Malaysia

FACTS OF MALAYSIA

Malaysia is a fascinating nation and a tropical paradise situated 7 degrees north of the Equator in the heart of South-East Asia. It covers a total area of 329,758 sq. km with Peninsular Malaysia on the tip of mainland South-East Asia, and Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The climate is warm and humid throughout the year. Temperatures are around 30°C during the day and 22°C at night. Light, cotton, cool and casual clothing is recommended all year round.

Multi Cultural Society
Malaysia is a multi-racial country with a population of approximately 24 million which consists of Malay, Chinese and Indian as well as other races, all coexisting in harmony. The population is less than 500,000 and half of them under the lower-income group. There are also people of other nationalities studying, working and doing business in Malaysia. Bahasa Melayu is the national language but English, Mandarin and Tamil are widely used too. Islam is the official religion but Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and other major religions are freely practised.

Malaysia’s Economy
Malaysia is a leading exporter of manufactured products such as semiconductors, audio-visual products, electrical goods, rubber-dipped products and oleo-chemicals. Malaysia is also one of the world’s largest producers of palm oil, natural rubber, tropical timber, cocoa bean, pepper and petroleum. Malaysia is spearheading the Information Age by promoting information technology aggressively. It has embarked on telemarketing, on-line information services, electronic commerce and digital broadcasting through the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) vision. The nation also has embarked on the development of heavy industries and is now producing its own national cars, which has penetrated nearly 80% of the domestic market.
Today, Malaysia is the 17th largest trading nation in the world and based on the 2003 World Competitiveness Yearbook, Malaysia is ranked as the 4th most competitive nation among countries with a population of 24 million and above after United States, Australia and Canada respectively.

Food & Accommodation
Malaysia is a food paradise with a great variety of food ranging from Malay, Chinese, Indian to Western Cuisine. There are also international fast-food chains operating side by side with thousands of roadside stalls and food bazaars. Accommodation such as college hostels, apartments, residential houses and condominiums, is readly available at affordable rates and is within the vicinity of the institutions.

Places of Interest & Shopping
Malaysia is a fascinating country. Situated in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, are the Petronas Twin Towers, currently the world’s tallest twin building, and the Kuala Lumpur Tower which is Asia’s tallest concrete tower with a height of 421m. Beyond the capital city, one can also experience traditional village life and enjoy pristine beaches and tropical jungles. Sports wear or equipment, casual clothes, stationeries, groceries and other items can be bought at great discounts from night markets, mini markets, shopping arcades and hypermarkets.
The latest feat accomplished by the nation is the Berjaya Times Square shopping complex, standing majestically as the largest architectural structure in both Asia and the world that was simultaneously built and completed within one phase.

Well Connected Services
Malaysia is well-connected in terms of transportation and communication within the country and the rest of the world. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) provides world class facilities and services. It also hosts airlines from and to every corner of the world.
An efficient internal public transport such as the light rail transport (LRT), public buses, and taxis are available for students. There are also medical, banking, telecommunication (fix and mobile telephone, internet cafes) and postal services easily available at towns and cities.
There is a widespread embracement of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in many service sectors in both urban as well as rural areas and therefore is capable of offering end-users various types of services in an effective and rapid manner.

IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
Every international student should meet the requirements of immigration.
Conditions to qualify as a student:
● Have already been accepted for a full-time course of study (course inclusive of English programme) at a public or private higher educational institution
● Possess good health and character
● Intend to seek entry for study purposes only

More than 1.6 million Chinese and more than 770,000 Indian tourists came to Malaysia last year.

China and India are among the top five tourism markets for Malaysia. The Chinese and Indians are the type of visitors Malaysia wants — big spenders who boost the Malaysian economy.

Of the 27.4 million visitors to Malaysia in 2014, 20 million were from the Asean member countries.

Malaysia is the top tourist destination in Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation World Tourism Barometer, and ranked 12th most-visited destination in the world based on 2014 tourist arrival figures.

Among the awards are :
Best golf destination, best family destination, fourth best shopping city in the world and world’s fourth top retirement haven for 2015, and a spot in the Top 10 of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014.

Visitors to any country take home more than just mementos, gifts, shopping bags and selfies. Clean air, clear skies, pristine environment, clean toilets and honest taxi drivers leave a lasting impression.

Malaysian passport ranked ninth best in the world

Malaysians passports have been ranked the ninth best in the world for travellers, as it enables Malaysians to travel to a total of 163 countries without a visa.
Henley & Partners, the global consulting firm in international residence and citizenship planning, has carefully monitored and analyzed visa regulations for many years.
As a result, they publish the yearly Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, a global ranking of countries based on the freedom of travel for their citizens.
In Henley & Partner’s Visa Restrictions Index Global Ranking for July 2013, Malaysia is ranked ninth place with a score of 163, which enables visa-free entry to 163 countries.
Malaysia has increased five ranks since the 2012 assessment where Malaysia was ranked 14th with visa-free travel to 153 countries, 10 less than the current 163.

