Malaysia Travel Consultant

Experience Labuan

2009-12-05T00:41:00.004+08:00

History
The name Labuan was derived from the Malay word 'pelabuhan' or 'labuhan' which means port or anchorage. In the early 19th century, the British had its eyes on Labuan as it has the potential to become a commerce and naval base. They also felt that Labuan could become a place of refuge for ships damaged by pirates.

However, the Territory was under the control of the Brunei Sultanate. The British then negotiated with the Sultanate of Brunei for Labuan among other things. On December 24, 1846, Captain G.R. Mundy, commanding H.M.S. Iris, took possession of Labuan, making it one of British Empire's smallest colonies. By 1847, the British government concluded a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with the Sultan of Brunei and at the same time acquired Labuan.

When the island was ceded to Queen Victoria, there were only a few empty huts which were used by fishermen as a resting place. On August 1, 1848, Labuan was declared a free port and open to settlers. Port Victoria, now Labuan town, was chosen as the commercial area as naval officers considered that its anchorage to be the best for shipping.

However, the possession of Labuan as a colony did not meet the British's expectations. Acquired as a naval station, its port was seldom used as a base of operations. As an entreport, it also failed to attract heavy traffic except from the north coast of Borneo. Even its coal mines, located at the northern end of the island, were inefficiently operated due to the coal's worthless value.

Because of its failure, Britain wanted to abandon the colony. But they were afraid that other foreign powers would gain a stronghold in the area. However, by pulling out its presence, the British was afraid that other foreign powers would gain a stronghold in the area.

Labuan, by 1888 had become an embarrassment to the British. The public buildings were in shambles, no one wanted to stay there and the port received less and less traffic. Even the military had left the island 17 years earlier. Then on January 1, 1890, the British North Borneo Chartered Company took over Labuan. However, the fortunes of Labuan declined further.

In January 1906, the Colonial Office in London took over Labuan. The island became a part of the Straits Settlements - a British colony comprising Singapore, Penang and Malacca. During the next few years, Labuan continued to exist in its quiet way, still remaining a free port.

On January 1, 1942, the Japanese landed in Labuan without any resistance. On the third day, the Japanese formally took over Labuan and changed its name to Pulau Maida.

Three years later on June 10, North Borneo including Labuan was liberated from the Japanese Occupation when a Brigade of the Australian 9th Division landed on Labuan. At the time the island was freed from the Japanese, Port Victoria was in complete ruin. Practically every building in the town was destroyed by both naval and air bombardment. The Australians helped to rebuild Labuan as well as an entirely new wharf, known as Liberty Wharf.

Not long after that, Labuan ceased to be part of the Straits Settlement and became part of the North Borneo Colony under the Labuan Order-in-Council dated July 10, 1946. The island also lost its privileges as a free port and had to pay the same tariff conditions as the other ports in the Colony.

Due to these conditions, the island did not prosper. A decision to turn Labuan back to the status of a free port was made. On September 1, 1956, Labuan was reconstituted a free port by the Ordinance.

Among other things, the Ordinance states that 'Labuan means the Island of Labuan and its dependent islands: Rusukan Besar, Rusukan Kecil, Keraman, Burong, Papan and Daat. No customs import duty shall be payable upon any goods, other than intoxicating liquor, tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and petroleum products, imported into Labuan. No customs export duty shall be payable upon any goods exported from Labuan. Customs import duty shall be payable upon all dutiable goods transported to other parts of North Borneo from Labuan. Customs export duty shall be payable upon all dutiable goods transported from other parts of North Borneo to Labuan'.

Up to August 30, 1963, North Borneo was administered under the provisions of the North Borneo Letters Patent. On August 31, 1963, North Borneo became self-governing and on September 16 the same year, the State - taking the name, Sabah - was made a State within the Federation of Malaysia.

On April 16, 1984, Labuan was proclaimed a Federal Territory of Malaysia. As a Federal Territory, Labuan comprises Labuan Island and the territories within 4.8 km of Labuan, including Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil Island, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Burung, Pulau Papan and Pulau Daat.

Economy
Labuan's economic growth mostly centred on the mining sector, which is largely represented by oil and gas production and the related industries. The sector is followed closely by the manufacturing and tourism sectors. Although the finance sector is still not a major economic contributor, its GDP contribution increased from 5.7% in 1991 to 7.1% in 1995. This is probably due to the increasing number of offshore companies that had set up office in Labuan, which is also an International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC). T

he territory's GDP is estimated at RM145 million in 1991 and RM196 million in 1995. Labuan is expected to register an average GDP growth of 10.1 per cent per annum during the planning period 1995-2015. By the year 2015, Labuan's total GDP is projected to be RM1.335 million. The per capita income is also expected to go up from RM4.990 in 1995 to an estimated RM9,315 in 2015.

In all, Labuan will continue to prosper based on its aim to thrive as an IOFC, a commercial hub and tourist destination. Major GDP contributions are expected to be derived from the three sectors, namely tourism, finance and transport, with an estimated GDP share of 23.2%, 19.2% and 17.4% respectively in 2015. It is expected that the manufacturing and mining sectors will play a less significant role in the future.

Geography
The Federal Territory of Labuan comprises of one triangle-shaped island and six smaller ones. Situated at the north of Brunei Bay and faces the South Chine Sea, Labuan covers an area of 95 sq km. Most of the island is flat and undulating, the highest point being 85 metre.

Climate
Warm, sunny days and cool nights all year round with occasional rain in the evenings. Temperature ranges from 24°C to 34°C. Humidity is usually exceeds 82.3%. Annual rainfall is 3,500 mm.

Source:www.labuantourism.gov.my

Putrajaya

2009-12-04T23:48:00.002+08:00

Putrajaya has become the new capital city near Kuala Lumpur. It was formerly known as Perang Besar and is located 25 km south of Kuala Lumpur. It's also 20 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang in the south.
Putrayaja is the new Administrative Center of the Government and will be a test bed for an electronic Government (a paperless administration) and will be equipped with the latest telecommunication technologies. It is set to be a model garden city with sophisticated information network base on multimedia technologies.

Kuala Lumpur is still the financial and commercial capital of Malaysia. About 70% of Putrajaya is still nature. Lush greenery, botanical gardens are spread across the landscape enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands. Five confluences meet at the north forming a main waterway which flows across the city area.

At the North of the Core Area is the Government precinct located. Also the most of the Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies. The office of the Prime Minister’s complex "Perdana Putra" is situated at a vantage location, overlooking the Dataran Putra, which marks the beginning of the Putra Boulevard.

Situated next to a lake, it incorporates Islamic architecture from countries such as Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Morocco. The mosque consists of a 116m tall minaret and can accommodate 15,000 people. The minaret is 116 meters tall and one of the striking features of the minaret is that it was designed after the Sheikh Oman Mosque in Baghdad.

Its five-tiers represent the five pillars of Islam and its five call to prayers. Within its premises is the VIP Room Gallery, the Al-Quran Manuscript Museum, a library, auditorium and exhibition hall as well as a seminar room. It also has a large courtyard called the “Sahn” dedicated to commemorate the life of the Prophet. The main entrance to the mosque is patterned after the gates of Persia.

Putrajaya is a prestigious project of the Government.
They started when Mahathir was prime-minister and now, Badawi will fish the project.

In the centre of the city are beautiful buildings. Outside the centre you find the houses of the people, who work for the Government.
In the center is a large boulevard. At one end there's the office of the prime-minister Badawi and at the other end is the PICC.
At the boulevard are beautiful offices, the stones on the road are coloured and even the lampposts are magnificent.

The PICC is the Putrajaya International Convention Center. This is a beautiful building for international conventions.

The building has already a local name: the cowboy hat.

Langkawi Smooth Sailing

2009-08-27T17:41:00.002+08:00

Dutch visitor, Thomas Kothuis gathers a few sailing buddies to discover that the 99 islands in the Langkawi archipelago offer more than just a holiday in the sun, surf and sand. They charter a Sunsail yacht with a skipper who is familiar with the local waters for a relaxing five-day sail around the main island and to several of the outer islands. The group enjoys the peace and tranquility of the near-deserted islands as well as some of the good life at two Langkawi marinas.

