Event > 12th ICEVI World Conference 2006

 

WELCOME TO MALAYSIA
Malaysia has a population of over 25 million people who reside in the Peninsula and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the Borneo Island. The country prides itself on the harmonious existence of various races as a nation. While the majority are Malays; Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazandusuns, and other ethnic groups make up a colorful and vibrant society. Malaysia's official language is Bahasa Malaysia, but English is widely spoken. The official religion of Malaysia is Islam, and the nation comprises Moslems, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and followers of other religions. The various ethnic pups, cultures and languages make Malaysia, Truly Asia.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Hot and humid all year round, Malaysia enjoys an equatorial climate of temperatures ranging from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius in the lowlands. However, it is cooler in highland areas. The annual rainfall here averages 200250 cm. Dressing in clothing of breathable and light material is advised. Comfortable and warm garments need be worn only at hill resorts.

MONEY MATTERS
Money exchange facilities are available
in all major towns. The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) comes in denominations of RM1, RM5, M10, RM50 and RM100, and coins from one sen (cents), 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen nd RM1. All major credit cards are accepted i most establishments.
All commercial banks are authorized foreign exchange dealers and open from 9.30am to 4pm on weekdays, and 9.30am to 12 noon on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays, the first and third Saturdays of the month, and public holidays.
However, the banks in Kelantan and Terengganu close on Fridays. They are open from 9.30am to noon from Saturdays to Thursdays, except on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Other licensed moneychangers operate in key entry / exit points and shopping malls. Most hotels exchange foreign currency and accept travelers' cheques.

ROVING ABOUT
Most international airlines serve Kuala Lumpur and also Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Malaysia Airlines provide connections to all domestic destinations within the country. Peninsular Malaysia has road and rail links to Singapore and Thailand. Many car rental companies have counters at airports, some shopping complexes in the city and major towns in the country.
Local transport is efficient and cheap, and this includes air-conditioned express buses and long distance taxi services.
Driving on the left side of the road is observed throughout the country.

COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone, facsimile, telegraph, telex, postal and e-mail facilities are available for local and international communications.
Cyber cafes with Internet services can be easily found in urban centers.

TIME DIFFERENCE
The standard Malaysian time is eight hours ahead of GMT.

NATIONAL ECONOMY
In the last decades of the 20th century, the Malaysian economy saw rapid changes.
Still a leading exporter of rubber, palm oil, timber, tin, petroleum and natural gas, Malaysia's manufacturing industry has overtaken its agricultural industry with the growth in the economy sector since 1987. The nation is fast moving from the industrial into the information age.
The year 2020 is targeted for the nation to achieve "developed-nation" status. Top exports include electronic, chemical, wood and metal products, textiles, apparel and transport equipment. Malaysia is a leading producer of semiconductors, audio-visual products, air-conditioners, rubber-dipped products and oleochemicals. The economic trend is moving towards providing value-added products.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid passport (and visa if applicable) is required for all persons entering Malaysia.
A passport is also necessary for travel between Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as between Sabah and Sarawak.

IMMIGRATION
All visitors are required to complete an Arrival / Departure Card, a Customs Declaration, and, if required, a Travellers Declaration Form (TDF) and Quarantine Form. These are given out on all inbound Malaysia Airlines' flights.
Travellers are no longer required to complete the TDF with the exception of the following circumstances:

Resident travellers who carry ringgit in excess of RM1,000.
Resident travellers who take out foreign currency notes and / or travellers' cheques exceeding the equivalent of RM10,000.
The above also applies to the current practice of obtaining prior written approval from Bank Negara Malaysia which remains unchanged. Additionally requirement for written approval includes if:
Non-resident travellers take out foreign currency notes and travellers' cheques in excess of the taken out is more than the equivalent of US$2,500.
The TDF form should be handed to the immigration officer together with the disembarkation card and passport.
No visa is needed for nationals of Commonwealth countries except for Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
Nationals from Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein do not require visas.
No visa is required for stay not exceeding three months for nationals of Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kirgystan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco, North Yemen, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, U.A.E., Uruguay and Yemen.
o No visa is required for U.S.A. citizens visiting Malaysia for social, business or academic purposes (except for local employment).
No visa is required for a stay of less
than one month for nationals of all ASEAN countries, except Myanmar.
For a stay exceeding one month, a visa will be required, except for nationals of Brunei and Singapore.
No visa is required for a stay not exceeding one month for nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Astonia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Ivory Coast,
Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau SAR, Macedonia, Maldova, Mexico, Moldivia, Monaco, Mongolia, Nicaragua, North Korea, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Russia, Sudan, Surinam, Tadjikistan, Timur Leste, Togo, Ukraine, Upper Volta, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Zaire and other countries.

No visa is required for a stay not exceeding 14 days for nationals of Iran (15 days), Iraq, Libya, Syria, Macau (travel permit), Portugal Alien Passport, Palestine, Sierra Lyon, Somali, Somalia and South Yemen.

Nationals of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo Republic, Congo Democratic Republic, Cote D'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Western Sahara, Taiwan, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Colombia, People's Republic of China, all holders of Certificate of Identity (CI), Laisser Passer and Titre De Voyage, and Afghanistan (visa with reference) must obtain a visa before entering Malaysia.
Nationals of countries other than those stated above (with the exception of Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia without a visa for a visit not exceeding one month. Regulations are subject to change.

VISIT PASSES
A Social Visit Pass does not permit the holder to take up employment, business or professional work in Malaysia.
The Social Visit Pass allows foreign visitors to enter Malaysia for business negotiations or inspection of businesses.
However, these passes cannot be used for employment purposes or for supervising the installation of new machinery or the construction of a factory.
No fee is charged for a Social Visit Pass issued for a period of up to three months. A nominal fee is imposed for each month beyond this.
However, a nominal fee is imposed for a stay exceeding three months.

For further information, please contact the Immigration Department: Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri) Tingkat 1-7 (Podium) Blok 2G4, Precinct 2 Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62550 Putrajaya
Wilayah Persekutuan.
Contact no: +603-8880 1555 / 8880 1556
E-mail: visapass@imi.gov.my

HEALTH REGULATIONS
Cholera vaccination is NOT required for travellers entering Malaysia. Visitors arriving from Yellow Fever Endemic Zones and other affected areas are required to present International Health Certificates showing Yellow Fever vaccination.
This regulation, however, does not apply to children below the age of one.

CUSTOMS
At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), there are 26 Customs lanes located beyond the Baggage Reclaim area.

PROHIIBITED GOODS
The trafficking of Dangerous Drugs in Malaysia is a serious offence that carries mandatory death sentence.

BAGGAGE
There are 12 baggage conveyors at KLIA.
Those marked 'L' and M' are for domestic arrivals only, while the rest are dedicated to international arrivals.
Passengers may find complimentary trolleys available close to the Baggage Reclaim area for convenience.
On the airside, hand luggage trolleys are available near the arrival gates.
The 24-hour Left Baggage service is available at two Arrival Levels, which are strategically located at Level 3 and 5.
Welcome to Malaysia's international airport and the home of Malaysia Airlines.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is one of the most advanced airports in the Asia-Pacific region.
As a spectacular feat of architecture, KLIA combines futuristic technology, elements of Malaysian culture and the rich, tropical splendour of its natural resources.
Located within the Multimedia Super Corridor and close to the country's administrative capital, Putrajaya, the airport is approximately 75 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur's city centre.
It is accessible via the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway / KLIA Interchange, and the Shah Alam / North-South Central Link Expressway. Drive time to the city centre is approximately 60 minutes.

ARRIVALS
Most international flights arrive at the Satellite Building. The Aero train then brings passengers to the International Level of the Contact Pier.
Other international and mixed flights arrive at the Domestic Level of the Contact Pier but passengers are directed one floor up into the International Level.
Domestic flights arrive at the Domestic Level and passengers
disembark there.

DEPARTURES
All international flights depart from the Contact Pier and Satellite Building.
All domestic flights depart from the Contact Pier only.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE
The airport houses various food and beverage outlets situated on the Departure and Arrival Levels of the Main Terminal Building, and within the Satellite Building.

TRANSPORTATION
KLIA Express (ERL) station to the city is at Level 1 (Ground Floor) of KLIA Main Terminal Building. Ticket counter and vending machines for the purchase of ERL tickets are located at the Arrival Hall.
Airport Limousine and Budget Taxi services use a coupon system.
Taxi counters are located at the exit from the Arrival Hall.
Public bus services are also available one floor down from the Arrival Hall.
Private vehicle car parks are connected by the skybridge on the Mezzanine Level.

SHOPPING, FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Duty-free to specialty shops are located on the Departure and Arrival Levels of the Main Terminal Building, and within the Satellite Building.
There are convenient foreign exchange and telecommunications facilities.

CHECK-IN AT KLCAT
KL City Air Terminal (KLCAT) is the extension of KL International Airport in the city. KLCAT now offers check-in facility to passengers with standardized baggage for both international and domestic flights ex-KLIA.
Open daily from 0400 hours to 0100 hours, please allow at least two hours to complete the check-in process before flight departure at KLIA.

 

 

 

 

 

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