throughout the year, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures ranging from 21øC to 32øC. The average annual rainfall is between 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm.The rainy seasons are August - September along the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and November - February on the peninsula's East Coast and East Malaysia. Malaysia has a population of slightly over 17 million with 14 million living in Peninsular Malaysia, and 3 million in Sabah and Sarawak. They are of a variety of racial backgrounds, with Malays, Chinese and Indians forming the majority on the peninsula, and Iban, Kadazan and Bidayuh being the main indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak. Bahasa Malaysia is the official national language, but Chinese dialects and Tamil are still widely used in their respective communities, and most people speak English. Malaysian time is eight hours ahead of G.M.T. and sixteen hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time. Source:The Information Malaysia Yearbook (92-93) Malaysia lies entirely in the equatorial zone. The climate is governed by the regime of the north-east and south-west monsoons which blow alternately during the course of the year and whose existence in the days of sailing ships made the country the natural meeting and exchange point for traders from East and West. The northeast monsoon blows from approximately October till March, and the southwest monsoon between May and September, the periods of change between the two monsoons being marked by heavy rainfall. The northeast monsoon coming from across the open South China Sea is responsible for the heavy rains which hit the east coast of the Peninsula and frequently cause widespread floods, particularly between December and February, and likewise cause the wettest season in Sabah and Sarawak. Only Kedah and Perlis, lying too far north to be properly affected, go through a dry spell during this period. On the other hand, the period of the southwest monsoon is a drier period for the whole country, particularly for the other states of the west coast of the Peninsula, sheltered by the land mass of Sumatra. Being in the tropics the average temperature throughout the year is constantly high (26C or 80F). The diurnal temperature range is about 7C / 2F. Regional variation in temperature and rainfall is mainly due to relief, e.g. Cameron Highlands has a mean temperature of 18C / 65F and an annual rainfall of over 2500 mm / 100 inches compared to Kuala Lumpur's 27C / 81F) and 2410 mm / 95 inches. Near the coasts, land and sea breezes modify the temperature, while being surrounded on virtually all sides by sea results in the Peninsula's rather equable climate. Mornings are generally fine and convectional rainfalls in the late afternoons are often accompanied by lightning and thunder. The humidity is high (about 80%) due to the high temperature and a high rate of evaporation, and the rainfall heavy (more than 2500 mm / 100 inches). In general, Sabah and Sarawak experience a greater rainfall than the Peninsula. The Malay Peninsula forms the continuation of a series of mountain ranges extending from eastern Burma southward into Thailand. Except for some local variations the dominant regional trend of the mountains and valleys in the Peninsula is approximately NNW. Entry Formalities Into Malaysia Visitors must be in possession of national passport or other internationally recognized travel documents, endorsed for travelling in Malaysia and with a period of validity of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia. Visitors on social and business visit purposes are to be guided by the following visa requirements: Visa Exemption No visas are required for citizens of Commonwealth countries (except Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British Protected Persons or citizens of the Republic of Ireland and citizens of Switzerland, Netherland, San Marino and Liechtenstein. Three months Visa Free Visit Albania Algeria Austria Bahrain Belgium Czech Republic Republic of Slovakia Denmark Egypt Finland Germany Hungary Iceland Italy Japan Jordan Kuwait Luxembourg Lebanon Morocco Norway North Yemen Oman Qatar South Korea Sweden Saudi Arabia Turkey Tunisia United States of America United Arab Emirates One Month Visa Free Visit Applicable to citizens of ASEAN countries 14-Days Visa Free Visit Afghanistan Iran Iraq Libya Syria South Yemen 7-Days Visa Free Visit Bulgaria Romania Russia Note: As regulation may change from time to time, it is advisable to check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy before your departure. Source: Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Passports and Other Travel Documents Apart from issuing entry facilities for Malaysia, the Immigration Department also issues travel facilities in the form of a passport and other travel documents to Malaysian citizens and stateless permanent resident in Malaysia. As a condition for the issue of passports