Malaysia Country Travel Advice Report - ASU Global Education Office
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Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Travel Advice Report
Malaysia
Overall Risk Rating: Low - Moderate | 2.75
Drum Cussac Group Limited Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Contents
Country Risk Rating Breakdown ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Country Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Security
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Political
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Infrastructural
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Environmental
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Medical
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Fact Box ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Travel Risk Advice ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Threat Scale Reference ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Drum Cussac Group Limited 2 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Risk Rating Breakdown
Country Overall Risk Rating Low - Moderate | 2.75
Security Environmental Infrastructural Political Medical
Low - Moderate | 2.75 Low - Moderate | 2.50 Low - Moderate | 2.75 Low - Moderate | 2.50 High | 4.00
Drum Cussac Group Limited 3 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services Country Overview Low - Moderate | 2.75 Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and is separated by the South China Sea into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia to the west and Malaysian Borneo or East Malaysia to the east. A constitutional monarchy, the country's political sphere had historically been dominated by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), although its six-decade rule came to an end in May 2018 as the opposition capitalised on public discontent over rising costs and corruption scandals to secure a shock election win. However, in March 2020, a new Perikatan Nasional (PN) government consisting of UMNO and Pas Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) came into power following the abrupt resignation of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Although UMNO left the alliance in July 2020, the party continues to lend its support and remains part of the federal government. Malaysia experiences sporadic episodes of civil unrest in the form of protests and generally driven by political issues. Ethno-religious tensions have at times resulted in street demonstrations. Malaysian authorities have developed a stable economic environment by encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI), and broad policy continuity is expected. However, corruption remains a challenge to many foreign firms conducting business in Malaysia. The primary threats to travelers in Malaysia are petty and opportunistic crime, burglaries, and credit card fraud. Violent crimes against foreigners are rare. There are concerns over the appeal of Islamic State (IS) propaganda among self-radicalized individuals and cells loosely linked to the jihadist outfit. Sabah's eastern seaboard has been vulnerable to infiltration by suspected Philippines-based extremist groups as well as crime syndicates seeking to kidnap locals and foreigners. Malaysia has a well-developed transportation network, which is more established in Peninsular Malaysia than in East Malaysia. The same is true for health and communications infrastructure, which are also of better quality in urban locales than in rural areas. Security Low - Moderate | 2.75 Overview Petty opportunistic crime represents the primary threat for travelers and expatriates in Malaysia, with frequent reports of purse snatching, pickpocketing, smash-and-grab theft and residential burglary. There have been concerns over the presence of small cells inspired predominantly by Islamic State (IS) ideology, although authorities have been largely successful in containing the limited threat they pose. Unrest occurs sporadically in Malaysia, with political divisions and racial tensions being the main triggers for demonstrations. There is a low conflict risk, with Malaysia largely maintaining good or cordial relations with its neighbors. Political Low - Moderate | 2.50 Overview Malaysia is a relatively stable constitutional monarchy that has been dominated since independence by the pro-ethnic Malay UMNO. Corruption is believed to be widespread in Malaysia, where the dominance of the UMNO has created a conducive environment for crony capitalism. Rule of law in Malaysia has been negatively affected by frequent interference from political elites, with allegations of politically-motivated charges being leveled against opponents, as well as powers granted to authorities to detain individuals without trial. Infrastructural Low - Moderate | 2.75 Overview There are no major concerns with aviation security affecting Malaysian airlines and airports. While the road network is generally considered good across Malaysia, driving conditions are negatively affected by frequent flouting of road regulations, heavy congestion and crime risks. Power supplies are adequate and largely reliable across the country, although aging infrastructure can trigger outages and blackouts, mostly in rural areas and towns of eastern Malaysia. Internet infrastructure and penetration rates are high in Malaysia, although this expansion has resulted in an associated increase in cyber-crime risks. Environmental Low - Moderate | 2.50 Drum Cussac Group Limited 4 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services Overview The country's climate can be described as equatorial, characterized by year-round high temperatures and humidity levels on average of 90 per cent. Malaysia is prone to torrential downpours, particularly during the two rainy seasons, that have the potential to generate widespread flooding. Outside of the monsoon period, Malaysia frequently records potentially hazardous drops in air quality due to haze formed as a result of "slash- and-burn" agriculture. Malaysia is located in a seismically-active region, with the eastern state of Sabah the most vulnerable to potentially destructive tremors. Medical High | 4.00 Overview Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, present the most common risks for travelers and expatriates in Malaysia. Medical facilities are largely assessed as adequate in major urban centers, particularly Kuala Lumpur, but quality varies significantly in more rural areas. Medicines are generally readily available in major urban centers, although local prescriptions may be required for certain pharmaceuticals. Counterfeit drugs are an issue, but primarily affect online-based purchases. Tap water is widely available but its consumption is not generally advised. Drum Cussac Group Limited 5 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services
Fact Box
Government
Federal Constitutional Monarchy
Type
Population 30,331,007 (2015)
Currency Malaysian Ringgit
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka,
Languages
Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
Time Zone UTC+8
Religions Muslim (official) 61%, Buddhist 20%, Christian 9%, Hindu 6%, Other 4%
Traffic Drives on the left
Plug Types Type A, Type C, Type G and Type M
Ethnicities Malay 50%, Chinese 23%, indigenous 12%, Indian 7%, other including non-citizens 8%
Drinking
Not Safe to Drink
Water
Significant Dates:
January 1 - New Year’s Day January 25/26/27 - Chinese Lunar New Year's Day May 1 -
Additional
Labour Day May 7 - Wesak Day May 24/25/26 - Hari Raya Puasa June 6 - Yang di-Pertuan
Information
Agong's Birthday July 31 / August 1/2 - Hari Raya Haji August 31 - Merdeka Day (National
Day) September 16 - Malaysia Day October 29 - Prophet's Birthday November 14 -
Deepavali December 25 - Christmas Day
International
Country +60
Code
Drum Cussac Group Limited 6 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Travel Risk Advice
Vaccinations and Key Health Risks
You should visit a health care professional at least four to six weeks prior to the trip. Travellers should ensure that they have routine vaccination
courses and boosters. Routine vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and
annual flu vaccine.
Certain mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika are present, and proactive mosquito prevention efforts are recommended.
There is no vaccination to prevent Zika and comprehensive mosquito protection methods are recommended. This is particularly important for
those who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, suffer from a severe, chronic medical condition, or have a medical condition that weakens
the immune system. Female travellers who are pregnant or who wish to become pregnant, including their partners, may wish to seek additional
medical advice.
Chloroquine is not effective in Malaysia and the Centre for Disease Control recommends using atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine
as prophylaxis.
Most travellers will require vaccines from:
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Dependent on work, the reason for travel, or underlying health conditions, some travellers may require vaccines from:
Cholera
Hepatitis B
Japanese Encephalitis
Malaria
Rabies
Yellow Fever
Pre-departure
Travellers should undertake a pre-travel security brief on the associated threats and operating environment, and are recommended to have
undertaken annual travel security training. Corruption is a significant concern in Malaysia, and business travellers should undertake bribery
and corruption training before travelling.
Travellers should have adequate travel insurance in place to enable rapid medical treatment or emergency extraction from country, and
should review contingency operations, business continuity and crisis management plans.
While medical facilities are adequate in major urban centres, the quality varies significantly in more rural areas. Travellers to rural areas
should identify possible sources of medical support.
Travellers should provide friends and family with a copy of their travel itinerary, make a copy of important travel and identification documents,
and if applicable, obtain their visa prior to arrival. Travellers should also have information on their meeting host, accommodation, relevant
embassies and trusted local contacts easily accessible.
Due to environmental hazards, travellers should familiarise themselves with local evacuation plans issued by the local government or
relevant authorities.
On Arrival
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is 50 km (29 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur, near Putra Jaya. Travellers should have a meet and
greet procedure in place and should proceed through arrivals in a timely manner, and depart as soon as practicably possible.
Travellers should continually reassess the security and threat environment through a range of multi-source intelligence advisories.
Travellers should carry a copy of their travel documents at all times.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 7 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
In Transit
Travellers should avoid using street taxis, but should utilise low-profile hotel booked taxis or locally vetted transport providers which have
emergency equipment appropriate to the local geography and climatic conditions. Fuel levels in the vehicles should be at least half-full.
Travel routes should avoid isolated areas and potential choke points where practical. Travellers should establish the formal identification of
the driver before commencing any trip.
Travellers should only travel with minimal non-essential valuable items, and valuables should not be displayed publically.
At Your Hotel
Travellers should stay at a reputable hotel with good standards of international-level security, and should avoid hotels that have scheduled
high-profile conferences during the stay. Hotels should be located in areas of town that have not previously witnessed protests or
demonstrations, or are not marred by ethnic or political tensions. Ideally, hotels should be away from chokepoints and not surrounded by
other high-profile targets (such as foreign embassies, other well-known hotels or restaurants known to attract large numbers of Westerners).
On arrival at the hotel, ensure the driver stays on site until your check-in has been confirmed. Similarly before departing to the airport when
leaving the hotel, ensure your driver waits until your flight check-in is confirmed.
Travellers should favour rooms on floors between 2 and 6, and as far as possible from the main entrance and principal public areas. Rooms
with access from a side balcony or fire escape should be avoided.
Travellers should always lock the door (and any connecting doors) to your room, and use the chain or spy hole when receiving a visitor. Do
not open the door to your hotel room, especially late at night, until you have confirmed the visitor’s identity but meet strangers in the lobby,
not in your room.
In the Street
Travellers should avoid leaving the hotel alone after dark alone.
Travellers should be aware of the national culture and behavioural expectations. Photographing government buildings or military facilities
may result in detention by authorities. Travellers should ask permission before taking pictures of locals, especially women. Sharia (Islamic)
Law has been partly introduced, and Kelantan and Terengganu states are particularly observant.
Same-sex relations are criminalised and penalties can include fines and imprisonment. Travellers should be mindful that Islamic Sharia laws
are in effects in a number of states. Homophobia and negative attitudes towards LGBT issues are prevalent. As such, travellers should
carefully weigh the risks of attending related rallies and events, as well as displaying overt signs of their sexual orientation in public, such as
holding hands.
Travellers should avoid sensitive areas, and during periods of heightened tension travellers should avoid symbolic places - such police
stations, government buildings, fast food restaurants, and banks – and locations of previous protests. Demonstrations, protests and rallies
should be avoided as they may attract security forces and law enforcement officers and present a dynamic and volatile environment.
Travellers should keep a low profile, and should not become involved in local political issues and avoid discussing politically sensitive topics
in public.
Travellers should avoid overt displays of wealth and dress discreetly and appropriately to the environment. Do not display money, jewellery
or valuables and keep a low profile.
Travellers should settle small bills with cash, and have a spare credit card available. Travellers should use only small denominations of the
Malaysian Ringgit, and keep large amounts of cash and cards in a separate place on your person. Reduce the contents of your wallet or
purse contents, particularly cards which may denote affiliations, memberships and accounts. Do not use credit or debit cards unless
absolutely necessary and then only at respected, well-known retail and service establishments.
Travellers should ensure that their mobile phone is carried with sufficient battery life and programmed with appropriate emergency numbers.
Travellers should also carry an ID card or passport and emergency medical information.
Travellers should be aware of their location and surroundings. Avoid high-crime areas and of walking through dimly lit streets after dark.
Travellers should know routes and carry a map if necessary, but keep it concealed.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 8 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
In crowded situations, travellers should be aware of jostling as this may be a ploy for pick-pockets. Travellers should also be aware of people
loitering, and also that attackers may first pass their victim to attack from behind.
Travellers should ignore verbal ‘bait’ from passers-by, do not get into an argument and avoid eye contact with strangers.
COVID-19 Information
Total Cases (ECDC) (Updated on Monday): 1,027,954
Weekly percentage increase in cases:10.83%
Travel Restrictions: Internal Restrictions Malaysian authorities have ended the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) and are enforcing
eased measures in most locations, including the capital Kuala Lumpur and Selangor State as of July 20. Under phase 1 of the National Recovery
Plan (PPN), interdistrict and interstate travel remains suspended; exemptions are in place for individuals attending vaccination appointments.
Authorities do not allow children under the age of 12 in public except for exercise, medical, education, or emergency reasons. Only two people
from each household can leave their residence to purchase essential items within 10 km (6 miles) of their residence; at most, three people from
each household may leave home for medical reasons or emergencies within the same radius.
Facemasks are mandatory in public. People can participate in individual exercise within their neighborhood 07:00-20:00; Contact sports and
gymnasiums remain barred. Shops selling essential items such as supermarkets, pharmacies, and departments stores may open 08:00-20:00.
Short-term business travelers under the One-Stop Center (OSC) Initiative with permission from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are exempt
from the movement controls. Taxis are limited to ferrying two passengers at a time. Public transport may operate at 50-percent capacity. The
shipment of nonessential goods from factories for import and export purposes is limited to 08:00-20:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays;
essential goods are exempt from the restrictions. Airports, logistics, and ports services remain operational. Essential business approved by the
authorities may operate with 60 percent of employees on site.
Kelantan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, and Terengganu states remain under phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN)
as of July 20. Some economic sectors can reopen. People may participate in individual exercise and non-contact sports but must adhere to
physical distancing requirements. Food establishments may operate from 06:00-10:00. Officials limit on-site employees in essential industries to
80 percent. Interdistrict and interstate travel remains suspended; exemptions are in place for essential reasons with permission from local
authorities.
State governments may impose additional restrictions on top of those mandated by the central authorities. Sarawak requires all persons arriving
in the state, including those from other parts of Malaysia, to present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before entry.
Sabah requires most incoming passengers to provide a negative RT-PCR test result upon arrival; exceptions are in effect for travelers on state
duty. Returning residents and nonresident travelers must quarantine for 14 days at their residence or hotels at their own expense. Central or state
authorities may enact or reintroduce restrictions if COVID-19 cases increase.
International Travel Restrictions Most foreigners remain banned from entering Malaysia; exemptions are in place for resident diplomats, foreign
spouses and dependents of Malaysian citizens, long-term pass holders, and expatriate employees working in essential industries and their
dependents. Individuals may apply for a MyTravelPass (MTP) to enter or exit the country. Travelers must seek prior approval from authorities,
undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, and download the MySejahtera contact-tracing application. Arrivals from most countries must quarantine
at designated sites for 14 days; officials may extend the quarantine period for an additional seven days based on a medical screening on the 14th
day. Officials require a 21-day quarantine for permitted travelers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. All travelers must
undergo COVID-19 tests three days before their flights to Malaysia. Foreigners may transit Malaysian airports as long as they do not pass
through immigration points. Passengers traveling to Sarawak must complete an ""enterSarawak"" and eHealth Declaration form before departure.
Malaysia has suspended the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), which allows limited short-term cross-border travel with Singapore for business and
official purposes, since May 13. Authorities are requiring travelers under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), which allows travelers to
make multiple-entry visits to and from Singapore through land border crossings at Woodlands or Tuas for 90-day stays, to undergo 14-day
quarantine at designated facilities.
Additional Information: https://my.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Drum Cussac Group Limited 9 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Threat Scale Reference
Threat Rating Implication
The operating environment is benign and there are only isolated threats to business
1 - Negligible
and/or travel.
The operating environment is generally permissive, although there are a limited
2 – Low
number of threats to business and/or travel that requires basic mitigations.
The operating environment is challenging and there are serious threats to business
3 – Moderate
and/or travel that requires some mitigations.
The operating environment is hostile and there are significant threats to business,
4 – High
personal safety and/or travel, requiring comprehensive mitigations and planning.
The operating environment is characterised by pervasive direct threats to business,
5 – Extreme
personal safety and/or travel, requiring strict risk management procedures.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 10 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:13 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Disclaimer
Drum Cussac Group Ltd makes no representation, warranties or assurance against risk with respect to the contents or use of this document, and
specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties or usefulness for any particular purpose of this publication. Recommendations made are based on
information available at the time of writing. No express or implied warranty is given in respect of any judgment made or to changes, or any unforeseen
escalation of any factors affecting any such judgment.
Copyright
Copyright 2016 Drum Cussac Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express prior consent of Drum
Cussac Group Ltd.
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