Travel Insurance Malaysia

Business Practices

In general, business customs in Malaysia do not differ fundamentally from those in the most western counties. Frankness, openness, promptness, etc. are all valued traits in business negotiations and dealings. Visiting businesspeople should be aware of some religious and cultural sensitivity; for example, Malay Muslims may feel uncomfortable in business/social functions where alcohol is served. Many businesses and government agencies work a half-day on Saturday mornings. Business visitors may be issued passes at the point of entry for the purpose of attending business meetings and conducting business negotiations in Malaysia. However, anyone who is to be employed in Malaysia, or to engage in work in Malaysia such as the overseeing of the installation of equipment on a project, must apply for a business or professional pass prior to arrival in Malaysia. English is widely spoken in Malaysia and is commonly used in business.

Crime

Malaysia remains among the Asian countries least affected by rising crime due to declining economic conditions resulting from the Asian financial crisis. Violent crime is still relatively uncommon in Malaysia, although there have been isolated incidents of armed robbery against the expatriate business community in the past year. Most criminal activity against foreigners is limited to non-violent crimes such as petty theft, purse snatching, and credit card fraud. Residential break-ins have increased, but burglaries of occupied homes remain quite rare. Industrial petty theft is a common problem. Companies in the high-tech industry should remain mindful of corporate espionage, trademark, and copyright infringement and these issues require considerable management attention. In the first half of 1998, firebombings of vehicles of Malaysian senior management officials of a foreign-owned high-tech firm occurred in Malacca, a port city about midway between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The devices were crude "molotov cocktail" type devices, and the results of the investigation pointed toward a recently dismissed former employee. Suspect and victims were all ethnic Chinese-Malaysian citizens. Ssimilar attacks have been known to occur when business deals, mostly of illegal or borderline businesses such as prostitution, gambling, or night club related deals, fail or go sour. Members of the close-knit ethnic Chinese minority communities in Malacca and Penang have been implicated in many of these activities. Much more serious were a series of armed robberies between May and November 1998. These were carried out against the corporate offices of foreign companies in and around Kuala Lumpur. Of the five robberies, the last one involving the corporate offices of a foreign construction firm. In this incident, an armed group forced its way into the corporate suite at gunpoint, compelled staff members to forge monetary instruments, and held them hostage while the negotiable instruments were cashed at local banks. Victims were left physically bound and emotionally distraught, but not physically hurt, while the gang made their getaways. Police made several arrests in the case late in 1998 and recovered a significant portion of the stolen funds. The gang now appears to have been neutralized. Other crime seems to have increased during the past year. Residential burglaries in Kuala Lumpur occur relatively frequently in neighborhoods with large expatriate communities. Particularly hard hit are detached, single family homes, and residences adjacent to building sites and open fields. Burglars usually try to limit the possibility of confrontation by committing their crimes at night or when residences are unoccupied. Good forced entry protection seems to be the best deterrent. The Embassy notes recent cases where less well protected residences were burglarized on the same night, and in the same neighborhood as unsuccessful attempts against homes with good forced entry protection. The incidence of burglary against expatriate residents of apartment complexes is lower than that against residents of detached homes. Gated apartment or condominium complexes with 24-hour guards have a lower (but not absent) rate of attempted and actual residential break-ins. Purse snatchings, pickpocketing, theft of cell phones, and other petty thefts are the most commonly reported crimes against expatriates. Ladies' handbags frequently fall prey to thieves on motorcycles who commit "ride-by snatch-and-grab" incidents with regularity, especially at shopping areas frequented by the expatriate community. Women, either by themselves or with small children, are the most frequent targets. Credit card fraud is a growing problem. The use of cards at poorly established businesses, such as souvenir stands without storefronts, leaves consumers particularly vulnerable to illegal exploitation of their credit card accounts. The occurrence of fraud at established businesses such as modern hotels and restaurants is not serious.

Hotels

Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia have world class hotel accommodations catering to both business visitors and international tourism. For longer stays in the country, the market for rental housing and apartments in the Kuala Lumpur area is large and not overly expensive by regional standards. Food in Malaysia includes the three local cultures -- Malay, Chinese, and Indian -- as well as restaurants specializing in U.S., Japanese, Korean, and European cuisine. Among the new hotels in Kuala Lumpur are the Swiss Inn Kuala Lumpur and the 515-room Marriott International. It is necessary to book well in advance, especially during school and public holidays when the Malaysians take their holidays in the popular resorts, notably Penang, Langkawi and the highlands. The more basic hotels have little in the way of modern washing or bathing facilities, often only a water trough instead of a bath or shower. Government tax of 5 and service charge of 10 are added to bills. Tips are only expected (on the basis of good service) for room service and porter services. Laundry service is available in most hotels.