or other travel documents, all applicants, including children if accompanying, and their father or legal guardian, must appear in person at the Immigration Office for identification and verification. The types of passports or travel documents issued are as follows: Malaysian Passport The ordinary Malaysian Passport is issued only to citizen of Malaysia. Subject to production of documentary evidence of national status and good Character, a person may, on application, be issued with a Malaysian Passport. The required documents are: 1.Malaysian Blue Identity Cards, and 2.Citizenship Certificate, if any, or 3.Other documents in respect of a person claiming citizenship by operation of law: •Birth Certificate in respect of Malays, or those born in Pulau Pinang or Melaka before 31.8.1957, or those B.S.C. born in the Borneo states before 16.9.63, or those born in the Federation after 31.8.57 and before 1.10.62; •Birth Certificate and the Birth Certificate of either parents, if born in the Federation; •Birth Certificate and Citizenship Certificate of either parent where prima facie proof of birth is a mandatory requirement pursuant to the issue of such Citizenship certificates; a.Two copies of a passport size photograph; b.Father's or legal guardian's consent if the person is under 18 years or age. unless any restriction is endorsed therein, a Malaysian Passport is normally valid for 5 year from the date of issue and valid for all countries in the world except Israel. Restricted Malaysian Passport The Restricted Malaysian Passport is issued only to a Malaysian citizen on production of a Malaysian Blue Identity Card or other documentary evidence in respect of those below 18 years of age. The Restricted Passport is also valid for 5 years unless any restriction is endorsed therein. It is only good for direct journeys to and from West Malaysia and Singapore. Renewals and other Endorsements Renewals, in respect of any passport, for further consecutive period of one to five years from the date of expire may be considered on application. But the period of renewed validity should not at any time either exceed 5 years from the date of renewal, or 10 years from the date of issue. After The issue of such passport, subsequent endorsements either to make them valid for travel to countries for which they are not valid, or to include particulars of holders' children (if any) under 12 years of age, or to add or delete any particulars if necessary, may be considered on application. Certificate of Identity (International) This Certificate of Identity is issued only to any stateless alien permanently residing in Malaysia who is unable to obtain a passport from a consular representative of the country of which he claims to be a national, or who is about to leave the country for good to his country of origin. The documents required are: a.Malaysian Red Identity Card. b.Evidence of being stateless or unable to obtain a passport from the consular representative of his country of citizenship or origin. c.Statutory Declaration in the prescribed format, if intending to leave Malaysia for good. d.Father's or legal guardian's consent if under 18 years of age. e.Two copies of a passport size photograph. This Certificate of Identity is valid for all countries stipulated in the world except those prohibited countries stipulated in the Malaysian Passport. It is made valid for I ear initially from the date of issue, and can be renewed for further consecutive periods of 2 years on a year to year basis from the date of expiry, but not exceeding 3 years from the date of issue. Certificate of Identity (restricted) This Certificate of Identity is issued to any stateless alien for the purpose of travelling on direct journeys to and from West Malaysia and Singapore. Initially, the restricted certificate is valid for I year only from the date of issue, and can be renewed for further consecutive periods of 2 years on a year to year basis from the date of expiry but not exceeding 3 years from the date of issue. Collective Travel Document The Collective Travel Document is issued to a Malaysian citizen as a group travel document comprising not less than 5 and not exceeding 20 persons. It is valid for a single journey for travel to ASEAN countries within a period of 9 months. Restricted Travel Document The document is an internal travel document issued to a Peninsular Malaysian citizen solely to facilitate travel on direct journeys to and from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak. It is valid for 5 years, unless any restriction is endorsed thereon, and can be renewed for further consecutive periods of I to 5 years from the date of expiry, but not exceeding l0 years from the date of issue. Emergency Certificates As the name of this document indicates, it should only be used in exceptional circumstances, and normally only for travel back to Malaysia. Emergency certificates may be issued: a. Where a Malaysian Citizen abroad loses his passport when he is about to return or