Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with malaysia

Weird or unusual in Malaysia or Singapore?

chrisinseoul — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:20:40 -0800

So the wife and I are heading to KL, Malaysia, and possibly Singapore. What's weird, unusual, or just plain bizarre there? I've written the book on weird Korea (literally - search Amazon for it) and have several days to enjoy Malaysia. It's intended as a vacation, and of course we intend to make the most of it.

In case you're curious, 'weird' or 'bizarre' means a place with an unusual history, a destination with a twist, a place less visited by tourists, or the like. It (should) go without saying that we'll be enjoying the local food, and are up for getting off the beaten path.

2 weeks in Singapore and around -- what to see and do?

eenagy — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:14:02 -0800

My Dad lives in Singapore, and I'll be visiting him for two weeks this summer. He'll be pretty busy with work during the week, and I'm trying to plan one or two day trips (spending one night somewhere else is fine, but no more than that). Where can I go that is a) safe to travel alone to (I'm an upper-20s female)? and b) relatively cheap (I'm thinking probably a bus, train, or boat ride to somewhere in Indonesia or Malaysia)? I'm particularly interested in southeast Asian history and cuisine, so I'm seeking places that allow me to explore those in depth. A beach wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, either :). How do I get there? What should I see? What are the requirements for any border crossing that I'll have to do? I've never been to Asia, but have traveled pretty extensively in Europe and West Africa. Is there anything I should know about traveling alone in this part of the world?

Lastly, if you have any off the beaten path recommendations for where to wander in Singapore, lay 'em on me!

Playing my part in making life for fellow LGBT countryfolk bearable.

divabat — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:09:33 -0800

The State-sanctioned homophobia and transphobia in Malaysia, my country of origin, is breaking my heart. What can I do as a currently overseas citizen to make things better for my fellow LGBT folk back in Malaysia, particularly in raising awareness of the issue internationally? I left Malaysia for various reasons, but one core reason was escaping the various persecutions and micro/macro-aggressions I felt for who I am. Most of this has to do with race (my parents are Bangladeshi migrants) and citizenship/residency, but I also felt that I wouldn't be safe exploring my sexuality in a country that so deeply vilifies sexuality that "sexy" is a slur and politicians get run out of Parliament for what they wear (or don't) in their sleep. It took me until I had been in Australia for a few years that I felt safe and able to explore my sexuality and gender without having to look behind my back to see if I will get screwed over by the Malaysian Government. I have had friends and acquaintances who cannot go back to Malaysia because they will face persecution, and one person whose Government scholarship was revoked and who was forced to come back home because her ex outed her as a trans woman.

I am trying to get the word out about the situation in Malaysia, especially this ridiculous propaganda musical, but I am facing a few roadblocks:

1. I am overseas and am not likely to return to Malaysia anytime soon, so my ability to organise something back home is limited. If I did try to do something in Malaysia, I'd be dismissed as a "foreign Zionist agent" of some fashion.

2. Incorporated into the musical is a plot point about how LGBT people who protest are being paid a handsome sum by the Opposition party and are merely reacting against the advice of "reasonable Malay Muslims". This makes any show of protest difficult to be taken seriously - especially when the main sexuality rights event in the country gets shut down for "threatening to disrupt public order" - pretty much the main excuse for arresting any protestor ever.

3. I am trying to get the word out in the Bay Area (where I live right now), especially with the Queer People of Color circles I am heavily involved with. Not many people have really picked up on this though - most people get stuck on "a musical about anti-gay sentiment! ISN'T THAT IRONIC" and don't move on from there. Also it seems that Malaysia doesn't quite have the White/Western Savior Cred of places like Uganda or India, where people seem to care more about LGBT issues there.

4. Even when there are people that DO care, I'm at a loss for what they could do. Petitions are pointless, because the Malaysian Government isn't going to pay attention (the whole paid-by-the-Opposition thing). International attention would be handy, but then it becomes "Foreign Zionist Agents". Tying this in to the United Nations may be useful, but I'm sure there will be a stack of countries who will take Malaysia's side.

5. People often bring up voting, but Malaysia has arcane voting laws that make it near impossible for overseas residents to vote. I technically am allowed to vote overseas because I'm an international student (one of the few classes of overseas residents allowed to vote), but I have to register in Malaysia first - not overseas. Gah! (Besides, it's not like there is anyone to vote for in my district that isn't Ruling Party, and there's a lot of electoral fraud.)

I want Malaysians to see that the so-called deviants are people like everyone else, diverse and unique and part of their community, and not a danger or scrounge to society. My current idea is to organise a performance of monologues, ala Yoni ki Baat (semi self link) or The Vagina Monologues, about Malaysians dealing with the stigmatization of sexuality. Not just in terms of being LGBT, but also slut-shaming, ageism against young people, and misogyny - one does not have to do much to be branded a sexual deviant in Malaysia. I have been and am currently involved in these sorts of This requires being back in Malaysia for a substantial amount of time, which I am not able to do right now. I'm also reminded of how the Vagina Monologues are banned in Malaysia and how anything of this nature would have to be underground...which then leads to the issue of preaching to the choir, the people who already know that LGBT people are not evil...rather than the people who will be affected by this propaganda. Something along the lines of the Pussy Riot worldwide protests would be awesome, but I'm not sure how to get people to care.

Any ideas of what I can do to get international support? I'm reaching out super slowly, one person at a time, but I really don't want Malaysia to get away with it and continue being an unsafe hostile space for people like me.

Myanmar and Southeast Asia Backpacking Questions

piedmont — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:54:08 -0800

I leave for an extended trip to Southeast Asia on Wednesday. I have a weekend in Kuala Lumpur, a month in Myanmar, and then two and a half months to work my way from Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur overland. What might I be missing in my planning? I'm flying to and from the US via Kuala Lumpur. I've got my flights and visas covered for Myanmar and Vietnam. I've booked my lodging for my initial stay in Kuala Lumpur and for two days in Yangon.

My plan is to do the Lonely Planet toting backpacker thing in Myanmar, where there seems to be a whole lot less information available, and a whole lot less of a tourist infrastructure. I'm hoping I can call ahead a day or two in advance to book lodging after I arrive. I understand the tourism infrastructure is a bit taxed there at the moment, and I'm going at the tail end of peak season. Will I be alright with this plan?

From Hanoi, I plan on tossing guidebooks aside (for the most part) and winging it a bit more. It seems like traveling through Vietnam to Cambodia to Thailand to Malaysia is such a well-worn trail that I can totally wing it without much issue. True?

I'm thinking the best use of my time once I arrive in Hanoi is to linger a bit in Vietnam and Cambodia, and to more or less rush from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur with a beach stop or two in Southern Thailand. I'd like to spend a week or so in Borneo before I head back to the US. Am I on the right track?

I'm in my late 20s, male, and a US citizen. I've traveled a fair bit in South America, so this isn't totally new, but the little voice in the back of my head keeps nagging me that I'm missing something. What might I be missing?

Ex-pat assignment in Malaysia

John Frum — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 06:27:31 -0800

I have just accepted an ex-pat assignment to Malaysia, specifically Malacca. I have a variety of questions, some specific to my family situation: my wife is three months pregnant and we have a toddler. See inside for details. Thanks! The assignment is expected to be for a year or less at which time we'll (likely) come back to the US. My company has a good ex-pat policy, so I'm not too concerned about money. I expect to start work in April. As mentioned, my wife is pregnant and due in June. We have an 18-month-old son who loves being around other little kids. We are white mid-westerns who have never traveled to Asia. My questions:

1. Any books, movies, websites, etc. we should check out to better understand and acclimate to the area?

2. Any advice for my pregnant wife? Hospitals/doctors in Malacca? From what we've heard, it sounds like Malacca has good health care, and at very worst we could travel to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore for the birth.

3. Any advice for handling the transition for my son? We'd like to get a nanny or use day care too, so my wife can continue her internet-based business. Suggestions?

4. Since this is a short-term move, we will keep our house in the US. Any suggestions about the best way to manage this?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

i'm not my own grandpa, but i would like to know more about him.

koroshiya — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:33:24 -0800

how hard is it to get a birth certificate from the philippines (possibly malaysia) when you don't know all the information? i would like to get a birth certificate for my father's father (my grandfather), who was born (supposedly) in the philippines (although, i guess it's theoretically possible he was born in malaysia, i'm not sure - longish story i have very little detail on). all i have is his name - i don't know his mother's or father's name (which negates me trying to get it online).

the spanner in the works is that my father is now deceased, my father's mother died when he was very young, and for years my father (and i) were told that my grandfather had died when my father was a baby, but he had really left my grandmother for another woman. i only found this out recently, and there wasn't a whole lot of other information about my grandfather that's known. i can't find him in the SSDI, so for all i know, he didn't die here either.

can anyone help? any experience with this? my father's bc lists my grandfather as being a filipino of malaysian descent, so i don't know if he might have been born there. any tips helpful.

Should I just ask for a fake-Gucci purse or what?

DisreputableDog — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:20:17 -0800

My friend is going to Malaysia and the Phillipines for a business trip and wants to bring me back some souvenirs. Let's ignore what I might normally like and just phrase it as "What is some cool stuff that he could bring back?" My friend is tired of buying just "touristy stuff" and wants to get some things for me and his family/other close friends that will actually "hold memories/stories".
He's been to this area of the world before and could only find a lot of kitschy stuff and knockoff purses n' shoes. And he wouldn't know a nice wood or stone carving if it got thrown in his face.

So what should he be looking for? He's going to be in Kuala Lumpur in a few days, and after that I don't know about the Phillipines, so I sort of need these answers quickly if possible.

Trip to SE Asia in winter, but where and for how long! Please help!

picarosado — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:02:35 -0800

The boyfriend and I are trying to plan a trip to SE Asia From Xmas Day to the first week of January. We are looking to fly to Bangkok or Singapore and then taking a train to the other, stopping at Kuala Lumpur and Penang on the way. Suggestions and tips on what to do, whether this is feasible or a good idea in that time of year would be greatly appreciated! We know there won't be enough time to do everything but aren't sure how much time to allocate to each city. We're open to any and all recommendations!

Going to my antipodes for summer research!

reren — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:58:52 -0800

I'm going to Malaysia to do research for the summer: advise me, please! I'm a public health student coming to investigate IV drug users in coastal areas. (I'm well aware of the touchy nature of this subject in Malaysia.) I will most likely be based in Kuala Lumpur but working in Kuantan and Kuala Perlis as well. I've been allocated $2,700 for room, board and other miscellaneous expenses outside those that will be directly incurred by my research. (Meaning I will have a budget of about 100 ringgits/day.) I'd welcome advice on setting myself up in country, staying in touch with those back home, and getting the most out of my experience. If you have any specific advice about where to establish myself in KL that would be most appreciated. The research center I will be working with is based in the University of Malaya, but I think I would rather be in Kuala Lumpur proper than out in Petaling Jaya.

Fun activities and clothes shopping in Malaysia?

naskar — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:53:43 -0800

I'm in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. What are some fun activities and places I can visit? Also where can I shop for cheap, good quality clothing? I'm staying near Kuala Lumpur for a few days. I'm here to shop for clothing (winter and normal)
What are some fun and interesting activities for me to do while I'm here? I'm interested in the culture as well as having a fun time here. Lastly, where can I shop for quality cheap clothes?
Thanks!

What to eat and do in Malaysia?

FunGus — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:27:36 -0800

What to eat and do in Malaysia? I have the good fortune of being in Malaysia for about 8 days next month, both in KL and Penang.

Does anyone have any suggestions / activities / day trips worth taking?