Communications

Telephone IDD service is available. Country code is 60. Outgoing international code: 00. Public coin-operated phones can be found in many areas, such as supermarkets and post offices. Local calls cost 10 sen. Telephone Card public phones can be found throughout the country. These can be purchased at airports, petrol stations and some shops for amounts ranging from R3-50. There are presently two types - Kadfon and Unicard - and these can only be used in their appropriate marked phone booths. Fax Centers for public use are located in the main post offices of all large towns. Most main hotels also have facilities. Public telex facilities are available 24 hours at Telegraph Office, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, and most main hotels. Telegrams can be sent from any telegraph office. There are post offices in the commercial center of all towns, open 0800-1700 Monday to Saturday.

Electricity

is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 3-pin plugs and bayonet-type light fittings are generally used. Electricity 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs and bayonet-type light fittings are generally used.

Plug Types

G

Food And Dining

In multiracial Malaysia, every type of cooking from South-East Asia can be tasted. Malay food concentrates on subtleties of taste using a blend of spices, ginger, coconut milk and peanuts. There are many regional types of Chinese cooking including Cantonese, Peking, Hakka, Sichuan and Taiwanese. Indian food is also popular, with curries ranging from mild to very hot indeed. Vegetarian food, chutneys and Indian breads are also available. Indonesian cuisine also combines the use of dried seafoods and spiced vegetables with the Japanese method of preparation with fresh ingredients cooked to retain the natural flavor. Korean and Thai food are available in restaurants. Western food is served throughout the country and includes US, Spanish, Italian and French cuisine. Kuala Lumpur has several restaurants which rival the high standards set by established Western restaurants in Singapore and Hong Kong. Although the country is largely Islamic, alcohol is available. Things to know: Table service is normal, and chopsticks are customary in Chinese restaurants. Indian and Malay food is eaten with the fingers. Set lunches, usually with four courses, are excellent value for money.
National specialties:
? Sambals (a paste of ground chilli, onion and tamarind) is often used as a side dish.
? Blachan (a dried shrimp paste) is used in many dishes.
? Ikan bilis (dried anchovies) are eaten with drinks.
? Popular Malay dishes include satay, which consists of a variety of meats, especially chicken, barbecued on small skewers with a spicy peanut dipping sauce and a salad of cucumber, onion and compressed rice cakes. The best sauce often takes several hours to prepare to attain its subtle flavor.
? Gula Malacca (a firm sago pudding in palm sugar sauce) is also served in restaurants.
? Japanese-style seafood such as siakaiu beef (grilled at the table).
? Tempura (deep-fried seafood) and sashimi (raw fish with salad) are excellent.
? Amongst Malaysia?s exotic fruits are starfruit, durian, guavas, mangos, mangosteen and pomelos. National drinks:
? Local beers such as Tiger and Anchor are recommended.
? The famous Singapore Gin Sling.
? International beers are also available.
Tipping:
10 per cent service charge and 5 per cent government tax are commonly included in bills. Taxi drivers are not tipped..
Nightlife
Kuala Lumpur has a selection of reputable nightclubs and discos, most belonging to the big hotels. Nightclubs generally stay open until 0500 or 0600 and usually request a cover charge which includes the first drink free. Many of Kuala Lumpur?s bars have a ?Happy Hour?, offering two drinks for the price of one, between 1700-2000/2100. Bintang Walk is a lively spot and has a good selection of al fresco bars and coffee shops. Penang is also lively at night, larger hotels having cocktail lounges, dining, dancing and cultural shows. There are night markets in most towns, including both Kuala Lumpur and Penang Chinatown. Malay and Chinese films often have English subtitles and there are also English films. The national lottery and Malaysia?s only casino at Genting Highlands are Government-approved and visitors are not supposed to gamble elsewhere. Keno and Chinese Tai Sai, roulette, baccarat, french bull and blackjack are played at the casino. Dress is relatively formal and visitors must be over 21 years of age.