is on his way back to Malaysia. b. When a Malaysian citizen is being repatriated at Government expense. c. In exceptional circumstances where the issue of a passport is considered inadvisable. Border Pass (Malaysia -Thailand) This document is issued to citizens of Malaysia and citizens of Thailand who hold a red Malaysian Identity Card and permanent resident of the states of Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah and Perak for not less than three years. According to standing agreement, border pass is made valid to travel by land within 25 km from the border. Children who are below the age of 15 years are not allowed to apply for border pass individually. They can be included in their father's or mother's border pass. The validity of the border pass is three months from date of issue and can be used for multiple journeys. Border Pass (Malaysia - Indonesia) This document is issued to a citizen of Malaysia who is permanent resident in the Malaysian border area and in the administrative district where the effective application for a border pass by the Immigration Officers in charge of the following stations only: •Biawak •Bunan Gega •Semantan •Batu Lintang •Padawan •Lubuk Antu •Serikin According to standing agreement, border pass is made valid for travel to and from the respective border areas only and is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue, and it may be used for any number of entries provided that the stay for each entry shall not exceed 30 days. The validity of a border pass shall not be extended. Source: The Information Malaysia Yearbook(92-93) Travel Between The Territories of Malaysia Individual travellers who travel between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and/or Sarawak, and vice-versa is subject to certain conditions as indicated below: Non-Malaysians •Must be in possession of a valid international passport or other recognised travel document. •Requires only one visa provided he travels directly from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah/Sarawak or vice-versa. •Visit passes issued for entry into Peninsular Malaysia are valid for entry to Sabah but visitors to Sarawak will have to obtain an endorsement or visit pass upon arrival at Sarawak Immigration check point there. A visit pass issued in Sabah or Sarawak, however, is valid for travel to the peninsular. Malaysian citizens Malaysian citizens Malaysians are no longer required to carry any form of passport to travel between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and/or Sarawak. However, they are required to fill the Imm. 114/Imm. 116 card which will be issued at the point of departure on production of a Malaysian Blue Identity Card. This concession only applies to those travelling direct between the territories concerned (i.e. without stopping over in Singapore or Brunei for instance). CARD IMM. 114 (Card In Lieu of Local Travel Document). If a Malaysian from West Malaysia intends to travel to Sabah/Sarawak, the easy way is to use card IMM. 144. This card is the alternative document for the Malaysian passport and Restricted Travel Document. This card is to be used for the purpose of Social/Business visit only. It is deemed to be a visit pass, which enables the holder to enter and stay in Sabah/Sarawak for a period not exceeding three months. This card is only valid for a single journey trip and can be obtained from the departure counters at any airport in West Malaysia on presentation of the Malaysian Blue Identity card/Birth Certificate (if under 12 years of age). CARD IMM.116 (Card In, Lieu of Local Travel Document) This card is for travel facilities between Sabah and Sarawak only. This card is to be used for the purpose of Social/Business visit only. It is deemed to be a visit pass which enables the holders to enter and stay in Sabah/Sarawak for a period not exceeding three months. This card can be obtained at any immigration checkpoint in Sabah or Sarawak on presentation of Blue Identity card/Birth Certificate (if under 12 years of age) of Sabah or Sarawak. Note: Malaysians from Sabah/Sarawak do not require passports or any travel documents to enter West Malaysia. However they need to produce Identity Card/Birth Certificate (if under 12 years of age) at the point of entry. Source: The Information Malaysia Yearbook(92-93) Local Universities University of Malaya (Universiti Malaya) http://www.cc.um.edu.my/ Established in 1962, succeeding the former University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, which was a division of the University of Malaya established in Singapore in 1949. Univ. of Science Malaysia(Universiti Sains Malaysia) http://www.usm.my/ Established in 1969. From an institution which began by occupying temporary premises in the Malayan Teachers College, Gelogor, the University now stands in a campus of its own. Besides, the University has two branch campuses located in the state of Kelantan and Perak. National University of