Federal States & Territories

 Federal States & Territories

 Name
Abbr.
Status
Capital
A (km²)
Cfa 1980-06-10
Cfa 1991-08-14
Ca 2000-07-05
E 2008-07-01

<
Johor JOH FSt Johor Bahru
19,210 1,638,229 2,162,357 2,740,625 3,312,400
<
Kedah KED FSt Alor Setar
9,500 1,116,140 1,364,504 1,649,756 1,958,100
<
Kelantan KEL FSt Kota Bharu
15,099 893,753 1,207,684 1,313,014 1,595,000
<
Labuan LAB FTerr Labuan
92 Sabah
54,811 76,067 87,600
<
Melaka MEL FSt Melaka
1,664 464,754 529,199 635,791 753,500
<
Negri Sembilan NEG FSt Seremban
6,686 573,578 722,017 859,924 995,600
<
Pahang PAH FSt Kuantan
36,137 798,782 1,081,148 1,288,376 1,513,100
<
Perak PER FSt Ipoh
21,035 1,805,198 1,974,893 2,051,236 2,351,300
<
Perlis PES FSt Kangar
821 148,276 190,182 204,450 236,200
<
Pinang PIN FSt George Town
1,048 954,638 1,116,801 1,313,449 1,546,800
<
Sabah SAB FSt Kota Kinabalu
73,631 1,011,046 1,808,848 2,603,485 3,131,600
<
Sarawak SAR FSt Kuching
124,450 1,307,582 1,718,380 2,071,506 2,452,800
<
Selangor (incl. Putrajaya) SEL FSt Shah Alam
8,154 1,515,536 2,413,567 4,188,876 5,071,100
<
Terengganu TER FSt Kuala Terengganu
13,035 540,627 808,556 898,825 1,094,300
<
Wilayah Persekutuan WP FTerr Kuala Lumpur
243 977,102 1,226,708 1,379,310 1,629,400
  Malaysia MYS Kuala Lumpur
330,803 13,745,241 18,379,655 23,274,690 27,728,700
• (1980) (1990) The Europa World Year Book 1988 / 1998.
(2000) (2008) Department of Statistics Malaysia (web).
 Principal Cities
  Name Adm. UA Cf 2000-07-05
1
Kuala Lumpur
WP
1,305,792
2
Johor Bahru
JOH
642,944
3
Klang
SEL
626,699
4
Ipoh
PER
536,832
5
Ampang Jaya
SEL
478,613
6
Subang Jaya
SEL
447,183
7
Petaling Jaya
SEL
432,619
8
Kuching
SAR
422,240
9
Shah Alam
SEL
314,440
10
Kota Kinabalu
SAB
306,920
 Principal Conurbations
  Name Adm. A C 2000-07-05
1
Kuala Lumpur
WP
4,815,400
2
George Town
PIN
1,266,800
3
Johor Bahru
JOH
1,013,000
4
Ipoh
PER
608,100
5
Kota Kinabalu
SAB
437,800
6
Kuching
SAR
432,500
7
Melaka
MEL
395,500
8
Kuantan
PAH
317,000
9
Sandakan
SAB
276,800
10
Kuala Terengganu
TER
272,500
11
Kota Bharu
KEL
269,900
12
Alor Setar
KED
252,900




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List of cities and towns in Malaysia by population
The following is a list of urban areas in Malaysia by population. Only the fifty most populated areas are listed here. Part of this list was compiled by The World Gazetteer. [1]
Cities are listed in bold.
[edit] Population
Ranking    Town/City    Population 1980    Population 1991    Population 2000    Population 2009 
1 Kuala Lumpur,Wilayah Persekutuan
919,611 1,145,075 1,297,526 1,809,699
2 Johor Bahru,Johor
246,395 442,252 630 603 1,370,738
3 Subang Jaya,Selangor
78,494 423,338 1,321,672
4 Klang,Selangor
192,081 368,228 631,676 1,055,207
5 Ampang Jaya,Selangor
287,823 475,253 756,309
6 Ipoh,Perak
293,849 468,765 574,041 710,798
7 Kuching,Sarawak
72,555 277,346 423,763 658,562
8 Shah Alam,Selangor
158,103 319,612 617,149
9 Kuantan,Pahang
131,547 201,272 289,395 607,778
10 Kota Kinabalu,Sabah
55,997 160,122 305,382 579,304
11 Kota Bharu,Kelantan
167,872 334,604 352,714 577,301
12 Petaling Jaya,Selangor
207,805 351,719 428,562 543,410
13 Batu Pahat,Johor
64,727 84,538 338,000 538,880
14 Tebrau,Johor
21,697 160,028 525,351
15 Cheras,Selangor
51,131 177,521 515,961
16 Sandakan,Sabah
70,423 157,184 275,375 479,121
17 Malacca Town,Malacca
107,494 162,873 349,518 455,301
18 Kajang,Selangor
29,301 99,914 207,322 428,131
19 Seremban,Negeri Sembilan
132,911 193,009 290,999 419,536
20 Tawau,Sabah
43,200 124,683 213,903 373,914
21 Kuala Terengganu,Terengganu
180,296 228,659 255,109 286,433
22 Miri,Sarawak
52,125 102,969 167,535 269,380
23 Sungai Petani,Kedah
45,343 117,734 174,609 260,374
24 Selayang Baru,Selangor
134,535 187,733 253,921
25 Bukit Mertajam,Pulau Pinang
28,675 122,044 165,422 235,319
26 Skudai,Johor
4,555 19,725 93,405 227,955
27 Georgetown,Pulau Pinang
448,241 372,453 286,573 223,501
28 Alor Star,Kedah
69,435 165,113 186,524 223,199
29 Kulim,Kedah
26,817 58,374 117,454 214,885
30 Taiping,Perak
146,002 186,791 199,332 214,481
31 Sibu,Sarawak
85,231 133,471 166,322 209,616
32 Pasir Gudang,Johor
28,220 89,317 204,983
33 Bintulu,Sarawak
8,712 52,021 102,761 189,695
34 Kluang,Johor
50,315 98,837 134,882 187,368
35 Rawang,Selangor
3,427 23,790 65,769 178,500
36 Bukit Indah,Johor
43,326 175,326
37 Chukai,Terengganu
15,964 43,875 62,875 163,330
38 Gelugor,Pulau Pinang
54,849 98,748 161,236
39 Sungai Ara,Pulau Pinang
723 68,547 112,293 156,603
40 Taman Greenwood,Selangor
12,796 41,768 79,711 146,057
41 Muar,Johor
65,151 70,637 102,273 142,326
42 Lahad Datu,Sabah
14,938 45,084 74,601 127,407
43 Sitiawan,Perak
21,965 58,773 95,922 126,723
44 Ayer Itam,Perak
33,550 79,176 95,895 121,655
45 Semenyih,Selangor
9,018 15,106 45,088 120,445
46 Keningau,Sabah
3,938 16,065 43,870 113,433
47 Butterworth,Pulau Pinang
77,982 94,231 99,227 105,437
48 Port Dickson,Negeri Sembilan
24,389 47,962 69,175 100,466
49 Senai,Johor
6,397 18,633 45,483 100,326
50 Ulu Tiram,Johor
6,071 22,277 49,829 97,402
Rank










