CANADA TRAVEL WARNING: MalaysiaPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT10 August 2005 Malaysia
INTRODUCTION This Travel Report replaces the previous one, dated August 5, 2005. Changes have been made in section 2 of the report. The level of warning has not changed. ATTENTION See our Current Issues page for information on the haze over Kuala Lumpur resulting from forest fires. OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs Canada advises against non-essential travel to the region(s) specified below. (IDW9) You are advised against non-essential travel to the islands off the east coast of Sabah, including Sipadan and Langkayan island. Recent credible reports (June 2005) indicate that there is a high risk of kidnappings of foreigners. On April 12, 2004, three crew members were kidnapped from their vessel, just outside Malaysian waters off the east coast of Sabah. In October 2003, six foreigners were kidnapped from a resort in Sabah by armed pirates. The Abu Sayyaf group from the Philippines kidnapped foreigners from a diving resort in Sipadan and Pandanan in April and September 2000, and from the resort island of Palawan in the southern Philippines in May 2001. Malaysian authorities have increased security in the region in response to these incidents. Canadians should also exercise caution in areas around Semporna and Tawau on the Sabah mainland. Canadians contemplating overland travel from Malaysia to Thailand should review the Travel Report for Thailand. There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise caution, particularly in commercial and public establishments (hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events) and tourist areas frequented by foreigners. Canadians should monitor local developments and register and remain in regular contact with the High Commission of Canada in Kuala Lumpur or Foreign Affairs Canada. SAFETY AND SECURITY Violent crime against foreigners is uncommon. Petty crime is prevalent, especially in tourist areas and at the airport. Snatch and grab incidents against tourists occur. Thieves on motorcycles frequently grab bags and other valuables from pedestrians, often resulting in injury. Women walking alone or with children are common targets. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times. Do not leave valuables unattended in vehicles. Do not accept food or drink from strangers. There have been cases of drugging. Demonstrations should be avoided. Male travellers, usually alone, have been approached in public places with invitations to participate in card games offering attractive opportunities for winning large amounts of money. Victims have lost thousands of dollars before realizing they were being scammed. Several Canadians have reported serious problems as a result of responding to offers to do volunteer work with the Utan Bara Adventure Team (UBAT). The work was advertised on UBAT's Web site at www.ubat.com.my. Persons interested in doing volunteer work with UBAT should contact Foreign Affairs Canada in Ottawa (ask for the Malaysian Desk Officer in Consular Case Management) or the High Commission of Canada in Kuala Lumpur (see below). Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships in Southeast Asia occur, particularly in the Strait of Malacca and in the waters between Sabah and southern Philippines. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the Commercial Crime Services division of the International Chamber of Commerce. Foreign vessels travelling in the waters off Sabah are subject to Malaysian law and must use routes designated by Malaysian authorities. Vessels must also fly a Malaysian flag and the flag of their home country. LOCAL TRAVEL Traffic drives on the left. Drive defensively, as road conditions are different from those in Canada. Traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury. Road conditions are good. Seat belts are mandatory. The use of cellular phones while driving is prohibited. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The IDP is an internationally recognized document that, when accompanied by a valid Canadian (i.e., provincial) driver's licence, allows you to drive in over 160 countries without a specific test. Its purpose is to overcome difficulties that you may have while travelling in other countries with widely varying licence requirements. It is printed in the six United Nations official languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese), plus German, Italian, the Scandinavian languages, and Portuguese. The IDP can also be a useful form of picture identification in case of a lost or stolen passport. An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is the sole issuer of the IDP in Canada. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Unrestricted burning in neighbouring Indonesia periodically causes atmospheric pollution to rise to unhealthy levels. Levels change quickly and should be closely monitored. Travellers with respiratory problems should take this into account and consult with their physician prior to travelling. The monsoon season extends from April to October in the southwest and October to February in the northeast, causing flooding and landslides, especially in remote locations. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a booklet, A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice. The penalty for many drug offences is death. In keeping with Islamic laws and customs, some states, particularly Kelantan and Trengganu, have strict controls on the purchase and consumption of alcohol by Muslims. Dual nationality is not recognized. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times. Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a booklet, Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality. Homosexuality is illegal. Convicted offenders may face lengthy jail sentences and fines. Laws against drinking and driving are strictly enforced. Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in certain parts of the country, particularly Kelantan and Trengganu. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. During the lunar month of Ramadan, visitors should refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset in these areas. Ramadan is expected to begin on or about October 4, 2005. | 