We had been searching the web for different sailing options in Malaysia and found an international yacht charter company called Sunsail based on the island of Langkawi in northwest Malaysia near the maritime border with Thailand. Sunsail has operations all around the world and has now opened an office at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.
The decision was made to sail with them since it was our first time in that part of the world and the company has a good reputation as it operates resorts and flotillas in many of the world’s best sailing destinations.

Langkawi was also chosen because we were hoping that the rainy season would give us some good wind, which is an essential ingredient for great sailing.

Langkawi was also chosen because we were hoping that the rainy season would give us some good wind, which is an essential ingredient for great sailing. The five-day trip was organised by one of the members of the group and the crew that went sailing was made up of a Swede, a Swiss, a German and three Dutch guys. All but one of us had extensive sailing experience but we decided that a local skipper would be engaged for the duration of the sailing expedition.

When we arrived at the Langkawi International Airport, we were met by a Sunsail representative and the yacht’s skipper. The skipper was hired so we could have a real holiday and not worry too much about things like where to moor, where not to and other essential local knowledge.

Sunsail also fully stocked the boat with all the food, drinks and supplies for the whole duration so this really saved us a lot of time. We stayed at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club for the first night and enjoyed the friendly facilities and the restaurant here.

The next morning we got ready and were out at sea by mid morning. We motored at first as we wanted to check out the larger multi-masted boats which were anchored in the bay. Langkawi really has a lot of yachts moored here and our skipper told us that with four marinas, Langkawi is really becoming known as the centre for yachting in South East Asia.

Rain followed us and for the first two hours we got totally drenched. Not a good start we thought, but for usIt was cool to be able to walk around the island and see some monkeys in their natural habitat and check out the strange fruits growing on the trees. There wasn’t a soul in sight and we knew we were really in a tropical paradise far from the cares of the world. Europeans it was a welcome reminder that we were in the tropics and although wet, we were still warm and having fun.

Skippy took us to a few of the smaller islands around Langkawi and we anchored off one with a small white beach and made our first Robinson Crusoe beach landing in the boat’s dingy. It was cool to be able to walk around the island and see some monkeys in their natural habitat and check out the strange fruits growing on the trees. There wasn’t a soul in sight and we knew we were really in a tropical paradise far from the cares of the world.

Days slipped past and none of us could remember what day it was and more importantly, nobody really cared. We continued our sailing around the main island and had some amazing sailing days with really strong wind as well as some days with no wind at all, which were used to swim and relax.

We anchored off islands each night, cooked barbecues on the back of the boat and on some nights, we would come ashore.

One of the most picturesque moorings was the small but beautiful marina called Telaga Harbour. The facilities were amazing and the harbour master and his crew were very helpful and friendly. This place is going to develop into one of Langkawi’s main attractions as the bars, restaurants and shops lining the marina attract One of the most picturesque moorings was the small but beautiful marina called Telaga Harbour. The facilities were amazing and the harbour master and his crew were very helpful and friendly.many holidaymakers from the surrounding hotels as well as sailors.

The last night was spent in a spectacular location, surrounded by mangroves. It’s called "hole in the wall" and it is an amazing large opening in a mass of rock which our boat could pass through and once you are through there are vast mangrove forests. Streams flowing in from the sides create canals through which small boats take tourists around to see eagles fish, big bat-caves as well as the many wonders of the mangrove forests. It was an excellent place that even had a few small restaurants on stilts with their own fish farms.

It’s called "hole in the wall" and it is an amazing large opening in a mass of rock which our boat could pass through and once you are through there are vast mangrove forests.We had one of the small boats collect us that night and take us through the darkened mangroves at high speed to one of Langkawi’s better-known Thai restaurants called Barn Thai. We accessed the restaurant via a plank onto the jetty since it was low tide and the boat could not get into the jetty. The boat driver and his son joined us for dinner and we had a fantastic evening feasting on seafood cooked with Thai spices.

It always seems that holidays are never long enough. On our five-day sailing trip around Langkawi we barely scratched the surface of what is possible here. We calculated that we had visited about five islands in the group so we still have many more to explore when we return

THE WORLD'S PREMIER MARITIME & AEROSPACE EXHIBITION

2009-08-27T17:32:00.005+08:00

Overview

THE PROVEN GATEWAY TO ASIAN MARKETS FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS
LIMA series of exhibition has proven to be an excellent platform for aerospace manufacturers and related industries to display and promote the latest aerospace technology to senior Government officials, both civil and military and leaders of industries from Malaysia as well as the Asia Pacific region. A unique showcase for both the aerospace and maritime industries in the fast-expanding Asian commercial aviation, airport and defence markets.

Almost at every LIMA, business deals were clinched as well as memorandum of understanding was signed. The LIMA '07 exhibition for example generated business totaling RM 13 Billion (USD 3.9 billion) through numbers of contracts, letter of offer and acceptance or intent and memorandum of understanding.

INTRODUCING CONCEPT CHANGE FOR AN EVEN BETTER LIMA’09
The 21,321 sqm Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre will be the venue for both the maritime and aerospace exhibitions for 2009, moving away from a two venue, two organizer structure. HW LIMA Sdn Bhd, the organizer of the maritime component since LIMA ’97, is selected by the Government of Malaysia to spearhead LIMA ’09.

This change is aimed at value creation and will establish an exceptional setting in which to network, achieve sales and facilitate business deals. A single venue will deliver increased visitors to the exhibition, presenting a more cohesive delegates programme, maximising delegates’ time at the exhibition by merging common facilities and abolishing travel time between venues and importantly, reducing cost of participation for exhibitors with dual participation.

For more details please visit: www.lima2009.com.my

Know Our Royal Selangor Heritage & Legacy

2009-05-24T01:51:00.011+08:00

Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery was the brainchild of the Eleventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. Initially it was called ‘Muzium Kenangan’ (Memorial Museum) and was built in 1988 at Jalan Kota, Kampung Jawa in Klang.

After H.R.H. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ascended the throne in 2001 as the Ninth Sultan of Selangor, he instructed that Sultan Suleiman Building which was built in 1909, be turned into the new Royal Gallery.

On 19th October 2007, the Royal Gallery was officiated by H.R.H. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

GALERI DIRAJA SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ, is dedicated in honour of his late father, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, who ruled over thirty-nine years as The Sultan of Selangor and two years as The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

GALERI DIRAJA SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ highlights the rich history and heritage of the Selangor Sultanate originating in 1766 from the Bugis Sulawesi Royal family of Opu Tanreburung Daeng Relaka of the Malay Archipelago.

The 1909 classic colonial building housing GALERI DIRAJA SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ has a long history. The British occupied it during the colonial period as the land and administration office, the Japanese during World War II as its war headquarters and later by several local authorities until its recent restoration into GALERI DIRAJA SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ.

Visitors will get an insight of the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah's childhood and early years as a crown prince, his career in military and public offices until his appointment as the Eighth Sultan of Selangor in 1960 and as the Eleventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2001.

The Royal Collections consists of a range of magnificent personal collections of artifacts and gifts covering the period of his reign. Included in the exhibition are replicas of Selangor's crown jewels.

Visit GALERI DIRAJA SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ and discover for yourself Selangor’s unique rich royal heritage and legacy.

For more details please visit official website at Galeri Diraja Selangor

Discovering Sipadan Island

2009-05-24T01:42:00.007+08:00

The late Jacques Cousteau, the world-renowned oceanographer, described Sipadan Island as ‘an untouched piece of art’, while divers around the world voted it as one of the top five dive sites in the world.

Malaysia’s only oceanic island, it is very small – only 12ha. in size. A 25-minute walk is all that is required to circle the island on foot. As an oceanic island, it rises about 700 metres from the sea floor, attracting diverse marine life from the blackness of the open sea. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, this crown jewel is a treasure trove of some of the most amazing marine animals.

