 Visas: Commonwealth
citizens and most European nationals do not need visas for visits of less than three
months. Visitors are usually issued an extendable 30 or 60-day visa on arrival.
Health risks: Dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, rabies
Time: GMT/UTC plus eight hours
Electricity: 220-240V, 50 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
When to Go
 Malaysia is
hot and humid all year so you're going to have sunshine and sweat pretty much whenever you
visit. It is, however, best to avoid the November to January rainy season on Peninsula
Malaysia's east coast if you want to enjoy the beaches. The time to see turtles on the
east coast is between May and September.
Events
 The major Islamic events are
connected with Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The major Malaysian
festival is Hari Raya Puasa, which marks the end of Ramadan with three days of
joyful celebrations. Hari Raya Haji marks the successful completion of the hajj
(pilgrimage to Mecca) with a two-day feast of cakes and sweets. Chinese New Year,
in January or February, is welcomed in with dances, parades and much good cheer. The
festival of Thaipusam in late January is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals
(now banned in India) during which devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing
masochism - definitely not for the squeamish. In KL, devotees march to nearby Batu Caves;
in Penang, the event is celebrated at the Waterfall Temple. The Kota Belud Tamu Besar
is a huge tribal gathering held in May at Kota Belud near Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. It
includes a massive market, traditional ceremonies, ornately decorated horsemen, medicine
men and tribal handicrafts. A smaller tamu  is held in Kota Belud every Sunday if you're not visiting during May.
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