The authorities imposed temporary entry restrictions on foreign nationals to Malaysia from March 18. The restrictions apply until 12 May. See also the chapter on health for more information about coronavirus/covid-19 and entry restrictions related to it.
Safety
Malaysia is a relatively safe country. However, one can experience problems in relation to crime, traffic and health. Travelers are advised to read carefully through the embassy’s safety recommendations. According to countryaah, Malaysia is one of countries starting with letter M.
In Malaysia, in particular, the eastern coast of the state of Sabah is on Borneo and the area around a risk area. Caution should therefore be exercised when traveling in the area. In 2015 and 2016, several abductions and abductions were carried out, both by workers and tourists. From February to July 2013, there were clashes between armed people from the Philippines and Malaysian security forces on the east coast of Sabah. It is generally recommended that travelers stay informed about the situation in the country and in the region.
There are regular demonstrations in central parts of Kuala Lumpur. Common assembly points are KLCC; Masjid Jamek and Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square / Independence square). Travelers should stay updated through local media and avoid political demonstrations.
Most trips abroad go without special problems. However, travelers may be subject to unpleasant surprises, violence and other crime. Travelers should be alert and take reasonable precautions. Norwegians who travel or settle in Malaysia are also encouraged to register at http://www.reiseregistrering.no/.
Traffic: Traffic is one of the biggest security threats in Malaysia. It is not least a danger to pedestrians, and it is important for pedestrians to exercise great care. The road standard in Malaysia is good, but the traffic density is high. The number of traffic accidents is high, with over 6,000 deaths per year per year. The majority of them are motorcycle accidents, but there are also many car and bus accidents. If driving a moped, be careful, especially if it rains as the roads can get very slippery. For pedestrians, it is recommended to use transitions and pedestrians as often as possible.
Crime: Travelers/residents should pay attention to bag mopers, who steal bags and jewelry from victims walking along sidewalks and roads. In some cases, this can result in serious personal injury in the event of a fall, the victim being pulled after the moped or the use of a weapon/ knife. We therefore encourage you to avoid the use of expensive jewelery and carefully consider whether it is necessary to carry your handbag when walking along the street. If you carry your bag, it should be carried on the shoulder facing away from the road. The bag should also not be carried diagonally across the body. If you should be subjected to bag chopping, you should not resist as this can be met with aggression on the part of the bag chaps.
There are burglaries in houses and apartments, even while people are at home. Such break-ins occur both during the day and at night, and may result in the use of violence. Therefore, one should be aware of the security around housing, not least if you are staying in detached houses/villas. There are also robberies and kidnappings of motorists.
Travelers/residents are advised to keep an eye on credit cards during payment, since copying and misuse of cards occur. Norwegians have also been exposed to scams in the form of being spontaneously invited home with a person whom they meet randomly on the street, and then involved in card games or gambling. Foreigners have been forced to pay substantial sums to get out of gambling debts.
If you are so unlucky to be hit by crime, you should submit a police report within 24 hours. This is because some police districts practice a one-day deadline and will not receive reviews after it expires.
Bathing: You should always ask your tour operator, hotel or local authority about variations in local bathing conditions, such as current conditions and/or the presence of poisonous jellyfish – especially the box jellyfish. Being burned by a cube man can result in death. The incidence of such jellyfish is increasing. There is little or no treatment against this at the hospitals. If you get burned, contact your doctor immediately.
Terrorism: There is a general risk of terrorist attacks in Malaysia, although the country has so far been spared from major terrorist acts. The authorities have made arrests of militant Islamists who are planning to hit Western targets in Malaysia. There is believed to be a credible threat from militant Islamists in Malaysia, but the threat is still considered low. The Malaysian authorities have for a long time increased their efforts against militant Islamists, and have increased the readiness of Kuala Lumpur. The embassy does not know that there is a specific threat at the moment.
The embassy encourages Norwegian citizens to keep abreast of the situation in the country and to listen to the advice of the Malaysian authorities. It is especially encouraged to avoid large crowds.