  City/Town
State
Pop.
Rank
City/Town
State
Pop.
view • talk • edit


Kuala Lumpur


Kuching


Kuantan

        1 Kuala Lumpur
Federal Territory
1,458,790 11 Cheras
Selangor
460,699
2 Subang Jaya
Selangor
1,174,972 12 Sandakan
Sabah
453,759
3 Klang
Selangor
1,004,194 13 Seremban
Negeri Sembilan
405 674
4 Johor Bahru
Johor
867,507 14 Kajang
Selangor
398,324
5 Ampang
Selangor
723,531 15 Kuantan
Pahang
607,778
6 Ipoh
Perak
702,464 16 Tawau
Sabah
354,243
7 Kuching
Sarawak
632,505 17 Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu
284,825
8 Shah Alam
Selangor
577,626 18 Kota Bahru
Kelantan
276,592
9 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah
543,765 19 Miri
Sarawak
269,380
10 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
535,658 20 Sungai Petani
Kedah
250,912
2008 Estimation[12]

* Cities are listed in bold, and towns are not .


































Singapore & Kuala Lumpur ► Khota Bahru
Train type: Expresses.. Local trains...
Train number (see notes below): 26 16 14 82 92 94 84
Days of operation: Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily
Classes:
2,3 F,S,2,3 S,2,3 3 3 3 3
 Singapore depart 04:45 - 18:00 - - - -
 Johor Bahru depart xx:xx - 18:57 - - - -
 Kuala Lumpur depart | 20:35 | - - - -
 Tampin (for Malacca)
depart | 22:43 | - - - -
 Gemas depart xx:xx 23:43 22:25 - 06:00 - -
 Kuala Lipis arr/dep xx:xx 04:35 03:08 - 10:54 - -
 Gua Musang arr/dep 15:27 06:06 04:40 07:00 13:42 13:50 16:40
 Tanah Merah arrive - 08:54 07:18 11:30 - 17:23 20:07
 Wakaf Bharu* arrive - 09:36 08:05 12:27 - 18:17 21:08
 Tumpat arrive - 09:46 09:00 12:49 - 19:15 21
 Singapore ► Kuala Lumpur ► Penang ► Bangkok
 Train number: (read the notes below)
4 2 8 10 6 170 36 12
 Types of seat & sleeper on board (see the explanation below):
2,3 1,2 F,S,2,3 1,2 1,2 2,3 S L,S,2
 Days of running: Sats & Suns daily daily daily daily daily daily daily
 Singapore  (Keppel Road station)
depart - 07:45 - - 13:30 - - 22:15
 Johor Bahru depart - 08:28 - - 14:49 - - 23:08
 Gemas arr/dep - 11:19 18:15 - 17:57 - - 02:51
 Tampin  (for bus or taxi to or from Malacca)
arr/dep    - 12:21 19:00 - 18:50 - - 03:58
 Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) arrive - 14:23 21:10 - 20:35 - - 06:30
 Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) depart 09:30 14:29 21:10 23:30 - - - -
 Kuala Lumpur (old historic station) depart 09:34 14:43 21:14 23:35 - - - -
 Ipoh  (for bus to Cameron Highlands)
arr/dep 12:35 17:33 23:28 02:28 - - - -
 Butterworth  (linked by frequent ferry with Penang)
arrive 17:10 21:50 05:03** 06:37 - - - -
 Butterworth  (linked by frequent ferry with Penang)
depart - - 05:03** - - - 14:20 -
 Alor Setar  (for Kuala Kedah & Langkawi ferry)
arr/dep - - 07:48 - - - 16:33 -
 Arau  (for Kuala Perlis & Langkawi ferry)
arr/dep - - 08:28 - - - 17:08 -
 Padang Besar (Thai frontier) arrive - - 10:00 - - - 17:42 -
 Hat Yai  (for bus to Phuket or Krabi) (Thai time)
arrive - - 10:35* - - - 18:38 -
 Hat Yai depart - - - - - 14:18 18:55 -
 Surat Thani  (for ferry to Ko Samui & Koh Tao):
arrive - - - - - 19:45 23:21 -
 Chumphon  (for ferry to Koh Tao):
arrive - - - - - - 02:10 -
 Hua Hin arrive - - - - - - 06:01 -
 Nakhon Pathom  (for train to River Kwai)
arrive - - - - - - 08:50 -
 Bangkok Hualamphong Station arrive - - - - - - 10:50 -
Key to classes:
L = Deluxe sleeper (Premier Night Deluxe), 1 or 2-bed compartments with private shower & toilet, air-conditioned.
F = 1st class sleepers (Premier Night Standard), 2-bed compartments with washbasin.
S = 2nd class sleepers (Superior Night), upper & lower berths with curtains for privacy, air-conditioned.
1 = 1st class seats (Premier).  Quite luxurious, reclining, air-conditioned.
2 = 2nd class seats (Superior).  Comfortable, air-conditioned.
3 = 3rd class seats (Economy).  Modern & fairly comfortable, but basic.
* = Only one 2nd class sleeper & seats car runs to/from Hat Yai.  The 1st class sleepers only run between Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth & Padang Besar.
** = This train doesn't call at Butterworth, this is the time is calls at Bukit Mertajam, a small station about 11 miles from Butterworth by bus or taxi.
All times shown in local time (remember that Thailand is 1 hour behind Malaysian time!).  Customs & passport formalities leaving Singapore.
Please check times before you travel at www.ktmb.com.my, as they change from time to time.  See notes by train number below.
Quick links:  Fares   How to buy tickets   Map of train routes in Southeast Asia   Weekly luxury train Singapore-Bangkok   Hotel accommodation

























