Welcome to Malaysia. I'll try to compile useful information for the DIY visitor to Malaysia. I have write-ups and useful resources for the first-time visitor. I've created this site specially for my friends who studied together with me in the Management School, Imperial College, London in 1988-89 who I hope will visit Malaysia. The 1999 IC Forum was originally planned to be held in Kuala Lumpur but was cancelled at the last minute. Read the story by clicking here. Instead, a convocation and gala dinner event was held on 13th November 1999. For those who dorn the robes, it was small consolation for missing the real thing in Royal Albert Hall.Visit this site for more news. Please   me for details or if you have any questions on visiting Malaysia.

FOOD

OUR COUNTRY

TRAVELLING AROUND IN MALAYSIA

WHERE TO STAY

PLACES YOU MUST VISIT

 Click here for a map of Malaysia(83 kb gif file).

1.FOOD

Malaysia is about eating good food. There are lots and lots of varieties. Whilst modern cities have done away with road-side hawkers and stalls, ours have retained them to serve inexpensive, but really tasty dishes to satisfy the most demanding palate. Plus, the multiracial nature of our society ensures that the most authentic ethnic dishes are represented. For Muslim visitors, all Malay and Indian Muslim eateries, and some Chinese restaurants serve only halal dishes, while seafood places are acceptable, I guess, to all..

The following represent the main fare concocted by our major races. Others, too many to mention, cover the whole range from east to west. (If you discover that any nation's dishes are not found in Malaysia, please let me know.) Click here to choose the right restaurant in Kuala Lumpur for you. It gives a telephone number and even a map, and the directory of Chinese restaurants is too valuable to miss.

• Malay / Indonesian
  Satay, Nasi Lemak, Mee Rebus, Gado-gado
• Chinese
  Hainanese Chicken Rice, Char Siew Fan, Dim Sum, Ipoh Chee Cheong Fun, Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun, Yeong Tau Foo, Prawn Mee, Ipoh Nga Choi Gai Sar Hor Fun, Char Kwei Tiaw, Wan Tan Mee, Popiah, Penang Laksa
• Indian
  South Indian: Roti Chanai, Dosai, Murtabak, Nasi Kandar
  North Indian: Variety of Puri, Pratha, Mogul Food
• Nyonya (a uniques blend, from the Baba/Nyonya community or descendants of Malacca Malay and Chinese in the 1500's)
  Odak-odak, krabu, asam dishes
• Catering for all
Fatty Crab (in PJ)

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2. OUR COUNTRY

Malaysia is a young country. We are made up of Peninsular, or West, Malaysia comprising 11 states plus a Federal Territory; and the states of Sabah and Sarawak in the island of Borneo. (Visit this site for map of the states). We only obtained our independence in 1957. It was a peaceful transfer of power from the British who ruled Malaya (as Malaysia was then called). We are very multi-racial: majority Malay and indigenous races (more than 50%), some 30% Chinese, perhaps 10% Indian, and others make up a 20 million population. The customs, culture and religions of our peoples are accepted, and we even house government schools which use Chinese and Indian, besides the official Malay language, as media of instruction.

We are also a very modern nation. Kuala Lumpur, our capital city, has its share of imposing skyscrapers, including the world's tallest buiding (still?); yet it boasts a very historical and colonial architecture: mainly moorish and minangkabau, with the Thais and Chinese also exerting strong influence. Kuala Lumpur is also a shopping paradise! Click here (51 kb gif file) for Map.

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3. TRAVELLING AROUND IN MALAYSIA

Visitors to Malaysia will find it a breeze to travel around in the country. However, it's better to drive in a car unless you are in Kuala Lumpur. Get a map and rent a car. Signs are in both Malay and English. You drive on the left side of the road as in the U.K. Be very patient, though, while on the road. Some drivers are daredevils. The railway goes along the length of West Malaysia from the Thai border right down to Singapore. If you are loaded, try the Eastern & Oriental Express, a luxury train service modelled after the Orient Express. (I suggest you take it from Singapore, cruise to Kuala Lumpur, and after taking in enough of the city, go on north to Ipoh where your guide will take you to a private resort in Pangkor Laut (click for picture).

Read on about places to visit.

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4. WHERE TO STAY

Visitors are amazed at how far you can stretch your dollar. You can actually rent a chalet in a tranquil island resort for as low as $10 a night, while in Kuala Lumpur, rooms in selected 5-star hotels can be had for $40, unmatched anywhere else on this planet. So, what are you waiting for? Visit these links.

• Hotels in Malaysia

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5. PLACES YOU MUST VISIT

You do not need me to promote Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi Island, Tioman, Malacca and Penang. I am unashamedly promoting my home state, the silver state or Perak. The land of limestone hills and caves, unspoilt jungle and beaches, is still bypassed by travellers who can only gasp in awe at the quaint hills when they speed past along the North-South Highway. What treasures they miss: their loss is our gain as we can selfishly savor the beauty of the caves, hills and beaches. Let the links and the picture speak for themselves. So that you don't accuse me of being narrow-minded, I also promote the beautiful state of Sarawak.

• Perak
• Sarawak
• Lonely Planets Guide

Emerald Bay in Pangkor Laut

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|Comments/Suggestions?

Updates: 7th November 2000, 3rd October 1999. First created on 17th April 1999