All You Need to Know About Malaysia
Malaysia’s facts you need to know
Selamat Datang ke Malaysia
Hello there! Selamat datang ke Malaysia. That means “Welcome to Malaysia” in our national language, Bahasa Malaysia.
Long sandy beaches meeting clear blue waters, tropical rain forests, ultra-modern skyscrapers, a melting pot of various cultures and traditions, a gastronomic paradise—these are just some of the things that await you in Malaysia.
But before you come over, let’s go through some fast and fun Malaysian facts, shall we?
Our Culture
Get to know our unique culture, from our people, religion and languages used in Malaysia.
People
One of the things you will find most fascinating about Malaysia is its people and culture. Being a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual society of 32 million makes Malaysia a true cultural melting pot.
Religion
Islam is the official religion of the country, but other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity are widely practiced.
Language
Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, while English is widely spoken. The next most widely spoken languages are Mandarin and Tamil, which are respectively used by Chinese and Indian citizens of Malaysia.
Our Geographical Information
Discover our unique geographical characteristics, along with our convenient timezone and currency.
Geography
Malaysia, the 66th largest country worldwide, consists of two distinct parts: Peninsular Malaysia, connected to Thailand, and East Malaysia on Borneo Island, sharing borders with Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia. Kuala Lumpur, the capital and largest city, is the place where we gather global furniture professionals at MIFF every year in March.
Climate
Malaysia enjoys a warm, humid climate year-round, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C, while elevated regions are cooler. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm in most places. There are two seasons: a dry season from May to September and a rainy season from November to March.
Timezone
As you plan your visit, remember that Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Currency
The Malaysian Ringgit (RM or MYR) is the currency. Money changers are easily accessible while major credit cards and e-wallets are widely accepted. Common e-wallets used in Malaysia include Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GrabPay and Boost. Visitors should complete a Travellers Declaration Form (TDF) due to currency movement regulations. The exchange rate is USD1 = RM4.73 at the time of publishing. Notes are available in denominations of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, and RM100, while coins come in 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, and 50 sen.
Our Utilities
Discover essential utilities, including power voltage, weight and measurement standards, and telecommunication options in Malaysia.
Electricity
Voltage is 220-240 volts while A/C is at 50 cycles per second, and our power socket is type G, which is the same socket used in the UK.
Weights and measurements
Malaysia uses the metric system for all weights and measurements.
Telecommunications
Extensive mobile network with high-speed mobile data coverage is available throughout populated areas of the country. The four largest mobile network providers are Celcom, Maxis (Hotlink), Digi and U Mobile.