Declared a bird sanctuary in 1933 by the Colonial Government of North Borneo and re-gazetted in 1963 by the Malaysian Government, the dense vegetation on Sipadan Island supports a large variety of tropical birds which include sea eagles, kingfishers, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. Exotic crustaceans including the amazing coconut crab roam the beaches and scurry among the undergrowth.

When diving here, encounters with turtles, resident schools of jacks, bumphead parrotfish and barracudas are almost assured around the tiny coral island.

Key Tips

Try to be part of an early-morning dive to Sipadan at the famous Barracuda Point. In the early hours of the morning, you are most likely to swim amongst big schools of swirling barracuda...

How to get there

By Air
The jump off point to Sipadan Island is Kota Kinabalu or Tawau.

By Car
Continue the journey by a 1-hour drive to Semporna town.

By Sea
A 30-minute speedboat will take you to Mabul, which is the jump off point for Sipadan Island explorations.

Who to contact
For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Accommodation Overview
Since last year, Sipadan has been turned into a sanctuary so accommodation is now only available on nearby islands like Mabul.

Real Stories From Real People-Kuala Lumpur Stopover

2009-02-08T20:51:00.003+08:00

Well-travelled Canadian couple Jack and Rosa arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and heads into the city centre to use the five-star Westin Kuala Lumpur as their base for a two-day stopover in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. In their action-packed visit they go to the top of the Kuala Lumpur Tower for an aerial view of the rapidly expanding city and walk through a small rainforest reserve right in the middle of the city. They explore the older parts of the city and compare the architecture here with the modern sections of the central business district. Food is high on their agenda and they get the opportunity to sample some delicious local dishes along with authentic international cuisine. Jack and Rosa visit the city's tourist focus the Petronas Twin Towers and discover that parks and playgrounds are as important as shopping and food outlets. Being a scuba diver Jack just had to see the marine life at the recently open Aquaria in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

We were just blown away with Kuala Lumpur within minutes of landing at the international airport. Not knowing much about the city, we only allocated two days as a stop-over on our way from Canada to see our daughter in New Zealand. We regret not having done more homework as we really should have allocated more time.

First impressions count and we were very impressed with the airport and that we were in a taxi heading to our downtown hotel within minutes of landing. The drive into the city passed through lots of green landscape and everything seemed so modern; nothing like we had expected. The streets were all landscaped with colourful flowers that looked so neat.

It just kept getting better when we arrived at The Westin Kuala Lumpur. Smiling and friendly staff whisked us from the taxi to reception and to our room within a few seconds. They all looked genuinely happy to greet us and every time we went in and out of the hotel, the smiles kept flowing. Jack chose a suite as it was our wedding anniversary and these rooms have to be seen to be believed. While very contemporary, they are also extremely functional and big enough for us to entertain should we have wanted to.

The room was so good that neither of us wanted to leave but we were on a mission to explore the city in a very short time. Our airport taxi driver offered to take us around for the two days and then to return us safely to the airport for our onward flight. He proved to be a great source of local knowledge and along with our guidebook we worked out a schedule for a very competitive price.

He suggested going first to the top of the 421-metre high Kuala Lumpur Tower for an aerial view of the city. This was very impressive with first class, informative materials. We received a headset each to explain to us in English the city's features. The headsets were available in a variety of languages. The view is dominated by the Petronas Twin Towers which rises above its parkland setting beyond our vantage point.

At the base of the tower is a rainforest reserve which could have been here for millions of years. Some of the trees were very tall and probably hundreds of years old. We were both amazed that the forest remains as the city expands on its perimetre. Both of us walked some trails here to build up an appetite for lunch.

Food was one of the main reasons we visited Kuala Lumpur as we had heard so much about the variety. We tried all the main styles in the city - Malay, Chinese, Indian and international. The hotel recommended their dim sum Chinese lunch so we returned ... we returned to eat in Eest Restaurant in the Westin, which has this amazing pan-Asian concept. Very trendy with some great dim sum. to eat in Eest Restaurant in the Westin, which has this amazing pan-Asian concept. Very trendy with some great dim sum.

Another thing about the city that impressed us was its multiculturalism, which is evident in the clothes that the people wear, the food they eat and the architecture of the buildings. In and around Merdeka Square In and around Merdeka Square we saw an old Tudor-styled building, Moorish domes, modern skyscrapers, old Chinese shoplots, mosques and Indian temples. It was all fascinating.we saw an old Tudor-styled building, Moorish domes, modern skyscrapers, old Chinese shoplots, mosques and Indian temples. It was all fascinating.

We'd been told the best Malay food was found in hawker stalls but that there was a contemporary Malay restaurant in Jalan Ceylon in an inner city area full of trendy restaurants. The food was delicious and spicy just the way we like it.

Perhaps the most famous landmark in the city is the Petronas Twin Towers, once the world's tallest building The shopping was very competitive and there was an extensive range of international designer labels available. but now the locals will tell you proudly they are the world's tallest twin towers. We had heard about the great shopping in Suria KLCC at the bottom of the towers but didn't realise there are extensive gardens, playgrounds and a big pool next to the two buildings. It was great to see the locals using all these spaces too.

Just a few minutes walk away in the recently completed Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is the Aquaria with its walk-through tunnel where we came within centimetres of giant sharks, rays and schools of colourful fish.

We also found the Bintang Walk near our hotel to be just as lively with an extensive array of shops, restaurants and bars. This differs from Suria KLCC in that much of it is in the open air although there are some large shopping malls like Lot 10 and Starhill.

Here all the hawker stalls are in the open and line both sides of the street.Within walking distance of this is one of Kuala Lumpur's great food streets, Jalan Alor. Here all the hawker stalls are in the open and line both sides of the street. We wondered what happened when it rained. Maybe people just got wet because the food looked so delicious and all available at ridiculously low prices.

From here we walked to Changkat Bukit Bintang a street lined with new restaurants and bars. Apparently this street has recently become the city's trendiest place for diners and drinkers. There's German, Brazilian, Japanese, Italian and French restaurants and bars mixed in with some local establishments. We found Little Havana had a shaded courtyard for a refreshing drink at the end of a long day. Immediately opposite we ate in Le Bouchon which serves traditional home-styled French cuisine that was as authentic as if we were dining in Brittany.

The meal was a fitting end to a whirlwind two-day stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Next time we will bring empty suitcases and allocate more time to explore all the other places we missed in both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia.

For me though, it is the relaxed way that everyone seems to conduct themselves in this part of Malaysia that really impresses. ... Little Havana had a shaded courtyard for a refreshing drink at the end of a long day. Immediately opposite we ate in Le Bouchon which serves traditional home-styled French cuisine that was as authentic as if we were dining in Brittany. The town itself feels safe and clean and maybe because it is not part of the established tour circuit, gently rewards anyone who bothers to scratch the surface. Yielding a certain sort of charm and an effortless introduction to what Malaysia in all of its diversities has to offer. Only three hours car journey from the heart of the capital Kuala Lumpur, there was something truly liberating about the short breaks on offer here. Heartily recommended.

The meal was a fitting end to a whirlwind two-day stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Next time we will bring empty suitcases and allocate more time to explore all the other places we missed in both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia.

The Heaven Nexus Resort Karambunai

2008-10-28T20:52:00.004+08:00

THE HEAVEN

Set within Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, a destination easily accessible via most major Asian cities, Nexus Resort Karambunai nestles upon the sandy fringes of the spectacular Karambunai peninsula, 30kms Northeast of Kota Kinabalu city, the state's capital, and 40kms away from the International Airport.

The 3,335 acres of natural and landscaped surroundings create a perfect background for all 485 well-appointed guestrooms, suites and luxury villas, eight restaurants and bars and an almost endless array of leisure and recreational activities.

The award-winning 18-hole championship golf course and an exclusive Borneo Spa complement the superb facilities of this magnificent resort.
The Nexus Resort Karambunai ... Some say it's Heaven.

