Bahasa Melayu is the national language but english is widely spoken. Bahasa Melayu and is compulsory in official correspondence particularly in the government sector. While, numerous varieties of Chinese and Indian dialects are spoken too besides the countries indigenous language.From our Blog
Language
Bahasa Melayu is the national language but english is widely spoken. Bahasa Melayu and is compulsory in official correspondence particularly in the government sector. While, numerous varieties of Chinese and Indian dialects are spoken too besides the countries indigenous language.Telecommunications
Malaysia is served with the latest telecommunication services worldwide. Public phones are abundant, especially at strategic or crowded places in the cities, towns and rural areas. The telephones are operated by coins, cardphone or both . International calls can be made from phone booth with card phone facilities or at any Telecoms offices. In places such as airport, the office of the Immigration Department, International Direct dial (IDD) public phones are also provided. Most hotels are equipped with IDD service with a minimal service charge.Postal Services
Post offices are opened daily from 8am to 5 pm and closed on Sunday and public holidays (for Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, closed on Friday and public holidays). The General post Office in Kuala Lumpur is opened from 8 am to 6 pm daily and from 10 am to 12:45 pm on Sundays. Other than the ordinary delivery services, there is courier service called the Expedited Mail Service called theExpedited Mail Service (EMS) or locally known as Poslaju. Most international hotels is provide postal services at the front desks. Customs formalities
a. currency
Visitors entering Malaysia may bring in or take out any amount of currency
b. Dutiable and Non-Dutiable GoodsSome goods such as the following, imported by visitors are liable to duty: carpets, garments, clothing accessories, jewellery, chocolates, handbags, spirits, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and cigarettes. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refunable on departure. The goods are to be presented at the time of departure at the point of exit together with the deposite receipts. Non-dutiable goods include cameras, watches, pens, lighters, perfumeries and cosmetics.c. Health Regulations
Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all visitors coming from yellow fever infected areas or endemic zones except for children under 1 year of age.
ENTRY FORMALITIES
(DRUGS TRAFFICKING OR ILLEGAL DRUGD CARRIES DEATH PENALTY)
Visitors must be in possession of national passports 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:
a. 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, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein.
b. Three Months Visa Free Visit
Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, 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 and United Arab Emirates are eligible for three months visa free visit.
c. One Month Vis Free Visit
Applicable to citizens of ASEAN countries.
d. 14-Days Visa Free Visit
Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and South Yemen are eligible for 14-days visa free visit.
e. 7-Days Visa Free Visit
Applicable to citizens of Bulgaria, romania and Russia
As regulations may change from time to time, it is advisable to check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy before your departure.
(DRUGS TRAFFICKING OR ILLEGAL DRUGD CARRIES DEATH PENALTY)
Visitors must be in possession of national passports 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:
a. 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, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein.
b. Three Months Visa Free Visit
Citizens of Albania, Austria, Algeria, 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 and United Arab Emirates are eligible for three months visa free visit.c. One Month Vis Free Visit
Applicable to citizens of ASEAN countries.
d. 14-Days Visa Free Visit
Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and South Yemen are eligible for 14-days visa free visit.
e. 7-Days Visa Free Visit
Applicable to citizens of Bulgaria, romania and Russia
As regulations may change from time to time, it is advisable to check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy before your departure.
Political System
Malaysia is a multi-party system since the first direct election of the Federal Legislative Council of Malaya in 1955 on a first-past-the-post basis. The ruling party since then has always been the Alliance Party coalition and subsequently from 1973 onwards, its successor the National Front coalition. The National Front currently consists of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and 11 other political parties. Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective 
monarchy. The federal head of state of Malaysia is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as he King of Malaysia. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected to a five-year term among the nine hereditary Sultans of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular Governors, do not participate in the selection.
monarchy. The federal head of state of Malaysia is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as he King of Malaysia. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected to a five-year term among the nine hereditary Sultans of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular Governors, do not participate in the selection. The system of government in Malaysia is closely modeled on that of Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule. In practice however, more power is vested in the executive branch of government than in the legislative, and the judiciary has been weakened by sustained attacks by the government during the Mahathir era. Since independence in 1957, Malaysia has been governed by a multi-party coalition known as the Barisan Nasional (formerly known as the Alliance).Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. The bicameral parliament consists of the lower house, the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (literally the "Chamber of the People") and the upper house, the Senate or Dewan Negara (literally the "Chamber of the Nation"). The 222-member House of Representatives are elected from single-member constituencies that are drawn based on population for a maximum term of five years. All 70 Senators sit for three-year terms; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, two representing the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur, one each from federal territories of Labuan and Putrajaya, and 40 are appointed by the king. Besides the Parliament at the federal level, each state has a unicameral state legislative chamber (Malay: Dewan Undangan Negeri) whose members are elected from single-member constituencies.