In comparison, a Singaporean passport allows visa-free travel to 167 countries, putting the country three ranks above Malaysia on the index at sixth place.
Malaysia and Singapore were the only two Southeast Asian countries to make the top 10 in the 2013 index.
“This global ranking reflects the international freedom of travel for the passport holders of various nations, as well as the international relations and status of individual countries relative to others,” said Henley & Partners in a press release.
In today’s globalized world, visa restrictions are an important tool for governments to control the movement of foreign nationals across borders. Visas are a standard requirement for most countries as certain non-nationals wish to enter their territory

The 2013 index shows that the best countries in the world to have a passport from are the United Kingdom, Finland and Sweden, who are tied at number one on the index list which enables visa-free entry to 173 countries.
The second rank is jointly held by Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and the USA scoring 172. Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands hold a joint third rank at 171.

The worst passport in the world for travellers to hold is that of Afghanistan, ranked at 93rd place, allowing visa-free entry to just 28 countries. At 92nd place is Iraq at 31 countries, and at 91st place is Pakistan and Somalia at 32 countries each.

Other Southeast Asian countries on the list are Brunei at the 19th spot (visa-free travel to 146 countries), Thailand at 60th (68 countries), Philippines at 69th (58 countries), Indonesia at 73rd (53 countries), Laos at 80th (46 countries), Vietnam at 81st (45 countries), and Myanmar at 86th (40 countries).

According to the index, there are 219 destination countries in total.

Henley & Partners' global ranking is produced in collaboration with IATA. In compiling the index, the unique global ranking methodology by Henley & Partners is applied to data provided by IATA´s Timatic passport and visa information database.

Malaysia has hundreds of tropical islands dotting its waters and countless picturesque beaches lining its shores, making it one of the region’s top destinations for sun, sea and sand holidays.
Blessed with a tropical climate all year round and unparalleled natural beauty both on land and underwater, some of the world’s best islands and beaches can be found in Malaysia.

- Sipadan Island, Sabah

Sipadan is an internationally famous dive site surrounded by the Sulawesi Sea. The geographic position of Sipadan at the Indo-Pacific Basin (the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world) makes it a paradise for divers. The seascape is decorated with huge gorgonian sea fans, barrel sponges and gigantic soft tree corals. Steep walls form a stunning backdrop while pelagic species such as sharks and turtles swim gracefully. To preserve the delicate ecosystem, accommodation is only provided at the neighbouring islands of Mabul and Kapalai. The nearest airport to Sipadan is Tawau. From Tawau, take an hour’s drive to Semporna before proceeding with a 40-minute speedboat ride to the island.

- Mabul Island and Kapalai Island, Sabah

Mabul Island is 25 minutes from Sipadan Island, Mabul is another gem in the Sulawesi Sea withseascape starkly different from Sipadan, yet equally stunning. A diversity of tiny marine life makes Mabul a great site for macro and muck-diving. Kapalai is another great location for muck-lovers.

Same for Sipadan, the jumping-off point to Mabul and Kapalai is Semporna.

- Cherating Beach, Pahang

Cherating is the location of Asia’s first Club Med. Fringed by the waters of the South China Sea, Cherating Beach offers a quiet holiday amidst a rustic atmosphere. The shore is lined by hotels and resorts catering to all budgets, from backpaker’s inns to luxury beach resorts. Just nearby is Kampung Cherating, a tranquil Malay village that sits prettily amidst swaying palms and tropical vegetation. Cherating Beach is about 47km north of Kuantan. Other popular beaches in the vicinity are Chendor, Teluk Chempedak and Balok.

- Redang Island, Terengganu

Situated about 45km off the coast of Terengganu, Redang island is the largest of the state’s islands. It is famous for its picture-postcard views and fabulous dive sites. The most popular stretch is the 800m Long Beach. It has one large resort and many smaller chalets lining the shore. Further away on the northeastern coast is Teluk Dalam Kecil, a sheltered cove that houses a five-star resort.

- Lang Tengah Island, Terengganu

Lang Tengah is a smaller, more secluded getaway located between the islands of Redang and Perhentian. The waters are crystal clear, the view stunningly beautiful and the atmosphere totally peaceful. There are only three resorts on this island, giving visitors total relaxation and lots of privacy. There are about 15 dive sites around Lang Tengah, all within 10 minutes boat ride from one another.

- Pangkor Island, Manjung, Perak

Tucked within this idyllic tropical island on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia are attractions such as the historic Dutch Fort, Batu Bersurat, fishing villages, traditional boatyards, places of worship and popular beaches like Pantai Puteri Dewi, Pantai Pasir Bogak and Teluk Nipah. This island can be explored on foot or by vehicle and its surrounding turquoise warm waters are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. A short boat ride takes you to the privately-owned Pangkor Laut island. Visitors can stay at the exclusive Pangkor Laut Resort, one of the world’s top small luxury resorts.

Proud to be Malaysian once again
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2018/05/18/proud-be-malaysian-once-again