 Bangkok ► Penang ► Kuala Lumpur ► Singapore
 Train number:  (see notes below)
35 41 7 9 5 1 3 11
 Types of seat & sleeper on board (see explanation above)
S 2 F,S,2,3 1,2 1,2 1,2 2,3 L,S,2
 Days of running: daily daily daily daily daily daily Sats & Suns daily
 Bangkok  (Hualamphong Station) depart 14:45 - - - - - - -
 Nakon Pathom  (for River Kwai train)     
depart 16:04 - - - - - - -
 Hua Hin depart 18:11 - - - - - - -
 Chumphon (for ferry from Koh Tao)
depart 21:47 - - - - - - -
 Surat Thani  (for Ko Samui & Koh Tao)
depart 00:46 08:11 - - - - - -
 Hat Yai arrive 05:54 12:27 - - - - - -
 Hat Yai  (bus connection from Phuket or Krabi)
depart 05:54 - 16:30* - - - - -
 Padang Besar (Malaysian frontier) depart 10:00 - 16:50 - - - - -
 Arau (for Kuala Perlis & Langkawi ferry)
arr/dep 10:40 - 17:26 - - - - -
 Alor Setar (for Kuala Kedah & Langkawi ferry)
arr/dep 11:20 - 18:07 - - - - -
 Butterworth  (linked by ferry with Penang)
arrive 13:45 - 20:39** - - - - -
 Butterworth  (linked by ferry with Penang)
depart - - 20:39** 23:30 - 07:45 10:00 -
 Ipoh  (for bus to or from Cameron Highlands)
arr/dep    - - 01:19 03:39 - 10:49 14:24 -
 Kuala Lumpur (old historic station) arrive - - 05:14 06:35 - 13:55 17:26 -
 Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) arrive - - 04:50 06:40 - 14:00 17:30 -
 Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) depart - - 04:50 - 08:25 14:00 - 22:30
 Tampin  (for bus or taxi to or from Malacca)
arr/dep - - 07:19 - 10:39 16:14 - 23:39
 Gemas arr/dep - - 08:10 - 11:32 17:07 - 00:52
 Johor Bahru arrive - - - - 14:21 20:11 - 05:39
 Singapore  (Keppel Road station)
arrive - - - - 16:05 21:30 - 08:20
Singapore station is in Keppel Road in east Singapore, nearest MRT (metro) station Tanjong Pagar.  Location map.  MRT (metro) map.
Butterworth is the station for Penang, on the mainland opposite Georgetown on Penang Island.  Frequent ferries sail to Penang, taking 15 minutes.
For connecting ferries to Langkawi Island, see below.
For connections to Ko Samui, Phuket, Krabi, Kanchanaburi & River Kwai Bridge, Chiang Mai, see the Thailand page.
Quick links:   Fares    How to buy tickets    Map of train routes in Southeast Asia    Weekly luxury train Singapore-Bangkok
This timetable shows all the trains between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth & Hat Yai, but there are lots more trains between Hat Yai , Surat Thani, Chumphon, Hua Hin & Bangkok, see the Bangkok to southern Thailand section, Thailand page.  For the luxury Singapore-Bangkok Eastern & Oriental Express, see below.  There are also now a few additional shuttle trains between KL & Ipoh.
Notes by train number...
 
