Malaysia (Federation of)
History
of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel
Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info
| Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits
and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/
Organisations
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Official languages: Malay
and English
Official religion: Islam
Other religions: Buddha, Hindu,
Christian
Malaysian national flag aptly known as `Jalur Gemilang' (i.e.
Stripes of Excellence). The fourteen stripes signify the equal status in the Federation
of the thirteen states and the Federal Government. The blue represents the unity
of the people, yellow is the royal colour, while the star and crescent are the
traditional symbols of Islam, the country's official religion. The star has fourteen
points, representing the unity of the Federation.
History
of Relations
Since the establishment of full diplomatic relations on
8 November 1993, relations between South Africa and Malaysia have been very good
and have continued to improve. The two countries view each other as close partners
in the developing world. Malaysia views South Africa as a favourable developing
market and is the fourth largest new investor in South Africa. South Africa and
Malaysia have resident High Commissions in the respective capitals.
Diplomatic
Representation
South African Representation in Malaysia
H E Mr T D Mseleku
High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
South African High Commission
Time
difference : +6:00
Malaysia Representation in South Africa
H E Mr K Jawan
High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
High Commission of Malaysia.
Travel
Info
Visa Requirements for South Africans
For
more information contact: High Commission of Malaysia.
Health
Requirements
Depending on the length of stay, the travellers
might need immunisation against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
For further
information go to Travelers' Health.
Climate
Info
The tropical climate is uniformly hot, humid and sunny,
with temperatures ranging from 22oC to 35oC, except in the
mountains and hill resorts where the weather is cooler. The passing of the seasons
is not characterised by any variations in temperature, but by changes in the level
of rainfall, related to the cycle of monsoons. The annual rainfall is very high,
ranging from 2,000 mm to 3,000 mm. For the west coast of the Peninsular Malaysia,
the wet season is from September to November, with another period of high rainfall
in the months of April and May. The rain is more persistent during the wet season
on the east coast and in East Malaysia, which lasts from November to February.
The level of humidity tends to hover at around 80% throughout the year in all
parts of the country.
For up-to-date information click here
Currency
Info
The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM),
which is divided into 100 sen or cents. Notes are issued in denominations of RM2,
RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100. Coins are issued in denominations of 1 sen, 5 sen,
10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and RM1.
Since 1 September 1998, the Malaysian Ringgit
has been fixed at US$1 = RM3.80c, This measure was accompanied by strict currency
exchange laws which prohibited any trading in Malaysian Ringgits outside Malaysia.
Thus, one may not exchange Malaysian Ringgits for another currency outside Malaysia.
On arrival or departure at all ports of entry in Malaysia, one is required to
declare the amount of cash that one is carrying at that point in time.
For
more details, kindly log onto the Malaysian Central Bank's website: http://www1.bnm.gov.my
State and Official Visits
/ Bilateral Meetings
No Information
Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section at 012 351 0872/0872/0837.
Trade
Info
Main export products: palm oil, vegetable fats and oil,
wood and wood articles, precision instruments, machinery and mechanical equipment
and parts.
Main import products: minerals, base metals, wood pulp, cane
sugar and parts of locomotives.
For current information on trade statistics
between South Africa and Malaysia, visit the web site of the Department
of Trade and Industry of South Africa
Interest Groups and
Information
Malaysian South African Business Council
Contact person
: Ms Lydia Dekker, Executive Secretary
Address : No. 2 Jalan 11/55C, off
Jalan Setiawangsa
Taman Setiawangsa
54200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel.
(office) : + 60 3 457 3371
Fax : + 60 3 452 5744
Tel. (house) : +
60 3 452 6616
Fax : + 60 3 452 7545
South African Malaysian Society
Contact
person : Mrs Sue Firkins, President
Tel. (office) : + 60 3 746 4300
Tel.
(house) : + 60 3 746 2990
Fax : + 60 3 757 2905
E-mail : firkins@pc.jaring.my
African Women's Diplomatic Group
Contact
person : Mrs Dudu Shogole, Vice Chairlady
Mrs Simphiwe Xinwa, Secretary
Tel.
: + 60 12 333 7080
Fax (c/o SAHC) : + 60 3 424 9896
E-mail : simprax@hotmail.com
South African Students in Malaysia
Network
University Telekom Malaysia (UNITEL), Cyberjaya Campus
Contact
Person : Mr Nitesh Dhoogar
Tel. : + 60 12 317 9876
University Telekom
Malaysia (UNITEL), Melaka Campus
Contact Person : Mr Pumezo Gulwa/Mr Baphiwe
Nyeli
Tel. : + 60 6 252 3752
Universiti Sains Petronas
Contact
Person : Ms Siyabulela Hamilton
Tel. : Available at SA High Commission,
Kuala Lumpur on request
