Organize your stay Malaysia
Money Malaysia
In Malaysia, the currency is the ringgit (MYR or RM), divided into 100 denominations. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 RM. Coins are available in denominations of 1 RM, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen. The exchange rate in April 2024 was €1 = RM5.10 and RM1 = €0.20.
In Singapore, the currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD or S$). Banknotes are available in denominations of S$1, S$2, S$5, S$10, S$20, S$50, S$100, S$500, S$1,000 and S$10,000. Coins come in denominations of S$1 and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
In Brunei, the currency is the Brunei dollar (BND or B$). The Brunei dollar is pegged to the Singapore dollar. Consequently, it can be used in Singapore (bills only), and conversely, Singapore coins and bills can be used in Brunei.
Budget & Tips Malaysia
Small budget. For 35 € per day, you will sleep in simple accommodation or in a dormitory, take care of your travel by bus, metro or taxi, visit free museums or go hiking, have two meals in a foodcourt or in small street restaurants. You can even treat yourself to a drink in the evening and make a few small purchases.
Average budget. Between 45 € and 100 € per day, you will sleep in a charming hotel, travel by train, bus, metro or taxi, visit the most beautiful museums and national parks, travel to the islands, and eat in air-conditioned restaurants. You can also treat yourself to a drink in the evening and stock up on handicraft souvenirs.
Big budget. For more than 120 € per day, you will sleep in the best hotels, can call on a travel agent, take a plane for long journeys, reach the most remote places, and eat in the best restaurants. You can take advantage of attractive prices on electronics and computers or invest in antiques.
Taxes and tip. Most restaurants add a 10% tax for the service. If you see "++" at the bottom of your menu, it means that 15% will be added to your bill for taxes and service. Tipping is not a common practice in Malaysia.
Passport and visas Malaysia
In Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, visas are obtained on arrival. You'll need to fill in a form which will be given to you on the plane, or which you can find in the hall before immigration. The visa is free and valid for 90 days in Malaysia and Brunei, and 30 consecutive days in Singapore. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your visa expires. It must also have more than 3 blank pages. You'll need to go through immigration if you're going to Sarawak, even if you're coming from Malaysia. Again, the visa is free and is obtained on arrival.
Driver's license Malaysia
If you're thinking of renting a car, you must be over 21 and have held your driving license for more than 2 years. Some rental companies set a minimum age of 25. You must also present a valid driving license and an international driving permit. This can be obtained from the town hall. You'll need to present a credit or debit card to collect the vehicle keys. The deposit will then be blocked on your account. Make sure you have sufficient funds in your bank account, and raise the spending limit if necessary.
Health Malaysia
There is virtually no health risk on the peninsula. However, cases of malaria and dengue fever have been reported in Borneo, particularly in the central part (east of Sarawak). If you're planning to visit the jungle, it's essential to take appropriate anti-malarial medication, as prescribed by your doctor. There is no prophylactic treatment against dengue fever. The Aedes aegypti mosquito responsible for transmitting the disease is active during the day. It is advisable to wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing impregnated with mosquito repellent, and to spray exposed areas of skin regularly with a tropical repellent. In the event of fever or unexplained aches and pains, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Mandatory vaccination Malaysia
No vaccinations are required to enter Malaysia, with the exception of yellow fever vaccine if you have recently traveled to an infected area. The vaccines listed below are strongly recommended by the French health authorities (source: Institut Pasteur).
Hepatitis A. Previous immunity makes vaccination unnecessary. It is common if you have a history of jaundice, a prolonged stay abroad or are over 45. Hepatitis A is usually benign, but it can be serious, particularly over the age of 45 and in cases of pre-existing liver disease. It can be caught through water or poorly washed food. If you have liver disease, vaccination against hepatitis A is highly recommended before any trip where hygiene is precarious. It should be administered as a single injection at least 15 days before departure. A booster dose is required 1 to 3 years later. Vaccination is possible from the age of 1.
Japanese encephalitis. Japanese encephalitis is transmitted by a nocturnal mosquito (peaks at dusk and dawn), mainly in rural areas. Depending on the region, transmission may be perennial, or limited to the rainy or hot seasons. Most forms of the disease are symptomless, but it can also lead to severe neurological sequelae and even death. The Haut Conseil de la Santé Publique (HCSP) does not recommend systematic vaccination, but since September 2013 has strongly recommended it in the event of expatriation or a stay with outdoor exposure in rural areas (e.g. camping, hiking, cycling, rice paddies and flood irrigation areas, outdoor work). 2 injections are required, 28 days apart, with a booster 12 to 24 months after the first injection.
Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A. It is contracted through sexual intercourse or blood. The hepatitis B vaccine is given in two injections at one month, followed by a single booster six months later.
