Before travelling to Malaysia, or indeed any destination,
it is good practise to check the travel advice pages of your own government’s
website for up to the minute advice on travel and especially for specific
threats to your safety based on your nationality, gender, race, religion or
sexual persuasion.
Other than the general threat of global terrorism, there
are no additional terrorist threats presently existing in Western Malaysia.
However it should be noted that Malaysia is a Muslim country and that the
potential for future attacks on foreigners does exist.
If you are intending to travel to the dive islands of
Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, you should be aware that there has been a history of
kidnappings of foreigners initiated by the Abu Sayyef Group as part of their
strategy for seeking an Islamic province in the nearby Philippines. Increased
Malaysian security has improved the situation greatly, but the potential threat
remains.
Earthquakes are very rare and slight in Malaysia, with
mild tremors occasionally being felt from neighbouring countries and, as with
Thailand, the potential for a Tsunami event is a remote possibility.
Tourist crime is fairly common in Malaysia with the
snatching of portable technology, handbags and luggage, purses, wallets and
passports the most usual. Credit Card fraud is also a major concern, and you
should not allow a transaction to proceed if the card is removed from your
sight. ATM machines have also been skimmed, and it is always best practise to
use machines inside banks, where they are less susceptible to interference.
Special attention is required with drinks, which should
never be left unattended, as several instances of drugging foreigners as a
prelude to robbery and rape have occurred. For the same reason, drinks offered
by strangers should be regarded with suspicion and not accepted.
Stay away from drugs. Possession of an illegal drug will
lead to a custodial sentence and may also involve flogging. Trafficking
offences carry a mandatory death sentence.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, and ‘punishable’ by
a prison sentence of up to 20 years and whipping.
Oral and Anal sex in Heterosexuals is also illegal and
carries similar penalties.
If you are a Muslim, regardless of your nationality, you
will also be subject to Sharia Law.