Overland Malaysia Travel

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Visiting Malaysia

Malaysia consists of the West Malaysia or formerly known as the Malay Peninsular and East Malaysia divided by the South China Sea. The West Malaysia that also host the nation's capital Kuala Lumpur is connected to the Asia landmass bordering with Thailand on the north and the island state of Singapore at its southern tip. Across the South China Sea, East Malaysia consists of the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak that occupies the Island of Borneo with sovereign state Brunei and Indonesia's district of Kalimantan.

Malaysia is an economically and politically stable country, relatively. So the general ambience is peaceful and friendly, and are quite welcoming to tourists and visitors. Being a multiracial and multi cultural country, the Malay Language which is the national language is the most widely spoken, with Cantonese, Hokkien, Tamil, Iban, Dusun, etc. are popular among the respective ethnic groups. Luckily, English the second language and commonly used in business and corporate environment and a safe estimate of 65% of the population can understand English.

Although the majority of the population is predominantly Sunni Muslims, other religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. are commonly practiced in Malaysia. Places of worships of each faith are commonplace throughout the countryside.

The most popular gateways by road into Malaysia are at Padang Besar, Bukit Kayu Hitam and Rantau Panjang on the northern border with Thailand or from the South via Singapore at the Johor Singapore Causeway and Malaysia Singapore Secondlink at Tuas respectively. Alternatively one can ship one's vehicle straight into Port Klang in the Malay Peninsular.

Entering Malaysia with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: June 2014

Required Paperwork

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Malaysia, application instructions and fees see: Malaysia Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)

Process at border

Briefly describe the process at the border to enter with a vehicle

Shipping to Malaysia: www.aseantex.com.my acted as our agents on the Malaysian side. They are good people who also overland.

Cost of entry

State the cost for a vehicle to enter

Permitted length of stay

State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle

Extension of stay

Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.

Exiting with a vehicle

Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.

Driving in Malaysia

Recommended books for Overlanding in Malaysia

Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei (travel Gui...
Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei (travel Gui...
by Lonely Planet, Isabel Albiston, Brett Atkinson, Gr...
From $15.00 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Kuala Lumpur & Malaysian Peninsula (footprint Focus)
Kuala Lumpur & Malaysian Peninsula (footprint Focus)
by Paul Dixon
From $14.92 on Amazon

Travel insurance for Malaysia

World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.

Vehicle insurance requirements

Yes or No if insurance is mandatory, and what kind is acceptable.

Cost of vehicle insurance

State the price of insurance and a time period.

Where to purchase vehicle insurance

Describe where insurance can be purchased.

Driving license

International Driving Permit is required, together with a valid driver license or permit from one's country of origin. Vehicle registration cards or proof of ownership should also be at hand always.

If any of these documents are in languages other than English, it would be helpful to have them translated into English on separate copies and stored with them.

Driving side of road

Left.
Left hand drive vehicle can be driven in Malaysia, but must display sign or sticker stating "Left Hand Drive".

Mandatory items in vehicle

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)

Roads

General Road quality

Give a brief description of the general road quality. Mention if one way streets are common.

Road signs

Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.

Toll roads

List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.

Bribery in Malaysia

Briefly describe how common bribery is and whether it should be expected, and the best way to deal with it.

Checkpoints

Malaysia is generally a peaceful country and as such, military and police checkpoints in not a common sight. There may be some security checkpoints near border crossings to curb smuggling activities and illegal immigrants.
Police roadblocks are frequently conducted around urban areas to check motorists for traffic offenses.

Traveling with pets

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas and Diesel price in Malaysia

Last updated: October 2013

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded RM2.10 MYR per Liter
Diesel RM1.90 MYR per Liter

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

Briefly describe if gas shortages are known to occur.
Also state the approximate average distance between gas stations. This is a very rough estimate.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.

Vehicle parking

Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.

Special driving considerations

A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.

Security advisories and information

Camping in Malaysia

Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

Tap water is not drinkable in Malaysia. Bottled water is easily bought over any convenient store or hypermarket.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Malaysia

Borneo 1:1,200,000 (malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei) Trave...
Borneo 1:1,200,000 (malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei) Trave...
by Reise Knowhow
From $12.95 on Amazon
Malaysia (national Geographic Adventure Map)
Malaysia (national Geographic Adventure Map)
by National Geographic Maps - Adventure
From $8.20 on Amazon
Malaysia Travel Map Seventh Edition (periplus Travel M...
Malaysia Travel Map Seventh Edition (periplus Travel M...
From $5.19 on Amazon
The Food Book Mini (lonely Planet)
The Food Book Mini (lonely Planet)
by Lonely Planet Food
From $7.33 on Amazon

GPS Maps of Malaysia

Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Malaysia

  • iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Malaysia

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.


Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.