Situated on the spectacular Karambunai Peninsula, upon 3,335 acres of natural and landscaped surrounds, the resort is just 30 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city, the capital and gateway to Sabah, and only 40 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Terminal 2 Kota Kinabalu. Transfers to the resort can easily be arranged by coach, private limousine or taxi.

Nexus Resort Karambunai lies on the west coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, a destination that is accessible via direct or single-stop flights from the nation’s capital Kuala Lumpur and several major Asian cities such as Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, Melbourne, Manila, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Guangzhou and Xiamen.

For More details please log on to NEXUS KARAMBUNAI RESORT at www.nexusresort.com

Malaysia retains 21st spot in WEF Global Competitiveness Survey

2008-10-16T00:09:00.002+08:00

Malaysia retains its 21st spot out of 134 countries surveyed in the latest Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 by World Economic Forum (WEF) released in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

Among Asean economies, Malaysia ranks second after Singapore (overall 5th) with Thailand at third position (overall 34th); followed by Brunei Darussalam at 4th spot (overall 39th); Indonesia at 5th position (overall 55th) while Vietnam is ranked 6th (overall 70th) and Philippines is at 7th placing (overall 71th).

Within the Asian economies, Malaysia ranks among the top six economies, after Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea; and Taiwan, but ahead of the giant economies of China at 7th placing (overall 30th) and India at 9th spot (overall 50th).

The report noted Malaysia''''s strengths in the excellent functioning of its goods, labour and financial markets. The country''''s labour markets are commended to be very efficient at 19th position with the goods markets functioning well ranking at 23rd supported by strong competition and business-friendly taxation.

Malaysia sound banking and financial market is recognized for its sophistication and the relative ease of access to various forms of financing for business development, which translates to a good showing at 16th position under this category. The robust performance of the banking sector is a definite indication that Malaysia has recovered from the 1998 financial crisis.

Malaysia is also acknowledged for its well-developed transport infrastructure and its strong business sophistication and innovative potential, which have significantly supported the country''''s growth over recent years.

USA emerged as the most competitive economy, followed by Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Singapore.

Adapted from WEF website and NST Business Times 9 Oct 2008

Malaysia Health Care Tourism

2008-09-20T00:47:00.012+08:00

Treatment advantage: Malaysia healthcare is specialized in all medical disciplines and performs some of the most difficult treatments in the world. The medical practices followed in Malaysia are at par with the best in the
world incorporating sophistication as well as international expertise.
The medical team consists of specialists who have been trained in outstanding medical institutions around the world while the visiting faculty comprises of distinguished specialists belonging to world famous medical centres. The treatments are carried out in state of the art facilities that have been furnished to meet international standards. The high quality in treatments is thus maintained at the technology as well as professional levels.

Value for your money: In the current scenario of international medicine, where the cost of medical treatment is skyrocketing in the U.S. and Europe, Malaysia's healthcare service comes as a relief to patients all over the world. With highly specialized hospitals and medical faculties trained in some of the most esteemed medical institutions in the world, Malaysia confidently claims of a medical care that supersedes in quality and affordability.
Common cosmetic surgeries such as the rhinoplasty and tummy tuck, costs the patient around 5000-6000$(USD) in the U.S., while in Malaysia the same would come up to only 600-1400$(USD). The disparity is proof of the cost-effective nature of Malaysian procedures.
This leaves scope for incorporating a vacation along with the treatment for the
holiday seekers. And what's more you still spend only lesser than what you
would have,in order to undergo the medical treatment alone in the U.S. or U.K.

Hospitality: The facilities are complemented by equally proficient nursing offering round the clock service to the patients. Hospitality and service
being the keywords of our practice, a comfortable stay in fully equipped and
luxurious rooms is assured. The biggest advantage is perhaps the fact that the
faculties of the hospitals are English speaking, facilitating proper
communication and interaction.
Also the medical staffs hail from various parts of the world,
hence erasing any alien feeling for the foreign patient, who has opportunity to
relate with an identical nationality.

Confidentiality: The patient is assured of complete privacy as we ensure to maintain and conduct the details of all our procedures including information transfer under strict confidentiality, preventing unwarranted attention from any source.

Holiday advantage: Malaysia is a beautiful country, enriched with sun lit beaches, hill stations, evergreen forests and spectacular architectural sites,offering you multiple holiday possibilities. Malaysia healthcare offers you
the opportunity to take advantage of a vacation along with your treatment
either through the various tailor made packages on offer or by helping you to build your own personalized holiday cum treatment package utilizing our online services.
The packages are available at attractive prices, and are a true steal from the
economic point of view, considering the money as well as time saved on
choosing Malaysia for your treatment.

Service advantage: Malaysia healthcare serves you at every point of your journey; from the point where you access our healthcare services online till your departure from Malaysia. Our simple format helps you to plan your treatment
in Malaysia with ease.

FOR MORE INFO PLEASE LOG ON AT MALAYSIA HEALTHCARE

Reason why Invest In Malaysia

2008-09-20T00:47:00.009+08:00

POLICIES

Local company incorporation
Manufacturing license application
No restriction on foreign equity ownership
Liberal expatriate employment policy
Free movement of funds for foreign investments in Malaysia
Protection of intellectual property rights
Company tax rate of 26%
Individual tax rate from 0%-28%
No minimum wages legislation
Minimum conditions of employment under the Employment Act 1955
Responsible trade unions and harmonious industrial relations
Compulsory contributions:
Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
Social Security Organisation (SOCSO)
Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF)
Investment guarantee agreements
Double taxation agreements
Controlled environmental management policy

INCENTIVES

Eligible industries/sectors
Manufacturing
Agriculture
Tourism
Manufacturing related services:
Integrated logistics services
Integrated market support services
Integrated central utility facilities
Cold chain facilities

Others, including:
Research and development
Environmental management
Training
ICT
Shipping and transportation
Multimedia super corridor (MSC)
Knowledge-based economy
Operational headquarters
Regional distribution centres
International procurement centres
Representative offices and regional offices
Offshore financial service

Main incentives:
Pioneer status
Full income tax exemption
Investment tax allowance
Accelerated capital allowance
Incentive for relocating manufacturing activities
Industrial building allowance
Infrastructure allowance
Reinvestment allowance
Export incentives
Import duty exemption on raw materials, components, machinery and equipment
Group relief

FACILITIES
Comprehensive system of vocational and industrial training
Financial assistance for training of workers
Well-developed financial and banking sector providing credit to industry
Export credit refinancing
Export credit insurance
Active and efficient stock exchange for raising capital
Fully developed industrial parks for industry
high-tech parks
free zones for export industries
Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)
Ample electricity and water supply at reasonable costs
High quality telecommunications network and services
Well-equipped seaports and airports connected to the world
Network of well-maintained highways and railways

INCENTIVE FOR INVESTMENT

In Malaysia, tax incentives, both direct and indirect, are provided for in the Promotion of Investments Act 1986, Income Tax Act 1967, Customs Act 1967, Sales Tax Act 1972, Excise Act 1976 and Free Zones Act 1990. These Acts cover investments in the manufacturing, agriculture, tourism (including hotel) and approved services sectors as well as R&D, training and environmental protection activities.

The direct tax incentives grant partial or total relief from income tax payment for a specified period, while indirect tax incentives are in the form of exemptions from import duty, sales tax and excise duty.

1. INCENTIVES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR

1.1 Main Incentives for Manufacturing Companies

The major tax incentives for companies investing in the manufacturing sector are the Pioneer Status and the Investment Tax Allowance.

Eligibility for Pioneer Status and Investment Tax Allowance is based on certain priorities, including the levels of value-added, technology used and industrial linkages. Eligible activities and products are termed as "promoted activities" or “promoted products”. (Please refer to the List of Promoted Activities and Products - General)

(i) Pioneer Status

A company granted Pioneer Status enjoys a 5-year partial exemption from the payment of income tax. It pays tax on 30% of its statutory income*, with the exemption period commencing from its Production Day (defined as the day its production level reaches 30% of its capacity).

Unabsorbed capital allowances as well as accumulated losses incurred during the pioneer period can be carried forward and deducted from the post pioneer income of the company.

