Novotel Century Kuala Lumpa Hotel

17-21 Jalan Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

 General Information

Country:

Malaysia

Area:

329,758sq/km

Population:

21million

Major cities:

Kuala Lumpur,Ipoh,Georgetown

Ethnic groups:

Malay and Aborigine 58%, Chinese 24.6%, Indian6.9%

Languages:

Bahasa Malay, English

Religions:

Muslim,Buddhism,Taoism,Confucianism,Hindu, Christian

Government:

Federal Democracy with Constitutuional Monarch.

Head of State:

The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

Head of Government:

Prime Minister

Currency:

Ringgit (RM$)=100 sen

Exchange ratre:

US$1=RM$3.8

GDP:

US$299.9 billion (1999)

Per capita income:

US$8,604 (1999)

Major exports:

Crude oil, Electronic components

Major imports:

Manufacturing supplies, machinery, transport equiptment, metal products,

foodstuffs, durables.

Main products:

Crude oil, Palm oil

Major trading partners:

Singapore, USA, Japan, UK, Taiwan, South Korea.

Measures/Electricity:

Metric, local imperial; electricity: 220-240v, 50Hz AC.

Visas:

Not required by Commonwealth countries,except Bangkadesh,India,

Pakistan,Sri Lanka.

Health:

Vaccinations required for vistors from a yellow fever infected zone except

for children under 1 year of age.

Money:

Local/foreign currencies must be declared. mport/export currency limited RM$1,000.

Climate:

Tropical. Warm and humid all year round. Temperatures from 21-32°C.

Annual rainfall varies from 2000mm to 2500mm.

What to wear:

Suit, tie or tropical suit for business meetings. Women should wear light suit or equvalent.

Casual clothes at other times; suits, dresses worn on formal occasions.

Bussiness hours:

Banks:

9.30am-4pm Mon-Fri;9.30-11.30am Sat.

Offices:

8am-12:45pm, 2-4.15pm Mon-Fri;8am-12.45pm Sat.

Some state government offices close Thurs pm, all day Fri.

Shopping:

Shopping centres, department stores, duty-free shops mainly in Penang, Johor Bahru,

capital.

Best buys:

Antiques, atrs, cutios, shoes, clothing, handbags.

Kuala Lumpur main areas:

Lot 10 in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Sungai Wan Plaza in Jalan Chow Kit, Jalan Tuanku Abdul

ahman, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street.

Hours:10am-10pm; vary in different states.

Tipping:

Officically discouraged. 10% service charge for many hotels and restaurants.

Transport:

Taxis:

Available at hotels, shopping centres in larger cities.

Surcharges:

Air-conditioning, carrying luggage, more than two passengers, midnight-6am.

Car Rental/Driving:

International driving permit required. Traffic keeps left. Good road conditions

everywhere.

Eating out and night life:

Indigenous Malay, Chinese, Indian culsine widely avaliable in most cities.

Also Japanese, Thai, Korean, Western in Kuala Lumpar, Penang, Johor bahru.

Night time entertainment same; but numerous discos, nightclubs and bars, many at

leading hotels.