Parliamentary elections are held at least once every five years, with the last general election being in March 2008. Registered voters of age 21 and above may vote for the members of the House of Representatives and in most of the states, the state legislative chamber as well. Voting is not compulsory.Executive power is vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister; the Malaysian constitution stipulates that the prime minister must be a member of the lower house of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of Parliament and is responsible to that body. State governments are led by Chief Ministers (Menteri Besar in Malay states or Ketua Menteri in states without hereditary rulers), who is a state assembly member from the majority party in the Dewan Undangan Negeri. In each of the states with a hereditary ruler, the Chief Minister is required to be a Malay Muslim, although this rule is subject to the rulers' discretion. The Constitution of Malaysia is codified and the system of government is based on the Westminster system. Although Malaysian politics has been relatively stable, critics allege that "the government, ruling party, and administration...are intertwined with few countervailing forces
Medical
MEDICAL SERVICES
Medical services are available in most towns in the form of government-run hospitals and private clinics. Non-prescription drugs are available at the pharmacies as well as supermarkets, hotels and shopping centres. Private clinics can be found in the shopping malls, shop houses, business complexes, nearby residential areas and others. Capital City
Kuala Lumpur locally often abbreviated as K.L., is the capital and largest city of Malaysia. The city proper, making up an area of 244 km2 (94 sq mi), has an estimated population of 1.6 million in 2006. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million. It is the fastest growing metropolitan region in the country, in terms of population as well as economy.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they have since moved to Putrajaya starting in 1999. Some sections of the judiciary remain in the capital. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. The city is also the cultural and economic centre of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a primate city. Kuala Lumpur is rated as an alpha world city, and is the only global city in Malaysia, according to the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC).
Kuala Lumpur is defined within the borders of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and is one of three Malaysian Federal Territories. It is an enclave within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Residents of the city are known as KLites.
Beginning in the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One World Championship.In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers.
History
Kuala Lumpur has its origins in the 1850s, when the Malay Chief of Klang, Raja Abdullah, hired some Chinese labourers to open new and larger tin mines. They landed at the confluence of Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang (Klang River) to open mines at Ampang. Sungai Gombak was previously known as Sungai Lumpur, which means muddy river. The Original name for this city was "Pengkalan Lumpur", which means bundle of mud. As time passes by the name changed to Kuala Lumpur which literally means “muddy confluence” in Bahasa Melayu. Later, tin mines were opened at Pudu and Batu. Among the early notable pioneers are Hiu Siew and Liu Ngim Kong. 
These mines developed into a trading post which became to be considered a frontier town. Early Kuala Lumpur had many problems, including the Selangor Civil War; it was also plagued by diseases and constant fires and floods. Around the 1870s, the Chinese Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur, Yap Ah Loy, emerged as leader, and became responsible for the survival and subsequent systematic growth of this town. He began to develop Kuala Lumpur from a small unknown place into a mining town with economic boom. In 1880, the state capital of Selangor was moved from Klang to the more strategically advantageous Kuala Lumpur.
In 1881, a flood swept through the town following a fire which engulfed it earlier. These successive problems destroyed the town's structures of wood and atap (thatching). As a response, Frank Swettenham, the British Resident of Selangor, required that buildings be constructed of brick and tile. Many of the new brick buildings mirrored that of shop houses in southern China, with "five foot ways" as well as skilled Chinese carpentry. This resulted in a distinct eclectic shop house architecture typical to this region. A railway line increased accessibility into this town. Development intensified in the 1890s, leading to the creation of a Sanitary Board. In 1896, Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States.
These mines developed into a trading post which became to be considered a frontier town. Early Kuala Lumpur had many problems, including the Selangor Civil War; it was also plagued by diseases and constant fires and floods. Around the 1870s, the Chinese Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur, Yap Ah Loy, emerged as leader, and became responsible for the survival and subsequent systematic growth of this town. He began to develop Kuala Lumpur from a small unknown place into a mining town with economic boom. In 1880, the state capital of Selangor was moved from Klang to the more strategically advantageous Kuala Lumpur.
In 1881, a flood swept through the town following a fire which engulfed it earlier. These successive problems destroyed the town's structures of wood and atap (thatching). As a response, Frank Swettenham, the British Resident of Selangor, required that buildings be constructed of brick and tile. Many of the new brick buildings mirrored that of shop houses in southern China, with "five foot ways" as well as skilled Chinese carpentry. This resulted in a distinct eclectic shop house architecture typical to this region. A railway line increased accessibility into this town. Development intensified in the 1890s, leading to the creation of a Sanitary Board. In 1896, Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States.
