Mozillians… Welcome to Kuala Lumpur

Event Secretariat

We’re at your service, so please do not hesitate to call/sms :P

Secretariat (18-21 Nov open 8.30am – 6.30pm): Inter Continental Hotel Kuala Lumpur Ground Floor (opposite hotel reception)

• Pre-event coordination: Jasmine Low +6017 623 0288

• Hotel F&B / AV Support: Nikki Yeo & Veron +6012 9898 288

• Conference Coordinator / Logistics: Jamie Ong +6016 232 7599

• Event Secretariat: Jan Drew & Arindam Sarkar + 6017 200 8631

A little introduction

History

• Malaysia gained independence from the British Colonial rule in 1957 so it is still a fairly new country. A multicultural but predominantly Muslim country, its citizens comprise of the three largest majority groups of Malays (Muslims), Chinese, Indians and the minority groups of indigenous peoples.

• For additional information please see History of Malaysia (wikipedia)

What spurs the nation?

• Diversity in food! A melting pot of cultures, languages and amazing cuisine; you could be having a typical local breakfast of Nasi Lemak (coconut rice, crispy fried anchovies and chilli paste) and later, a Banana Leaf Rice lunch (eaten with your fingers – all establishments have places for you to wash your hands) and end your evening over a 10-course sumptuous meal at a Chinese restaurant. Malaysians sleep late and like gathering at restaurants called ‘Mamak’, which are often open 24hours. Be sure to try a TEH TARIK (frothy tea with milk).

• For more information on Tourism Malaysia, please log-on to the official website at http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my and facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cuticuti1malaysia

Quick Facts

• Capital of Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur

• see also Kuala Lumpur (wikipedia)

• see also Kuala Lumpur (wikitravel)

• Dialing Code - the international dialing code is +60.

• Time - Malaysia is + 8 hours GMT.

• Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). USD1 ~ MYR3.15

• Languages spoken: English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien)

• Weather: Around 27 - 32°C. November has the highest rainfall and short bursts of rain is common in the afternoons. Bring an umbrella or a raincoat with you.

• Water from tap is not suitable to drink unless it’s filtered. Bottled drinking or reverse osmosis (RO) water or even mineral water is widely available. Be wary of ice as it may have been prepared using contaminated water.

Conveniences

• Malls are generally open from 10am – 10pm and offer all the conveniences you may require.

• In an effort to be ‘green’, Saturday is No Plastic Bag Day in most supermarkets, so you’re encouraged to bring your own bag.

• There are 3 main mobile phone operators: CELCOM, MAXIS & DIGI. Prepaid sim card packs are available from any of the telecommunication ‘stall’ vendors. Text messages cost approx RM0.15-20.

• Widespread Free Internet available at most Food & Beverage Outlets for diners e.g. STARBUCKS, COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF etc. Just ask the waiter for the password. Our internet speeds are paltry though, and vary from 1MBps – 10MBps. These outlets usually provide power points for you to charge your devices as well.

• Best places to go for PC/MAC hardware & gadgets? Head to LOW YAT Plaza at Bukit Bintang for great deals!

Local Customs

Common courtesies and practices

• Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian home or when visiting places of worship such as a Mosque or Temple. On the other hand you are expected to keep your shoes on when attending Church services.

• Although handshakes are generally acceptable for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge introductions to gentlemen by merely nodding and smiling. A handshake should only be initiated by ladies.

• Most restaurants/places to dine are Halal (wikipedia) as Muslims consume only Halal food as permissible by Muslim law.

• The right forefinger F is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with four fingers folded under is the preferred usage.

• Toasting is not common in Malaysia as Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol.

Tipping in Malaysia

Malaysians do not often tip and they do not expect to be tipped either. Unlike the American model, where a waiter or waitress starts with a lower basic and earn from tips 15-17% of bill before tax or 20% at a 5-star restaurant. Malaysian waiters receive a higher fixed basic pay.

However, this has never stopped some locals from leaving the loose change behind or leaving behind RM2 to RM10 Ringgit, if s/he is happy about the service or feels like it. This does not happen in the local hawker stall or lower establishment restaurants. The point to remember is that it is not expected.

