Foreigners in Malaysia

Trying not to be critical of other political systems, we believe that ours is the best and grants the most freedom to the people.
At least one foreign president thought that just because our government had been in power for 57 years, then it must be corrupt.
Sadly, he didn't bother to discover that the government was a coalition of three major parties representing the three major races, that it had liberal and moderate policies and that the coalition facilitated significant contributions from those minority races.

The opposition coalition of parties on the other hand, offered a debatably more fundamental interpretation of Islam with less moderate and pragmatic social and economic policies.
No wonder the government had been able to obtain more than 60% of the national vote during each of the previous 12 elections.
Neither is our political system heavily influenced by self-interest lobby groups.
These policies therefore provide a degree of freedom that we believe is superior to most other country in the world.

Freedom of religion is enshrined in our constitution and while England and U.S.A. are forcing the removal of Christmas decorations for fear of offending the 2% who are non-Christian, Malaysia encourages its 6% Christian community to celebrate its religion as it wishes. Public holidays are gazetted for the special days of all religions represented in the population.

In comparison with many western countries, businesses are not constantly plagued by government rules and regulations, government intervention, exorbitant taxes, harassment and ridiculous fines for "anti-social ills".

Freedom of speech is far more liberal than many western countries. If a person is blind, you can call him/her "blind" And you can call the hole in your ceiling a "manhole" without being sent to jail.

The government has no more control over the media than in any western country where governments have withdrawn advertising from newspapers that do not support it.

If you grow papaya or raise chickens in your compound, you are allowed to sell your produce on the roadside.

We are proud of our freedom.

Is it Safe?

Malaysians have a "thing" about personal security.

For that reason, most houses have what some call "the Great Wall of China" built around their compound, 6 to 8 feet high, concrete monstrosities that prevent looking in or out. They prefer to be prisoners in their own house rather than risk the "danger" of unwelcome visitors.

The truth is, from our experience traveling extensively throughout most western countries in the world, there appears to be less crime in this country than there is in most others.

There is one thing that you must be careful with if you're a foreigner - YOUR MONEY
Sadly, it is our experience that the vast majority of Malaysians will trick you (a polite word) out of your money if you are not extra careful.

Our advice is this - before you give money to ANYONE other than a shop, seek advice from a fellow foreigner, preferably of your home country - there are plenty of them around.