Difference between revisions of "Malaysia"

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'''Malaysia''' is a country in South Eastern [[Asia]]. It has borders with [[Thailand]] to the north, [[Singapore]] to the south, and [[Indonesia]] to the west and south. Its Capital city is [[Kuala Lumpur]]. The country is separated in two parts: the Malay Peninsula, and the north of Borneo Island.
 
'''Malaysia''' is a country in South Eastern [[Asia]]. It has borders with [[Thailand]] to the north, [[Singapore]] to the south, and [[Indonesia]] to the west and south. Its Capital city is [[Kuala Lumpur]]. The country is separated in two parts: the Malay Peninsula, and the north of Borneo Island.
  
 +
== Hitchability ==
 
'''Malaysia''' is a really great country for hitchhiking. People know what hitchhiking is and they are interested in foreign visitors, so make sure you look like a tourist. On busy roads, waiting times of less than 5 minutes are very common.
 
'''Malaysia''' is a really great country for hitchhiking. People know what hitchhiking is and they are interested in foreign visitors, so make sure you look like a tourist. On busy roads, waiting times of less than 5 minutes are very common.
  
 
There is a ''real'' expressway running on the north-south axis from the [[Thailand|Thai border]], via [[Kuala Lumpur]], towards [[Singapore]]. It is pretty easy to get a ride there. In rural areas it's even easier, but lifts will be shorter. On the on-ramps of the highway after the toll booth you can usually hitchhike as well, staff are unlikely to bother you.
 
There is a ''real'' expressway running on the north-south axis from the [[Thailand|Thai border]], via [[Kuala Lumpur]], towards [[Singapore]]. It is pretty easy to get a ride there. In rural areas it's even easier, but lifts will be shorter. On the on-ramps of the highway after the toll booth you can usually hitchhike as well, staff are unlikely to bother you.
 
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__TOC__
 
Unlike in other countries in Asia, it's not advisable to hitchhike right on the motorway. Police won't bother, but cars are much more unlikely to stop, if they are too fast or there is no safe place to stop. Having a sign with Tumpang written on it can help especially if you choose to walk on the Epressway. Expressways vary in amount of shoulder and some portions have patrols (police who help with accidents and breakdowns) who will gladyly give you a ride to get your butt off the expressway.
 
Unlike in other countries in Asia, it's not advisable to hitchhike right on the motorway. Police won't bother, but cars are much more unlikely to stop, if they are too fast or there is no safe place to stop. Having a sign with Tumpang written on it can help especially if you choose to walk on the Epressway. Expressways vary in amount of shoulder and some portions have patrols (police who help with accidents and breakdowns) who will gladyly give you a ride to get your butt off the expressway.
  
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[[File:Towards KL.jpg|thumb|Towards KL]]
 
[[File:Towards KL.jpg|thumb|Towards KL]]
  
== Gas stations ==
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=== Gas stations ===
 
You can usually find tasty cheap meals there. Cold showers, a real treat in the hot climate, are often available free of charge.
 
You can usually find tasty cheap meals there. Cold showers, a real treat in the hot climate, are often available free of charge.
  
===Food===
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== Main Cities ==
Any populated area on mainland Malaysia should have plenty of restaurants. Indian restaurants  are great sources for cheap food, vegetarian and otherwise, for rice and dhal typically only 2 or 3 ringgit (1USD) and full plates of rice and 2 or 3 dishes for 5 to 9 ringgit (2-3USD).
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* [[Kuala Lumpur]]
 +
* [[George Town (Malaysia)|George Town]] (Penang)
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* [[Melaka]]
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* [[Johor Bahru]]
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* [[Ipoh]]
 +
* [[Kota Kinabalu]]
  
While hitchhiking, most of the time people will offer you food.
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== Malaysian States and Territories ==
 +
Malaysia is divided into 13 States (11 in Peninsular Malaysia and 2 in Malaysian Borneo) and 3 Federal territories.
 +
=== Peninsular Malaysia ===
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* [[Kuala Lumpur|Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur]]
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* [[Labuan|Federal Territory of Labuan]]
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* [[Putrajaya|Federal Territory of Putrajaya]]
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* [[Johor]]
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* [[Kedah]]
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* [[Kelantan]]
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* [[Malacca]]
 +
* [[Negeri Sembilan]]
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* [[Pahang]]
 +
* [[Perak]]
 +
* [[Perlis]]
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* [[Penang]]
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* [[Selangor]]
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* [[Terengganu]]
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=== Malaysian Borneo ===
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* [[Sabah]]
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* [[Sarawak]]
  
 
== Number Plates ==
 
== Number Plates ==
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A list can be found on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Malaysia Wikipedia]
 
A list can be found on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Malaysia Wikipedia]
 
== Border Crossings ==
 
=== with [[Thailand]] ===
 
[[File:Malaysiathailandborder.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[User:Halt, Stop! Reudnitz kommt.|Craig]] tries thumbing up lifts at Bukit Ayer Hitam border (Thailand).]]
 