Also, I'm a foodie:

What should I eat while I'm there?

Both meals and restaurant suggestions are most welcome.

Many thanks in advance.

Traving to Thailand and Malaysia for ten days

alshain — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:38:48 -0800

Ten days in Thailand and Malaysia. I need ideas of what to do, where to go and where to stay. I know ten days for two countries is short but that is all I have. I love adventure and I also love to kick back and relax. I will be leaving from Montreal. 1) Where should I go first?
2) What cities should I not miss?
3) Where should I stay away from?
4) I love beaches and water.

I am going with a friend. Your suggestions will be appreciated :)

Can I rent beach huts in South East Asia?

logicalsequence — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:28:37 -0800

Can I rent beach huts in South East Asia? I'm about to quit my job and want to go South East Asia for a while (Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia). Many years ago I worked with a guy who spent six months of the year living in Thailand, where he said he rented a cheap beach hut/shack on the beach for the duration. Does this happen in other countries and how would I go about doing this in the countries I want to visit? Any websites, ideas, experiences, tips or suggestions? Any ideas on cost? My motivation is (hopefully relatively cheap) solo accomodation for a few weeks at a time.

Got a Fulbright scholarship to live in Malaysia for 1 year

Kateruba — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:31:03 -0800

Torn about whether to take or pass on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of safety concerns and pressure to do something academic/career oriented with my time. Hello everyone! Please excuse the length of the post.

I am posting on behalf of a friend.
My friend applied for a Fulbright Scholarship (the Teaching Assistantship one, it entails teaching English in a foreign country for 1 year, all expenses paid).
She was very excited when she found out that she got into this very prestigious program, but overwhelmed because she had applied for Korea, but got Malaysia (a place that she hasn't researched).
She has a very short time to make the decision on whether to accept or not, and is torn about her decision mostly because of safety concerns and the pressure to do something "stereotypically" productive.

This is a two-part question. Feel free to ignore part 2 if you are not familiar with Malaysia.

Part 1: A waste of a year?

One of the reasons she is hesitant about this program is that she thinks she might be "wasting a year". She is 22, just graduated from college with honors. She has been very active throughout her college career both academically and in extracurricular activities (internships, managing a radio station, a prestigious journalistic program, etc...).

Her parents have instilled upon her that she is a "bum" (mostly because she is not interested in pursuing an immediately lucrative, concrete profession - i.e. law, business, medicine. Just imagine them as the stereotypical Asian parents, even though they are not Asian) , which could not be further from the truth. She feels that if she doesn't do something that yields very tangible results (i.e. getting a job to start her career or to continue her education), she is wasting her time. I am trying to convince her that she putting too much pressure on herself, and that this is a perfect time to do something like this, and that there are things you learn about life when living in a place so radically different from your home that you wouldn't learn anywhere else. This is an opportunity that most people only dream about. The kind of thing people muse about at the end of their life as proof that it has been fulfilling. An invaluable experience in many ways. She might regret it forever if she passes up on this.

By the way, her alternative to spending a year in Malaysia would be at a mediocre job in her college city (the job is affiliated with the university, part of the deal would be having the opportunity to take graduate classes gratis for a year). This job is only obliquely relevant to her degree (she is unsure about her career choice in general).

Of course, my convincing is not sufficient - because what do I know? I haven't spent a year on the other side of the world. What is your advice regarding this? Would love to hear from those who've had similar experiences or just older and wiser folk in general!

Part 2 : Malaysia Safety Concerns

She heard about the terrorist activities in the east of the country, and the statement on the US travel site "Violent crime against travelers and expatriates is relatively rare" is quite vague, and not reassuring. She is also afraid of standing out and attracting unwanted attention - she is tall and blond.

Because Malaysia is a new participant in this program, not very many details have been worked out. She would be placed in Jahor, Terenngannu, or Pajang. She would be living in a residential school in a remote town/village and teaching English for 20 hours a week for a year. There would not be any sort of overseeing body that she'd report to nearby (Fulbright has a center in Kuala Lumpur).