To encourage investments in the promoted areas i.e. the States of Perlis**, Sabah and Sarawak and the designated “Eastern Corridor”+ of Peninsular Malaysia, applications received from companies located in these areas will enjoy a 100% tax exemption on their statutory income during their 5-year exemption period. Applications received by 31 December 2010 are eligible for this incentive.

Applications for Pioneer Status should be submitted to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA).

(ii) Investment Tax Allowance

As an alternative to Pioneer Status, a company may apply for Investment Tax Allowance (ITA). A company granted ITA is entitled to an allowance of 60% on its qualifying capital expenditure (factory, plant, machinery or other equipment used for the approved project) incurred within five years from the date the first qualifying capital expenditure is incurred.

The company can offset this allowance against 70% of its statutory income for each year of assessment. Any unutilised allowance can be carried forward to subsequent years until fully utilised. The remaining 30% of its statutory income will be taxed at the prevailing company tax rate.

For the promoted areas i.e. the States of Perlis** , Sabah and Sarawak and the designated “Eastern Corridor” of Peninsular Malaysia, applications received from 13 September 2003 from companies located in these areas will enjoy an allowance of 100% on the qualifying capital expenditure incurred within a period of five years. The allowance can be utilised to offset against 100% of the statutory income for each year of assessment. Applications received by 31 December 2010 are eligible for this incentive.

FOR MORE DETAILS YOU CAN LOG ON TO MALAYSIAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Feature Destinations

2008-04-13T00:57:00.007+08:00

Pulau Tiga Marine Park

Pulau Tiga is the largest of the three islands that make up Pulau Tiga Park. Its beautiful landscape and unspoilt natural environment has attracted CBS TV Network of the USA to use this island as the main location for the popular ‘Survivor’ Programme, dubbing it the ‘Survivor Island’.

This island was formed through the eruption of several mud volcanoes. The last explosion happened in 1941 and since then the volcanoes have remained relatively passive. Several small mud volcanoes spewing cool, mineral-rich mud can still be found near the summit of the island. The notion that this mineral rich mud is good for your skin makes mud-bathing a must-do activity on this island.

The island’s lush green jungle serves as a soothing backdrop, while the fine, white sand beaches and the clear unpolluted water are a wonder for nature lovers. The coral reefs encircling the island are home to many species of fish and other marine life. Among the activities that await you here are diving, non-motorised water sports, trekking, bird watching and mud bathing.

The Park Headquarters is situated on the southern side of the island, not far from Pulau Tiga Resort, the only resort facility available on the island.

Key Tips
Pulau Tiga and Pulau Kalampunian offer great snorkelling just a short distance from the beach.

How to get there

By Road
From Kota Kinabalu, drive 140km south to Kuala Penyu at the Klias Peninsula, then board a boat to the islands.

By Sea
The islands are 18km away and about 45 minutes by boat. Some tour agents also organise tours and ferry services to the islands.

Who to contact
For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Sipadan Island

The late Jacques Cousteau, the world-renowned oceanographer, described Sipadan Island as ‘an untouched piece of art’, while divers around the world voted it as one of the top five dive sites in the world.

Malaysia’s only oceanic island, it is very small – only 12ha. in size. A 25-minute walk is all that is required to circle the island on foot. As an oceanic island, it rises about 700 metres from the sea floor, attracting diverse marine life from the blackness of the open sea. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, this crown jewel is a treasure trove of some of the most amazing marine animals.

Declared a bird sanctuary in 1933 by the Colonial Government of North Borneo and re-gazetted in 1963 by the Malaysian Government, the dense vegetation on Sipadan Island supports a large variety of tropical birds which include sea eagles, kingfishers, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. Exotic crustaceans including the amazing coconut crab roam the beaches and scurry among the undergrowth.

When diving here, encounters with turtles, resident schools of jacks, bumphead parrotfish and barracudas are almost assured around the tiny coral island.

Key Tips
Try to be part of an early-morning dive to Sipadan at the famous Barracuda Point. In the early hours of the morning, you are most likely to swim amongst big schools of swirling barracuda...

How to get there

By Air
The jump off point to Sipadan Island is Kota Kinabalu or Tawau.
By Car
Continue the journey by a 1-hour drive to Semporna town.
By Sea
A 30-minute speedboat will take you to Mabul, which is the jump off point for Sipadan Island explorations.

Who to contact
For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Mabul Island

Mabul Island is reputed to be one of the best places for underwater macro-photography in the world. Located in the clear waters of the Celebes Sea off the mainland of Sabah, it is surrounded by gentle sloping reefs two to 40m deep.

Covering some 21 ha., it is considerably larger than the nearby Sipadan Island and is home to the Bajau Laut tribe, one of many ethnic groups in Sabah.

Diving is the main activity on this island, and it can be done all year round. Marine life that can be seen here includes sea horses, exotic starfish, fire gobies, crocodile fish, pipefish and snake eels. There are over eight popular dive spots, each with its own speciality.

Three resorts cater to scuba divers -- two are on the island itself while one is on a converted oil rig platform about 500m offshore. All of the resorts provide day trips for their guests to the nearby Sipadan and Kapalai Islands.

Key Tips
There's no airport in Semporna, so book your flight to Tawau instead and organise a pick-up from your tour operator for the hour-long drive to the jetty at Semporna.

Thing To do In Kuala Lumpur

2008-04-09T00:40:00.008+08:00

Established in the mid-1800s, Kuala Lumpur is the youngest Southeast Asian capital. It's also one of the wealthiest and most appealing, a bustling blend of charming colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers. Home to the "Multimedia Super Corridor," this city is highly regarded as the most pro high-tech business center in Asia. One of the newest airports in Asia, the modern KLIA offers daily direct flights from all over the world, making it easy to do business here. The million-plus residents of KL are mostly Malays, Chinese and Indians. The ethnic mix is evident in the various dialects, unique cuisines and diverse cultural offerings. Attractions are equally varied. Check out Merdeka Square, the colonial center and site of Malaysian independence (1957); Chinatown, showcasing kitschy outdoor markets; the nearby Batu Caves, a shrine to Hindu deities; and the Golden Triangle, a busy commercial and shopping district; and the Petronas Towers, until recently the world's tallest buildings.

THE BEST NIGHLIFE IN KUALA LUMPUR.

1. Ruums Nightclub KLCC AREA.03-2638-0666
2. Bar SaVanh CHOW KIT.03-2697-1180
3. Zouk GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2171-1997
4. Hard Rock Café KLCC AREA.03-2715-5555
5. Telawi Street Bistro BANGSAR BARU.03-2284-3168
6. The Pub GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2032-2388
7. Village Bar GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-232-2388
8. Legends KLCC AREA. 03-2166-6603
9. Finnegan's Irish Pub BANGSAR BARU.03-2284-0476
10. Modesto's KLCC AREA.03-2713-2333

THE BEST SHOPPING IN KUALA LUMPUR

1. Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2382-0158

2. Jim Thompson » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2141-8689

3. Mumbai Sé » BANGSAR BARU.03-2287-0810

4. House of Suzie Wong » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2143-3229

5. Central Market » CHINATOWN.03-2031-0339

6. Pucuk Rebung » KLCC AREA.03-2382-0769

7. British India » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2142-2126

8. Royal Selangor Visitor Center & Pewter Showroom »
SETAPAK JAYA.03-4145-6122

9. Aseana » KLCC AREA.03-2382-9988

10. Islamic Arts Museum Shop » LAKE GARDENS.03-2270-5110

The 10 Best Hotels and Lodging in Kuala Lumpur

1. Holiday Inn Glenmarie » GLENMARIE.03-7803-1000

2. JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2715-9000

3. Palace of the Golden Horses » MINES RESORT CITY.03-9843-2333

4. Ritz Carlton » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2142-8000

5. Carcosa Seri Negara » LAKE GARDENS.03-2295-0888

6. Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur » KLCC AREA.03-2711-8866

7. Hotel Fortuna » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2141-9111

8. Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur » GOLDEN TRIANGLE.03-2141-9988

9. Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa » CYBERJAYA.03-8312-7000

10. Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur » KLCC AREA.03-2380-8888

Malaysia Visa Application

2008-03-29T18:51:00.004+08:00

Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid National Passport or Internationally recognized Travel Document valid for travel to Malaysia. Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document which is recognized by Malaysian Government, must obtain a Document in lieu of Passport. Application for the Document in lieu of Passport can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad. Holders of Travel Documents like a Certificate of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage or a Country's Certificate of Permanent Residence must ensure that their return to the country which issued the document or the country of residence is guaranteed. The documents shall be valid, for more than six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia.

