What to know about traveling in Malaysia – Part 2

Malaysia, unlike Singapore, is not so well-known as a country or a favourite tourist destination in the eyes of the world. In fact, I won’t be surprised if you read about Malaysia and were curious to know about it for the wrong reasons – for the ‘fact’ that it is an Islamic nation, or that it discriminates against women, that eating pork is prohibited, and a host of other negative information and mis-information about it. This article seeks to address some of the common perceptions, some correct and justified but others misguided or misconceived, about travelling in Malaysia.

I would like to offer some friendly advice and at the same time set a few facts right to prospective travellers to Malaysia. When you travel to Malaysia, take note of and bear in mind the following:

1. Yes, Malaysia is a country populated by mostly Muslims and the national religion (I know this concept of national religion is alien to most Western readers) is Islam. But Islam is not the only religion practised by its citizens; a good number of Malaysians are Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. To put it correctly and in perspective, Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation where, it is true, Islam is accorded the status of a prime or dominant faith – but other religions and faiths are also well and alive and believers are not barred from practising them, Islam notwithstanding. Look around you, there are many countries in the world (notably in the Middle-East) where Islamic theocracy is practised quite strictly. I don’t have to name them. You know the countries. And Malaysia is not one of them.

What is the significance of this to you prospective tourists? It means that when you enter Malaysia, bear in mind it is just like any other foreign country in which the customs, practices, social norms, etc are different from that of the country you come from. Dress according to the weather conditions ( no need for ties and lounge suits all the time) but wear appropriately for the occasion: no scantily-clad swimsuits, when you go swimming in public beaches; avoid too low-cut dresses that may be a little too revealing, etc.

2. No, Malaysia is not a country that still exists in the 19th Century with savages hunting heads for souvenirs! True, long time ago, the people of certain parts of Malaysia – Sarawak, to be specific (which is one of the two East Malaysian states now )- took the heads off members of tribes they conquered and preserved the skulls as tokens