Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. A federal constitutional monarchy that's made up of two main regions: Peninsular Malaysia on the Indochinese Peninsula, and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It is known for its tropical climate, cultural diversity, modern cities, and rich natural landscapes — including rainforests, mountains, and beautiful coastlines. The country is also a multi-ethnic and multilingual nation, with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous communities forming the core of its cultural tapestry. Malaysia's official religion is Islam, but the country is generally known for its religious and cultural pluralism. Its economy is one of the most developed in the region, driven by manufacturing, petroleum, palm oil, tourism, and high-tech industries.
Its capital, Kuala Lumpur, is the largest city in Malaysia. A vibrant, modern metropolis, famous for landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers (the world's tallest twin towers), the Batu Caves, Merdeka Square, Bukit Bintang (a bustling shopping district), and the National Mosque, along with having a rich food culture blending Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international cuisines. Administratively, Malaysia’s federal government operates from Putrajaya, a planned city about 25 km south of the capital, but Kuala Lumpur remains the national capital and cultural/economic hub.
UTC+8.
Frequent and severe flooding, often linked to monsoon seasons and heavy rains.
Traffic/driving fines are often issued on the spot by police ('summons' or saman), and some rental car agreements may charge you additionally if fines are issued to the vehicle. Common traffic offences include:
Some fines are reduced if paid quickly (within 7 – 14 days). If ignored, a court summons may follow.
Other offences to keep in mind are:
The official language of Malaysia is Malay, but English, Mandarin and Tamil are also spoken.
Vehicles drive on the left in Malaysia. The minimum age to drive is 17, but to rent is 21 - 23 (plus having a licence held of at least a year). Rental companies would often charge drivers under 25 a surcharge, and a maximum age limit to rent (around 65 - 75). UK drivers aren't required to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) for Malaysia as long as their stays are within 30 days, and they don't have an older paper licence, but it is recommended to get one for car rentals and police checks.
Major highways are well-paved, wide, and smooth, and Malaysia's expressways are considered among the best in Southeast Asia. But urban roads can range from good to congested depending on the city, and some rural roads can be narrow and poorly lit. Be careful when driving as motorcyclists are frequent, especially in urban areas, and be especially cautious as tropical rain can make roads slippery quickly (so, adjust speed accordingly).
The types of fuel Malaysian stations mainly offer are: petrol RON 95 (standard; most common), petrol RON 97/RON 100 (premium; for high performance cars), diesel/Euro 5 diesel, and EV charging (mostly in urban areas and shopping malls; slower charging in rural areas). Most stations are full-service, but there do exist self-service stations in some urban areas. Cash is always accepted and card is widely accepted (except for rural stations). Fuel stations can be sparse in remote regions like East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak) and interior highlands. So, fill up whenever possible.
Zero tolerance (0.00%).
Compulsory for all occupants.
Children under 12 (or under 136cm or under 36kg) must use certified car seats.
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