From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Malaysia Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 13:56:07 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1534 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199711180859_MC2-289A-8D18@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 206 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Malaysia ============================================================ Malaysia - Public Announcement November 17, 1997 American citizens traveling to Malaysia, particularly children, persons with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, and those contemplating long-term stays, should be aware that air pollution has been at "unhealthy" levels, according to the Malaysian air pollutant index and U.S. standards. "Unhealthy" air quality index levels have been reached for four to five days in the span of a week depending upon changing wind patterns and rain. The poor air quality levels are due primarily to particulate matter from forest fires burning out of control in Indonesia. The Malaysian Ministry of Health has published a list of preventive measures which could be taken to minimize exposure and risk caused by harmful pollutants in the air. They include: stay indoors, refrain from outdoor exercise and activities, drink plenty of water, keep mucous membranes moist, use eye wash if irritation occurs, and wear a surgical mask if staying outdoors for a prolonged period of time. Private American citizens, especially asthmatics or those who have other respiratory or cardiac conditions, may wish to consult their personal physicians prior to travel. Information about the climatic and other conditions can be found at the following web sites: http://www.jas.sains.my/doe/api.html http://www.jas.sains.my/doe http://travel.state.gov http://www.reliefweb.int http://www.npmoc.navy.mil http://www.goes.noaa.gov/special/fires Useful information is also available on the Embassy's home page at the Internet address http://www.jaring.my/usiskl. Alternatively, travelers may contact the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur at 011-60-3-248-9011, ext. 460 for updates on the current air pollution situation. For additional information on travel to Malaysia, consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Malaysia. Travelers may also wish to consult the Department's November 13, 1997 Public Announcement regarding threats against American citizens received by the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued October 24, 1997 to reflect the November 18 termination of the authorized departure of U.S. Embassy personnel and dependents, and expires on December 16, 1997. Malaysia - Public Announcement November 13, 1997 On Wednesday, November 13, the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur made the following announcement to the local American community: This morning, the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur received two telephone calls threatening harm to American citizens in Malaysia. One of the callers specifically threatened to kill four Americans in Malaysia. We are unable to assess the credibility of these threats. The recent tragic murders of four Americans in Karachi, however, are a reminder of the dangers faced by Americans abroad. With the recent convictions of Mir Aimal Kasi and Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, the situation in Iraq, and today's Malaysian press articles on the U.S. Congressional resolution condemning the anti-semitic remarks made by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir, Americans in Malaysia are encouraged to maintain a high level of security awareness, and to report any suspicious or threatening behavior to the police. Americans with specific concerns or questions may call the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section at 011-60-3-248-9011. For additional information on travel to Malaysia, consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet. Travelers may also wish to consult the Department's October 24, 1997 Public Announcement regarding air quality conditions in Malaysia. This Public Announcement expires on December 15, 1997. Malaysia - Consular Information Sheet February 26, 1997 Country Description: Malaysia is a federal parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. Tourist facilities and services are available in major areas of interest. Entry Requirements: A valid passport is required of all persons entering Malaysia. American citizens do not require a visa for pleasure or business if their stay in Malaysia is less than 90 days. For more information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Malaysia, 2401 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 328-2700. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities and services are adequate in the larger cities where western-trained, English-speaking doctors can easily be found. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental overseas medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation, may prove useful. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment of medical services outside the United States. The international travelers hotline of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be reached at tel. 404-332-4559 or via the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/ for additional health information. Information on Crime: Malaysia has a high rate of credit card fraud. In tourist areas and shopping malls, foreigners are often the target of pickpocketing, burglaries, purse snatching (the assailants usually operate on a motor scooter), and automobile break-ins. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and do not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. The Malaysian criminal code includes a provision for a sentence of caning for certain white collar crimes, including criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and cheating. Drug Penalties: Malaysia strictly enforces its drug laws. Malaysian legislation provides for a mandatory death penalty for convicted drug traffickers. Individuals arrested in possession of fifteen grams (1/2 ounce) of heroin or two hundred grams (7 ounces) of marijuana are presumed by law to be trafficking in drugs. Aviation Oversight: As a result of an assessment conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May, 1996, the FAA has found the government of Malaysia's civil aviation authority to be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Malaysia's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Dual Nationality: Malaysia does not recognize dual nationality. U.S. citizens who are also Malaysian nationals could experience close scrutiny by suspecting Malaysian immigration officials when entering or departing Malaysia on Malaysian passports. Note that the United States requires all U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. on U.S. passports. Dual nationals may be subject to Malaysian laws which impose special obligations. Road Safety: Traffic patterns in Malaysia move on the left. When crossing roads, pedestrians are reminded to look carefully in all directions. Motorcyclists attempt to circumvent traffic blockage by weaving through vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic is heavy at peak hours and slows down considerably when it rains. Bottlenecks are common sights in Kuala Lumpur. Multilaned highways often merge into narrow two-lane roads in the center of town and cause added congestion. Many narrow and winding streets were built a century ago to handle hawkers and trishaws. Development of the infrastructure has not kept pace with the proliferation of motorized vehicles. Buses and minibuses within the cities and between towns are often filled beyond capacity. Taxis are metered but some drivers charge a rate much higher than the metered rate during peak hours, when it is raining, or when the passenger's destination is to or through a heavily congested area. Malaysia's north-south highway system is paved and very well maintained. This four-lane highway stretches from Singapore to the Thai border. Malaysia's west coast has a well developed system of paved roads between major cities. Such two-lane highways are usually congested. Serious accidents can occur from head-on collisions and vehicles which careen off the road in hilly regions. In 1996, the government reported 6,233 fatalities on Malaysian roads. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens living in or visiting Malaysia are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the country. The U.S. Embassy is located at 376 Jalan Tun Razak 50400, Kuala Lumpur. The mailing address is P.O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; telephone (60-3) 248-9011. The fax number for the U.S. Embassy is (60-3) 242-2207; the fax number for the Consular Section is (60-3) 248-5801. Internet home page: http://www.jaring.my/usiskl/embassy/klcons.html No. 97-028 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 30, 1995, adding new sections on criminal penalties and road safety, and updating sections on medical facilities and U.S. Embassy location/registration. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories