Malaysia Country Report
Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and is divided by the South China Sea into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia in the west and Malaysian Borneo or East Malaysia in the east. The constitutional monarchy’s political sphere has historically been dominated by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), whose 60-year rule ended in May 2018, with opposition parties struggling with rising costs and corruption scandals. They took advantage of people’s discontent to ensure security. Shock election victory However, in March 2020, following the sudden resignation of then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, a new Perikatan Nasional (PN) government consisting of UMNO and Pas Islam Malaysia (PAS) was established. UMNO left the alliance in July 2020, but the party continues to support and remain part of the federal government.
Malaysia has experienced sporadic outbreaks of civil unrest in the form of protests, generally motivated by political issues. Ethnic and religious tensions sometimes led to street demonstrations. Malaysian authorities have created a stable economic environment by encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI), and a range of policies are expected to continue. However, corruption remains a challenge for many foreign companies operating in Malaysia.
The main threats to Malaysian travelers are petty opportunistic crimes, theft and credit card fraud. Violent crimes against foreigners are rare. There are concerns about the appeal of Islamic State (ISIS) propaganda among self-radicalized individuals and cores associated with jihadist forces. Sabah’s east coast is vulnerable to infiltration by extremist groups believed to be based in the Philippines and criminal gangs seeking to kidnap locals and foreigners. Malaysia has a well-developed transportation network that spans the peninsula over East Malaysia. The same applies to medical and communication infrastructures, which are of better quality in urban areas than in rural areas.
Last updated: April 11, 2022
Security
Petty opportunistic crime is a major threat to tourists and expats in Malaysia, with incidents such as pickpocketing, pickpocketing, pickpocketing and home invasions frequently reported. Although there are concerns about the presence of small cell groups largely inspired by the ideology of the Islamic State (ISIS), authorities have largely succeeded in containing the limited threat they pose. Sporadic violence has occurred in Malaysia, where political differences and racial tensions are the main drivers of the protests. Malaysia generally maintains good or friendly relations with its neighbors, so the risk of conflict is low.
Last updated: April 27, 2022
Infrastructure
There are no major aviation safety concerns on Malaysian airlines or airports.
Although the road network throughout Malaysia is generally considered to be in good condition, driving conditions are affected by frequent violations of road rules, heavy traffic congestion, and the risk of crime.
Electricity supply across the country remains adequate and mostly reliable, although aging infrastructure can cause blackouts and outages, mainly in rural areas and cities in East Malaysia.
Although Malaysia has a high internet infrastructure and penetration rate, this expansion has also increased the risks of cybercrime.
Last updated: April 27, 2022
Environment
The climate of this country is tropical, with an average of 90% high temperature and humidity throughout the year. Malaysia is especially prone to torrential rains during the two rainy seasons, which can cause widespread flooding. Even outside the monsoon period, potentially dangerous reductions in air quality due to haze created as a result of ‘swidred’ agriculture are often recorded in Malaysia. Malaysia is located in a region of high seismic activity and East Sabah is the most vulnerable region to potentially damaging tremors.
Last updated: March 15, 2022
Health and Medical
Vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria are the most common risks for travelers and migrants in Malaysia. Health facilities are generally rated as adequate in metropolitan centers, especially Kuala Lumpur, but quality varies widely in rural areas. Medicines are usually readily available in major urban centers, but some medicines may require a local prescription. Counterfeit drugs are also a problem, but primarily affect online purchases. Although tap water is widely available, its consumption is generally not recommended.
Last updated: September 15, 2022
Political
Malaysia is a relatively stable constitutional monarchy and has been ruled by the pro-Malay UMNO since independence. Corruption is believed to be endemic in Malaysia and UMNO’s dominance has created an environment that fosters crony capitalism. Malaysia’s rule of law is plagued by frequent interference by the political elite, including politically motivated charges against the opposition and authorities being given the power to detain people without trial.
Last updated: March 25, 2022