Kidnapping: Abductions of tourists have occurred on the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo, especially on the islands of the Sulu archipelago. Since the beginning of the 2000s, tourists in this area have been regularly kidnapped. The motive is, among other things, to raise ransom, and a number of abducted people have been killed. The entire coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including the islands and dive sites outside, is considered to be particularly vulnerable. In 2015 and 2016, a number of kidnappings have been carried out in the area.
Ambulance/medical assistance: Getting help to call an ambulance can be problematic. It can therefore be an advantage to bring your own mobile phone. The emergency number in Malaysia is 999.
The embassy recommends that if possible a good private hospital, preferably Gleneagles if you are in the Kuala Lumpur/Penang area. The embassy also has lists of hospitals in other areas.
When traveling outside the hotel, you should always carry your insurance certificate and passport number/copy of your passport with you.
The border area of Thailand: Travelers/residents are advised not to cross the border from Malaysia to Thailand through the Thai provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.
Natural Disasters: Malaysia is not particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, but it is important to follow messages and instructions from local authorities. Malaysian territory is not particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.
The biggest natural hazards are seasonal floods due to tropical rainfall. The eastern part of the Malaysian Peninsula is exposed to heavy rainstorms during the monsoon period October-February. These can in turn trigger the soil. Northern Malaysia was hit by heavy floods in December 2014, with hundreds more dead and injured.
It is important to follow messages and instructions from local authorities.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegians do not need a visa to stay in Malaysia for up to three months. It is important to remember that the passport is valid for at least six months upon entry into Malaysia. For longer stays in Malaysia we recommend that you get a copy of your passport with the entry stamp. Malaysia accepts emergency passports from Norway, as long as this is valid for six months upon entry.
When traveling to Borneo (the states of Sabah and Sarawak) one must be careful to get their passports stamped there, upon entry, exit and transfer between the two states. The entry stamps issued by border inspection in Sabah and Sarawak are valid for as long as one has legal residence in Malaysia.
Visa: Norwegians are granted a visa up to 90 days upon arrival in Malaysia. It is important to remember that the passport you are traveling on is valid for at least six months from entry into Malaysia. When requesting a return ticket, you must be able to show this at the airport.
Passport: The embassy has experienced that problems can arise for Norwegian citizens if they lose their passport in Malaysia. The problems are related to proving the date of entry into Malaysia. We recommend that all travelers make copies of their tickets and keep them separately from the originals and that they generally look after their passport well. For longer stays in Malaysia we recommend that you get a copy of your passport with the entry stamp.
If you lose your passport in Malaysia, do the following:
- Report your passport stolen with the tourist police in Malaysia and get a copy of the review
- Contact the Norwegian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for the issue of emergency passports (remember to bring the police report). Contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.
- Go to the Immigration Authorities in Malaysia (Putrajaya) to get a new entry stamp in the emergency passport.
For travel to Malaysia with refugee travel document (green travel document) and travel document for people on humanitarian basis (blue travel document), a visa is required.
However, reservations are made that the entry rules may be changed at short notice. It is therefore recommended that the relevant country’s authorities be contacted when planning a trip.
For a visa application for stays of over three months, as well as more detailed information about Malaysia, the Malaysian Embassy in Stockholm can be contacted. It also covers Norway:
Embassy of Malaysia
Karlavägen 37
Box 26053
SE-100 41 Stockholm
Phone: +46 (8) 440 84 00
Fax: +46 (8) 791 87 60
E-mail: mwstholm@algohotellet.se
Opening hours: 08: 30-16: 30
Embassy website
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): It appears that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends travel that is not strictly necessary for all countries. Travelers are reminded that many airlines are now reducing the services offered by Malaysia. Norwegian travelers who are still in Malaysia should, in consultation with their airline, consider leaving home as soon as possible. Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of how the virus is developing.
Feel free to follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation. On the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s websites , there are continuous updates on the situation in Malaysia.
Malaysian authorities have decided to impose temporary entry restrictions for foreign nationals. As of April 3, mandatory quarantine requirements for entry (excluding transit) apply. The quarantine must be carried out at the quarantine facilities of the Malaysian authorities or at a designated hotel, at their own expense.
The Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended until 28 April. No foreign nationals, with a few exceptions, can come to Malaysia during this time.
Foreign nationals who can enter Malaysia during the MCO period are:
- Spouse and children of Malaysian citizens provided they have Long Term Social Visa Passport/LTSVP and ‘dependent pass’.
- Foreign diplomats accredited to Malaysia, as well as their spouse and children if they have a “dependent pass”
- Foreigners with “Expatriate passports” who work in “essential services”. Approval must be obtained before departure to Malaysia.
Transiting to international destinations via Malaysian airports, including KLIA, is still allowed, but it does not require immigration. The situation is changing rapidly and one must be prepared that measures such as entry bans, closed borders, canceled flights and other measures can make it difficult to return to Norway. If you are still traveling in Malaysia, you are urged to contact your travel agent, airline or insurance company as soon as possible. Norwegian citizens planning to travel to the airport are advised to contact the embassy for assistance. The authority requires that all foreign nationals leaving Malaysia carry a letter issued from their embassy to allow them to travel freely to the airport.
Based on national health legislation, measures have been introduced to shut down several sectors, including schools and kindergartens, as well as restrictions on movement.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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The prevalence of the diseases dengue fever and malaria means that normal measures should be taken against mosquitoes. The Zika virus is considered to be endemic in Malaysia, ie the virus is thought to be present in the areas and may act as occasional occasional or minor outbreaks. Protection against mosquito bites such as clothing (long-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks) and use of mosquito repellent are the most important measures. If you are so unlucky to be infected, it is important that you seek medical help as soon as possible.
Dengue fever : There has been a sharp increase in the number of dengue fever in recent years, especially in the Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya areas. The mosquito species that transmit the dengue virus often stay in and around towns and cities. They usually sting during the day, unlike mosquitoes that transmit malaria. However, they can also stick in the evening and night hours. Common dengue fever is rarely a deadly disease. In a few cases, the disease can develop into a more severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever, which has higher mortality. This usually happens if you have previously been infected. There is no vaccine or tablets for the disease. More information can be found on the Public Health Institute’s website.
Malaria: There is minimal danger of malaria in Kuala Lumpur and the major cities, nor when staying at tourist hotels at the major tourist destinations such as Langkawi. It is recommended to take malaria tablets when traveling to some wooded inland areas on the Malacca Peninsula and in Sarawak and Sabah on Borneo. These should be purchased in the home country before coming to Malaysia.
Zika: The Zika virus has been found in Malaysia and parts of Southeast Asia in recent years. As a result, from May 3, 2017, Norwegian health authorities have changed advice for pregnant women and other travelers to areas with zika. In addition, more testing is open for couples in connection with pregnancy. Pregnants are advised to postpone unnecessary travel. More information can be found on the Zika virus’s pages on the Zika virus.
STDs: The most common STDs in Malaysia are herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. In addition, the number of HIV/AIDS positive is increasing in Malaysia. According to the Malaysia Aids Council, the number of people living with HIV is 90,603 and there were 3330 new cases of infection in 2015.
Food poisoning: Food poisoning and diarrhea are the most common diseases that travelers to Malaysia get. In more than 80 percent of cases, diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection and can be cured with antibiotics. Math hygiene is generally good at larger hotels and restaurants, but very varied in the many improvised street kitchens available.
Drinking water should be filtered or bottled, making sure that the seal is not broken. In restaurants you can order hot water, which means that the water is boiled before serving. You may want to avoid ice cubes.
Air Pollution: The combination of high temperature, high humidity and periodic air pollution can be unpleasant, especially for asthmatics, and can cause frequent respiratory infections, especially in the larger cities. The yearly recurring “haze” due to forest fires, primarily in Indonesia, occasionally creates acute high air pollution in the period June-August. If you suffer from asthma or other air pollution disorders, you may want to get out of town for a few days.
The Air Ministry’s website contains the Air Pollution Index (API). The National Ministry of Health has provided the following information; Tips to Beat the Haze.