Above:  In contrast to a meaningless flight, or a bus journey along an eyesore of a motorway built in the 1990s, the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur train ride takes you over the famous causeway, past lush green palm plantations and little wayside colonial railway stations, along the old Federated Malay States Railway...
Train 1 & 2:  Ekspress Rakyat.  Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Butterworth (Penang) express, runs daily.  1st & 2nd class seats with buffet car serving snacks and light meals, refreshment trolley.
Train 3 & 4:  Ekspress Sinaran.  Sats & Suns only.  Refreshments available.  Economy & 2nd class, no 1st class.
Train 5 & 6:  Ekspress Sinaran Patang.  Singapore-Kuala Lumpur express, runs daily.  Trolley refreshments.
Train 7 & 8:  Express Langkawi.  Gemas-Kuala Lumpur-Hat Yai daily.  No longer calls at Butterworth.  Most of this train only runs between Gemas, Kuala Lumpur & Padang Besar on the Thai frontier (1st & 2nd class sleepers, 2nd & 3rd class seats), but one 2nd class sleeping-car (Malaysian) & a 2nd class seat car runs direct to/from Hat Yai in Thailand.  See the sleeper photos below.  If you want to travel by 1st class sleeper to Hat Yai, you will need to transfer to the 2nd class seats at Padang Besar.
Train 9 & 10: Express Senandung Utara:  Daily KL-Butterworth (Penang) overnight train.  This train is not recommended as it has no sleepers, just 1st & 2nd class sit-up-all-night seats.  For overnight travel between KL & Penang travel, you are advised to take train 7 or 8 (Ekspress Langkawi, with sleepers) between KL and Bukit Mertajam.  Although train 7/8 doesn't call at Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam is about 11 miles from Butterworth by bus or taxi.
Train 11 & 12  Ekspress Senendung Malam:  Daily Singapore-Kuala Lumpur overnight sleeper train.  Deluxe 1&2 berth sleepers with shower/toilet, 2nd class sleepers, 2nd class seats, all air-conditioned.  See the sleeper photos below or watch the video.
Train 35 & 36: International Express (Ekspress Antarabangsa).  Butterworth (Penang)-Bangkok daily.  Check the exact times locally, as there is a small discrepancy between Thai & Malay railway websites.  The International Express consists of clean and comfortable air-conditioned 2nd class sleepers direct between Butterworth & Bangkok.  Between Hat Yai and Bangkok, it also has a restaurant car, a 1st class sleeping-car (2-bed compartments) and additional 2nd class sleepers.   Train provided by State Railways of Thailand - see the photos below.  If you want to travel by 1st class sleeper, you will need to use 2nd class sleepers (in daytime mode) between Butterworth & Hat Yai, then use 1st class sleepers for the overnight section between Hat Yai & Bangkok.  This works going south, as both legs can be reserved in Bangkok, but is problematic going north, as Hat Yai to Bangkok berths cannot be reserved at Malaysian railway stations, and may be full if you just turn up and approach the sleeper attendant at Hat Yai.  2nd class sleepers are clean and comfortable, I'd advise sticking with those.
Train 41 & 42:  Hat Yai-Surat Thani fast air-conditioned railcar with 2nd class reclining seats.  Actually goes to/from Bangkok, but not recommended for Bangkok passengers as it has no sleepers.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬:  Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to Khota Bharu...
Most people use the main line from Singapore to KL, Penang, and Bangkok, which heads up the west coast of Malaysia.  But there's alternative route up the east coast, through amazing  jungle scenery to Khota Bahru.  It's possible to take this 'Jungle Line' from KL or Singapore to Khota Bahru, then a bus or taxi to the frontier, walk across the border into Thailand to Sungai Kolok railway station, and take a train to Bangkok.  It's worth making the effort to take the daytime 3rd class slow train from Gemas to Khota Bahru (Wakaf Bahru), as the scenery is superb, and the direct trains from Singapore and KL travel at night.  In Gemas, there's a fair hotel just outside the station, and there will be plenty of hotels with rooms to spare in Khota Bahru, even late at night when the train arrives at Wakaf Bahru. 
 Singapore & Kuala Lumpur ► Khota Bahru
Train type: Expresses.. Local trains...
Train number (see notes below): 26 16 14 82 92 94 84
Days of operation: Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily
Classes:
2,3 F,S,2,3 S,2,3 3 3 3 3
 Singapore depart 04:45 - 18:00 - - - -
 Johor Bahru depart xx:xx - 18:57 - - - -
 Kuala Lumpur depart | 20:35 | - - - -
 Tampin (for Malacca)
depart | 22:43 | - - - -
 Gemas depart xx:xx 23:43 22:25 - 06:00 - -
 Kuala Lipis arr/dep xx:xx 04:35 03:08 - 10:54 - -
 Gua Musang arr/dep 15:27 06:06 04:40 07:00 13:42 13:50 16:40
 Tanah Merah arrive - 08:54 07:18 11:30 - 17:23 20:07
 Wakaf Bharu* arrive - 09:36 08:05 12:27 - 18:17 21:08
 Tumpat arrive - 09:46 09:00 12:49 - 19:15 21:25
* Wakaf Bharu is the station for Khota Bharu, about 5 km (3 miles) away, buses & taxis available.  A bus will cost 1 Ringgit, a taxi 10 Ringgits.  Buses (2 Ringgits) & taxis (15 Ringgits) are also available to the Thai frontier at Sungai Kolok, for trains to Bangkok (see the Thailand page for times).  For the Perhentian Islands, get off at either Wakaf Bharu or Tanah Merah for taxis to the port at Kuala Besut or Tok Bali.
xx:xx = exact time to be updated shortly...
Train 14 & 15  Ekspress Timuran.  Daily.  2nd class sleeping-cars, buffet car, 2nd & 3rd class seats.  Air-conditioned.
Train 16 & 17  Ekspress Wau.  Daily.  1st & 2nd class sleepers, 2nd & 3rd class seats.  Air conditioned.
Train 26 & 27  Lambaian Timur:  2nd & 3rd class seats, air-conditioned.  Buffet car.
Trains 81-94:  Daily.  3rd class slow train, much older train with basic seats.  Please double-check the timetable for these trains locally, as it changes from time to time.
Fares    How to buy tickets    Map of train routes in Southeast Asia
Heading into Thailand via the Jungle Line?  Bus 29 runs every half hour from Khota Bahru bus station near the central market to the Thai/Malay border point, fare RM5 (£1).  Walk across the border into Thailand and keep walking straight on for 800m to Sungai Kolok Railway station for the Thai railways trains to Hat Yai, Surat Thani & Bangkok.
 Khota Bahru ► Kuala Lumpur & Singapore
Train type: Expresses... Local trains...
Train number (see notes below): 27 17 15 81 91 93 83
Days of running: Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily
Classes:
2,3 F,S,2,3 S,2,3 3 3 3 3
 Tumpat depart - 18:00 20:30 04:00 06:15 - 13:50
 Wakaf Bharu* depart - 18:46 20:28 04:18 06:33 - 14:10
 Tanah Merah depart - 19:27 20:59 05:10 07:31 - 15:09
 Gua Musang arr/dep 09:30 22:00 23:24 08:59 11:18 - 19:45
 Kuala Lipis arr/dep 11:13 23:34 01:00 - 13:15 15:00 -
 Gemas arrive 15:35 03:53 06:03 - - 19:50 -
 Tampin (for Malacca)
arrive | 05:08 | - - - -
 Kuala Lumpur arrive | 07:20 | - - - -
 Johor Bahru arrive 18:53 - 10:12 - - - -
 Singapore arrive 20:45 - 12:15 - - - -
The Jungle Line:
Traveller Henrik Meurs took the slow train from Gemas to Wakaf Bahru.  "The trip on the Jungle Railway to Kota Bahru is one of the most beautiful train trips possible.  The scenery can only be described as breathtaking.  There are quite a few stops during the first two or three hours.  After that, villages become rare and the train starts climbing the first flat mountains.  From then on we enjoyed endless views over primary rain forest, large trees interrupted by exuberant plants and monkeys at play. After 4 or 5 hours, when you just start to think that you might have seen all the wonders the Malaysian jungle has to offer, the train enters the mountains.  Words fail me to describe the beauty of the scenery of these two or three hours during which the engine pulls you through the mountains topped with rain-forest, over wooden bridges and through narrow gorges.  The fare was just 21 Ringgit, about $5..!"   Pictured:  Jungle Line scenery.  Photo courtesy of Hendrik Meurs.
Unlike the modern Malaysian trains on the direct sleeper trains to/from Singapore and KL, slow train 91/92 is old and basic, but the ride more than makes up for this.  There is plenty of local transport available from Khota Bahru to the Thai frontier at Sungai Kolok.  Train times from Sungai Kolok to Bangkok are shown on the Thailand page under 'Bangkok to Southern Thailand'.
Traveller's reports - Butterworth to Bangkok:
Traveller Sheena Clowes reports from regular journeys between Singapore, KL, Penang and Bangkok:  I am an older lady who loves to travel alone and overland, so here are some recent pointers for added comfort for these journeys which I have made many times over the past few years, most recently today from Butterworth-Bangkok.  First of all, the Internasional Ekspress (Butterworth-Penang) is late both leaving and arriving around 20% of the time.  Be prepared for it, not stressed by it.  For instance, it left yesterday at 15.45 instead of 14.20, and arrived in Bangkok at just before 2pm today.  But even with my delaying for a cup of good coffee at the station in Bangkok, I was checking into my hotel at 2.45pm - I wouldn't be checking into a city-centre hotel 45 minutes after landing at Bangkok international airport, would I!?
Take some water and a light snack - biscuits, maybe - for the first few hours of the Internasional Ekspress when there is no restaurant car. If you forget, you can get food at the bus station just a short distance from the train station, or if you are coming from Georgetown, at the stalls at the jetty there.  The Internasional Ekspress carries local passengers without reservations between the first station after Butterworth to the last station before Thailand, and all stations in between, so don't spread your belongings out too much, you will end up with them all on your lap soon enough!  If you travel on the newer 2nd class sleepers - the ones made by Daewoo in South Korea - there are two washbasins outside the toilets, very handy for cleaning teeth etc in the morning. There is also usually hot drinking water available at the end of the 2nd class sleeper for making tea, instant noodles, re-heating baby food etc.  In the centre of these coaches there is an electricity point where you can recharge your phone. Make friends with the people sitting there, to keep an eye on it,  and only take as long as you need (it doesn't need to be fully charged for a quick phone call) as other people need to charge their phones, too.
The lower berth on the Internasional Ekspress's newer 2nd class sleepers offers an unprecedented (in my experience) amount of space as it is a full metre wide. The size of the berth, and the way the curtains hang around them, and their length, means that even an arthritic old woman like me can change clothes in privacy and rearrange her overnight case. I find that lying along the length of the carriage in this type of berth much more conducive to a sound night's sleep that lying across the width of it, as is often the case in sleepers.  If you like to read in bed, take a booklight or head torch, and that if you need pitch darkness for sleeping, take  some sort of eyeshade. You only get one pillow per berth, so fold up some soft clothing if you like your head higher.  Spare pillows are not carried, so if all berths are full there will be none to spare. The cotton blanket that you are issued with is freshly-laundered and I find gives just the right degree of cosiness when wearing a T-shirt and cotton trousers.  Some people are too cold - the air-conditioning is fairly fierce - and need to put on more clothes to keep warm!  If you don't want an Asian breakfast or a rather strange Western breakfast, you can just buy a cup of coffee for 20 baht. It's instant but good and hot and strong, just the ticket with a couple of Malaysian "breakfast biscuits" and a carton of yoghurt you bought the previous day in Butterworth or Georgetown.  The food offered by the "Bogie Restaurant" (orders taken after crossing the border; dinner is served after Hat Yai and breakfast at whatever reasonable hour people are getting up) is generally very good if you like Thai food.
The restlessness of the southern provinces of Thailand is evidenced by the armed guards on the train overnight and a policeman patrols the sleeper coaches randomly through the night - in stocking feet!  However, I have never been aware of any problems in the border areas while I have been travelling.








With an emerging Asian middle class it makes sense to tap the higher economic growth rates in Indonesia, India and China
by KARIM RASLAN, The Star
MALAYSIA is facing many economic challenges. The solutions and policies of the past will not save us going forward. The global economy has changed.
Small countries, such as Malaysia with its limited natural resources, small markets and complicated political cultures (and regulations), are becoming less and less attractive to investors.
Nowadays investors are more focused on the BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China – and others like them. Indonesia is similar, with its big domestic market and abundant natural resources.
At the same time there is a growing sense of uncertainty among the Malaysian business community. This is why the New Economic Model that is being drafted by the Government is so important.
Many Malaysians in search of higher returns are investing abroad. However, for many small businessmen investing outside Malaysia, it is an impossible dream: the costs are just too high.
These are just some of the factors driving the support for the Malay nationalist NGO Perkasa. There is no doubt that many Malay businessmen feel worried about the future.
Too much open competition – especially with the non-Malays – is seen as a zero-sum game. Obviously businessmen and contractors who’ve depended on political connections feel even more worried. Where will our contracts come from in the future? Who will look after us?
However, I would argue that the gloom is overdone. The Malays are not in danger of being sidelined. We remain dominant politically and any economic solution must acknowledge the concerns of the majority.
However, global changes will have an impact on the community. We are too small and insignificant to resist. As Greece is to Europe, we are to Asia-Pacific.
While there are many Malay businessmen who function outside the political arena, it’s very important to free our commercial community from the world of government contracting. We cannot be entirely dependant on government contracts.
Businessmen should focus on upgrading their products and services as well as increasing their understanding of the market.
I disagree with Perkasa in most respects. However, there is one area in particular in which I think they can play an important role.
Let me explain. I would like to recommend to Perkasa that they think more about taking Malaysian and Malay businessmen abroad.
The Malay agenda can be preserved and indeed strengthened by internationalising the community. In the past, Malay traders roamed what is now Indonesia. We must return to a similar paradigm.
For a start, we need to tap the higher economic growth rates in Indonesia, India and China. In order to do so, our Malay businessmen must learn more about these markets and their underlying cultures. For a start, Indonesians aren’t just maids and labourers.
I believe that there are alternative markets beyond Malaysia – markets that Malay businessmen can hope to penetrate, and the International Trade and Industry Ministry can, and should, support such ventures.
Indonesia, for example, is not so much a country as a continent. Therefore our Malay businessmen should focus on the parts of the republic that are nearby.
In this respect, Sumatra is Indonesia’s third largest island with a total population of over 50 million – that is nearly twice Malaysia’s 27 million. Moreover, unlike Java, Malay Malaysians enjoy a very real and strong cultural connection with the island. The Province of Riau is very much tanah Melayu. In short the island of Sumatra is darah-daging kita.
Last week I was in Pekanbaru, the capital of the province of Riau (population 6.3 million) to meet friends. Pekanbaru itself has a population of over 770,000 and it’s a wealthy city by Indonesian standards.
The government buildings are large and well-maintained. The streets are clean and there are many shopping malls, like Plaza SKA and Mal Ciputra.
Riau is a very large province – over 94,000 sq km (the same as peninsular Malaysia without Pahang). It is also the republic’s largest centre of palm oil production with an estimated 2.1 million tonnes a year, approximately 30%-40% of Indonesia’s total.
Separately, Riau has been a long-standing oil production centre – especially near the coast in Dumai and the historic royal town Siak.
Riau’s economy is growing much faster (8.5%) than the rest of Indonesia and the province needs better roads and infrastructure.
Interestingly, Riau’s inhabitants are also big users of Malaysian hospitals, hotels and private schools – especially in Malacca. The ferries from Dumai to Malacca are very popular, as are flights across the straits.
We can benefit in two ways: firstly by investing directly in Riau, though Indonesia is a very difficult market to penetrate.
The second, and perhaps easier, way is to make Malaysia a more attractive place for middle class Indonesians to visit, stay and indeed educate their children.
We should remember that there are an estimated 25 million to 30 million middle class Indonesians. They can have an enormous positive impact on the Malaysian economy if they are encouraged to spend more time and money within our borders.
All of them want to have access to good doctors, private schools (that teach the English language) and banking – things we have in abundance.
We Malaysians are very good at building infrastructure and our multi-lingual workforce is a major asset. At the same time many Indonesians appreciate being able to converse in their own language.
In this way – by opening ourselves to service Indonesia’s growth – we will be able to benefit as well.
Perkasa must focus on how Malaysia and the Malay community can grow with the emerging South-east Asian middle class. We will need to equip and train our businessmen to service this dynamic market.
And, what we can do with Indonesia’s middle class can be repeated with the Vietnamese and Chinese in years to come.
Instead of focusing domestically (and fighting among ourselves), we need to turn our attentions to foreign markets. We can do it. We can compete.
Lobbying the Malaysian government for contracts will not make us rich for long. We need to be open to change. Perkasa needs to lead the Malay community into an international future.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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One Referral Centre
FEATURE 4 - By administrator on Thursday, July 30, 2009 - 14:35
Companies or Individuals can now receive free advisory services on how to set up business and funding for businesses at the One Referral Centre at SME Corp. Malaysia. The One Referral Centre operates on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm starting 11 August 2008. Currently, the participating agencies and banks at One Referral Centre are MIDF, SME Bank, CIMB Bank, and Standard Malaysia.
The One Referral Centre is located at the 19th Floor, West Wing, Menara MATRADE, Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
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FINANCIAL REPORTING ENVIRONMENT FOR PRIVATE ENTITIES IN MALAYSIA
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National Intellectual Property Award 2010
start date: 22/03/2010 end date: 26/04/2010

