Traveller Essentials

The official language of Malaysia is Malay, but many locals are proficient in English as well. Most Penangites are competent in more than two languages. Almost all Chinese speak ‘Penang Hokkien’ which is unique because of the blend of Chinese with many ‘adopted’ Malay words and some English words. Penangites’ most common greeting is “Dah makan kah?” (Malay), “Chiak pa boi” (Hokkien), “Saptacha” (Tamil) which literally means “Have you eaten?”.

Most signs are written in Malay and English, with some in Chinese. Names of roads and main destinations are in Malay as well. It would be helpful to know some basic Malay although English is widely spoken in many areas.

In Penang, quite a number of attractions offer subsidised fare for Malaysians. Visitors may notice the word “MyKad” stated on some price boards. MyKad refers to the Malaysian national identity card, where statements stating “Price for MyKad holders” refer to prices applicable to Malaysians. Entrance fees and fares are usually visibly displayed to avoid confusion. In the occasion where prices are not stated, do remember to check before proceeding.

Service charges are already included in places such as hotels and restaurants, so additional tipping is not required. You may tip as a gesture of your appreciation for the services rendered.

‘Ramadan’ is a major Muslim event that occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset and refrain from drinking water during this time. Out of respect for those fasting, try not to waste large amounts of food or behave imprudently in the presence of Muslims during Ramadan.

Walking around George Town is common and is one of the best ways to tour this UNESCO heritage city to discover hidden delights like small quirky lanes. Traffic lights for pedestrians are available at most main streets. Pedestrians are advised to obey the pedestrian crossing lights for safety reasons.

Buying a SIM Card

A local SIM card can be purchased upon arrival at the airport. Simply choose from the different choices of telecommunication operators available. The retail stands are located at the arrivals hall, after you exit from the baggage claim area. Most convenience shops offer credit top-up services when your SIM card credit runs out.

Wi-Fi

Penang has Wi-Fi networks befitting a tourist-friendly city. Wi-Fi is provided at the majority of the hotels and is available in most areas of the city. There are 1,550 Wi-Fi spots at tourist attractions and public places throughout George Town. Most cafés also offer free Wi-Fi. For convenience, you may purchase a local SIM card with a data package to access the internet at all times.

To make IDD calls

Calling from both landline or mobile phones:

Currency

The Malaysian currency is the Ringgit, written as RM. There are six denominations: RM 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100.

Currency Exchange

Money changers are widely present in George Town, shopping centres, and at the airport. Foreign currencies such as the US dollar cannot be used locally and it is advisable to purchase a small amount of local currency prior to your arrival.

Penang’s financial district is right in the heart of George Town on Lebuh Pantai (Beach Street). Local and International banks can be found here as well as other locations in Penang for your banking purposes.

Banks in Penang:

• Affin Bank
• Alliance Bank
• AmBank
• Bank Muamalat
• Bank of China
• Bank Rakyat
• Bank Simpanan Nasional
• CIMB Bank Berhad
• Citibank
• Hong Leong Bank
• HSBC
• Maybank
• OCBC
• Public Bank
• RHB
• Standard Chartered
• UOB

The diversity of Penang means that Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Taoism are well-represented in the community. There are many mosques, temples and churches in Penang for travellers to practice their beliefs freely and safely.

Penang is a multicultural society with people from different ethnicities and cultures. The city celebrates festivals that are linked to culture, religion and tradition, and observes public holidays that are in commemoration of events of national, regional or local importance. Please note that a particular holiday in Penang may not necessarily be a holiday in other states, and that the dates of certain festive holidays, especially those based on the lunar calendar may change from year to year.