Types of Visa

Three (3) types of visa are issued by the Malaysian Government to foreign national:

Single Entry Visa
Issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia mainly for a social or business visit. Normally valid for a single entry and for a period of three (3) months from the date of issue.

Multiple Entry Visa
Issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia mainly for business or government to government matters. Normally valid for a period within three (3) to twelve (12) months from the date of issue.

Transit Visa
Issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia on transit to other countries. Foreign Nationals on transit without leaving the airport precincts and who continue their journey to the next destination with the same flight does not require a transit visa.

Visa Requirement :-
Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at Malaysian Representative Office before entering the country. A visa is an endorsement in a passport or other recognized travel document of foreigner indicating that the holder has applied for permission to enter Malaysia and that permission has been granted. Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad before entering the country. Visa, which has been granted is not absolute guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter Malaysia.The final decision lies with the Immigration Officer at the entry point.

How To Apply For A Visa

Application for visas should be made at the nearest Malaysian Missions abroad. In countries where Malaysian Missions have not been established, application should be made to the British High Commission or Embassy. The applicant should present himself together with the following documents:

(a) Passport or Travel Document
(b) Form IM.47 (3 copies)
(c) Three (3) passport sized photographs
(d) Return or onward - journey traveling ticket
(e) Proof of sufficient funds

VISA REQUIREMENT

1. Nationals of the following countries DO NOT REQUIRE VISA for Social Visit. The duration of stay is 3 Months only. The countries are :

ALBANIA, ALGERIA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BAHRAIN, BELGIUM, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, BRAZIL, CANADA, CROATIA, CUBA, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, EGYPT, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ICELAND, ITALY, JAPAN, JORDAN, KIRGYSTAN, KUWAIT, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC, LEBANON, LIECHTENSTEIN, LUXEMBOURG, MOROCCO, NETHERLAND, NEW ZEALAND, NORTH YEMEN, NORWAY, OMAN, PERU, POLAND, QATAR, ROMANIA, ST. MARINO, SAUDI ARABIA, SLOVAKIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH KOREA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TUNISIA, TURKMENISTAN, TURKEY, U.S.A, U.A.E, UNITED KINGDOM, URUGUAY.

2. Nationals of the following countries DO NOT require a visa to enter Malaysia For Social Visit and the duration of stay is 1 Month only. The countries are :

All ASEAN countries except: MYANMAR, ANTIGUA & BERMUDA, ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, BELARUS, BELIZE, BENIN, BHUTAN, BOLIVIA, BOTSWANA, BULGARIA, CAMBODIA, CHILE, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, CYPRUS, DOMINICA, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, ESTONIA, FIJI, GABON, GAMBIA, GEORGIA, GHANA, GREECE, GRENADA, GUATEMALA, GUYANA, HAITI, HONDURAS, HONG KONG (SAR), IVORY COAST, JAMAICA, KAZAKHSTAN, KENYA, KIRIBATI, LATVIA, LESOTHO, LITHUANIA, MACAU (SAR), MACEDONIA, MALAWI, MALDIVES, MALDOVA, MALTA, MAURITIUS, MEXICO, MOLDAVIA, MONACO, MONGOLIA, NAMIBIA, NAURU, NICARAGUA, NORTH KOREA, PENAMA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, PARAGUAY, PORTUGAL, RUSSIA, SAO TOME & PRINCIPE, SLOVENIA, SOLOMAN ISLAND, ST. KITTS & NEVIS, ST. LUCIDA, ST. VINCENT, SUDAN, SURINAM, SWAZILAND, TAJIKISTAN, TANZANIA, TOGO, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, TUVALU, UGANDA, UKRAINE, UPPER VOLTA, UZBEKISTAN, VANUATU, VATICAN CITY, VENEZUELA, WESTERN SAMOA, ZAIRE, ZAMBIA, AND ZIMBABWE.

3. Nationals of the following countries DO NOT require a visa to enter Malaysia For Social Visit and the duration of stay is 14 days only. The countries are :

IRAQ, LIBYA, SYRIA, MACAU (TRAVEL PERMIT), PORTUGAL (ALIEN PASSPORT), PALESTINE, SIERRA LEONE, SOMALI, SOUTH YEMEN.

4. Nationals of the following countries DO NOT require a visa to enter Malaysia For Social Visit and the duration of stay is 15 days only. The country is : IRAN

5. Nationals of the following countries DO NOT require a visa to enter Malaysia For Any Purpose of Visit. The countries are :

All Commonwealth Countries except: INDIA, PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH, SRI LANKA AND NIGERIA.

6. Nationals of the following countries REQUIRE a visa to enter Malaysia For Any Purpose of Visit. The countries are :

Sub Continent Nationals: BANGLADESH, INDIA, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA.

African Countries: ANGOLA, BURKINA FASO, BURUNDI, CAMEROON, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, CONGO REPUBLIC, CONGO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, COTE D'IVOIRE, DJIBOUTI, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, ERITREA, ETHIOPIA, GUINEA-BISSAU, GHANA, LIBERIA, MALI, MOZAMBIQUE, NIGER, NIGERIA, RWANDA, WESTERN SAHARA.

Other Countries: TAIWAN, MYANMAR, NEPAL, BHUTAN, PR CHINA.

All holders Certificate of Identity, All holders of Laisser Passer, All holders of Titre De Voyage, Afghanistan (Visa With Reference)

7. Nationals of the following countries DO NOT require a visa to enter Malaysia For Social Visit & Study. The countriy is : UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA)

VISA ON ARRIVAL

Visa-on-arrival will be given only to foreign nationals who already have a visa to enter Singapore or Thailand.

However, the following conditions apply:

1. The visa will be specifically for tourist purposes only and is valid for a duration period of 14 days. Extension of visa is NOT allowed.
2. Must have a confirmed return ticket AND
3. Point of entry is

a) The Kuala Lumpur International Airport OR
b) The Sultan Abu Bakar Complexs, Tanjung Kupang.

However, nationals from the following African countries are NOT entitled to apply for "visa on arrival" :

1. ANGOLA 12. ETHIOPIA
2. BURKINA FASO 13. GUINEA-BISSAU
3. BURUNDI 14. GHANA
4. CAMEROON 15. LIBERIA
5. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 16. MALI
6. CONGO REPUBLIC 17. MOZAMBIQUE
7. DEMOCRATIC CONGO REPUBLIC 18. NIGER
8. COTE D'IVORE 19. NIGERIA
9. DJIBOUTI 20. RWANDA
10. EQUATORIAL GUINEA 21. WESTERN SAHARA
11. ERITREA

CUSTOMS FORMALITIES

Dutiable and Non-Dutiable Goods
Certain goods such as the following, imported by visitors are liable to duty: carpets, garments, clothing accessories, jewellery, chocolates, handbags, spirits, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and cigarettes. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure. The goods are to be presented at the time of departure at the point of exit together with the deposit receipts. Non-dutiable goods include cameras, watches, pens, lighters, perfumeries and cosmetics.

HEALTH REGULATIONS

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all visitors coming from Yellow fever infected areas or endemic zones except for children under 1 year of age.

CURRENCY

General Information
Visitors may bring in or take out any amount of currency, except Malaysia Currency. When leaving Malaysia, a person must NOT have more money than the amount he brought in. If the person has more money, he must declare from where the extra money came from.

Ringgit Malaysia (RM)
One may bring in and out of Malaysia, only RM1000 and NOT more than that.