In Malaysia, restaurants/pubs/bars charge a 10% service tax and 6% govt tax so tipping is covered. Sometimes if the service is exceptional, it is common but not a necessity to add a further tip. It is common even for locals, to tip the waitstaff that serve at bars/pubs/clubs. In a crowded standing room only club, sometimes you can get a chair, or better service for the rest of the night, by tipping the waiter RM5 or RM10.

Travel service providers like tour guides and coach drivers do normally expect a tip. So if you're in a group, pass a hat around and gather the tips for them would be a nice gesture. If you're on your own, a RM5-20 tip is generous.

Back in the hotel, housekeeping staff at the hotel would be delighted if you left a small tip. Some hotels practice a no tipping policy - so in that case, a thank you is more than welcomed! One idea is to leave a small tip for room service on the first night of your stay. You can do that by putting a small note on the pillow when you leave your room in the morning. By doing that, you hope that they will do the room better, and also not be tempted to take something else you may have left in the room.

At the end of it all, it's really up to you. There's no hard & fast rule on tipping in Malaysia.

Medical Tips

Vaccinations/health care

• If you have a medical condition, please ensure that you have adequate amount of medicine just in case the medication is not available in Malaysia. Do ensure you bring your prescription with you.

• Do ensure you have the necessary injections (Typhoid, Rubella). Your check with your local GP.

• Malaria is only a risk in certain regions of Malaysia. Urban and coastal areas are usually safe.

• Vaccinations are only recommended for travelers spending extended periods in rural areas.

• Malaria and Hepatitis A and C are present in Malaysia and Hepatitis B is also widespread, though the risk to travelers is low. Outbreaks of dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and meningococcal meningitis occur in both urban and rural areas, but are rare in Kuala Lumpur. Rabies is present; if bitten by monkeys or dogs, seek immediate medical attention. There have been several outbreaks of avian influenza since 2004 but no human fatalities.

• Pharmacies in Malaysia: most pharmacies are well supplied. Eg: Guardian, Caring, Watsons. Nearest to your hotel would be across the road at Ampang Park Shopping Centre, G Tower or at Suria KLCC.

• For a public ambulance in Malaysia, call 999. Alternatively, you may call 603-7956-9999 for an ambulance to Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre, the nearest private hospital to your hotel located along Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur.

• For further information, read

• • http://www.worldtravelguide.net/malaysia/health

• • http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/health/

Getting Around

KL International Airport (KLIA)

• Hop onto the KL Express Rail Link (ERL) for only RM35 one way, and you’ll get the KL Sentral transport hub (in central KL) in 28 minutes. Cost: RM35 one way.

• Alight at KL Sentral, then change lines to E LINE (KELANA JAYA LINE). Board the train that heads towards KLCC. Alight at AMPANG PARK (7 stops away from KL Sentral, one stop after KLCC). Cost: RM1.60.

• Visit http://www.kliaekspres.com/erlsb/KLIAEkspres/TheStations/KLSentral/tabid/115/Default.aspx

Transit Rail Map

Getting from LCCT Airport – KL Sentral

LCC Terminal (LCCT) – AIR ASIA FLIGHTS

• The ‘KLIA Transit to/from LCCT’ service offers you the added convenience of a connecting shuttle transfer to and from the LCCT. Air-conditioned shuttle fleet (coaches) await to whisk you directly to high-speed train ride from the Salak Tinggi station. There will also be porter assistance at the Salak Tinggi station to help with your luggage transfer between train and shuttle.

• Tickets are available at the KLIA Transit counter at KL Sentral, Bandar Tasik Selatan, Putrajaya & Cyberjaya and LCCT Domestic Arrival Hall ticketing counters. Shuttle bus from LCCT departs from Shuttle Service Bay (opposite Domestic Arrival).

• http://www.kliaekspres.com/erlsb/LCCT/tabid/158/Default.aspx

• Please note that starting 14 November, shuttle bus departure time from LCCT is 5 minutes earlier during peak hours in the evenings to accommodate road traffic conditions.

Ground Assistance

• If you’re arriving before 18 Nov, we would like to suggest hopping onto a cab / limousine or taking the public transportation system. Call our event secretariat hotline (from a public phone, dial 017 200 8631) if you need any guidance.

