My Malaysia

Jennifer Merigan Travel Editor click here to email me         My Malaysia I have just enjoyed my 17th trip in 10 years to Malaysia and on each visit I learn something new about the culture, the history and the people and when I return to Perth I find that I love Malaysia just that little bit more. I have such an affinity with Malaysia and the people, that I really feel it is my second home. Tourism Malaysia are constantly promoting interesting places to visit and opportunities to discover more about one of our closest neighbours. This web page will feature regular Malaysian updates about accommodation, tours and activities. This month we are featuring the Malaysian Home Stay program which provides visitors the opportunity to live in a Malaysian home and discover what life is like in a kampung (village). If you would like more information please don’t hesitate to contact my either by email – click here or call the office on 9227 8283. The Tourism Malaysia Perth office is located at 56 William Street Perth and can be called on 9481 0400. Malaysia Fast Facts Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia (11 states) with Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo. Area – 329,758 kilometre per square Population – 27.17 million Capital City – Kuala Lumpur The People – 57 per cent of the population are Malays with Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and other indigenous groups forming the rest. The Language – Malay is the national language but English is widely spoken. Many of the indigenous groups have their own language and dialects. The Government – Malaysia is a federal parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch – bicameral legislative system. The head of government is the Prime Minister. Economic profile – Manufacturing is the leading sector that contributes to the national economy which is then followed by tourism and primary commodities such as pertroluem and palm oil, natural rubber and timber. Currency – The Ringgit is Malaysia’s national currency. The exchange rate to the Australian dollar is around AUD$1 to RM3. Time Zone – Malaysia is on the same time zone as Perth, Australia. Electrical power – The voltage is 220 – 240 volt AC with a standard English three pin rectangle plug and socket. Weight and measurement – Malaysia follows the metric system. Passport and Visa – visitors to Malaysia must hold a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended travel period. Australians do not require a visa for social or business visits. Click on the video below for more details. Malaysian Home Stay Progam Malaysians are generally well known for their friendliness and warm hospitality especially to guests of their homes. Now the Malaysian traditional communities across the country have opened up their homes to foreign guests to give them a tasted of the village life. A home stay experience is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get to know the real Malaysia. At a homestay the full spectrum of village life will be experienced by visitors and you will have the opportunity to have a cooking lesson and of course experience the local cuisine whilst eating with your ‘Malay’ family. Other activities include harvesting fruits, trying your hand at rubber tree tapping, flying a kite or playing some of the traditional Malay games. Depending on where you home stay is located determines the activities but there is a plethora of things to do in village life including experiencing a local wedding. The villages involved in the program are committed to ensuring that you experiencee village style living in a clean and safe environment – all follow the standards expected from the Ministry of Tourism. This is a cultural experience like no other – for further information visit www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my or contact the Perth office on 9481 0400. Makanan – it means food in Malay by Jennifer Merigan If you ask a Malaysian what their favourite pastime is most will tell you ‘eating’ and because of this passion for food when you visit Malaysia you can eat extremely well and cheaply at local restaurants 24 hours a day. In so many of the South East Asian countries travellers are warned about not eating from the local food stalls or restaurants but I have found in Malaysia that it is safe to do so. One of my favourite foods to eat when I visit Malaysia is roti canai; I just love it and I am sure I drive my fellow travellers mad with my passion for this dish with long conversations about its properties ensuing. It heralds from India but I have only ever eaten it in Malaysia. Roti canai consists of a flat bread which is cooked on a hot plate so it is crunchy on the outside and layered on the inside and is served with a small dish of curry and dahl (curried lentils). I can eat this dish at anytime of the day or night and if I find a local restaurant close to my hotel you will often find me there enjoying a late night snack of this delicious dish. It is also very entertaining watching them knead and cook the roti. On my last trip, driving up to Pangkor Island, we stopped at some of the food stalls that dot the highways throughout the country where I enjoyed some of the best papaya I have tasted. On our return journey for an afternoon snack I sampled the local Pau which is a steamed bun (similar to ones you find at Yum Cha) filled with sweet things like ground peanuts or kaya (coconut jam). I washed down the Paus with a Teh Tarik (strong tea which is sweetened with condensed milk and poured from a height to give it a frothy head). My enjoyment of this treat amused the rest of the group when I returned to the bus with a plastic bag of hot tea and a straw and my bag of Paus. A new dish that one of my Malaysian friends recommended is apam balik – a pancake which is cooked on a hot plate so it is crunchy on the outside with crushed peanuts and sugar spread on the top, it is then folded up and cut into large slices. We found a local man cooking and selling this dish just off Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur and I was so excited to find this treat that we had several locals laughing at us, and our sheer delight as we consumed this absolutely delicious warm pancake. On this trip I decided to buy a local cookbook and see whether I could replicate some of my favourites at home – I haven’t attempted any yet but will let you know whether I succeed or not – otherwise I’ll just wait until my next trip to Malaysia where I know I will be guaranteed access to some of the world’s best food.