A mixture of different communities settled in various sections of Kuala Lumpur. The Chinese mainly settled around the commercial centre of Market Square, east of Klang River, and towards Chinatown. The Malays, Indian Chettiars, and Indian Muslims resided along Java Street (now Jalan Tun Perak). The Padang, now known as Merdeka Square, was the center of the British administrative offices.
During World War II, Kuala Lumpur was captured by the Japanese army on January 11, 1942. They remained in occupation until August 15, 1945, when the commander in chief of the Japanese Seventh Area Army in Singapore and Malaya, SeishirÅ Itagaki, surrendered to the British administration following the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Kuala Lumpur grew through the war, the rubber and tin commodity crashes and the Malayan Emergency, during which Malaya was preoccupied with the communist insurgency.[ In 1957, the Federation of Malaya gained its independence from British rule. Kuala Lumpur remained the capital through the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
On May 13, 1969, one of the worst race riots in Malaysia took place in Kuala Lumpur. The May 13 Incident was a riot between the Malays and the Chinese. The former being dissatisfied with their socio-political situation at the time. The riot resulted in the deaths of 196 people, and led to a major reform in the country's economic policy favouring the Malays.
Kuala Lumpur later achieved city status in 1972, becoming the first settlement in Malaysia to be granted the status after independence. Later, on February 1, 1974, Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory. Kuala Lumpur ceased to be the capital of Selangor in 1978 after the city of Shah Alam was declared as the new state capital.
On May 13, 1969, one of the worst race riots in Malaysia took place in Kuala Lumpur. The May 13 Incident was a riot between the Malays and the Chinese. The former being dissatisfied with their socio-political situation at the time. The riot resulted in the deaths of 196 people, and led to a major reform in the country's economic policy favouring the Malays.
Kuala Lumpur later achieved city status in 1972, becoming the first settlement in Malaysia to be granted the status after independence. Later, on February 1, 1974, Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory. Kuala Lumpur ceased to be the capital of Selangor in 1978 after the city of Shah Alam was declared as the new state capital.
On 14 May 1990, Kuala Lumpur was celebrated 100 years of local authority. The new federal territory of Kuala Lumpur flag and anthem were introduced.
In 1998, another political movement known as Reformasi took place mainly in this city.The movement was a result of the sacking of former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, and resulted in a chain of protests until 1999, where supporters of Anwar Ibrahim took to the streets to demand reforms in the government's administration, among others.
On February 1, 2001, Putrajaya was declared a Federal Territory, as well as the seat of the federal government. The administrative and judicial functions of the government were shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya. Kuala Lumpur however still retained its legislative function, and remained the home of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King).
Geography
In 1998, another political movement known as Reformasi took place mainly in this city.The movement was a result of the sacking of former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, and resulted in a chain of protests until 1999, where supporters of Anwar Ibrahim took to the streets to demand reforms in the government's administration, among others.On February 1, 2001, Putrajaya was declared a Federal Territory, as well as the seat of the federal government. The administrative and judicial functions of the government were shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya. Kuala Lumpur however still retained its legislative function, and remained the home of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King).
Geography
Malaysia State & City
The nine Malay States have a hereditary Ruler as titular Head of state and an executive Chief Minister or Menteri Besar as politically responsible Head of government. The rulers of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor and Terengganu are styled Sultans (typically Islamic). Only Negeri Sembilan's elective ruler holds the rare, autochthonous Malay title of 
Yang di-Pertuan Besar, whereas only the Ruler of Perlis is titled Raja. The Federal King (titled Yang di-Pertuan Agong) is elected (de facto rotated) among the nine rulers to serve a 5-year term. Former British settlements and crown colonies of Penang and Malacca (both peninsular) and Sabah and Sarawak (both on Borneo) each have a federally appointed titular Governor (styled Yang di-Pertua Negeri) and an executive Chief Minister or Ketua Menteri. Each state has a unicameral legislature called Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN, State Assembly). Members of DUN are elected from single-member constituencies drawn based on the population. The state leader of the majority party in DUN is usually appointed Chief Minister by the Ruler or Governor.
The term of DUN members is five years unless the assembly is dissolved earlier by the Ruler or Governor on the advise of the Chief Minister. Usually, DUN of the states in Peninsular Malaysia are dissolved in conjunction with the dissolution of the federal parliament, in order to have state elections running concurrently with the parliamentary election. However, Rulers and Governors hold discretionary powers in dissolving the DUN. Each state sends two representatives to the Dewan Negara (Senate), the upper house of the federal parliament. As Malaysia is a federation, the governance of the country is divided between the federal and the state governments. The specific responsibilities of the federal and the state governments are listed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of Malaysia. Theoretically, any matter not set out in the Ninth Schedule can be legislated on by the individual states. However, legal scholars generally view this as a "pauper's bequest" because of the large scope of the matters listed in the Ninth Schedule. The courts themselves have generally favoured a broad interpretation of the language of the Ninth Schedule, thus limiting the number of possible subjects not covered. The Ninth Schedule specifically lists the following matters as those that can only be legislated on by the states: land tenure, the Islamic religion, and local government. Sabah and Sarawak have additional powers as part of the terms when they joined Malaysia, such as immigration controls.