Malaysia(Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) http://www.ukm.my/ Established in 1970. The University is the apex of the national system of education in Malaysia which uses Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction. Univ. of Technology Malaysia(Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) http://www.utm.my/ Established in 1972 and is the third youngest university in Malaysia. The main campus is in Skudai, Johor Bahru. The original campus in Kuala Lumpur is still in use and remains as a brand of the University. Universiti Putra Malaysia(UPM) http://www.upm.edu.my/ Established in 1974 as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia. Starting from 3rd April 1997, the name has changed to the current name. Located in MSC. International Islamic Univ.(Universiti Islam Antarabangsa) http://www.iiu.edu.my/ Established in May 1983 as a result of the treaty signed between the Government of Malaysia and seven other Muslim countries and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Located temporarily in Petaling Jaya. Northern Univ. Malaysia (Universiti Utara Malaysia) http://www.uum.edu.my/ Malaysia's sixth university had its first intake of students in July 1984. Located at Sintok, Alor Setar, Kedah. The University was established for the pursuit and development of management education. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) http://www.unimas.my/ Established in 1992. as reflected from its name, the university is located in Samarahan, Sarawak. It is the first full-fledged university to be set up in East Malaysia. Universiti Malaysia Sabah http://www.ums.edu.my/ UMS is Malaysia's ninth university and its first intake of 170 students. Temporarily located in Menggatal and Likas area while its permanent campus is being developed in Teluk Sepangor, Kota Kinabalu. An Introduction to Malaysian Cuisine Malaysia's cuisine is an exciting blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian and Nyonya cooking. Drawing on their multi-ethnic heritage, Malaysians have developed unique variations on Asian and Western cuisine. Malay food can vary from region to region, the Northern states are somewhat influenced by Thai cuisine. The central states like Negri Sembilan, reflects flavor of Minangkabau cuisine of West Sumatra, with richly spiced dishes cooked in lashing of rich coconut milk, Rendang being a perfect example. The Southern states are much influenced by Javanese cuisine. Fresh herbs often give a special touch to Malay dishes, they include lemon grass, pandan leaf, kaffir lime leave, daun kesum, or the wonderfully fragrant wild ginger bud. Many of the seasonings are both fresh and dried, and are normally pounded to a fine paste gently in oil before liquid, either coconut milk or sour broth. Although the dominant Chinese dialect group in Malaysia is Cantonese, there are large numbers of Hokkiens, Teochews, Hakkas, Hananese and many other dialect groups, each with its own style of cooking. The Chinese brought with them the cooking style of homeland, and infused them with the local flavors. The Chinese cooks often borrow curry leaves from the Indians, use English condiments such as Worcestershire and tomato sauce, and add Indian and Malay Spices to the cooking pot. Indian cuisine of Malaysia, are mostly influenced by South Indian cuisine. They share some similarities with Malay cuisine in their generous use of spices and coconut. Although Malaysia has a small community of Sikhs from Punjab and Malayalees from Kerala, the overwhelming majority are Tamils. Malaysia's Indian hawkers have created some unique local dishes that are different from Indian dishes, like Mee Goreng, Mee Siam, Indian Rojak and so on. The mixed heritage of Malaysia's Eurasians has produced a fascinating cuisine with many excellent dishes. Cooks of Portuguese decent are renowned for their generous spicing, particularly in dishes as Devil Curry, an adaptation of Goanese Vindaloo where vinegar and chillies vie for attention. The most striking characteristic of Eurasian cooks is their readiness to borrow ingredients from many cultures. Malay herbs combine with a favorite Chinese cut, belly pork, Indian brown mustard, vinegar and paste of freshly pounded chilies. Nonya (marriage of Malay and Chinese culture) cuisine, is Malaysia's unique and arguably most delicious cuisine. Typical Chinese ingredients such as beancurd, soy sauce, preserved soya beans, black prawn paste, are blended beautifully with Malay herbs, spices and fragrant roots. Distinct differences evolved between the cuisine of Penang Nyonyas and Malacca Nyonyas. Penang Nyonyas, due geographic proximity to Thailand, developed a passion for sour food (using lots of lime and tamarind juice), fiery hot chillies and pungent black prawn paste. Malacca Nyonyas prepare food that is generally rich in coconut milk and Malay spices (such as coriander and cumin), and usually add more sugar than their Northern counterparts. Information extracted from "The Food of Malaysia" of Periplus World Cookbooks.