Bakery China-International Trade Fair for the Baking and Confectionery Industry in China
start date: 12/05/2010 end date: 15/05/2010

Temasya Sukan Malaysia XIII, Melaka 2010
start date: 10/06/2010 end date: 19/06/2010

NINA Innovation Incubation Week 2010
start date: 31/03/2010 end date: 01/04/2010

SMIDEX 2010
start date: 1/6/2010 end date: 3/6/2010


SMEs need to overcome fear of using digital media space, forum told

Google Analytics boost for SMEs in Malaysia

Malaysia Shares Experience with ASEAN Countries in the Implementation and Development of SME Counseling Project

SME growth tips for 2010

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Tabung 1Malaysia PKS diumum


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 Home
 About Us
 Definition of SMEs
 SME Development Programmes
 Enquiry & FAQs
 Contact Us
 Site Map
 Useful Links
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Enquiry & FAQs
1. What is SME Corp. Malaysia and its functions?
The Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia) was formerly known as Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC). It is an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
Functions
1. Coordination of policies and programmes
• Formulate broad SME policies across all sectors
• Coordinate, monitor and evaluate effective implementation of policies and programmes across relevant Ministries and Agencies
2. Centre on advisory and information
• Provide business advisory through the “SME Business Advisory Centre”
• Disseminate information on Government funds and incentives on SMEs
• Channel for feedback on SME issues
• Liaison for domestic and international communities on SME matters
3. Management of Data, dissemination of information AND
Research on SMEs
• Manage National SME Database
• Undertake research on SMEs
• Publish SME-related reports and statistics
• Undertake outreach programmes
4. Business support
• Nurture and develop competitive SMEs through specific capacity building programmes and financial assistance
• Enhance competitiveness of SMEs using the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE) diagnostic tool
• Provide infrastructure support for SMEs
• Facilitate linkages with large companies and MNCs
5. Secretariat to the National SME Development
Council(NSDC)
• Propose policies and ensure decisions of NSDC are effectively
implemented
• Provide administrative support for NSDC
2. What is the definition of SMEs?
Please refer here for more details.
3.My company is interested to apply for SME Corp. Malaysia's Financial Assistance, what are the qualifying criteria?
To be eligible for the financial assistance, the following criteria must be met:
• Companies must be incorporated under the Companies Act 1965;
• Companies must comply with the definition of SMEs; and
• At least 60% equity are held by Malaysian;
• Enterprises incorporated under Registration of Business Ordinance 1956
4. What are activities defined under the manufacturing related services?
Manufacturing related services:
• Engineering support services such as calibration, electroplating, machining, heat treatment, metal casting, metal forging;
• Specialised services such as warehousing, bulk breaking, international procurement center, haulage;
• Maintenance and repair of factory machinery and equipment;
• Software development.
• Automation of production line;
• Design houses; and
• Packaging services
5. Where can I get assistance and other incentives apart from those that are provided by SME Corp. Malaysia and other MITI agencies?
There are also assistance provided by other Ministries and agencies such as:
• Yayasan Tekun Nasional
• Ministry of Agriculture
• Ministry of Science Technology and Environment
• Ministry of Rural Development
6. How can SME Corp. Malaysia assist my company?
SME Corp. Malaysia provides various financial assistance and development programmes:
• Global Supplier Programme
• Industrial Linkage Programme
• SME Expert Advisory Panel
• Skills Upgrading Programme
• Enterprise 50
7. Apart from grants, what are other financing facilities offered by the Government?
Loans are also offered by the following institutions:
• Bank Pertanian Malaysia
• SME Bank
• Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd.
• ERF Sdn. Bhd.
• Printer-friendly version
• EVENTS
• NEWS and RELEASES
FINANCIAL REPORTING ENVIRONMENT FOR PRIVATE ENTITIES IN MALAYSIA
start date: 24/03/2010 end date: 24/03/2010

National Intellectual Property Award 2010
start date: 22/03/2010 end date: 26/04/2010

Bakery China-International Trade Fair for the Baking and Confectionery Industry in China
start date: 12/05/2010 end date: 15/05/2010

Temasya Sukan Malaysia XIII, Melaka 2010
start date: 10/06/2010 end date: 19/06/2010

NINA Innovation Incubation Week 2010
start date: 31/03/2010 end date: 01/04/2010

SMIDEX 2010
start date: 1/6/2010 end date: 3/6/2010


SMEs need to overcome fear of using digital media space, forum told

Google Analytics boost for SMEs in Malaysia

Malaysia Shares Experience with ASEAN Countries in the Implementation and Development of SME Counseling Project