The Parliament of Malaysia is permitted to legislate on issues of land, Islamic religion and local government in order to provide for a uniform law between different states, or on the request of the state assembly concerned. The law in question must also be passed by the state assembly as well, except in the case of certain land law-related subjects. Non-Islamic issues that fall under the purview of the state may also be legislated on at the federal level for the purpose of conforming with Malaysian treaty obligations.
Malaysia is made up of 13 states with two federal territories. The list of the varions states and their capitals including the territories :
Yang di-Pertuan Besar, whereas only the Ruler of Perlis is titled Raja. The Federal King (titled Yang di-Pertuan Agong) is elected (de facto rotated) among the nine rulers to serve a 5-year term. Former British settlements and crown colonies of Penang and Malacca (both peninsular) and Sabah and Sarawak (both on Borneo) each have a federally appointed titular Governor (styled Yang di-Pertua Negeri) and an executive Chief Minister or Ketua Menteri. Each state has a unicameral legislature called Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN, State Assembly). Members of DUN are elected from single-member constituencies drawn based on the population. The state leader of the majority party in DUN is usually appointed Chief Minister by the Ruler or Governor.
The term of DUN members is five years unless the assembly is dissolved earlier by the Ruler or Governor on the advise of the Chief Minister. Usually, DUN of the states in Peninsular Malaysia are dissolved in conjunction with the dissolution of the federal parliament, in order to have state elections running concurrently with the parliamentary election. However, Rulers and Governors hold discretionary powers in dissolving the DUN. Each state sends two representatives to the Dewan Negara (Senate), the upper house of the federal parliament. As Malaysia is a federation, the governance of the country is divided between the federal and the state governments. The specific responsibilities of the federal and the state governments are listed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of Malaysia. Theoretically, any matter not set out in the Ninth Schedule can be legislated on by the individual states. However, legal scholars generally view this as a "pauper's bequest" because of the large scope of the matters listed in the Ninth Schedule. The courts themselves have generally favoured a broad interpretation of the language of the Ninth Schedule, thus limiting the number of possible subjects not covered. The Ninth Schedule specifically lists the following matters as those that can only be legislated on by the states: land tenure, the Islamic religion, and local government. Sabah and Sarawak have additional powers as part of the terms when they joined Malaysia, such as immigration controls.The Parliament of Malaysia is permitted to legislate on issues of land, Islamic religion and local government in order to provide for a uniform law between different states, or on the request of the state assembly concerned. The law in question must also be passed by the state assembly as well, except in the case of certain land law-related subjects. Non-Islamic issues that fall under the purview of the state may also be legislated on at the federal level for the purpose of conforming with Malaysian treaty obligations.
Malaysia is made up of 13 states with two federal territories. The list of the varions states and their capitals including the territories :
| State | Known as | Capitals |
| Perlis | Land of Rustic Beauty | Kangar |
| Kedah | Land With a Rich Heritage | Alor Setar |
| Penang | The Pearl of the Orient | Georgetown |
| Perak | The Land of Grace | Ipoh |
| Selangor | The Heartland of the Nation | Shah Alam |
| Negeri Sembilan | Land of Minangkabau Tadition | Seremban |
| Malacca | Where It All Began | Melaka |
| Johor | The Southern Gateway | Johor Bahru |
| Pahang | Where Adventure Beckons | Kuantan |
| Terengganu | Land of Long Sandy Beaches and Turtles | Kuala Terengganu |
| Kelantan | The Cultural Capital | Kopta Bharu |
| Sabah | The Land Below the Wind | Kota KInabalu |
| Sarawak | The Hidden Paradise of Borneo | Kuching |
| Federal Territory | The Garden City of Light | Kuala Lumpur |
| Labuan (Federal Territory) | Malaysia's Pearl of the South China Sea | Labuan |
Malaysia Currency
The currency used in the country is the Ringgit Malaysia (RM). RM 1 is made up of 100 cents.. Notes are denominations of RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100. 
Coin denominations are 50, 20, 10, 5 and
I cents. All Major credit cards are accepted. Licensed foreign money changers are available in all urban centres, key entry or exit points and shopping complexes. Traveller’s cheque can be exchanged for Malaysian Ringgit at commercial banks, hotels and authorised money changers. All major hotels are only licensed to buy, but not sell, foreign currencies in the form of notes and traveller’s cheque.
The exchange rate for the Malaysian Ringgit for all currency
The exchange rate for the Malaysian Ringgit for all currency
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