Malaysia Info Guide
for Locals & Visitors

KUALA LUMPUR -- The police have given an assurance that security patrols in the coastal areas and islands of Sabah will be intensified as a precautionary measure following a "warden notice" issued by the United States' embassy here that foreign tourists might come under attack by irresponsible elements n the area.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said tight security would always be maintained to ensure that the country was free of all types of threats that could jeopardise national security.

"I have directed the state police chief to intensify patrols along the coast and islands around Sabah especially Semporna, Mabul and Sipadan.

"We will always monitor the situation and take appropriate action, thus the people and tourists are asked to be calm and not to be worried because we are always on alert," he told Bernama when contacted.

KUALA LUMPUR  -- The prestigious KL Tower International Jump Malaysia 2009 will for the first time feature night jumps from Taming Sari Tower, Melaka (Oct 10-11), Alor Setar Tower (Oct 15-16) and Kuala Lumpur Tower (Oct 23-25).

However, Komtar Tower in Penang will stick to daytime jumps, Kuala Lumpur Tower senior general manager Fadzil Ibrahim told a press conference today.

He said 30 experienced foreign and local jumpers had registered for the night jumps from the three locations.

"The three locations were chosen for night jumps based on height, safety, landing spots and other technical factors," he said.

Four new jump locations would also be introduced namely Kompleks Teruntum, Kuantan (Oct 4), Hotel Felda Residence, Kuala Terengganu (Oct 7), Gua Damai, Batu Caves, Selangor (Oct 20) and Wisma Darul Iman, Kuala Terengganu (Oct 7).

Fadzil said 100 jumpers from 23 countries including Malaysia had registered for the extreme sport from Oct 4-25.

The foreign jumpers include from Australia, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and Russia.

The first Hard Rock Hotel in Malaysia, the Hard Rock Hotel Penang, has opened for business.

Located at the famous Batu Ferringhi in Penang, Hard Rock Hotel Penang breaks the mould of conventional beach resorts.

Die hard music fans, should not miss checking out the more than 500 pieces of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia collected from both local and international artists adorning the walls of the Hard Rock Hotel and Hard Rock Cafe Penang. These collections are also showcased through the ‘E-wall’ comprising of 8 screens located at the lobby.

“Hard Rock Hotel Penang will be one of the most sought after vacations in Penang. We define modern and stylish beach resorts with all the unexpected attributes for each of our guest to experience a lifestyle that is over the top. Our differentiator is the amplifier and it rocks,” said John Primmer, General Manager of the Hard Rock Hotel Penang.

The Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry will set up operation rooms nationwide for consumers to lodge complaints during Aidilfitri.

The operation rooms will be opened for four days from Saturday from 8am to 6pm, it said in a statement Wednesday.

They can be reached at the following numbers: Kuala Lumpur (03-40454471), Putrajaya (03-88826805), Perlis (04-9795014), Selangor (03-55125485), Negeri Sembilan (06-6016509), Johor (07-2272811/2833), Pahang (09-5121234), Terengganu (09-6204700/693), Penang (04-2616167/6168), Kedah (04-7001745), Perak (05-2493403), Sarawak (082-466052), Sabah (088-484500) and Labuan (087-422210).

CHENNAI -- Indian tourists visiting Malaysia will now be able to obtain their visa within 24 hours following the introduction of a new facility to encourage more tourist flow to achieve the Malaysian Tourism Ministry's one million visitors target from India.

"As of tomorrow (Monday), the Malaysian High Commission in Delhi and its two consulates will shorten the time to process visa to one working day. This is our commitment to you (India)," visiting Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen announced in Chennai, during a dialogue with travel operators.

At present, the Malaysian High Commission in Delhi, consulate-general's offices in Chennai and Mumbai take three working days to process visa for Indians travelling to Malaysia.

Mumbai - Tourism Malaysia has partnered Women on Wanderlust (WOW) to offer Indian women a special holiday package to experience the country.

The seven nights/eight days package priced at Rs 68,666 per person and Rs 49,477, includes return economy class airfare inclusive of taxes (ex-Delhi), airport transfers, Visa and Insurance charges.

Travellers will also get to stay at star hotels and resorts inclusive of breakfast and sightseeing and activities as per itinerary, said Travel Malaysia in a release here today.

The itinerary will include the Malaysian rainforests of Taman Negara, the Langkawi Geopark and the KL countryside, a Langkawi tour with rides on the Langkawi cable car and visits to the Payar Island Marine Park and a city tour of capital Kuala Lumpur among others.

'' Today, as women travelers become expressive in their quest for the perfect holiday that combines fun, relaxation and new experiences, our initiative is to cater to that demand and position Malaysia as a complete holiday destination offering all women travellers an opportunity to enjoy in the versatile experiences of Malaysia,'' stated Tourism Malaysia Director Manoharan.

BANGKOK / PHUKET: In a crackdown on foreigners who "abuse" the tourist exemption rule allowing15-day visit extensions at border entry points, the Immigration Bureau has confirmed and informed ThaiVisa.com of the following new regulation, which went into effect yesterday:

A foreigner who has entered the kingdom four consecutive times on 15-day tourist exemption stamps will not be allowed to leave the country and re-enter Thailand by land.

The only option is to exit Thailand and re-enter via an international airport, which will allow a further 30 day extension of stay in the country.

The Phuket Gazette's partner in the Phuket Forum, Thaivisa.Com, has confirmed the new regulation with the Immigration checkpoints at the Cambodian border and with visa run companies, saying the new regulation is effective from June 1, 2009.