At the ''Bukit Ayer Hitam'' border with Thailand [[User:Halt, Stop! Reudnitz kommt.|Craig]] wasn't allowed to ask motorists in the car immigration area for a lift [http://thumbingasia.blogspot.com/]. Go to the rest area and ask there or just walk 5-10 minutes to the first crossing where you can stop cars easily.
 
 
=== with [[Brunei]] (East Malaysia or Borneo) ===
 
Malaysians are paranoid about immigrations issues, so if you go from Eastern Malaysia to [[Brunei]] you get your passport stamped like crazy. To be more specific, as of 2012, there are five border crossings between Kota Kinabalu (in Sabah, Malaysia) and Miri (Sarawak, Malaysia), each giving you two stamps (one when entering, one when leaving):
 
# Sabah to Sarawak
 
# Sarawak to Brunei
 
# Brunei to Sarawak again
 
# Sarawak to Brunei again
 
# Brunei to Sarawak once again.
 
None of these should take long - just a stamp and that's it. You can even tell the officers that you want the stamps on older pages to preserve space. They are all quite understanding.
 
 
=== with [[Indonesia]] ===
 
There is a ferry from [[Malacca]] to [[Dumai]], [[Indonesia]] (20 USD) and police will give you real trouble if you try to leave by cargo boat (if you can even enter the port. If you make it please inform us here.)
 
In [[George Town]] there's a small marina with private yachts. But it's easier to get a free ride with a boat in [[Langkawi]]. Most of the boats go to Indonesia.
 
 
==== For crossing from [[Sarawak]] (Borneo) to [[Indonesia]] ====
 
At Entikong crossing, You can get a visa on arrival at this border (35 USD in 2015). There is not so much traffic to the border. Once across the border try get a ride with one of the trucks, almost all of them go to [[Pontianak]]. Usually many of them go in the afternoon and arrive in the morning in [[Pontianak]].
 
 
==== From [[Sabah]] (Borneo) to Indonesia ====
 
There is no road crossing! You have to get a visa before (easy to get in [[Tawau]]).
 
The only option seems to be speedboat to [[Tarakan]] or [[Nunukan]]. Cost to Nunukan should be about 65 MYR. From Nunukan there are PELNI boats about every three days, plus select ferries, so plenty of options to get to Sulawesi, East&South Kalimantan and further afield. While not free they are fairly cheap, about 150.000 IDR for a day of travel.
 
 
=== with [[Singapore]] ===
 
There are two border crossings to [[Singapore]], from the Malaysian city of [[Johor Bahru]]. One is Woodlands checkpoint to the north of Singapore, and the other is Tuas checkpoint to the west. See [[Singapore]] for further information.
 
  
 
== Languages ==
 
== Languages ==
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If you want to know more and actually learn Malay, this online free set of lessons is particularly good : [[http://malay.pgoh13.com |Free online Malay lessons]]
 
If you want to know more and actually learn Malay, this online free set of lessons is particularly good : [[http://malay.pgoh13.com |Free online Malay lessons]]
 
== Main Cities ==
 
* [[Kuala Lumpur]]
 
* [[George Town (Malaysia)|George Town]] (Penang)
 
* [[Melaka]]
 
* [[Johor Bahru]]
 
* [[Ipoh]]
 
* [[Kota Kinabalu]]
 
 
== Malaysian States and Territories ==
 
Malaysia is divided into 13 States (11 in Peninsular Malaysia and 2 in Malaysian Borneo) and 3 Federal territories.
 
=== Peninsular Malaysia ===
 
* [[Kuala Lumpur|Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur]]
 
* [[Labuan|Federal Territory of Labuan]]
 
* [[Putrajaya|Federal Territory of Putrajaya]]
 
* [[Johor]]
 
* [[Kedah]]
 
* [[Kelantan]]
 
* [[Malacca]]
 
* [[Negeri Sembilan]]
 
* [[Pahang]]
 
* [[Perak]]
 
* [[Perlis]]
 
* [[Penang]]
 
* [[Selangor]]
 
* [[Terengganu]]
 
=== Malaysian Borneo ===
 
* [[Sabah]]
 
* [[Sarawak]]
 
  
 
== Experiences ==
 
== Experiences ==
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* [[User:MrTweek|MrTweek]] even hitchhiked in a group of 4 people and even though it was slightly slower than alone, they still made it to their destination without any problems and in 7 lifts.
 
* [[User:MrTweek|MrTweek]] even hitchhiked in a group of 4 people and even though it was slightly slower than alone, they still made it to their destination without any problems and in 7 lifts.
 