• If you’re arriving on 18 Nov, we will be providing ground travel assistance from the two airports (LCCT - AirAsia flights  or KLIA - all other airlines). Welcome crew and volunteers wearing black MOZILLA TEES will guide you towards the KLIA Express Rail Link to KL Sentral station in Kuala Lumpur. Rail tickets will be pre-purchased and provided to you at the airport. The journey takes 40 minutes from KLIA to KL Sentral station. Upon arrival at KL Sentral, look for more volunteers who will guide you towards the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Board the LRT train and alight at Ampang Park station, and you're a mere 3-minute walk away from The Inter Continental Hotel.

Getting Around in KL

Public Transportation

• Train:
  • KTM is more suitable for inter-town link. For routes, check http://www.ktmkomuter.com.my/station_maps/routemap/routemap.swf
  • LRT Light Rail Transit (There are three lines: STAR, Putra & Monorail) – this is the city’s main light rail line. For routes, check www.yhjewel.com/africk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/lrt_map1.jpg

• Bus:
  • Inexpensive way to travel around especially in Kuala Lumpur. Most of the buses in the city are air-conditioned.

• Taxi:
  • Fitted from meters. In Kuala Lumpur, the rate is MYR3 for the first two Kilometers and MYR0.10 for every subsequent 115metres. Do insist that the cabbie uses his meter. During peak hours, they may sometimes demand a flat rate fee – although this is not encouraged. There is a 50% extra charge after midnight.

After-hours

Shop, shop, shop!

Swanky

• Pavilion KL (in city centre)

• KLCC (in city centre)

• The Gardens (20 minutes by cab from city centre)

• Bangsar Village II (20 minutes by cab from city centre)

Something for Everyone

• Mid Valley (20 minutes by cab from city centre)

• Central Market (10 minutes by cab from city centre)

Food & Beverage Options

Restaurants/Cafes

• Malaysians eat all the time! Breakfast through to supper in the wee hours of the night! One of Malaysian’s favorite hang-out spots is the ‘mamak’ which refers to food stalls operated by Indian Muslim proprietors. One of the most popular on the menu and a must-try is the ‘roti canai’ and ‘teh tarik’ (tea with condensed milk). Refer to http://blog.701panduan.com/2010/01/26/top-10-mamak-food-in-malaysia/ for the top 10 mamak outlets in KL.

• For local café options, there are chains like PAPPA RICH and OLD TOWN for local snacks.

• For something a little more upmarket, head to Pavilion KL mall and try any of the cafes like LA BODEGA, BEDROOM, THE LOAF (opened by our ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad), and of course, the Pavilion FOOD EMPORIUM http://pavilion-kl.com/content/

• Others, please refer to http://www.travelguide.com.my/food.htm .

Street Food

• Adventurous? Head along Jalan Alor in the Bukit Bintang area for delicious & cheap local street food.

Gen's favorite Malaysian food blogs:

• A Whiff of Lemongrass and her Where to Eat is a great guide to food in Malaysia

• Eating Asia is the blog of WSJ food writer Robyn Eckhardt and her photographer husband David Hagerman. The Kuala Lumpur & Klang Valley posts are relevant for visitors to KL.

Vegan / Vegetarian / Organic

Restaurants/Cafes

• There are limited organic / vegan cafes and restaurants in town but here are a few really good ones

• RAW COFFEE, Ground Floor, Wisma Equity opposite KLCC on Jalan Ampang (Vegan) http://www.rawcoffee.my/raw

• HAVEN AMPANG, 12 Jalan Ampang Hilir (Organic) http://www.havenkl.com

• For more ideas, visit http://www.happycow.net

Nightlife

Bistro/Pub/Clubs

• Happy hours usually run until 8pm. A bottle of beer (Tiger/Heineken) costs between RM10-15, with the imported beers (Paulaner/Hoegarden) as high as RM25. House-pouring drinks and cocktails range from RM25-40 depending on where you go.

• The most happening nightlife currently is along Changkat Bukit Bintang (Little Havana, Twenty-One, Reggae Bar, Werners, Frangipani).

• Zouk KL along Jalan Ampang is a mainstay and features international DJs most weekends. There is a cover charge imposed, usually RM50 inclusive of a drink.

• There are also more pubs and clubs along Jalan Sultan Ismail (opposite Shangri-la Hotel).

• Another hip & trendy urban area to check out is Bangsar Village II or Bangsar Shopping Centre (Alexis, La Bodega, The Social, Twenty-One).

• Directory, refer to http://www.mycen.com.my/malaysia/nightlife_02.html

• Best way to get around at night is by cab from your hotel.

See you in KL!