Does anyone have any information regarding safety issues in those three states? First hand knowledge, especially from long term stays, would be especially helpful.

What are the living conditions in remote towns in that region of the country? Are there parts in those areas that are very difficult to access and travel to and from? Safety aside, in general, what was your experience like there?
_____________________________________________________

I appreciate any information you may have or experiences you'd like to share!

Thank you

Party like it's 1991 in a maternity ward.

Kerasia — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 05:01:17 -0800

Where in south east Asia can 16 adults - half 20s, half 40s - have a good time for a week. Requirements: beach and relaxation for all, nightclubs and shopping for some. Not too overblown but not too quiet and within a day's easy travel of a main airport. Hotel / resort / villa recommendations welcome. Budget up to US/Aus $70 per person per night. Two generations of my extended family have a great time together. Next year two of the younger are turning 21 and want an Asian beach party/nightclub adventure with mum and dad along. Aunties, uncles and cousins want to come too. Excellent!

Not Phuket, not Kuta, not too far from the tourist route but not right in the thick of backpacker bedlam either.

Where have you been in beach-side south east Asia that could fit the bill?

Sim card in SE Asia

Keith Talent — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:57:00 -0800

I'm going to be in SE Asia and would like to buy a sim card from a carrier that will work across the region. Specifically we'll be in Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia. Is there a carrier that operates in all those areas on a GSM phone: 850/900/1800/1900? Do I need separate sim cards for each nation?

If I'm going to spend 24 hours flying there, I might as well stop somewhere on the way

smackfu — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:07:51 -0800

If you had five nights to spend on stopovers en route to Australia, and your options were Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Auckland, how would you apportion your time?

Flying to Singapore in 3 days. I want an adventure!

hasna — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:32:28 -0800

At the last minute, I'm going to Singapore (+Indonesia/Malaysia?). Not too excited, even though I should be. I don't "do" vacation. Help me plan a worthwhile 7 days! I'm an expat currently living in Vietnam. My plans for Tết (Chinese New Year) holidays fell through (I was supposed to volunteer at an orphanage in northern Cambodia), and now that it's so last minute, the only affordable flights out of Vietnam are to Singapore ($145 RT, not bad!). But Singapore is so... clean, and shiny, and way too developed for my liking. I'm going to pick up some much needed domestic items at Ikea (YAY IKEA!!), and probably visit Starbucks a few times (mmm... how I've missed it!), but I'll be there from this Sunday until next Saturday... I need to fill my time!

While I appreciate museums, beaches, zoos, and shopping, those are things I do in my day-to-day life, not on holiday. I don't want to see tourist exhibits, or pay entrance fees for anything. (donations to religious sites excluded). To give some perspective, my two favorite "holidays" were when I volunteered in a slum in Cairo, and the time I spent in dirty, wonderful Hebron and Ramallah, West Bank.

I need to fly into Singapore, but can travel away from there. I'm mildly interested in seeing Little India, Kampong Glam, and China Town. I'm highly interested in venturing into Malaysia and/or Indonesia (it's like a $25 VOA for Canadians, correct?). I briefly considered going directly to Banda Aceh and spending my whole time there, as I'm fascinated by Sharia law, but the more I read about it, the less conservative it sounds.

I'd love to hang out in some of the more down-trodden areas of said countries, wander back alleys, etc. I'll probably do some photography as well, but I love to just observe. I usually always volunteer (11 years and running), but this holiday, it just didn't work out.

My budget for the week is around $800 (including Ikea, but I plan on staying in hostels and eating street food). And I don't mind waiting at borders, in lines, at customs/immigration, etc. That's part of the joy of traveling for me.

So, any ideas on how I can make this week an adventure?

Where to go in Indonesia or Malaysia

rmless — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:36:22 -0800

Java vs. Bali vs. elsewhere for 3 days in Feb after Singapore? We (bf and I) have 6 days (wish it was longer) after flying in to Singapore in mid-Feb and we were thinking 3 days in Singapore and then 3 days somewhere else.