Foreign Currency
If the amount is more than US$2,500, one has to fill in form IMM26. This form IMM26 will then be endorsed by immigration officers and returned to the visitors to be kept in their passports.

Come and Join Us Malaysia Trully Asia

2008-03-29T18:34:00.003+08:00

Passion In Paradise & Time For Different-Visit Malaysia

2008-03-29T18:27:00.001+08:00

Langkawi Island View

2008-03-29T00:46:00.000+08:00

Malaysia Trully Asia Movie

2008-03-29T00:29:00.002+08:00

Find Out About Malaysia

2008-03-22T01:02:00.013+08:00

Malaysia at a glance
Geographically, Malaysia is situated between the South of Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, and north of Singapore and Indonesia. Its population exceeded 24 million as at July 2007 and is truly a harmonious cultural and racial melting pot.

Every race observes sensitivity and a deep respect for each other’s cultures. As the fastest growing tourist destination in South East Asia, Malaysia offers a fascinating mix of colourful festivals, unique arts and crafts, architecture, food and a rich array of dance forms.

Since its independence in 1948, the structural transformation of Malaysia's economy has been nothing short of spectacular. The last decade has seen a deepening and widening of Malaysia's industrial base as well as the further development of its services sector. In the coming decade, an important policy component – Vision 2020 - in Malaysia's development plans will further enhance the knowledge content of the economy.

The Malaysian Government has also initiated major educational reforms by formulating new legislations on education, in addition to affirming the English language as the second language. The official local language is Bahasa Melayu, but the English language is widely spoken, as are a number of Chinese dialects

Capital City Kuala Lumpur
Population Forecast to exceed 27 million by end 2007
Timezone GMT/UTC +8 ()
Currency Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
Area 329,750 sq km
127,316 sq miles
Religion 52% Muslim
17% Buddhist
12% Taoist
8% Christian
8% Hindu
2% Tribal
Languages - Malay (official),
also known as Bahasa Malayu
- English
- Chinese
- Tamil

Investing in Malaysia
Multinational corporations from more than 60 countries have invested in over 3,000 companies in Malaysia's manufacturing sector, attracted by the conducive business environment which has made the country one of the world's top locations for manufacturing and service-based operations.

Investors are positive on the investment outlook in Malaysia, with all sectors looking attractive to invest in. Malaysia is committed to free trade and investors stand to gain much, business-wise.

Harmonious industrial relations with minimal trade disputes
Modern infrastructure
Developed facilities and amenities
A booming local economy
Ready marketability to the hinterlands
Multi-model transferability
Proximity to world class ports
Global and regional connectivity
Educated workforce
Wide use of English, especially in business
Well-equipped seaports and airports
Price competitiveness
100% foreign equity
Extensive trade links - total trade accounts for 134% of GNP
Quality of Life
Large foreign business community in all business sectors
High quality telecommunications network and services
Various tax free zone benefits
Unrestricted repatriation of profits
Full commitment from the Malaysian Government

Key economic factors Population
27.17 million

GDP
RM293.99 billion
(US$84.6 billion)

GDP Growth
6.0%

Unemployment
3.5%

Total exports
RM653.85 billion
(US$188.17 billion)

Total imports
RM536.84 billion
(US$154.49 billion)

Major exports
Manufactured goods (electrical and electronic products, chemicals and chemical products, machinery, appliances and parts, wood products, manufacture of metal as well as optical and scientific equipment)

Major imports
Intermediate goods (thermionic valves and tubes, primary and processed industrial supplies, parts and accessories of capital goods, primary and processed fuel lubricants, and parts and accessories for transport equipment)

Wilderness Langkawi Challenge 2008 (WLC ‘08)

2008-03-20T03:32:00.006+08:00

WCSB proudly brings you – yet again – Langkawi’s Premier Adventure Racing Event: Wilderness Langkawi Challenge 2008 (WLC ‘08)!

WLC is THE hottest sport to test your limits of fitness, nerves, teamwork and stamina. Entering its fourth consecutive year, WLC invites to its rugged playground a diverse mix of runners, mountain bikers, tri-athletes, extreme sport junkies, outdoor-types, alternative city-break tourists and adventure racers from around the world.

WLC ’08 will be held as follows :-

Date : 3rd May 2008 (Saturday)

Venue : Pulau Tuba, Langkawi, Kedah

Placing strong emphasis on equal opportunity to discover this exciting sport, the race is divided into 2 categories – “Slow & Steady” for beginners and “Fast & Furious” for professionals. This allows newbies to discover this sport at their own pace without feeling intimidated by the professionals. With more than RM20,000.00 worth of prizes up for grabs, teams of two competitors (men’s, women’s or mixed) race in a multidiscipline challenge involving navigation, endurance, skills and guts. You will kayak, run, climb, mountain bike, and navigate your way around a course that's only revealed hours before you begin.

Competitors will be treated to a variety of events, finishing the day with an awards ceremony, generous random prize drawings, and a BBQ meal. Race entry fee includes all of the above, a goodie bag for each competitor, and an event shirt & cap. Click here to download WLC '08 Race! This event is limited to a total 200 teams only! Just like last year, we will keep a waiting list if racer interest exceeds these limits. Click here for WLC '08 Entry Form as well as the Medical Declaration Form which need to be submitted together upon registering for WLC ‘08.

Questions about this event should be directed to us at +603 2730 5000 or email Adilah (adilah@wildernessmalaysia.com) or
Jasmin (jasmin@widlernessmalaysia.com)

Please Free Visit Our Website at http://www.wildernessmalaysia.com

We look forward to having you join at WLC ’08. Ready. Set. RACE!

Malaysia My Second Home Programme

2008-03-19T00:22:00.004+08:00

Malaysia My Second Home Programme is promoted by the Government of Malaysia to allow foreigners who fulfill certain criteria, to stay in Malaysia for as long as possible on a multiple-entry social visit pass. The Social Visit Pass is initially for a period of ten (10) years, and is renewable.

Eligibility

It is open to citizens of all countries recognised by Malaysia regardless of race, religion, gender or age. Applicants are allowed to bring their spouses and unmarried children below the age of 18 as dependants.

Foreigners who are married to Malaysians are not eligible for MM2H programme but may apply to stay in Malaysia under the Immigration Department's "Spouse Programme" with a Long Term Social Visit Pass
(please refer to website http://www.imi.gov.my ).

Take a moment and see why Malaysia is one of those countries you should consider living in.

Governmental Support
This programme is initiated, organised and launched by the Malaysian Government and is thus one that the Government will continuously seek to improve, to ensure its success.

Culture & Language
The Malay language (Bahasa Melayu) is the national language of the country; English is the second language but other languages can be freely used and practised. Similarly the Malay culture is dominant in the country because the Malays are the dominant race in Malaysia and in the region. But other cultures can be practiced very freely and there is a free intermingling of different cultures.

Recreation & Entertainment
The country has everything for the family,-theme parks, jungle trails,sports, water sports and one of the highest numbers of golf courses.

Food & Fruits
International cuisine is available here at very reasonable cost. With so many races and cultures living together in harmony, it is understandable that each race has picked up the best of each other’s food and made Malaysia into Asia’s Food Paradise. Similarly the tropical fruits of Malaysia are unique, exotic and available in abundance practically throughout the year. It should be a real joy to savour these fruits.

Weather
The weather is pleasant, warm and balmy with moderate rain throughout the year, There are also highland residential areas and resorts with permanent spring-like weather throughout the country.

Shopping
Most of the items that tourists normally like to buy – perfumes, cosmetics, watches, fountain pens, a long list of electronic goods, branded goods etc. are completely free of tax. Quality goods from all over the world are imported and are relatively low in price and sold throughout Malaysia.

Safety
Statistics can proof that Malaysia is one of the safest countries in the world; its crime rate is relatively low.

