5 Unique Things All Malaysians Can Relate To
- By CompareHero.my
- September 16, 2021
It’s Malaysia Day today! Today is celebrated to mark the unification of the Federation of Malaya, Sabah & Sarawak to form what we know today as Malaysia.
So, despite our independence day being 64 years ago, technically, the country of Malaysia itself is 58 years old. On that note, on this meaningful day, let’s look back at some of the things that make us truly Malaysian.
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1. Speaking various languages in one sentence
It goes without saying that Malaysia is a melting pot of many ethnicities. Being around one another for so many years has made us adapt bits and pieces of each other’s cultures in our own way. Part of that is picking up the slang and vocabulary of other races.
It’s not uncommon for people to use phrases like “Anneh, tapau mee goreng satu!” when ordering food, or politely addressing people around us as “kakak” or “adik”.
Speaking of addressing people, it’s a very Malaysian thing to call people ‘aunty’ and ‘uncle’…even if they aren’t related to us in any way.
We see addressing people much older than us by their first names as rude, but even to random strangers who are younger (as we mentioned earlier), we prefer calling them by familial address forms.
It’s really endearing, if you really think about it!
3. Running after the Milo truck
One thing we all looked forward to in school was the Milo truck. It meant getting away from class for a few minutes. But it also meant getting a cup of the most lip-smacking Milo that ever existed!
Some of us would get back in the queue for seconds (can you blame us?!), and for whatever reason, no other Milo can come close to the truck Milo. Be it the Milo from the mamak, from the carton or the one you make at home;; none stands out like the truck Milo.
4. Putting durian into everything
Malaysians sure love their durian. When it’s durian season, you’ll be seeing tons of cars packed at the side of the road to take home their haul from any seller who is stationed there.
Over the years, durian has not just been a seasonal fruit to be enjoyed but it’s also found its way into many of our dishes.
You can get durian cakes, durian puffs or even just fried durian. But we came across even more unique dishes like durian curry, durian salad and durian curry puffs. Are you brave enough to give any of these a go?
Also, we recently covered the prices of various types of durian in Malaysia. Check it out below:
Related: 10 Durian Types You Can Get For Different Budgets
5. We strictly follow Malaysian timing
Google ‘Malaysian time’ and all you’ll see is UTC+8. Or GMT+8. But time zones aside, Malaysia on its own runs on its own time…and we know you know what we’re talking about.
Malaysians are infamous for arriving at an event later than we’re supposed to. And the standard response that we usually tell others is that we’re “on the way”…even if we haven’t actually left the house.
But you can count on us to dress up well and look the part to celebrate your event with you, even if we’re late. Fashionably late, literally.
We hope you have a fulfilling Malaysia Day with your loved ones! While you’re relaxing, feel free to read our article on some interesting facts on Sabah & Sarawak…you might just learn a new thing or two!
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15 Weird Things You Can Actually Be Fined for in Malaysia
- By CompareHero.my
- September 15, 2021
Be careful if you sing Despacito in public since it’s now considered an obscene song, you could be fined! Don’t believe us? Read on. We found some offences that most Malaysians (ourselves included) may not know are illegal. Some are quite funny, while some are disturbing.
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- Here are 15 illegal acts you can be fined for in Malaysia.
- 1. Jaywalking
- 2. Advertising for syphilis treatment
- 3. Acts of mischief like throwing a ring into a river
- 4. Making too much noise
- 5. Laying a corpse in public
- 6. Singing obscene songs in public
- 7. Being drunk in public
- 8. Fighting in Public
- 9. Bathing yourself or your dog in public
- 10. Riding a horse or an elephant on the streets of Malaysia
- 11. If your dog chases a person
- 12. Spitting
- 13. Burning material
- 14. Attempting Suicide
- 15. Nudity
Here are 15 illegal acts you can be fined for in Malaysia.
1. Jaywalking
This is the act of crossing roads without regard for approaching traffic, like when you dash across the road and avoid oncoming traffic. What you should be doing is waiting for the traffic lights to turn red and then proceed to cross at the zebra pedestrian path.
In Malaysia, jaywalkers are charged under Section 45, of the Road Transport Act 1999 (Akta Lalulintas 1999). The law states that a pedestrian is required to use a bridge or zebra-crossing if either one or both is present within a 100 metre radius of where they intend to cross. Failure to do so results in a fine.
Within Kuala Lumpur, the minimum fine is RM30 if paid on the spot, or at any DBKL payment counter within 14 days. But the fine will increase to RM50 if the deadline is not met, and will continue to periodically increase to RM150 after a month. The maximum fine for the offense of jaywalking is capped at RM500.
2. Advertising for syphilis treatment
Under the Indecent Advertisement Act 1953, it is considered an offence to advertise syphilis treatment. In fact, any advertisement for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and any advertisement of aphrodisiac properties is an offence. If anyone is found guilty of doing so, that person can be imprisoned for not more than 3 months, or fine not more than RM100.
3. Acts of mischief like throwing a ring into a river
Yes, if you throw a ring into a river, you may be penalized for doing so under the mischief section of the Penal Code. However, it should be noted that the example stated only applies if it was someone else’s ring, and was done so to cause wrongful loss to the owner of the ring.
The penalty for mischief is anywhere from 1-5 years of jail and/or a fine.
4. Making too much noise
If you’re a fan of the drums or the trumpet, this should interest you. You could be fined for causing excessive noise under the Minor Offences Act 1955, which applies when one beats “a drum or tom-tom, or blows a horn or trumpet, or beats or sounds any instrument or utensil in such a manner as to cause annoyance or inconvenience to occupants of any premises in the vicinity”.
If caught, you could be fined up to RM100.
5. Laying a corpse in public
It is illegal to leave behind a dying person or a corpse in any public or private place without the consent of the owner. This offence can be punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months, or a fine of up to RM200, or even both.
6. Singing obscene songs in public
Think twice before singing out loud in public, lest you could be fined, or even end up being jailed! But of course this depends on whether someone reports you for the crime, or if you’re unfortunately caught by the authorities. As stated in section 294 of the Act 574 Penal Code:
7. Being drunk in public
Yes, you read that right. In Malaysia, you can be fined or even jailed if you are drunk and are found incapable of taking care of yourself when in public. You could be fined up RM25 and/or be jailed for two weeks. For subsequent offences, you can be fined up to RM100 and/or be jailed up to 3 months.
8. Fighting in Public
This is also stated within the Drunkenness and disorderly behavior in public places act which states that if you cause a ruckus in public, you risk being fined or jailed. This applies to all disorderly behavior in public, not only to those who are drunk. Therefore, keep the fights off the streets and don’t resort to violence.
The penalty for this is quite hefty: RM1,000 fine and/or 6 months of jail.
9. Bathing yourself or your dog in public
Malaysia is notoriously known for abrupt water disruption, but even so, be careful where you bath the next time it happens. Did you know that it is illegal to bath in public? Not that you would want to do so.
Do take note that under the same law (Act 336, Minor Offences Act 1955), it is also illegal to bath your pets in public. Both of the offences can cause you a fine of up to RM100.
10. Riding a horse or an elephant on the streets of Malaysia
Let’s leave our Game of Thrones fantasies in our head and don’t travel the streets of KL on our steed. If you intend on riding a horse, make sure you do so at a legal riding ground, and don’t ride a horse on the streets of Malaysia between sunset and sunrise.
If the criteria as above is not adhered to, a person can be fined up to RM100. By the way, it is also illegal to ride or even lead an elephant on the streets in Malaysia. But, you can do so if you have obtained permission first from the chief police officer.
Though we still advise you to stick to the legal modes of transportation in Malaysia.
See also: Easy Ways To Save Money On Your Commutes
11. If your dog chases a person
Dog owners, take note. Keep track of your dogs because if your dog runs loose and chases an individual, or even a vehicle along a public road, you can be fined up to RM100!
If you dog causes injury to another individual, the owner of the dog can be fined up to RM50, and will also have to provide compensation to the injured individual.
12. Spitting
This is a despicable act, and rightfully so it is an offence if you do it in Malaysia. Though we still see this happening across the streets of KL, unfortunately. If needed, spit into a tissue or handkerchief, or find the nearest public restroom. Under the Minor Offences Act 1955, it’s illegal to spit as per below:
13. Burning material
If you want to get rid of unwanted items by burning it in your own backyard, think again. Burning any material to the annoyance, inconvenience or danger of the public will cause you a fine of up to RM50.
This is in accordance with the law stated under the Minor Offences 1955. The next time you find a neighbor setting up fire in his/her backyard, remind them of this. You shouldn’t have to struggle to breathe through the smog.
14. Attempting Suicide
Although it may sound morbid, if a person attempts suicide, and does not die, that person can be charged. Under section 309 of the Penal Code:
In 2012, the Malaysian Law Reform Committee announced plans of reviewing this law, that was commissioned under the colonial era of the British, but as of now there have been no new developments
15. Nudity
Remember the 9 Australians that got hauled off to court for stripping down to their undies at the end of an F1 race in 2016? They were charged with public nuisance and indecency charges. However, they were let off the hook after their guilty plea and apologizing for their behavior. But do take note that anyone caught stripping in public in Malaysia can be charged for public nudity, and may be subjected to a fine or jail time. Similar to section 294 of the Penal Code where you can be charged for singing obscene songs, you will charged according to the same law for public nudity. Keep your clothes on in public Malaysians!
Did you learn something new? We hope you did! Speaking of offences and penalties, you should also check out these road offences that can land you in trouble in Malaysia:
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Planning A Trip To Langkawi Soon? Here Are The SOPs You Need To Follow
- By CompareHero.my
- September 14, 2021
With about 54% of people in Malaysia being fully vaccinated, things are slowly starting to operate as usual again. Recently, it was announced that Langkawi Island would open up for local tourism on 16th September 2021. This would be the first tourist spot that is officially welcoming visitors again since March 2020.
However, because we’re not really out of the woods yet, there are standard operating procedures (SOPs) and rules set for those travelling there. If you’ve made a booking to go to Langkawi or are planning to, do take note of this.
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1. You must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19
In order to be allowed entry into Langkawi, you must be fully vaccinated according to the definition set by the Ministry of Health.
If you received a two-dose vaccine such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Sinovac, you would be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose. Whereas, if you had gotten a single-shot vaccine such as Cansino or Johnson & Johnson, you’d need to wait 28 days to be considered fully vaccinated.
Do note that you can be asked for proof of vaccination at any point while you’re on holiday in Langkawi, so have your MySejahtera/Covid-19 vaccination card ready.
2. Private cars aren’t allowed
If you want to travel by air, you just need to make a regular flight booking directly to Langkawi. On the other hand, if you’re going by road, take note that you can’t drive there on your own. Instead, you must to use the services of a travel agency and have them arrange transport for you.
You’ll need to use a ferry to get to Langkawi if you travel by road. Take note that ferries will operate at a lesser capacity, so do prepare to wait a bit longer.
3. Police permission is only needed for road travel
Considering the fact that entering Langkawi means crossing a district or state, you would need permission from the police to do so. However, the authorities have clarified that police permission is not required for those travelling by air, only for those travelling by road from other states.
4. Kids travelling with parents
As for whether unvaccinated kids are allowed to travel with their parents, the answer is yes. The only requirement is that the parents or legal guardians themselves must be fully vaccinated.
This only applies to those under 18. If your child is 18 and above, they would be considered an adult and have to be fully vaccinated.
5. Most activities are allowed
Most activities that you would have done in Langkawi prior to Covid-19 are allowed in this travel bubble. The Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture have listed in detail what can and cannot be done in Langkawi. The full list can be found on their website here, but essentially, you can do all of the following:
- Staying at hotels & homestays and using their facilities
- Activities at the beach, water sports, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, edutainment centers, recreational parks, extreme/adventure nature parks, farms, aquariums, zoos and other leisure and social activities
- Golfing, scuba diving, cycling, angling, yachting and related activities
- Bird watching, caving, mountain climbing, white water rafting, hiking, jungle trekking, camping and related activities
- Museums, libraries and art galleries, cultural heritage art centres, cultural performances
- Theme parks & family entertainment centres
- Educational/academic visits to the Geopark Discovery Center, Balai Seni, Laman Padi
6. Additional documents you need to have
Besides your proof of vaccination, for those applying for police permission to travel, you should also have proof of your booking or receipts of any payment made for your stay. This includes any prepaid bookings for tourist activities on the island.
But even if you don’t need to apply for police permission, it’s good to keep these handy with you during your trip to Langkawi.
These are pretty much the general SOPs that have been released. Do note that they are subject to change and you can refer to the Ministry of Tourism’s website for the latest updates.
If you’re travelling to Langkawi, remember to stay safe and follow these SOPs strictly. Be as mindful as possible of others around you, so that everyone can holiday safely.
You might be excited to do some shopping on Langkawi since it’s a duty-free island. To make your spending more hassle-free and safe (so you don’t have to carry too much cash around), you can consider applying for a credit card. Find out more below:
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8 Things You Might Not Have Known About Sabah & Sarawak
- By CompareHero.my
- September 13, 2021
Malaysia Day is just around the corner, and for those of you who didn’t know, it’s a very different event compared to Merdeka. While Merdeka marks the independence of Malaya from the British, Malaysia Day is celebrated to commemorate the joining of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (who later left) to the Federation of Malaya. And that’s how Malaysia as we know it today was born.
We all know that East Malaysia, which comprises Sabah and Sarawak, is separated from the Peninsula and you can only travel there by air (although there are people who think you can drive there). But unless you live there, there are so many interesting things about East Malaysia that you might not have heard before. Here are some of them:
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- 1. The history behind their names
- 2. They have their own independence days
- 3. They have some of the biggest caves in the world
- 4. They have MANY languages and dialects
- 5. They also have many airports
- 6. They’re home to some of the most unique animals
- 7. They have some of the oldest rainforests in the world
- 8. They have amazing traditional food!
1. The history behind their names
First things first, let’s take a look at how Sabah and Sarawak got their names to begin with.
In Sabah, there are lots and lots of Pisang Saba or Saba banana trees, particularly in the West Coast. The name ‘Sabah’ is said to have originated from this tree.
On the other hand, there are several theories as to how the name ‘Sarawak’ came about, so one really knows exactly which one gave birth to the name.
The first theory is that it’s based on the name of a mineral called ‘serawak’ or ‘serewa’ which means antimony in old Sarawak Malay. In case you’re wondering what antimony looks like, here it is:
Image from The Guardian
The next theory is that it was named after the Sarawak pineapple—yet another fruit.
And finally, the name is believed to have come from a 15th century legend. According to that legend, when the Brunei sultanate took over the land, the locals told them “Serah kepada awak”.
However, as we mentioned, these are merely theories and it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how Sarawak, or even the Sarawak River got its name.
2. They have their own independence days
Like we said earlier, 31st August 1957 was when the Federation of Malaya got its independence, so technically it’s not Merdeka Day for East Malaysia. However, Sabah and Sarawak do have their respective independence days which are celebrated at the state-level.
Sabah got its independence on 31st August 1963, exactly 7 years after Malaya, while Sarawak became independent on 22nd July 1963.
3. They have some of the biggest caves in the world
People flock to Sabah and Sarawak for its abundant natural beauty. Ask anyone who’s been there and they’ll tell you how gorgeous the forests, wildlife, beaches and caves are. And speaking of caves, did you know that Sabah and Sarawak have some of the oldest and biggest caves in the world?
In Sabah alone, you’ll find the Gomantong Caves, Madai Caves and the Batu Punggul Caves, to name a few.
In Sarawak, there are the Niah Caves, Fairy Caves, and the famous Mulu Caves which are home to the largest cave chamber by surface area, and the largest cave passages on Earth.
4. They have MANY languages and dialects
Sabah and Sarawak are also very ethnically diverse. In Sabah, there are about 42 different ethnic groups and Sarawak is said to have 26 ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has their own language, and sometimes even among them, they have different dialects and language groups.
Because of this, all in all, there are about 170 ethnic languages spoken on Borneo Island. Some languages spoken in Sabah are Malay, Dusun and Bisaya. In Sarawak, apart from Malay, many locals speak Bahasa Sarawak, Iban and Bidayuh.
5. They also have many airports
If you’ve looked at the map of Malaysia, you’d know that the land size of Sabah and Sarawak are way, way bigger than the Peninsula. Because of this, air travel isn’t just used between West and East Malaysia, but even within Sabah and Sarawak.
Travelling by car can take hours even within one state, so to make things easier, many airports have been built to ease domestic travel.
In Sabah, there are 9 airports while in Sarawak, there are a whopping 25 of them!
6. They’re home to some of the most unique animals
Coming back to how naturally diverse Borneo is, if you travel deep enough to where the wildlife are, you’ll come across the most unique creatures such as the pygmy elephant, hornbills, the proboscis monkey, and even the ninja slug!
Some of these creatures have existed in Borneo for hundreds, if not thousands of years.
7. They have some of the oldest rainforests in the world
Again, coming back to Borneo being a haven for nature lovers, you’ll be happy to know that East Malaysia also boasts some of the oldest rainforests in the world. While the Amazon Rainforest itself is about 50 million years old, the Bornean rainforests are around 140 million years old. Just imagine the things these forests have seen and the kind of biodiversity that lives within them!
8. They have amazing traditional food!
The people of Sabah and Sarawak are known to be proud of their culture and heritage. Apart from their festivities and traditional celebrations, the East Malaysian cuisine is exquisitely unique. It would be unfair to lump both Sabahan and Sarawakian food together as they’re so diverse, but here are some of them
In Sabah, you can easily get hinava, a raw fish dish, or Tuaran Mee, which originates from the Tuaran district in Sabah. There’s also Latok, which is a type of seaweed food and Bambangan,a seasonal mango fruit.
Move over to Sarawak and you’ll find the famous Laksa Sarawak, Umai (a raw fish salad), Nuba Laya (mashed rice wrapped in leaves) and Ka Chang Ma Chicken, a herbal chicken dish.
And there you have it! We hope you learned a thing or two about Sabah and Sarawak, and do share this with a friend who might already not know any of these fun facts already.
Meanwhile, how much do you know about traditional food in each Malaysian state? Click on the article below to find out!
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3 Ways You Can Settle Your Debts In Malaysia
- By CompareHero.my
- September 10, 2021
If you’re like the majority of young Malaysians who are living with high levels of debt, one of your financial resolutions is to settle your debt and make progress towards the overarching goal of financial freedom.
It can be a burden when you see your debts grow. You keep paying down your credit card, but because of interest and perhaps automated charges, your credit card debt doesn’t seem to be going anywhere! Couple this with your car loans and/or mortgage loans, it’s enough to feel overwhelmed and panicked.
But, fret not. We’re here to help. Here are 3 debt repayment tools you can use to help reduce your debt and eventually enjoy greater abundance and fortune.
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How do you settle your debt?
For starters, get the basics right.
- Keep track of your due payments and make sure you pay them on time to avoid penalty fees or late charge fees. This accumulates your debts and affects your credit score rating too.
- Reduce your interest whenever you can. If you’re currently paying 18% interest on your credit card debt, for example, assess if you can do a balance transfer to a lower-interest card.
Aside from these basics, here are 3 methods to help you work towards settling your debt:
1. Debt consolidation loan
A debt consolidation loan is where you pay off all your current debts and loans with a separate single loan. This means you only have to repay one single loan at a single interest rate. Think of it as the bank buying all your existing debt from other creditors, and in exchange, you repay that total amount to only one bank.
It’s beneficial because it simplifies multiple debts into one single account. It is also easier to the eyes and mind. If you have other debts with higher interest rates, consolidating all of it into one single loan with one flat interest rate will be more beneficial too. The flat interest rate might even save you money if it is lower than your current debts’.
For example, the Alliance CashVantage Personal Financing-i is offered at an interest rate of 3.99% p.a.
Keep in mind that if you’re struggling with outstanding debt on more than one credit card, the amount owed can deplete your cash flow often. When you’re short on cash, there is opportunity to incur more debt, as you might need to take out a loan for emergencies.
It is a vicious cycle, but a debt consolidation loan helps by spreading out your total debt repayments over a longer period, and at a lower interest rate. Reduced monthly repayments help you have better cash flow, letting you repay your debts while have cash on hand.
Do you own multiple credit cards and unsecured loans? If you do, you may want to think about applying for a debt consolidation loan – especially when you feel that it is getting out of hand. Feel free to use our free comparison tool to help you find the best loan for your needs.
2. The Snowball Method
“But we don’t get snow in Malaysia!”
The snowball method is very much like – as its name suggests – making a snowball. We know, most of us have never touched snow (neither has the author), but we’ve all watched enough movies to get the gist of it:
You start packing together a small handful of snow, forming a small ball. After that, you begin rolling it onto the snow, picking up more snow and forming a bigger snow ball. The snowball method is a repayment method that can be intense, but helps you to settle all your debts really quickly.
Now, like the snow, you do the same with your money. Let’s use the example of Ali who has to pay off his credit card debt (RM1,000, monthly repayment RM84), education loan (RM2500, monthly repayment RM105), and car loan (RM18,000, monthly repayment RM300):
- Ali lists down all the current debts he has.
- He arranges them by smallest to largest total amount, not by monthly repayment amount: Credit card (RM1,000), education loan (RM2,500), and car loan (RM18,000).
- Ali pays off the loan with the lowest amount (credit card debt) in two monthly payments of RM500; while still repaying the minimum on the other loans.
- After the credit card is paid off, Ali moves on to the education loan with a monthly repayment of RM605, a sum of both the previous repayment amount with the current one: RM500 + RM105, hence the “snowball” effect. With this amount, Ali will be able to pay off the education loan in only 4 months!
- Next, he will move on to settle his car loan with a total monthly repayment of RM905 – snowballing the previous payment amount with the current car monthly repayment. With this amount, the car loan will be settled in 20 months (instead of 60!).
- He’s debt-free!
You might possibly be wondering: “The snowballed monthly repayments can be very high if I have many debts or debts with high monthly repayments already.” Yes, that’s true, but that is how the snowball method works. It’s best for when you really need to settle all your debts and are willing to take the plunge now for the greater good later.
3. Balance Transfer
A balance transfer is when you are moving debts from one credit card to another. This is usually done to take advantage of lower interest rates to pay off your credit card debts. It is a great solution if you can afford to pay off your total credit card debt quickly, as you might even get an interest-free period. Balance transfer loans are typically shorter duration than personal loans and may range between 6-12 months.
For example, the Bank Balance Transfer Plan offered by Alliance Bank offers 0% interest rate for the first 12 months, if you have a minimum transfer balance of RM1,000. All you need to do is sign up for Alliance Bank’s Visa Infinite Card or their Bank Platinum Visa Card.
Debt management can seem like an uphill battle, but if you equip yourself with the right knowledge and the right methods, it can be a winning fight. Here’s to achieving your financial goal of being debt-free!
If you’re thinking of opting for Alliance’s Bank Balance Transfer Plan, you can sign up for their credit cards below without a hassle. More information on this can be found here:
