Living In Malaysia > Everyday Living

Shopping

Malaysia is somewhat of a shopper's paradise with modern air-conditioned shopping complexes, department stores and hypermarkets
in all major cities. Generally, shopping complexes open between 10am and 10pm each day. There is a wide variety of local and imported
goods on offer including many well known and international brands. In Kuala Lumpur, the main shopping complexes include, a number of
malls along Jalan Bukit Bintang such as Lot 10 and the Starhill Centre. Suria KLCC is at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers and
overlooks the Kuala Lumpur City Centre gardens. On the Western side of the city is the Mid Valley Mega Mall. To the East of the city is
Ampang Point. To the North West of the City is One Utama. The shopping complexes all contain food courts with mainly Asian cuisine,
Western fast food chains and some restaurants such as Chillis and Swensens. There are also department stores within the complexes,
including Jusco, MetroJaya, Parkson Grand and Marks and Spencer. These stores offer a variety of household goods, clothing and
footwear 'under one roof'. There are also several hypermarkets such as Carrefour, Best Denki (electrical), Tesco and Makro. Most stores
have a fixed pricing policy, however some such as electrical and white-goods stores will negotiate on price. Often discounts are available
by merely asking. Major credit cards are readily accepted in the larger stores. However, there is sometimes a charge imposed on the user
at a percentage of the purchase amount for commission and administrative costs. Major cards accepted include VISA, MASTERCARD and
AMERICAN EXPRESS. Caution should be exercised with the use of credit cards due to credit card fraud in Malaysia. It is advisable to
always carry a reasonable amount of cash with you.

Dress

In peninsular Malaysia the daytime temperature varies between 26 and 34 degrees celcius year round. As such lightweight clothing is
the most suitable. For male office workers a long or short-sleeved shirt and tie is the norm. Unless the occasion is very formal wearing
a jacket is neither practical nor required. For ladies any clothing of lightweight material is acceptable. However, clothing that is too
revealing may cause the wearer some unwanted attention, so erring on the side of conservatism is probably best. Clothing and footwear
in larger sizes are not always readily available in Malaysia. It is advisable to shop at home before your departure for these items.

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Food & Drink

(a). Eating Out

Eating is an obsession with Malaysians of all races. The sheer number and variety of eating places is testament to this. Eating out is
done much more regularly in Malaysia than it is in western countries mainly because it is so cheap to do so. Lunch can cost as little
as USD 1. A true Malaysian institution is the Kopi Tiam or Coffee Shop. This will be an eatery that will open from very early in the
morning to very late at night (and sometimes 24 hours) serving a variety of food at very cheap prices. In Kuala Lumpur there is a great
variety of cuisines on offer as Malaysian eating preferences become more sophisticated. There are some good European fine dining
establishments. The prices of the food at such places is very reasonable compared to a similar meal at a similar establishment in London
for example. However, the prices of wine and alcohol at such places is high and often costs more than the food. Some restaurants will
allow BYO but will charge corkage. There is also a good selection of other Asian cuisines available in Malaysia' s major urban centers
including Thai, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese. Malaysian Chinese have developed their own distinctive cuisine. South Indian food is
widely available at curry houses that often operate 24 hours. In Kuala Lumpur there are also a number of very good north Indian restaurants.
Malaysians also love fast food. KFC, McDonald's, Burger King, and Subway are all well established. Sushi bars are catching on.

(b). Eating In

In recent years the number of supermarkets and specialty shops selling European/American foodstuffs has increased tremendously.
These not only serve expatriates but also the growing number of Malaysians who have developed a taste for such delicacies.
European retailers such as Carrefour and Tesco operate in Malaysia as do Jusco and Sogo from Japan. Good quality, cheap local
produce is available at day and night markets and smaller grocery stores.

(c). Drinking

There are a wide variety of establishments ranging from British style pubs to Japanese karaoke lounges that cater for all ages and
tastes. They stay open until the wee hours. An increasing variety of imported beers and wine is becoming available. The local brew
is Anchor. Tiger beer (Singapore) is also brewed locally as is Heineken, Guinness and Carlsberg.

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Driving

Malaysia generally follows the UK Highway Code. Traffic signs and regulations are similar to those in the UK. Drive on the left in
right-hand drive vehicles. Seat belts are compulsory. Using a handphone manually whilst driving is an offence (you must use a
"hands-free" kit). Malaysia does recognize an International Driving Permit. For license holders from EU countries the US and some
Commonwealth countries are allowed to drive in Malaysia for six months after their arrival on their home country license. After 6
months you can automatically receive a Malaysian license upon application. Crown Line can assist with this.

Utilities

(a). Water

Malaysians will boil tap water before drinking it. Supply of mineral water to homes is becoming more common. You pay a monthly
rental fee for the dispenser and 19 litre containers of mineral water are delivered to your home when ordered.

(b). Electricity

The electrical current is 200-240 volts and 50 cycles. Wall plugs are a mix between 3 pin British type plugs and 2 pin (rounded)
Japanese type plugs. Electricity supply is becoming more reliable, certainly in the major urban areas. General "brown-outs" are not
very common although localized disruption can happen occasionally especially during the monsoon season. The television/video
system is PAL and the number of TV Scan Lines is 625. Satellite Television is available through ASTRO, the sole provider.

(c). Telecommunications

The explosion of mobile telephony in recent years has made the inadequacies in the fixed line system less noticeable. Remote rural
areas may not be served by fixed line telephones at all. In the towns and cities fixed line communications are generally very good.
Getting a dedicated Internet line to your home in a major city is now a relatively straightforward exercise.

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