* [http://marcandoelpolo.com/como-es-viajar-a-dedo-autostop-por-malasia/ Information, tips and personal experiences of hitch-hiking in Malaysia. A 2021 km journey on 40 vehicles (only in spanish)], by Marcando el Polo
 
* [http://marcandoelpolo.com/como-es-viajar-a-dedo-autostop-por-malasia/ Information, tips and personal experiences of hitch-hiking in Malaysia. A 2021 km journey on 40 vehicles (only in spanish)], by Marcando el Polo
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== Resources ==
 +
{{nomadwiki}}
 +
{{wikipedia-link}}
  
 
{{states malaysia}}
 
{{states malaysia}}
  
 
{{IsIn|South-Eastern Asia}}
 
{{IsIn|South-Eastern Asia}}
__NOTOC__
 
 
[[trash:Malaysia]]
 
[[wikipedia:Malaysia]]
 
 
 
[[Category:Malaysia]]
 
[[Category:Malaysia]]
 
[[Category:Asia]]
 
[[Category:Asia]]

Revision as of 16:12, 10 October 2017

Flag of Malaysia Malaysia
Information
Language: Malay
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Population: 28,310,000
Currency: Ringgit / RM (MYR)
Hitchability: <rating country='my' />
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots

Malaysia is a country in South Eastern Asia. It has borders with Thailand to the north, Singapore to the south, and Indonesia to the west and south. Its Capital city is Kuala Lumpur. The country is separated in two parts: the Malay Peninsula, and the north of Borneo Island.

Hitchability

Malaysia is a really great country for hitchhiking. People know what hitchhiking is and they are interested in foreign visitors, so make sure you look like a tourist. On busy roads, waiting times of less than 5 minutes are very common.

There is a real expressway running on the north-south axis from the Thai border, via Kuala Lumpur, towards Singapore. It is pretty easy to get a ride there. In rural areas it's even easier, but lifts will be shorter. On the on-ramps of the highway after the toll booth you can usually hitchhike as well, staff are unlikely to bother you.

Unlike in other countries in Asia, it's not advisable to hitchhike right on the motorway. Police won't bother, but cars are much more unlikely to stop, if they are too fast or there is no safe place to stop. Having a sign with Tumpang written on it can help especially if you choose to walk on the Epressway. Expressways vary in amount of shoulder and some portions have patrols (police who help with accidents and breakdowns) who will gladyly give you a ride to get your butt off the expressway.

Drivers usually speak English and stop easily. Cars are modern and fast. Local roads are often in good condition, and are enjoyable to hitch.

Towards KL

Gas stations

You can usually find tasty cheap meals there. Cold showers, a real treat in the hot climate, are often available free of charge.

Main Cities

Malaysian States and Territories

Malaysia is divided into 13 States (11 in Peninsular Malaysia and 2 in Malaysian Borneo) and 3 Federal territories.

Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysian Borneo

Number Plates

It can come in handy to know where the car is going before asking, at a petrol station for example. Malaysian license plates are generally black with white letters and Numbers. The pattern is XXX-9999 or XXX-999. The first letter indicates which state the car comes from:

A list can be found on Wikipedia

Languages

The official language of Malaysia is Malay. It is quite easy to learn the basics as it is a very easy language. The country has a fair amount of "native" Chinese and Indians who speak Mandarin or Hokkien for the former, and Tamil for the latter. But usually everybody knows Malay (known as Bahasa Melayu). As for english, it is spoken in every level, from zero to fluent, but generally you won't encounter trouble communicating at least for the basics.

Some useful phrases:

  • Hello = Selamat pagi (am) / petang (pm) OR Hi
  • Good bye = Selamat jalan OR Bye
  • Where are you going? = Mana anda pergi?
  • I am going to (City) = Saya pergi (City)
  • I don't have money = Saya tidak wang
  • Can you help me? = Anda boleh tolong saya?
  • Please = Tolong
  • Thank you = Terimah kasih
  • My name is Tourto = Nama saya Turto
  • Have you eaten already? = Sudah makan?
  • Yes/No = Ya / Tidak
  • I don't understand = Tidak faham
  • I don't know = Tidak tau
  • Do you speak english? = Cakap Bahasa Inggris?
  • I know a bit of Malay = Saya tau sikit Bahasa Melayu
  • Saya = I / me / mine ; Anda = You / yours
  • Hitchhiking = Tumpang (meaning exactly "have a lift" as Hitchhiking is not known in Malaysia)

Bahasa means language, hence Bahasa Melayu = Malay Language, or Bahasa Inggris = English Language. Tidak / Tak is the negative like English Not.

  • g is always pronounced as in goat and never as germany
  • ny is pronounced as the Spanish ñ
  • k at the end of a word is replaced by a throat sound, marking the stop.
  • c is always pronounced as the English ch
  • j is always pronounced as the English j (like in journey)
  • The rest is more or less as the Spanish pronunciation.

If you want to know more and actually learn Malay, this online free set of lessons is particularly good : [|Free online Malay lessons]

Experiences

Resources

Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)

WikipediaW.png Wikipedia has additional encyclopedic information on Malaysia


States and Territories of Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia states: Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur | Federal Territory of Labuan | Federal Territory of Putrajaya | Johor | Kedah | Kelantan | Malacca | Negeri Sembilan | Pahang | Perak | Perlis | Penang | Selangor | Terengganu

East Malaysia (Borneo) states: Sabah | Sarawak

Main cities of Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | George Town (Penang) | Melaka | Ipoh | Kota Kinabalu