TELEPHONE
To dial home from Malaysia, use the international access
code 00, followed by the destination country code, area code and number you
wish to dial.
For calls to Malaysia, the international dial code prefix
may vary depending upon the country from which the call is made, but will be
followed by Malaysia’s international number +60, followed by the area code and
local number. When dialling within Malaysia, local numbers are prefixed with 0.
The main emergency number is 999 which is free to call,
and is suitable for use in all types of emergency. The mobile phone emergency
number is 112. The Malaysian tourist police hotline number is 03 2149 6590.
When travelling with Haivenu, you will also always be
provided with an emergency contact number to access our help and assistance.
For mobile handsets, consult your service provider in
advance of departure to activate your handset for use in Malaysia and seek
advice concerning roaming charges, which are, however, likely to be expensive.
If your phone is unlocked, another option is to buy a SIM
card locally, from one of Malaysia’s providers, Celcom, Maxis, and DiGi. There
are pre-paid SIM cards available specifically for visitors, which can also
include data.
The country has wide 3G and expanding, but already
extensive, 4G coverage and signal problems are only likely to be encountered in
very remote jungled or mountainous areas. You can also purchase contract free
handsets locally, though you will also need to purchase a SIM card.
INTERNET
Most hotels provide Wi-Fi, which is often free. In
addition free Wi-Fi access is widely available in cafes, restaurants and
shopping malls. Indeed, in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, it is mandatory for food
outlets to offer free Wi-Fi.
The 3G and 4G networks are well developed, and for mobile
internet, buying a sim locally provides a relatively cheap and reliable
solution, with the added advantage of access to useful navigation and
sightseeing apps.
ELECTRICITY
The electricity supply in Malaysia is 240 Volts, at 50 HZ.
A useful visual reference guide to the full range of international
plug and socket varieties can be found at http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/, which describes
the type system in use on this website.
Malaysia’s British colonial history has left the legacy
of a standardised system across the country, and all Malaysian sockets are of
the square three pin type G, as used in the UK.
It is helpful to consider your likely needs in advance. If
you will need to charge several items such as mobile phones, tablet computers,
cameras etc, it may be worth bringing a multiple, preferably surge protected,
outlet from your own country to avoid having to purchase several adapters, or
to deal with a limited availability of wall sockets.
In most cases, if your equipment normally runs on a 110
volt, 60 HZ supply, you will additionally need a portable transformer.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Malaysia uses the international metric system of weights
and measures, based on the metre and gram.
POSTAL SERVICES
Postal services are run by Pos Malaysia Berhad, a
privatised previously state-operated company, with post offices being
widespread throughout the country, providing a reliable, efficient and wide
range of postal services. Opening hours can fluctuate according to the Malaysian
state, but services are generally available in most states from 08:30– 17:30 on
weekdays, and 8:30 – 13:00 on Saturdays. The states of Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu
operate from Sunday to Thursday from 08:30-17:30 and on Saturday from
08:00-13:00.
Several international operators, such as TNT, DHL, UPS
and Federal Express, also operate in Malaysia.
TIME ZONE
Malaysia’s time zone is GMT+8, though
it should be noted for calculation purposes that the country does not operate a
daylight saving mechanism.