Malaysia

The administrations of ports are legislated under the port acts. Port Authority was established to govern the following major ports: Penang Port (Penang Port Commission); Klang Port (Port Klang Authority); Johor Port (Johor Port Authority); Port of Tanjung Pelepas (Johor Port Authority (Tanjung Pelepas)); Kuantan Port (Kuantan Port Authority); Kemaman Port (Kemaman Port Authority); Malacca Port (Malacca Port Authority); Teluk Ewa Port (Teluk Ewa Port Authority); Bintulu Port (Bintulu Port Authority).

The major port operations have been privatized to the following operators: Northports Sdn Bhd (Port Klang – North Port); Westports Sdn Bhd (Port Klang – West Port); Johor Port Sdn Bhd (Johor Port); Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd (Kuantan Port); Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd (Bintulu Port); Port of Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (Tanjung Pelepas Port); Penang Port Sdn Bhd (Pulau Pinang Port).

The main terms of port privatization concessions are as follows:

Registered users can access eManifest at www.dagangnet.com/trade-facilitation/emanifest

Similarly AIS, while a useful tool in assessing the situation, should not be relied upon when deciding on required collision avoidance action. AIS may be transmitting incomplete or incorrect data, some vessels may have defective or deactivated AIS.

Vessels crossing TSS lanes or any precautionary area are required to display three all-round green lights in a vertical line. Displaying this signal does not exempt the vessel from any obligation under the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

Increased crossing traffic will also be encountered within precautionary areas and near pilot boarding areas. VLCCs using the deep water route bound for Singapore generally cross the TSS SE of the Raffles Lighthouse. Poorly lit fishing vessels are often encountered, particularly in the western part of the Singapore Strait.

Also see VTS/Radar.

2.2 The reference charts which include the operational area of STRAITREP are the Malaysian Chart Series MAL 515, 521 and 523 of the Hydrographer, Royal Malaysian Navy or the equivalent charts published by the competent hydrographic authority.

Note: On receipt of a position message, operators of the VTS will establish the relation between the ship's position and the information supplied by the facilities available to them. The information on heading and speed will facilitate the VTS operator's task of identifying a ship within a group.

3.3.2 Ships entering the operational area shall also report when approaching from the south via Selat Riau, abeam of Karang Galang Lt. (01° 09.58′ N, 104° 11.47′ E) or via Selat Durian, report when Pulau Jangkat Beacon (00° 57.89′ N, 103° 42.72′ E) is abeam and when approaching from the East Johor Strait, abeam of Eastern Buoy (01° 17.87′ N, 104° 05.99′ E).

3.3.3 A ship approaching from a direction other than those specified above shall, on reaching sector 7, 8 or 9 as appropriate, report by giving the vessel's position in terms of bearing and distance from one of the following reference points:

As an alternative the ship's position can also be given in latitude and longitude.

Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever occur all year round. There has been an increase in the number of cases of dengue fever, including in Kuala Lumpur. You should take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

The states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Sarawak have been declared as rabies infected. You should take precautions to protect yourself if you are travelling in these areas. There is a risk of Zika virus transmission in Malaysia.

In May 2017, the Philippines authorities reported that they had received unsubstantiated but credible information that the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf may be about to conduct kidnaps in the Sulu Sea, including around the islands of the Sulu archipelago (Philippines) and the seas/islands off the east coast of Sabah (Malaysia). Any vessels sailing in this area could be targeted. You should carefully consider travel plans and be especially vigilant at this time.

Take sensible precautions to protect yourself from petty crime. Avoid carrying valuables and take particular care of your passport whilst walking, in aircraft, cafes, airport and railway terminals, and hotel rooms. Do not open your hotel room door to strangers, especially late at night. This applies particularly to women travelling alone.

Credit card and ATM fraud is widespread. Take great care when using your card.

Incidents of bag snatching are common, particularly in major cities and including by thieves on motorbikes. Bags with shoulder straps should either be carried with the bag towards the pavement rather than the road, or tucked under the arm. Do not wrap the strap around your arm or shoulder and do not try to hold on to your bag. People have been injured or killed by being pulled to the ground by their bag straps.

Taxi coupon systems are in place at airports. In other areas, taxis should use a meter.

Be careful if you are offered a drink by a stranger, even in a reputable bar or restaurant. These approaches can involve spiked drinks, and have resulted in cases of robbery and assault.

The Malaysian authorities have designated the entire eastern portion of Sabah (extending from the town of Kudat in northern Sabah to Tawau district near the border with Indonesia) as the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, and established the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to co-ordinate security forces’ activity in the area. The Malaysian security forces have strengthened their presence in the area and introduced measures to reduce the risk of unauthorised boat landings. The local authorities have imposed restrictions on travel by water in some coastal districts of eastern Sabah and in the coastal waters off eastern Sabah, including a night-time curfew.

Malaysia is a multicultural, majority Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, other religious festivals or if you intend to visit religious sites. You should also dress modestly, particularly in conservative and rural areas and when visiting places of worship.

If you are a Muslim you may be subject to local Shari’a law.

There are severe penalties for all drug offences; this includes amphetamine-type stimulants. Trafficking incurs a mandatory death penalty. Possession incurs a custodial sentence and possible whipping. You could be asked to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if you’re suspected of having used drugs before your visit. Urine tests can also be taken when individuals are detained following raids on bars and nightclubs. If the test is positive, you could be detained, charged and/or deported and blacklisted.

Importing unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia is prohibited and can carry the death penalty.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and punishable under federal law, and in some states, shari’a law. You should avoid any behaviour which could attract unwanted attention, including public displays of affection.

You can import or export up to MYR10,000 without prior approval. There are no limits on the amount of foreign currency you can import or export, but you must declare any amount in excess of USD10,000. Penalties include a fine of up to MYR1 million and up to 3 years’ imprisonment.