Rabies. Rabies is still present in the country, particularly in rural and wild areas. Contact with dogs, cats and other mammals that may carry the virus should be avoided. The vaccine is recommended for prolonged stays in isolated areas. It consists of 3 injections spread over 28 days. The first symptoms (phobia of air and water) appear between 30 and 45 days after the bite. Once these symptoms have been observed, death occurs within a few days in 100% of cases. In the event of any doubt following a bite, it is essential to consult a doctor, who will administer an anti-rabies vaccine combined with appropriate treatment. Preventive vaccination does not exempt you from curative treatment in the event of a bite.
Typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection characterized by high fever, febrile diarrhea and loss of consciousness. The most severe forms can lead to digestive, neurological or cardiac complications. The incubation period varies from ten to fifteen days. Contamination occurs through stool or saliva, either directly (contact with a sick person or healthy carrier) or indirectly (ingestion of contaminated food: raw vegetables, seafood, water and ice cubes). Vaccination is recommended for long stays in unhygienic conditions. A single injection 15 days before departure will protect you for three years.
Security Malaysia
In Malaysia. Malaysia is a safe country with a stable political situation. However, beware of pickpocketing and snatching, which are on the increase, especially in urban areas and around tourist sites. Pickpocketing is mainly carried out by thieves on motorcycles. The state of Sabah, and especially its coastline, is at risk of insecurity, due to incursions by Filipino radicals. The risk of kidnapping is high. You may see armed soldiers or militiamen on certain islands. They are there to ensure the safety of visitors.
Drug use and trafficking are punishable by severe penalties, including the death penalty, even for tourists. The authorities make no distinction between soft and hard drugs.
Brunei. The crime rate in Brunei is one of the lowest in Asia, and risks are extremely limited. Nevertheless, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out that the French Embassy in Brunei has only limited resources to intervene in the event of a crisis.
Singapore. The crime rate is very low in the city-state. Nevertheless, robberies can occur in crowded areas such as transport hubs, airports and tourist attractions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns yachtsmen of an upsurge in piracy in the waters bordering Singapore.
Time difference Malaysia
It is the same in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. Allow +7 hours in winter and +6 hours in summer. It's 7pm in Kuala Lumpur when it's midday in Paris in winter, and 6pm in summer.
Spoken languages Malaysia
In Malaysia. Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysian) is the official language. It is a fairly simple and easy to learn idiom, with few grammatical rules. The Latin alphabet is used. This national language has been an indispensable tool for the unification of the country and has helped to overcome community barriers. English, the language of the colonizer, is the second most spoken language, especially in the cities. It is the language of business. Many Chinese dialects, including Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese and Mandarin are used by the Chinese in Malaysia. Tamil is used by the Indian community. Finally, Dayaks have their own dialects, specific to each ethnic group or subgroup.
In Brunei. Melayu brunei is the official language of the Sultanate. It is one of the Malaic languages of the Austronesian languages. It is very close to Bahasa Malaysian and the two peoples understand each other without too much difficulty. Nearly one out of two inhabitants speaks English. Cantonese is also widely spoken by the Chinese community and in the business community.
In Singapore. The languages spoken are the same as in Malaysia. But English is the language commonly used by the entire population.
Communication Malaysia
Telephone coverage is excellent in major cities and most regions. However, in some more remote areas, such as Borneo, only satellite phones work, and even then. If you take out a mobile subscription in Malaysia, we recommend Maxis, which has good coverage just about everywhere.
As far as wifi is concerned, finding a connection is not a problem in Malaysia. Airports, hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, cultural venues and sometimes even buses are equipped with free wifi most of the time. In more remote areas, however, Internet access can be complicated or non-existent.
Electricity and measurements Malaysia
Electricity. The system is the same in all three countries and identical to the British system. The voltage is 220V-240V. The sockets are 3-pin and you will need an adapter to charge your electronic devices. Power cuts are almost non-existent in Singapore and Brunei, and rare in Malaysia.
Measures. All three countries have adopted the metric system. However, the Malaysians retain some use of the English system.
Luggage Malaysia
A watchword: travel light! You'll be taking the bus, boat, car and maybe the train, and you'll appreciate having a practical piece of luggage that doesn't take up too much space and isn't too heavy. The humid equatorial climate calls for loose-fitting clothing, preferably in light colors that attract fewer mosquitoes. Choose natural materials such as cotton and linen, or microfiber if you plan to hike. Your list of essentials should include flip-flops, walking shoes, a head covering, a poncho to keep out the rain, a sweater or sweatshirt for air-conditioned areas, sunglasses, sun cream, mosquito repellent for tropical areas, and a headlamp (essential for hiking). A small backpack can be useful if you're going on a 2-3 day jungle excursion. You'll be able to slip the essentials into it. Appropriate clothing and dress shoes will come in handy if you're planning a fancy restaurant or nightclub outing. A bathing suit (one-piece for women) is a must. And if you're heading to the islands, buy your flipper-mask-tuba equipment before you go. It's bulky, but you'll soon get your money's worth.
