When it comes to exploring Southeast Asia, Malaysia stands out not only for its cultural richness and breathtaking landscapes but also for its reputation as a safe travel destination. So, it's not surprising that the country is a popular travel destination in Asia, not to mention an affordable travel destination.
As a matter of fact, 26 million international visitors arrived in Malaysia in 2019. Most visit the country without any serious issues. Malaysia has a low violent crime rate, and such crimes against tourists are rare. Regarding petty crimes and scams, Malaysia ranks considerably lower than the worst in Asia.
Malaysia has long been considered a safe country to travel. That said, safety is more than just about crime. Of course, no one wants to get sick or injured during a trip. In case of an unfortunate situation, medical care for tourists in Malaysia is easily accessible and of international standards.
Although Malaysia is generally considered safe, it's normal to form your own perceptions about safety in the country, and you don't want to take things for granted. To enhance your safety, here are valuable information and practical tips that can prove beneficial when planning a trip to Malaysia.
Table of Contents
- Is Malaysia a Peaceful Country?
- Crime Information for Tourists
- Scams You Need to Know
- Healthcare and Medical Emergencies
- Is Street Food and Tap Water Safe?
- Driving on Malaysian Roads
- The National Emergency Number
- Do You Need Travel Insurance?
Is Malaysia a Peaceful Country?
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If you're wondering whether Malaysia is a peaceful country, it ranks 19th in the 2023 Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace. The Global Peace Index measures the relative peacefulness of 163 countries and territories, updated and released yearly.
The index was first launched by the institute in 2009. It uses several indicators to measure a country's safety and security. These include low crime rates, minimal incidents of terrorist acts and violent demonstrations, harmonious relations with neighboring countries, and a stable political scene.
Ranking in the top five of the 2023 index is Iceland followed by Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, and Austria. Malaysia, ranking 19th, puts the country one position below Hungary and one position above Belgium. Malaysia also ranks above several Western countries, including Sweden (28th) and the United Kingdom (37th).
The sustained stability in Malaysia has paved the way for several decades of economic growth and development. The country is culturally diverse, with various ethnic groups coexisting harmoniously. This also plays an important role in fostering and sustaining the country's stability.
Crime Information for Tourists
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Malaysia is considered to have a moderate level of crime, with most incidents being non-violent. Among 144 countries, Malaysia ranks 48th in the crime index by Numbeo. This ranks crime in Malaysia higher than the United States (57th), Sweden (59th), and the United Kingdom (66th) but lower than France (38th).
While Malaysia has a moderate level of crime, violent crime is low. The homicide rate in the country is 0.7 per 100,000 people, according to Wikipedia, using data sourced from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This is lower than the United States (6.4), United Kingdom (1.2), and Sweden (1.1).
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the majority of the reported crimes are non-violent and related to theft. On the top of the list are house break-ins and vehicle theft, especially motorcycles. Other incidents of theft include pickpocketing, snatch thefts, shoplifting, and even bicycle thefts!
While Malaysia has a low rate of violent crime, such crimes against foreign tourists are even rarer. Tourists in the country are unlikely to encounter house break-ins or vehicle thefts. The most common concern is pickpocketing, a prevalent issue worldwide, and a lesser extent, bag snatching.
Follow simple precautions by keeping an eye on your belongings. Avoid displaying expensive items like jewelry and large amounts of cash. Consider a money belt to keep your cash and valuable items safe from pickpockets. To prevent bag snatching, hold your bag in front of you and not by your side.
Scams You Need to Know
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Tourist scams happen all over the world. While Malaysia is not exempt from such incidents, it's generally regarded as a low-risk destination. Travelers visiting the country for the first time are more susceptible. While most are minor nuisances, some can have serious implications.
You might be approached by someone trying to gain your sympathy, telling a sad story about how they lost their money. It's most likely a scam, and not all the scammers are locals. Sometimes, there are reports in the local news of foreign "tourists" scamming genuine tourists and even locals.
While seated outdoors for a meal or drink, young kids might try to approach you. They might try to sell you trinkets, ask you to donate to a charity, or even beg. The money given is finally taken by abusive adults who are part of a syndicate. Protect kids from being recruited by criminals by not giving them any money.
Buddhism is the second-largest religion in Malaysia after Islam. Beware of fake monks. They look like real monks with their shaved heads and yellow robes. Fake monks will approach people, give a religious item or nothing, and then ask for a donation. A real Buddhist monk will never ask for money.
You might notice beggars seated on the sidewalks. Their pitiful looks might stir you to give some money. Social workers from the Welfare Department occasionally pick up these people, put them in shelter homes, and provide assistance. Many beggars will try to run away when seeing a social worker because begging is a lucrative business!
Beware of fake police. It can happen if you're unfamiliar with the Malaysian police uniform. They may say you've committed an offense, want to see your documents, or search your bag. They'll ask for a bribe to let you go. Say you want to go to the police station, and often they'll walk away.
Credit card fraud is common throughout Malaysia. So, always keep your card in sight when paying and always get a receipt to avoid being overcharged. Ignore text messages or calls on your phone from an unknown number, and don't give your credit card or bank details if asked.
Healthcare and Medical Emergencies
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Malaysia is known for its high-quality healthcare. The quality of doctors and other medical staff is consistent whether they work in public or private hospitals. Most healthcare professionals speak English, since medical schools in the country use English as the medium of instruction.
Public healthcare in Malaysia is supported by government funds and available free or low cost to residents. Tourists, however, would have to pay many times more. Private hospitals are the preferred choice with tourists since they offer faster service and are more comfortable with the extra services.
