Chapter 1: Malaysia in Brief

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
CLIMATE
TOPOGRAPHY
POPULATION
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
      Heads of Government and State
      Parliament and the Cabinet
      Legal System
POLITICS
      The National Front
      Opposition Parties
RELIGION AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS
      Malay Religion
      Malay Culture & Social Customs
      Chinese Religion
      Chinese Culture and Social Customs
      Indian Religion
      Indian Culture and Social Customs
NAMES
      Malay
      Chinese
      Indian
TITLES AND FORMS OF ADDRESS
      Nobility
      Orders of Chivalry
      Religious Titles

 

Chapter 2: Welcome to Malaysia

TRAVELING TO MALAYSIA
      Suggested Travel Routes
      Coping With Time Change
      Jet Lag
ARRIVING IN KUALA LUMPUR
      Currency
CAN I DRINK THE WATER?
YOUR FIRST HOME IN KUALA LUMPUR
AMERICAN EMBASSY SERVICES FOR U.S. CITIZENS
      Registration of U.S. Citizens
      Emergency Assistance
      Additional Consular Services
      American Embassy Commercial Services

 

Chapter 3: Planning Your Move

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
      Passport Requirements
      Passes (Permits to Stay)
      Re-Entry Permit
      Immigration Control
      Identification Cards
      Drug Penalties
      Immigration Department
      Immunizations Required
      Duty Free Allowances
TELEPHONE CALLS TO MALAYSIA
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
      Documents
      Household Items
      Sporting Goods
      Clothing
      Pharmaceutical Goods
      Toiletries and Cosmetics
      Greeting Cards and Paper. Party Products
      Books and Publications
      Computers and Fax Machines
      Pet Supplies
      Crafts and Sewing Supplies
      Holiday and Special Event Decorations
WHAT NOT TO BRING WITH YOU
PREPARING YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE MOVE
      Suggested Steps To Take For an Easier Transition
      Traveling With Children
      Upon Arrival
BRINGING YOUR PET
      Before Departure
      The Flight
      Quarantine
OBTAINING A PET HERE
PACKING YOUR SUITCASES

Chapter 4: Making Kuala Lumpur Home

FINDING YOUR HOME
      Where to Live
RENTING YOUR HOME
      Check List to Follow
      Lease Negotiations
HOUSEHOLD SECURITY
      Additional Home Security Tips
      Personal Security Tips
      In Case of Fire
      Insurance
PUBLIC UTILITIES
      Electricity
      Water
      Gas
      Garbage Collection
TELEPHONE
      Telekom Malaysia
      Long Distance Service
INTERNET
      Compuserve and America Online
      Jaring
      TMNet
      ISKL On-Line
BANKING
      American Banks
      Opening a Malaysian Bank Account
      Checking Accounts
      Writing a Check
      Savings Accounts
      Fixed-Term Deposits
      Getting Cash in Malaysia
DOMESTIC HELP
      Determining Your Needs
      Finding Domestic Help
      Salary and Benefits
FURNISHING YOUR HOME
      Wood Furniture
      Window and Floor Coverings
      Appliances
      Antiques and Decorative Items
      Where Do I Look?
MAINTAINING YOUR POOL AND YARD
COPING WITH THE CLIMATE
COPING WITH INSECTS
PET REQUIREMENTS
      Pet Licensing
      Pet Food and Supplies

 

Chapter 5: Transportation and Communication

DRIVING IN MALAYSIA
      International Driving Permit
      Malaysian Driver's License THE AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA
      In the Event of a Traffic Accident
      If You Are Stopped by a Policeman
      Parking in K.L.
      Automobiles
      Motorcycles
      Gas Stations
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
      Taxis
      Public Bus Service
      Light Rail Transport
      Trains
      Air Travel
COMMUNICATIONS
      Television
      Radio
      Newspapers and Magazines
      Magazines/Periodicals About Malaysia
      Telephone Service
      Public Telephones
      Cellular Telephones
POSTAL SERVICE
      Postal Code
      Letters
      Parcel Post (surface & air mail)
      Small Packets
      Printed Materials & Tapes
      Incoming Parcels
      Packages at Customs
      Mail Forwarding or Holding
      Paying Bills

Chapter 6: Children in Kuala Lumpur

EXPATRIATE EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS
      Nursery Schools and Kindergartens
      Primary and Secondary Schools
      University Education
      Handicapped Children
0 - SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
      Supplies
      AAM's Building Blocks Early Childhood Center
      IBU Family Resource Group
      Entertainment
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
      Extracurricular Activities
      Special Celebration Venues
TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS...
      Activities and Parties
      Driver's License and Driving
RAISING KIDS IN KUALA LUMPUR
      Transition Stress

 

Chapter 7: Keeping Healthy in Kuala Lumpur

THE WATER WE DRINK
      Tap Water versus Bottled Water
THE FOOD WE EAT
THE AIR WE BREATHE
MEDICAL FACILITIES
      Clinics
      Private Hospitals
      Public Hospitals
      Paying the Bill
      Pharmacies
MEDICAL CARE
      Emergency Health Care
      Visiting The Doctor
      Common Ailments
      Diseases
      Inoculations/Immunizations
      Sports Injuries
      Counseling Services
DENTAL CARE
POISONOUS PLANTS
SNAKES
      Venomous Snakes
      If You Are Bitten
      Prevention
CROSSING THE STREET

Chapter 8: Shopping in Kuala Lumpur

SHOPPING FOR FOOD
      Wet Markets
      Grocery Stores for Expats
      Food Vans
      Marketing Tips
      Food Translation Chart
      Weights and Measures
SHOPPING FOR CLOTHING
      Dressmakers and Tailors
SHOPPING FOR HOME FURNISHINGS
LOCAL SHOPPING AREAS
      Central Market
      Chinatown
      Jalan Masjid India
      Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
      Jalan Pasar Pudu
      Golden Triangle
MAJOR DEPARTMENT STORES
SHOPPING CENTERS AND MALLS
      East of Kuala Lumpur (Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ampang)
      Downtown Kuala Lumpur
      Bangsar / Petaling Jaya / Damansara / Seri Kembangan
NIGHT MARKETS
MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS
PICKPOCKETS AND PURSE SNATCHERS
PUBLIC TOILETS

Chapter 9: Enjoy Kuala Lumpur

GETTING INVOLVED
      The American Association and Other Expatriate Organizations
      Sports and Hobby Groups
      Volunteer Opportunities
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
      Theater/Name Performers
      Dewan Filharmonik Petronas and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
      Movies
      Television
      Sports Coverage
      Pubs, Clubs & Discos
      Restaurants
      Food Stalls
      Tours and Classes
      Private Recreational Clubs
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
ENTERTAINING VISITORS
      Sample Sightseeing Schedule
      Half-Day Tour Options in Kuala Lumpur
      Full-Day Tour Options
      Evening Entertainment
MALAYSIAN FESTIVALS
      Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (also known as Hari Raya Puasa)
      Hari Raya Aidil Adha
      Chinese New Year
      Chap Goh Mei
      Thaipusam
      Wesak Day
      Harvest Festival
      Gawai Dayak
      Maal Hijrah (Awal Muharam)
      Dragon Boat Festival
      Birthday of Prophet Muhammad
      Hungry Ghost Festival
      National Day
      Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Lantern Festival
      Deepavali
      Christmas
GIFTS, ENTERTAINING, AND VISITING

 

Chapter 10: Exploring Kuala Lumpur

TOURIST INFORMATION AGENCIES
A QUICK LOOK AT KUALA LUMPUR AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
PLACES TO VISIT IN KUALA LUMPUR
      Artiquarium
      Carcosa Seri Negara
      Chinatown
      Central Market
      Craft Cultural Complex (Budaya Kraf)
      Jamek Mosque
      Kuala Lumpur Tower (Menara K.L.)
      Kwong Siew Temple
      The Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana)
      Malaysian Tourist Information Complex (MATIC)
      Merdeka Square
      National Art Gallery
      National Mosque (Masjid Negara)
      National Museum (Muzium Negara)
      National Palace (Istana Negara)
      Old Market Square (Medan Pasar)
      Pak Ali's House
      Parliament House
      Petronas Twin Towers
      Railway Station
      Royal Selangor Pewter Factory
      Rubber Plantations
      Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple
      Thean Hou Temple
      Yap Ah Loy's Temple
MUSEUMS IN KUALA LUMPUR
      Asian Art Museum
      Bank Negara Money Museum
      Islamic Exhibition Centre
      Jade Museum
      MAS Archives MAS Building
      Maybank Numismatic Museum
      National Handicraft Museum
      National Museum (Muzium Negara)
      P. Ramlee Memorial
      Telekom Museum
      Tun Abdul Razak Memorial
PARKS AND ZOOS
SUBURBS OF KUALA LUMPUR
      Bangsar Baru
      Brickfields
      Cheras
      Cyberjaya
      Petaling Jaya
      Putrajaya
      Subang Jaya
      Sungai Besi
      Sunrise Mont' Kiara
EXPLORING SELANGOR
      Batu Caves
      Blue Mosque (Masjid Sultan Salah uddin Abdul Shah)
      Agricultural Park (Taman Pertanian Malaysia)
      Crab Island (Pulau Ketam)
      Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) Museum
      Kuala Selangor Nature Park
      Museum of Aboriginal Affairs
      Templer Park
      The Jungle Lodge

Chapter 11: Exploring Malaysia

STATES OF MALAYSIA
      Johor
      Negeri Sembilan
      Sabah
      Sarawak
      Selangor
      Terengganu
NATIONAL PARKS
      Bako National Park
      Crocker Range Park
      Endau Rompin
      Gunung Mulu National Park
      Kenong Rimba Park
      Kinabalu Park
      Kubah
      Lambir Hills National Park
      Niah National Park
      Pulau Tiga Park
      Similajau National Park
      Taman Negara
      Tawau Hills Park
      Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
      Turtle Islands Park
HILL RESORTS
      Cameron Highlands
      Fraser's Hill
      Genting Highlands
      Gunung Jerai
      Kinabalu Park
      Maxwell Hill / Bukit Larut
      Penang Hill
ADVENTURES
      Angling
      Camping
      Canoeing
      Cave Exploring
      Mountain Climbing
      Scuba Diving
      Trekking
      Whitewater Rafting
MAP OF MALAYSIA

 

Chapter 12: Saying Goodbye

GETTING READY TO MOVE
      Before Moving Day
      Disposing of Unwanted Items
      New Address Cards
      School
      Working With a Moving Company
      Moving Your Pet
MOVING TIMETABLE
      Three Months Before The Move
      Two Months Before the Move
      One Month Before the Move
      One Week Before the Move
MOVING DAY
RETURNING HOME
SAYING GOOD-BYE