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Travel Information
LANGUAGE
The official language is the Bahasa Malaysia. English is however
widely used in business. The locals speak their own dialects
TIME DIFFERENCE +8 GMT
VISA Valid passports are required for entry into Sabah
even if you are travelling from Peninsula Malaysia or Sarawak.
Only citizens of Commonwealth countries, ASEAN,
Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Lichtenstein do not need a
visa to enter Sabah. Nationals of the following countries are also
exempted for a visit not exceeding 3 months: Austria, Australia,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan,
Luxembough, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Tunisia and USA. Citizens
of Bulgaria, Rumania, Russia and Yugoslavia are allowed a 7-day visa
free visit.
CURRENCY The ringgit, also known as the Malaysian dollar,
is the Malaysian currency. 1 Ringgit equals 100 cents. Money and
travelers checks can be exchanged at banks and moneychangers. Credit
cards are accepted in hotels and department stores. Cash however, is
required in the rural areas.
Use the
Currency Converter to check the exchange rate that corresponds
to your local currency. Money changers are dotted in all shopping
complexes and it is easily accessible.
SHOPPING The complete range of souvenirs, handicrafts and
gift items are found at the big shopping complexes in Kota Kinabalu
and even in the resort's Hotel Shop. Items to look for are antiques,
basketware, beads, mats, dastar, pottery, sabah tea, mushrooms,
weavings and handicrafts.
TAXES The Government tax is 5% and
service tax is 10%.
BUSINESS HOURS Banks and Government offices: Banks are open 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon/2 p.m.
Monday to Friday, and some are open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday Offices: Most government offices are open from 8
a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and some are open from 8
a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Commercial offices and businesses
are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1
p.m. Saturdays. Shops (Hours vary): Shops open 9/10 a.m. to 9/10 p.m. Monday to
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
DRESS Lightweight clothing is ideal with
sweaters for the high land areas. A shirt, jacket and tie is normal
office attire and is appropriate for business. Shorts, miniskirts,
sleeveless garments for women are not advisable, especially in the
rural areas. It is advisable for ladies when entering mosques and
temples or local village to wear long sleeves and loose pants or
long skirts.
WEATHER |