Hospitals: Malaysian private hospitals consistently maintain a high standard and have specialists in most areas and disciplines. Medical sales are good in the larger cities, but watch out for counterfeit goods. This is especially true of malaria tablets, which should therefore be purchased before arriving in the country.
Travelers are advised to take out travel insurance as private hospital stays can quickly turn up in substantial sums. Otherwise, refer to health stations in Norway for an overview of necessary and recommended vaccines. International vaccination certificate is useful.
Practical
You should make sure you take out good travel insurance, or make sure that the one you have is sufficient for your next trip. Good travel insurance will cover, among other things, expenses related to injuries, accidents, illness, home transport and death.
Traveling abroad without travel insurance can have major consequences for you or your family. Should you need hospital treatment and home transport by ambulance from abroad, the costs can be very high. It can actually cost you a million.
Always read the insurance terms carefully in advance (including those in small print), and note the following:
- Does the insurance cover the country you are going to?
- Is the insurance valid for the entire duration of the trip?
- Most travel insurance policies have exemption clauses that include existing illness/chronic illnesses. If you have an illness/chronic illness, you should check with your insurance company before your trip to find out what your insurance covers – and not cover.
- If the purpose of the trip is to receive treatment abroad, you should think about what to do and how to finance special transport to Norway if it should be necessary after the treatment is completed. For example, ambulance flights can be very expensive. If the treatment journey is arranged through a Norwegian hospital, you should also address these questions with the hospital in advance.
- If you are going to do special activities during your stay abroad, such as extreme sports, you should investigate whether it is necessary to take out additional insurance.
When traveling within the EEA and Switzerland, you should also bring a European health insurance card which you can book in the following ways:
- Via the Helfo website
- Via SMS to 26626: Short (space) birth number (11 digits)
- Helfo’s automatic service phone +47 33 51 22 80
- Contact Helfo service center servicesenteret@helfo.no
The card documents that you have the right to necessary health care on par with the nationals of the country of residence, but does not cover, for example, extra expenses for returning home when you have become ill or have suffered an accident outside the Nordic region. According to allcitycodes, Malaysia area code is +60.
For further information about health care abroad contact Helfo abroad by phone: 21 06 92 30 or by e-mail: utland@helfo.no
If you are affected by illness or accident during a temporary stay abroad, you should contact the insurance company (alarm center) or tour operator. You may also need advice or practical help from a nearby foreign service station.
The vast majority of trips abroad go smoothly. Good preparation is important, especially if the purpose of the trip is treatment. Remember that everyone can get sick or be exposed to accidents – also abroad. Therefore, be well prepared.
The laws of Malaysia reflect the fact that it is a Muslim country. Therefore, one should dress properly, respect the local traditions, laws and religion during their stay. This is especially true during the festive month of Ramadan and when visiting mosques.
The legislation in Malaysia is based on the federal law, but also the Sharia law, which applies to all Muslims. Therefore, visitors risk whipping or long prison stays in violation of this legislation.
In Malaysia, homosexuality is illegal. Gays should therefore be careful and aware of this when traveling there. Public squeezing and kissing between a man and woman is also not accepted.
Particular attention should be paid to the country’s drug legislation and illegal possession of weapons; Malaysia automatically carries out the death penalty for drug trafficking and illegal possession of weapons. For drug possession, there is a risk of long imprisonment and possible beatings.
You may be asked to take a urine sample upon arrival in Malaysia if you are suspected of being affected by drugs. If this is positive, you can be sent to a rehabilitation center or deported.
Modes: Point with your whole hand, using your index finger is considered insulting. Hand greeting is common in Kuala Lumpur, but less prevalent outside the major cities, especially for women. A Malaysian greets with a slight handshake and then takes his hand to his chest. Some Malaysians do not greet people of the opposite sex.
Preferably use your right hand when giving or receiving money and goods, when shopping or at a restaurant. One should not go in front of a person praying or touching the Qur’an.
Malaysia’s official language is Bahasa Malaysia or Malay. However, English is widely used, especially in cities. In addition, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hockey, Tamil and iban are spoken.