Moving to Malaysia Guide

Malaysia has been described as two countries in one. In the west, we find developed and refined Peninsula Malaysia which shares a land border with Thailand and boasts modern cities and world-class schools and universities. To the east, and separated from the mainland by the South China Sea, Malaysia also claims ownership of the top third of Borneo, boasting rainforests and rare wild creatures.

As if this major split wasn’t enough, Malaysia has found itself continually colonized by different colonial countries, most notably the Portuguese in 1511, the Dutch in 1641 and the British in 1786. When you also take into account how much the land borders of Malaysia have changed over the years, it’s easy to understand why Malaysia represents one of the most culturally and geographically diverse locations in the world.

Malaysia is equatorial and boasts a tropical climate. This means warmth (temperatures below 20’C are considered surprisingly cool) and moisture. Not only does much of Malaysia enjoy a high year-round humidity, but it is also affected twice a year by monsoon rainfall.

This means that many expats from the UK or USA find it takes some time to get used to the climate, especially in the cases of the torrential downpours experienced during the monsoon. Capital city Kuala Lumpur, where many expat workers find themselves based, is seemingly always damp if other visitors are to be believed. Highland areas may be cooler thanks to their elevation, which can make for more comfortable expat living arrangements.

Malaysia is a cultural melting pot, where many traditions, languages and religions live peacefully side-by-side. Despite gaining independence in 1957, there are still many areas where British rule can be felt. The legal system, for example, closely resembles the UK system, and English is compulsory in all schools.

Traditionally Malaysia’s main industries have been mining and exporting its natural resources. It has, for example, been the largest producer in the world of rubber, palm oil and tin at one time or another, and is also a major player in the worldwide crude oil market.

More recently however Malaysia has sought to diversify its income stream, prioritizing education and tourism as new growth sectors. The loss of the recent Malaysia Air flight has therefore hit the country hard, and it is hoped that the vast investment being made in the country’s tourism market has not been in vain.

Malaysia is officially an Islamic state, a religion that has far-reaching influence on Malaysian culture. Visitors should, for example, make themselves aware of the expectations and timing surrounding the annual Ramadan festival.

Tourists and expats should also aim to dress respectably, especially in more rural areas, where displays of flesh may not be well received. Lastly, be aware that public displays of affection are generally frowned upon so should be kept to a minimum.

Malaysia’s official language is Malaysian. The British influence however means that English is an active second language and is taught in all schools. That said, alongside Malaysian Standard English there are also a number of additional dialects with an English origin, including the so-called “Manglish” which is a colloquial language that can switch between English, Malaysian and other languages within a single sentence.

In general English speakers are unlikely to encounter any problems being understood and many other nationalities too are well represented-enough that their language will have a degree of familiarity. Most notably the languages of China and India are wide-spread thanks to long term immigration of these nationalities.

Malaysia generally offers an excellent transportation infrastructure. Low-cost flight networks criss-cross the country and make travelling over long distances both easy and affordable. As a result, the fact that Malaysia is split into two halves barely seems an issue for most visitors.

On the ground, Malaysia boasts an impressive rail network, which allows for large distances to be covered at a very reasonable price. The so-called “Jungle Railway” (officially the East Coast Line) is 526km long and passes through thick rainforest. It is a simple way to leave the bright lights of the city and enter the wilderness with minimal effort. Whether you get out to explore or simply enjoy the spectacle travelling past, no visit to Malaysia would be complete without this amazing experience.

For the expat or tourist wanting to explore more rural areas, which are less well-serviced by trains, driving is a distinct option. It has been claimed that Malaysia offers the best road network in all of South East Asia, and as a result, driving here can be quite an enjoyable experience. For safety, it is best to take extra care during monsoon season or where native Malaysian drivers are encountered, as it seems either can be equally dangerous.

Visitors with an international driving license may legally drive in Malaysia for the first three months of their visit, though after this time it will be necessary to exchange your license for a native Malaysian version. This is generally a trouble-free exercise, though will require the payment of a fee, not to mention production of your passport and the completion of some paperwork.

Numerous taxis exist in the more urban areas, though problems have been encountered with unlicensed taxis overcharging passengers or driving off with their baggage. To be certain of your safety try to only use taxis from licensed booths, and ensure that a price is agreed in advance of transport being provided.

The healthcare system in Malaysia is considered high quality but very expensive. No reciprocal healthcare agreements exist for other countries, so expats and tourists alike will be expected to pay for their own medical care. It is normal for even emergency hospitals to request payment by credit card before treatment is given.

For this reason, it is essential that all visitors arrange for comprehensive health insurance for expats or obtain expat travel insurance that includes international cover before visiting the kingdom, so as to avoid any exceptional charges, as well as facilitating repatriation if required.

The schools in Malaysia are considered some of the best in the world and Malaysia has invested considerable sums of money in encouraging international universities to set up satellite campuses in the kingdom.

Schools here can be separated into public, private and international. Expat children are welcome to attend public schools, and the standards are excellent. That said, the language barrier is normally enough to encourage expat parents to send their children to private schools, where lessons are taught in English.

Interestingly, the school day in Malaysia can start very early, with some schools commencing lessons as early as 7.30 am, with the school day ending in early afternoon. Parents are advised to check the school day before signing up their children, so as to ensure that these times fit around their work commitments.

Note that Malaysia has been working to become a major worldwide education hub, and its universities offer world-class education at a far lower cost of living than many Western countries. For expats concerned about the education of their children you are unlikely to be disappointed with Malaysia.

Unfortunately, visitors to Malaysia are sometimes unlucky enough to experience bag snatches or petty thefts. As a result, keeping valuables out of sight is strongly recommended. In addition, take care when walking along the pavement, as many thefts have been as a result of motorcyclists plucking bags and other belongings off unsuspecting passers-by. As a result, try to keep any bags on the opposite side of you to any roads, so as to make you less of an easy target.

While tourists from Western nations are generally able to visit Malaysia without a visa, those expecting to live, work or study here will normally need to request a visa. It is important to note that overstaying a visa is considered very serious, and some visitors have been punished by caning for the crime. Malaysia is one of only a few countries in the world to offer this punishment, and the damage caused may take weeks to heal.

That said, the penalties for the possession of drugs can be even more serious. Suspicion of importing or selling drugs has stiff penalties, which can (and does) involve the death sentence. Visitors should therefore be careful to pack and carry only their own bags, and be careful of any stranger approaching them at airports who may be attempting to plant narcotics on your person.

As a tropical region, a number of unpleasant viruses and diseases may be encountered by the unfortunate. Examples include malaria and even dengue fever, which has been found even in Kuala Lumpur. Speak to your doctor before leaving home in order to ensure you have all the necessary protection against these unpleasant risks.

Lastly, it has been claimed that drivers in Malaysia largely ignore pedestrians, which can lead to some nasty accidents. Keep your wits about you when crossing roads in order to ensure you are not involved in an accident of some form.

In the case of problems, the emergency services in Malaysia can be reached by dialling 999, just like the UK. Most police officers take their jobs very seriously and can be very helpful if an incident occurs. The vast majority of emergency workers are well educated and speak good English.

Malaysia offers a wealth of sites worth seeing, both natural and man-made, historic and modern. Such a succession of colonies has meant a huge range of arts and architecture may be found here, and visitors will find there is much of interest, irrespective of their tastes and opinions.