AirAsia-Everyone Can Fly (Asia Budget Airline)

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AirAsia is a low-cost airline based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It operates scheduled domestic and international flights and is Asia's leading low fare, no frills airline. It is also the first airline in the region to implement fully ticketless travel and unassigned seats. AirAsia has been expanding rapidly and is very popular among the traveling public thanks to its frequent low fare deals. Its main base is the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
AirAsia operates about 200 flights a day, to 48 destinations in 10 countries.
In Bangkok AirAsia operates all domestic and international flights from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Current Air Asia destinations include:

China
Macau (Macau International Airport)
Xiamen (Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport)
Shenzhen (Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport)

Brunei Darussalam
Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei International Airport)

Cambodia
Phnom Penh (Phnom Penh International Airport)
Siem Reap (Angkor International Airport)

Indonesia
Balikpapan (Sepinggan International Airport)
Banda Aceh (Sultan Iskandarmuda Airport)
Bandung (Husein Sastranegara International Airport)
Batam (Hang Nadim Airport)
Denpasar (Ngurah Rai International Airport)
Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport)Secondary Hub
Medan (Polonia International Airport)
Padang (Minangkabau International Airport)
Pekan Baru (Sultan Syarif Qasim II International Airport)
Solo (Adisumarmo International Airport)
Surabaya (Juanda International Airport)

Malaysia
Alor Star (Sultan Abdul Halim Airport)
Bintulu (Bintulu Airport)
Johor Bahru (Senai International Airport)Secondary Hub
Kota Bharu (Sultan Ismail Petra Airport)
Kota Kinabalu (Kota Kinabalu International Airport)Secondary Hub
Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) Hub
Kuala Terengganu (Sultan Mahmud Airport)
Kuantan (Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport)
Kuching (Kuching International Airport)Secondary Hub
Labuan (Labuan Airport)
Lahad Datu (Lahad Datu Airport)
Langkawi (Langkawi International Airport)
Miri (Miri Airport)
Penang (Penang International Airport)
Sandakan (Sandakan Airport)
Sibu (Sibu Airport)
Tawau (Tawau International Airport)

Myanmar
Yangon (Yangon International Airport)

The Philippines
Angeles City (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport)

Singapore
Singapore(Singapore Changi Airport)

Thailand
Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport)Secondary Hub
Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai International Airport)
Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai International Airport)
Hat Yai (Hat Yai International Airport||)
Krabi (Krabi Airport)
Nakhon Si Thammarat (Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport)
Narathiwat (Narathiwat Airport)
Phuket (Phuket International Airport)
Surat Thani (Surat Thani Airport)
Ubon Ratchathani (Ubon Ratchathani Airport
Udon Thani (Udon Thani Airport)

Vietnam
Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport)

Please visit www.airasia.com

Tioman Island, Malaysia

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Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)

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Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme
The history of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) dates as far back as the First Commonwealth Heads of States (CHOGM) meeting in Sydney in February 1978, where the idea was first conceived. The MTCP was officially launched on 7 September 1980 at the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting in New Delhi, India, to signify Malaysia’s commitment to South-South cooperation, in particular Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC).

In line with the spirit of South-South cooperation, the MTCP, which is a bilateral technical cooperation programme, shares development experiences with other developing countries. This “prosper-thy-neighbour” philosophy is the underlying basis for the MTCP. The Programme was first formulated based on the belief that the development of a country depends on the quality of its human resources. The programme provides various forms of technical cooperation in areas where Malaysia has the experience and expertise. The MTCP emphasizes the development of human resources through the provision of training in various areas which are essential for a country’s development such as public administration, agriculture, poverty alleviation, investment promotion, ICT, banking and English language.

The Economic Planning Unit, which is the national focal point for all technical cooperation, is responsible for the administration and coordination of MTCP activities. Since its inception, the MTCP has expanded in terms of its scope and coverage with the emphasis on the exchange of development experience. More than 2,000 participants from 137 member countries come to Malaysia annually under the MTCP. Currently the MTCP has a membership of about 17, 234 (as of September 2007) alumni worldwide. About 150 short-term specialized courses are offered by the 43 MTCP training institutions, many of which are centres of excellence for training, with the aim of building human capital in other developing countries.

Objectives of MTCP

The objectives of MTCP are:

i To share development experience with other countries;
ii To strengthen bilateral relations between Malaysia and other developing countries;
iii To promote South-South Cooperation; and
iv To promote technical cooperation among developing countries.

Initiative for ASEAN Integration
In line with Malaysia’s foreign policy on promoting regional economic integration, Malaysia strongly supports the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) adopted by ASEAN leaders in 2002 for a 6-year period until 2008. The IAI is a policy framework, which aims to narrow the development gap within ASEAN. The MTCP provides capacity building programmes for the CLMV countries through its short and long term courses as well as projects to address the digital divide and need for technical skills.

Third Country Training Programme (TCTP)
The MTCP also collaborates with international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Economic Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Colombo Plan and Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) through Third Country Training Programme (TCTP). These TCTPs are organised through partnerships with several MTCP training institutions.

Contact details:

The General Director,
Economic Planning Unit,
Prime Minister's Department,
External Asistance Section,
Block B5 Level 2,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA
Telephone : 03 - 8888 2882 / 03 - 8888 2886 / 03 - 8888 2876
Fax : 03 - 8888 3876
Email : mtcp@epu.jpm.my
Official website: http://mtcp.epu.gov.my

Malaysia Trully Asia

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Country
The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

Geographical Location
Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator, Peninsula Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsula Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are north of Indonesia in Borneo while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.

Area
329,758 sq km

Population
26 million

Capital
Kuala Lumpur

People
Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.

Language
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects.

Religion
Islam is the official religion but all other religions are freely practised.

Government
Malaysia is governed by a Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The Head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, a position that is awarded to a different State Monarch every five years and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.

Climate
Tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF). The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range between 15°C (59° F) to 25°C (77°F). Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm.

Major Holidays
New Year's Day Hari Raya Aidiladha* Federal Territory Day ** Chinese New Year* Awal Muharam* Birthday of Prophet Muhammad* Labour Day* Wesak Day* King's Birthday* National Day* Deepavali# Hari Raya Aidilfitri* Christmas*
Note: (*) - National holidays (**) - Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur & Labuan only (#) - Except Labuan & Sarawak

Economic Profile
Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of Malaysia's economy. Tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major contributors to the economy.
Distance to Malaysia
London, United Kingdom to Kuala Lumpur : 6,557 miles (10,552 km)
Paris, France to Kuala Lumpur 6,483 miles (10,432 km)
Rome, Italy to Kuala Lumpur : 6,038 miles (9,716 km)
Stockholm, Sweden to Kuala Lumpur : 5,812 miles (9,353 km)
Berlin, Germany to Kuala Lumpur : 5,979 miles (9,622 km)
Madrid, Spain to Kuala Lumpur : 6,885 miles (11,079 km)
New York, USA to Kuala Lumpur : 9,400 miles (15,126 km)
Los Angeles, USA to Kuala Lumpur : 8,790 miles (14,144 km)
Vancouver, Canada to Kuala Lumpur : 7,944 miles (12,783 km)

Currency
The unit of currency is Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM. USD1 is roughly equivalent to RM3.20. Foreign currency can be converted at banks and money changers.

Banking Hours
Most states: Mon - Fri: 9.30am to 4.30pm. Sat & Sun: Closed (Selected banks and branches are open on Sat). Kelantan & Terengganu: Sun - Wed :9.30am to 4.30pm. Thurs :9.30am to 4.00pm. Friday/Saturday*/Public Holiday: Closed

Post Offices
Open from 8.30am to 6.00pm daily except the first Saturday of each month, Sundays and public holidays.
In Kelantan and Terengganu post offices operate during the same hours but are closed on Fridays and public holidays.

Time
Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time.

Electricity
Voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.

Weights and Measures
Malaysia follows the metric system in weights and measures.

Telephones
Local calls can be made from public phones using coins or pre-paid cards. International calls can be made from public phones with card phone facilities or at any Telekom office.

Accommodation
Malaysia has a wide range of accommodation at competitive rates. Six-star, medium range, budget hotels, youth hostels, beach chalets and timeshare apartments are just some of the types of accommodation available. Privately operated motor-homes are also available for rent.