Things we like: vegetarian food for me, unusual food you can't find elsewhere for him, surfing, modern and ancient art, hiking, interesting geology, spa things

Things we don't need: big cities, tons of activities (some would be nice but it is a short time we need some relaxation), nightclubs, things that we can already find in NYC

So where should we go? Looks to me like both Bali and Java have a lot to offer but I don't know much about either and there may be cool places that I am not thinking of.
It should be somewhere not too far from Singapore.
I've heard that Java has some good surfing but that it is not for beginners and that we are going in the wrong season. Any tips on that or other places to take lessons?

Best place to buy gadgets in KL?

pompomtom — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:46:20 -0800

Where is the best place for shopping for electronics in Kuala Lumpur? I'll be in KL in a few weeks, and would like to do a bit of shopping for electronic gadgets on the assumption that there'll be a few bargains for an Australian shopper.

Is there a particular area where the best deals are to be had? I'm thinking of things like some sort of android tablet, a camera and possibly a hard disk or two.

Where to watch the World Cup in KL?

man down under — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:06:54 -0800

[Travel filter] Will be Kuala Lumpur for a 3 day stopover next Saturday. Atmospheric places to watch the World Cup, please? We will be staying at the Ritz Carlton and have never been to KL before. Are two twenty somethings who are pretty bold travellers but know very little about traversing the streets of KL and don't speak the language. We would appreciate any other tips on great things to do, as we have a 2 dayer on the way home, too, so might get a bit bored of shopping!

Help plan our Asia trip.

k8t — Mon, 10 May 2010 08:42:48 -0800

Bali or Malaysia (or the neighborhood) for a week in June with a toddler. Ideas? I already asked a vague version of this question in January. Now I have more specifics though.

- Last week of June
- We'll be flying in and out of Singapore
- We like doing "stuff" but we also like relaxing
- We're pretty set in terms of clothes and gear for the heat and rain
- Bali is top of the list, but we're open to anywhere that is close to Singapore

I'm hoping that AskMe can make my life easier with specific hotel recommendations, stuff to do recommendations, travel from Singapore recommendations, websites to look at... Bombard me please!

Prepaid phones with data in Malaysia/Borneo

snarkle — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:01:19 -0800

Prepaid phones with data in Malaysia/Borneo I'm travelling to Malaysia and Borneo next week and am looking for suggestions of prepaid mobile phone providers and plans that offer prepaid and 3G or even 2G data plans to use on my iPhone while I'm there.

We're going to spend a fair bit of time in Malaysian Borneo, specifically Sabah. It would make travelling very easy if we can get a mobile with data to use on my unlocked iPhone.

Any help would be fantastic. Thanks in advance! :)

Boreno, here I come!

micklaw — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:55:06 -0800

TravelFilter: Going to Borneo in June/July for 3 weeks. Give me some advice..... I'd like to get my scuba licence and climb Kota Kinabalu. Other than that I'm pretty happy to just experience the place and do some walks/see some nature.

Can you give me advice on your own experiences or websites that you'd recommend for planning the trip? Thanks!

Decent Budget Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

gov_moonbeam — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:38:29 -0800

Can anyone recommend a decent budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur I'm planning a trip to Malaysia & Singapore in the spring & researching the different locations for accomodations. Flying into Kuala Lumpur, so I've been trying to find a place to book for my first night before taking off to Penang. I've been looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor and so far, any place that seems to fall into a budget range (like $30-$70 US) doesn't have very good reviews. Like mostly complaints about cleanliness & quality of facilities. It's a shot in the dark, but figured I'd ask and see if anyone has traveled there recently and has a place in the budget price range that they'd recommend. I'm not fussy (long time backpacker, been all over Latin America), but reading comments about dirty bedsheets and bathrooms is making me wonder if I'm going to have to just pay for a more expensive Western style hotel while I'm staying in KL. Thanks!