Social Profile
Food & Drink: In multiracial Malaysia, every type of cooking from South-East Asia can be tasted. Malay food concentrates on subtleties of taste using a blend of spices, ginger, coconut milk and peanuts. Sambals (a paste of ground chilli, onion and tamarind) is often used as a side dish. Blachan (a dried shrimp paste) is used in many dishes and ikan bilis (dried anchovies) are eaten with drinks. Popular Malay dishes include satay, which consists of a variety of meats, especially chicken, barbecued on small skewers with a spicy peanut dipping sauce and a salad of cucumber, onion and compressed rice cakes. The best sauce often takes several hours to prepare to attain its subtle flavour. Gula Malacca (a firm sago pudding in palm sugar sauce) is also served in restaurants. There are many regional types of Chinese cooking including Cantonese, Peking, Hakka, Sichuan and Taiwanese. Indian food is also popular, with curries ranging from mild to very hot indeed. Vegetarian food, chutneys and Indian breads are also available. Indonesian cuisine also combines the use of dried seafoods and spiced vegetables with the Japanese method of preparation with fresh ingredients cooked to retain the natural flavour. Japanese-style seafood such as siakaiu beef (grilled at the table), tempura (deep-fried seafood) and sashimi (raw fish with salad) are excellent. Korean and Thai food are available in restaurants. Amongst Malaysia’s exotic fruits are starfruit, durian, guavas, mangos, mangosteen and pomelos. Western food is served throughout the country and includes US, Spanish, Italian and French cuisine. Kuala Lumpur has several restaurants which rival the high standards set by established Western restaurants in Singapore and Hong Kong. Table service is normal, and in Chinese restaurants chopsticks are customary. Indian and Malay food is eaten with the fingers. Set lunches, usually with four courses are excellent value for money.
Although the country is largely Islamic, alcohol is available. Local beers such as Tiger and Anchor are recommended and the famous Singapore Gin Sling. International beers are also available.
Nightlife: Kuala Lumpur has a selection of reputable nightclubs and discotheques, most belonging to the big hotels. Nightclubs generally stay open until 0500 or 0600 and usually request a cover charge which includes the first drink. Many of Kuala Lumpur’s bars have a ‘Happy Hour’, offering two drinks for the price of one, between 1700-2000 or 2100. Bintang Walk is a lively spot and has a good selection of al fresco bars and coffee shops. Penang is also lively at night, larger hotels having cocktail lounges, dining, dancing and cultural shows. There are night markets in most towns, including both Kuala Lumpur and Penang Chinatown. Malay and Chinese films often have English subtitles and there are also English films. The national lottery and Malaysia’s only casino at Genting Highlands are government approved and visitors are not supposed to gamble elsewhere. Keno and Chinese Tai Sai, roulette, baccarat, french bull and blackjack are played at the casino. Dress is relatively formal and visitors must be over 21 years of age.
Shopping: Shopping in Malaysia ranges from exclusive department stores to street markets. Bargaining is expected in the markets, unless fixed prices are displayed. Kuala Lumpur is a popular shopping destination, rivalling Singapore and Hong Kong. Suria KLCC, a shopping mall with a spectacular fountain, gardens and a beautiful piazza, houses a great selection of leading couture outlets. Star Hill and Lot 10 are popular shopping malls and there were plans underway to develop and finish an additional mall – Times Square. The islands of Labuan and Langkawi are duty-free zones. Cameras, pens, watches, cosmetics, perfume and electronic goods are available duty free throughout Malaysia. Malaysian speciality goods include pewterware, silverware and brassware; batik; jewellery; pottery and songket. Enquire at Malaysian Royal Customs and Excise about claiming cashback on duty-free goods. Shopping hours: Most shops keep their own opening hours, usually within the range of 1000-2200.
Special Events: Annual Malaysian festivals, which celebrate significant religious events and public holidays are staged throughout the year and are magnificent spectacles, bursting with vibrancy and colour. Each of the different communities has its own customs, traditions and festivals, and to list all the events would take many pages. For details of the many other festivities taking place throughout the year, contact Tourism Malaysia (see Contact Addresses section). The following are some highlights of the events taking place in Malaysi in 2003: Jan 19 Thaipusam (day of atonement observed among the Hindu community with a grand procession in Kuala Lumpur where people throw thousands of coconuts into the street), Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Malacca. Feb 1 Federal Territory Day (day-long competitions and performances in the city’s parks), Kuala Lumpur. Feb 1-2 Chinese New Year (the Lion Dance is performed, gifts are exchanged, visits to the temples are made and children are given ang-pows – money placed in bright red envelopes), nationwide. Mar 21-23 Petronas Malaysia F1 Grand Prix, Sepang International Circuit, Selangor. Apr 12-May 10 Malaysia Water Festival (aquatic events and festivities including Catch the Duck and log walking competitions), Lumut, Perak. 18 May Kaamatan (Harvest festival celebrated by the Kadazan-Dusun people, with taipai rice wine, dancing, buffalo racing, games and festivities), Kinabalu, Sabah. Jun 1 Gawai (Harvest festival celebrated by the Ibans people), Sibu, Sarawak. Jul 4-26 Food & Fruits Fiesta (food festival), Alor Setar, Kedah. Aug 17-Sep 16 Merdeka Month Celebrations (fireworks, exhibitions, cultural shows and a parade on Aug 31 in celebration of Independence Day), Kuala Lumpur and nationwide. Oct 24 Deepavali (Malaysia’s Indian community decorate their homes with oil lamps for the Hindu ‘Festival of Lights’), nationwide. Nov 25 Hari Raya Puasa (marks the end of the Muslim fasting month. Malaysian Muslims celebrate by holding ‘open houses’ for friends and relatives), nationwide.
Social Conventions: Malaysia’s population is a mixture of diverse cultures and characters. In general, the racial groups integrate, but keep to their individual traditions and lifestyles. Malays still form more than half of the total population and lead a calm life governed by the authority of elders and a strong sense of respect and etiquette. The Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan members of the population originally came to Malaysia to take up positions in the civil service, police and local government departments, as well as in the new rubber plantations, but many are now among the professional classes. European influences (Dutch, British and Portuguese in particular) are also very marked in Malaysia, although the European section of the population is now small. As far as greetings are concerned, the Malaysian equivalent of ‘hello’ is the Muslim ‘peace be with you’. Malay men are addressed Encik (pronounced Enchik) with or without the name; Malay women should be called Cik (pronounced Che) if they are single and Puan if they are married. Touching the hand to the chest is a sign of respect and a relaxed wrist and gentle touch should be adopted when shaking hands. Chinese and Indians usually use Western forms of address. Hospitality is always warm, lavish and informal. When eating food by hand, only the right hand should be used. Visitors should respect religious beliefs and follow the Malaysian example, such as wearing appropriate clothing. Footwear should be taken off at the door when entering a house or temple. Dress should be informal, but not over-casual. Within towns, smoking has now become the subject of government disapproval and fines are levied in a number of public places, such as cinemas, theatres and libraries.
Tipping: Ten per cent service charge and five per cent government tax are commonly included in bills. Taxi drivers are not tipped.
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