If you encounter a medical emergency in the rural or remote areas of Malaysia, where there are no private hospitals nearby, your only option is a public hospital. Once your health allows, you can request a transfer to a private hospital. If transported, you're responsible for the expenses.
You'll find private clinics even in the small towns. They are attended by general practice (family) doctors, who can treat various short-term conditions such as colds and flu, fever, rashes, food poisoning, and minor wounds. Clinics will provide you the medications, so there's no need to buy them at the pharmacy.
Treatment at a clinic usually costs 40-100 MYR (9-21 USD), which most can pay out of pocket. That said, it's highly recommended you have travel insurance covering you for serious medical emergencies. Hospital charges in Malaysia are significantly lower than in many Western countries but can still put a strain on your finances.
Pharmacies are widely available, even in small towns, if you need over-the-counter medication to treat minor ailments like headaches, colds, and minor wounds. You can also purchase healthcare products like skincare products, supplements, and toiletries. Many pharmacies have a pharmacist who can dispense prescription drugs.
Is Street Food and Tap Water Safe?
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Street food in Malaysia is a significant part of the local culinary experience. The country's street food scene is known for its delicious flavors and diverse offerings. But is it safe to eat? It's a common question, but if you follow a few simple rules, you should be safe eating street food in Malaysia.
Many Malaysian dishes incorporate a blend of spices to create distinctive flavors. Some dishes can be very spicy, often featuring chili as a common ingredient. If you're new to spicy foods, take these foods gradually. Over time, your stomach will adjust and get comfortable with spicy foods.
Food hygiene standards in Malaysia may not necessarily be on par to those found in Western countries. Given the different levels of standards, it's only natural to have some concerns. After all, the last thing you want to risk is a bad case of food poisoning that could potentially ruin your trip.
To avoid this, the first rule of thumb is to opt for street food vendors that are popular among the locals since it's more likely safe to eat. Look at the cleanliness of the stalls, including the preparation area and utensils. Check if the ingredients look fresh, and avoid consuming food that appears old.
To be safe, go for foods that are cooked. Foods cooked at high temperatures are less likely to harbor harmful bacteria. So, you may want to avoid uncooked vegetable dishes such as salads. If you're considering seafood, especially in coastal areas, ensure they are fresh and properly cooked.
Tap water in Malaysia is generally safe for drinking. The water supply comes straight from the water treatment plants, where sediments are removed, and chlorine is added to kill bacteria. The Ministry of Health sets the standard for drinking water in the country, following guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Though tap is safe to drink, restaurants and many homes install a filtering system that filters the tap water used for drinking. This is to remove any sediments that pass through the piping system and chlorine from the water. Alternatively, you can purchase bottled water, which is readily available and inexpensive.
Speaking of ice cubes, they are generally safe as most eateries obtain their ice from licensed distributors approved and monitored by the Ministry of Health. Licensed factories use filtered water to produce the ice, which is cylindrical with a hole in the middle. In homes, Malaysians make their own ice from their own filtered water.
Driving on Malaysian Roads
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Driving in Malaysia is a convenient and enjoyable way to explore the country. Roads in Malaysia are generally in good condition but may vary in more remote areas. If you plan to rent a car, you'll find several Malaysian and international car rental companies based at many airports and major cities.
Residents of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can use their local driver's license to drive in Malaysia. If you live outside the ASEAN countries, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and your domestic driver's license. You can drive for up to 90 days in Malaysia with the IDP.
In Malaysia, the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, and driving is on the left side of the road. Wearing a seat belt is compulsory for the driver and all the passengers. Road signs in Malaysia are similar to those in the United Kingdom and Europe but with some specific differences.
Wondering whether it's safe to drive in Malaysia? The country has good roads, and the driving quality is better than many Southeast Asian countries. But if you're from a Western country, Malaysia's driving culture is not necessarily great! Malaysians are generally friendly but put behind the wheel, some can be aggressive.
Traffic can be more fluid than in some Western countries, with some drivers changing lanes frequently. Some motorcycle riders also weave in and out through traffic, some don't even stop when there's a red light. On the expressways, don't be surprised to see some vehicles go way beyond the speed limit.
Malaysia's National Emergency Number
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Malaysia's National Emergency Number is 999. The number is a centralized line commonly used for reporting emergencies and seeking assistance from the police, fire department, medical services, and other emergency services. You can use the emergency number regardless of where you are in Malaysia.
The 999 emergency line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which ensures continuous accessibility for an emergency. Calls are answered by an emergency officer typically within 10 seconds. Besides Malay, the officers on the emergency hotline are capable of communicating in English.
After reaching out to the officer, you'll be asked to answer basic questions, such as the nature of the emergency, the location of the incident, and your contact number to confirm the call is authentic. The officer will then redirect you to the relevant emergency service nearest to your location.
Do You Need Travel Insurance?
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You're not legally required to have travel insurance to enter Malaysia. Still, having insurance to cover your trip is highly recommended. Malaysia is generally safe to travel, but unfortunate events can happen unexpectedly. Here are several reasons why having travel insurance is highly advisable.
While medical treatment in Malaysia is more affordable than in many Western countries, unexpected medical emergencies can still incur significant financial costs. For peace of mind, travel insurance can cover medical expenses, including hospital stays, medications, and even evacuation if needed.
A comprehensive coverage plan typically includes reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal belongings. If you've to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical emergency or family issue, travel insurance will help reimburse your non-refundable expenses.
A comprehensive can also cover unexpected events that might disrupt your travel plans through no fault of yours. It could be a flight cancellation, delay, or trip interruption caused by events such as bad weather, natural disasters, or airline strikes. The coverage will also help to recover your non-refundable expenses.