SME growth tips for 2010

1,000 syarikat dijangka sertai pameran 1Mexpo

Tabung 1Malaysia PKS diumum


Promotion
  Panduan Langkah Demi Langkah Memulakan Perniagaan
- Interested in buying this book? click here for further information.
SMIDEX 2010 - SME Innovation Showcase


Click here to go to SMIDEX 2010 Official Website



Click here to know more about SME Innovation Award
Menu
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THE ECONOMY
The local economy is dynamic and growing at healthy rates. Annual nominal GDP growth at current prices was 17.5% in 2006 and 10.1% in 2007. It contributed over 11% of the country's overall GDP in these two years. Nonetheless, income distribution within Sarawak is an ongoing issue, due to the historically uneven spread of the population between urban areas and rural areas. Sarawak's administrators and political leaders have been looking to find effective ways to boost the rural economy with programmes such as the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable energy (SCORE), which aims to help reduce economic disparity, boost infrastructure and introduce new industries in the energy and mineral-rich state. The central government is also promoting rural development in Sarawak by funding schemes to improve infrastructure and raise agricultural production. The region enjoys healthy trade surpluses that have been sustained for a lengthy period of time. On the downside, around half of the state's GDP comes from resource-based outputs. As the world's second-largest exporter of palm oil and net exporter of petroleum, the country's revenues have risen. However, in terms of inflation, the effect of skyrocketing oil, rice and crude palm oil prices have all had a negative effect on the economy. These hikes have been offset to some extent by government subsidies but are likely to continue in the near future. The abundance of natural energy in the region is expected to help drive development and attract new industries set up shop. A variety of incentives will be offered to companies interested in getting established in Sarawak.
The chapter includes interviews with Alfred Jabu, Deputy-Chief Minister, Minister of Rural Development, Sarawak, and of Infrastructure Development and Communication; Richard Curtis, Group Managing Director, Cahya Mata Sarawak; Aziz Husain, Group Managing Director, Sarawak Energy; while Talib Zulpilip, Chairman, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation provides a viewpoint on transforming the civil service.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Malaysia has come a long way in the development of its financial services, and Sarawak has played a significant role in this advancement. The state has attracted increasing interest from local and global investors. The development of a debt market is of particular interest to Sarawak, because it is the focus for many of the region's most impressive infrastructure projects. The unit trust market also saw major growth, with asset value growing some 26% during the year. Loan growth has been in the double digits since October 2007 and is expected to continue in 2008 at around 8-8.5%. A key reason for this growth is the 9MP, which boosts investment throughout the country. All of this is boosting the capacity for the population to invest in the capital markets or in insurance. The government as also decided to propel the country into the world's leading market for Islamic finance. Indeed some 86% of all equities on Bursa Malaysia are sharia-compliant. As far as Sarawak is concerned, the Middle East is clearly a target market for investment in the state's development projects, with Islamic finance a key player in this. The Securities Commission has signed a mutual recognition agreement with the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This is clearly a step forward, as it enables the distribution and marketing of Islamic funds across borders, between the two Islamic financial centres. The insurance market has also expanded and the proportion of the population covered should grow over the next decade as awareness of the benefits increases and spending power continues to rise.   
The chapter provides interviews with Vaseehar Hassan bin Abdul Razack, Chairman, Unicorn Malaysia and Ramli bin Ismail, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank. Share analysis is provided by Kenanga Investment Bank on the following companies: Hock Seng Lee, Bintulu Port, Cahya Mata Sarawak, Sarawak Energy, Swee Joo and Ta Ann Holdings.
CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE
The construction sector continues to experience strong growth. Activity has been concentrated in the commercial sector in recent years, while the revival of the retail sector has led to the construction of new shopping malls both in and out of Kuching. Meanwhile, a maturing tourism sector ha brought about the construction of new hotels and various related development projects. As the majority of demand currently comes from mid-level tourists, hotel development is concentrated at the three-and four-star hotel. The arrival of budget airline Air Asia will also boost the budget segment, while construction of a convention centre in the Isthmus is expected to increase business tourism. On the residential front, an oversupply of properties combined with lagging domestic demand have contributed to stagnant prices. The government has taken action to correct the imbalance. The development of SCORE is offering plentiful opportunities for construction companies and is set to bring major cross-sector benefits, with $104.5bn of capital investment going into infrastructure and industry projects. The construction of two aluminium smelters, a shipbuilding project, a biodiesel plant and a zinc electro refinery plant have already been confirmed. Meanwhile, the rising cost of construction materials remains a hindrance to the industry. However, new government incentives and a budding second home market promise growth in the coming years.
The chapter provides interviews with Mohamad Danel Abong, Managing Director, Global Upline and Hasmi Hasnan, CEO, Naim Cendera Holdings.   
TRANSPORT
Vast forestlands and the state's network of rivers have created natural barriers to transport networks, though $3.8bn worth of newly planned infrastructure projects are due to address this issue in the near future. The plan includes upgrading the Oya-Mukah-Balingan road and the new Sibu-Bawang-Assan-Seredeng road. This coastal road project is targeted at helping develop the region's tourism sector, as well as its agricultural sector. Yet SCORE goes considerably further. The government intends to expand the road network as well as develop the state's ports and airports, which means a lot of business opportunities for local and international contractors and construction companies.
The chapter provides an interview with Mior Ahmad Baiti, CEO, Bintulu Port.
INDUSTRY
Industry forms the core value in the recently established Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), with 10 key areas identified for particular expansion. There are several industrial parks, zones and estates currently thriving in Sarawak, and plans for more are in development. Under the Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) set to run from 2006 to 2020, major growth is set to come from manufacturing, agriculture and services, with an overall focus on moving the economy steadily up the value chain. Sarawak is beginning to move out of largely raw materials exports and into the production and export of value-added products. Timber-based industries in particular should benefit. The shipbuilding segment is also being revitalised as Sarawak's maritime location and proximity to international shipping lanes has piqued the interest of many industries, particularly those that require bulk materials. Sarawak also stands to benefit from ambitious plans to establish the state as a major supplier of aluminium.
The chapter provides interviews with Dick Evans, Chief EXxecutive, Rio Tinto Alcan; George Chan Hong Nam, Deputy-Chief Minister and Minister of Industrial Development and Hans-Juergen Straub, CEO, X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries.
FORESTRY & COMMODITIES
Palm and rubber have long been major plantation crops. Today, the surge in oil prices worldwide has made synthetic rubber more expensive, spearheading natural rubber demand. Surging prices are also driving demand for crude palm oil, to the benefit of Sarawak, which exports 70% of its 1.64m tonnes of CPO production. Other important crops include wet and dry paddy, pepper and cocoa. There is currently a drive to boost halal meat production, with the government keen to promote Malaysia as a centre for sharia-compliant food production. Fishing and aquaculture is also one of the industries targeted by SCORE. In terms of Sarawak's agricultural export earnings, in 2006 both crude and processed palm oil contributed the greatest at 77.1% followed by rubber at 15.7%. The state also has mineral assets, and these commodities are becoming more valuable as global markets and local development projects call upon them.
The chapter includes interviews with Len Talif Salleh, General Manager, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation; Abdul Hamed bin Haji Sepawi, Executive Chairman, Ta Ann Holdings and Mohamad Bolhair Reduan, Group Managing Director, Sarawak Plantation.
COMMUNICATIONS
As fixed-line subscriber numbers continue to fall, increasing mobile phone penetration in the state is a major focus. However, competition remains fierce and the market is approaching saturation, which has prompted the three strong and expanding mobile providers to begin promoting non-voice services. In an effort to bridge the urban-rural digital divide Sarawak has set an ambitious broadband penetration target of 50% by 2009. At the forefront of the strategy is a public-private partnership between SACOFA and Danawa Resources that aims to introduce and establish wireless broadband access to Sarawak's cities and small towns by 2010. Along the same lines is a project by SAINS that has provided some 120 direct satellite links to rural government outposts. Expanding to communications in Sarawak is expected to be a catalyst for development. An example of such development can be seen in Bario, a rural community in central Sarawak that has radically transformed itself through the use of the internet over the past decade. The village now has a community-run telecentre and a thriving ecotourism industry.
The chapter provides interviews with Abang Jemat Abang Bujang, Managing Director, SACOFA and Teo Tien Hiong, Chief Executive, Sarawak Information Systems (SAINS).
ENERGY
Resource-rich but with a small local population, Sarawak has traditionally been an exporter of energy. However, this is starting to change, with recent development of its own economic and industrial base resulting in higher energy consumption. At the same time, global price hikes in energy have made the search for new resources ever more pressing. This has led to major new investment in exploration and production activities by numerous international oil companies such as Sarawak Shell. A whole string of new facilities are planned. Meanwhile, the search for alternative energy sources has been forging ahead, as Sarawak is well placed to capitalise on a worldwide interest in biofuels. A with oil, the small level of local demand for gas, along with the large quantities of reserves, has led to the development of a much-more export-oriented industry. The state is home to the world's largest LNG plant at Bintulu. LNG and, more recently, GTL have become players, along with supplies of gas for fertilizer and petrochemical applications. Petronas has addressed the issue of gas delivery in Sarawak by investing in and oil-and -gas terminal in Kimanis. Hydroelectric power has been moving up the agenda, with the planned construction of more than 150 damns around Sarawak. The upsurge in global energy prices has resulted in the promotion of coal as part of the state's energy diversification strategy. Several coal-powered projects are currently under way, as Sarawak is home to around 1.4bn tonnes of coal reserves.
This chapter provides interviews with Mohamed Abdallah Medan, CEO, Malaysia Liquid Natural Gas (MLNG) and Syeed Mohd Hussien, CEO, Assar Senari Group (ASG) while viewpoints are provided by Wee Yiaw Hin, Managing Director, Sarawak Shell and Xie Biao, President, China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (CMEC).
TOURISM
Primarily a niche destination for high-end and budget travelers, Sarawak is still just on the margins of the country's ongoing surge in tourism. Sarawak has been slow in developing its mass-tourism industry. Still, visitor numbers are rising, particularly among leisure travelers. The largest group of Sarawak's 3.61m visitors in 2007 came from other parts of Malaysia. Next were people from Brunei, making up 40% of the arrivals. These numbers are up 19% from the previous year. The focus for the tourism market is shifting to attracting visitors from more distant countries, such as Europe, Australia and China. It is hoped the industry will help diversify the economy away from the energy and commodity sectors. Perhaps Sarawak's most valuable tourism assets lies in the northern region, famous for its UNESCO world heritage site, Gunung Mulu National Park. There are also a number of successful government initiatives to promote small-scale ecological, agricultural, culinary and sports tourism. Additionally, MICE visitors are one of the groups being targeted by the government, after it opens the new Borneo Convention Centre Kuching in July 2009. However, the state is victim of its low visibility on the global tourism map and underdeveloped facilities. To improve connectivity and interstate flights, MAS Wings is looking to improve the frequency and scheduling of flights. Sarawak is also likely to benefit from the expansion plans of Asia's leading low-cost airline, Air Asia. As a whole, the government has allocated $248.8m to the tourism industry, primarily for modernising facilities.
This chapter provides interviews with Jill Henry, CEO, Sarawak Convention Bureau and Gracie Geikie, Chief Executive, Sarawak Tourism Board.
BUSINESS GUIDE
This chapter, produced in conjunction with Hii & Lee Chartered Associates, examines the taxation system and its implications for businesses and investors. It also gives an overview of the government and legal system, in partnership with David Allan Sagah & Teng Advocates.
Hudson Chua Jain, Partner, Hii & Lee Chartered Accountants, offers a viewpoint on meeting financial reporting and taxation standards, while David Toh, Managing Partner, David Allan Sagah & Teng Advocates Sarawak, provides a viewpoint on recent changes in land ownership policies.
THE GUIDE
In addition to articles about longhouse communities renowned for hospitality and an in-depth look at colonial rule under the Brooke dynasty, the section also includes hotel, government and other listings and useful tips for business travellers on topics like tipping, currency, visas, transport, language, communications, health, dress, and business hours.












 Malaysia
[edit] Fixed line operators
• Telekom Malaysia
• Maxis (Maxis Mobile Sdn Bhd Formerly Binariang)
• Time dotCom [5]
• RedTone Communications [6]
[edit] Mobile operators
• Celcom (Formerly Telekom Malaysia now AXIATA)
• Maxis
• DiGi (Telenor)
• U Mobile (3G only within Klang Valley,Domestic Roaming by Celcom)
[edit] Mobile virtual network operators
• TuneTalk [7] - via Celcom(2G)
• XOX Mobile [8] - via Celcom
• Merchantrade - via Celcom(2G)
• Redtone Mobile [9]- via Celcom(2G)
[edit] WiMAX operators
• P1