Go, but pay attention.
Malaysia's sketch score hit 80 today, a six-point jump that demands extra attention. The UK government advises a higher level of caution than the US or Canada, and a global measles notice remains active.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Malaysia
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Traffic Police Bribery
Traffic police pull over motorists to demand bribes of RM100-200, a practice occurring more frequently with Singapore license plates. Bribery is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
Credit Card Fraud
Online stores are a source of credit card fraud. Use cards only in reputable shops and be aware that online reviews can be astroturfed.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is a crime in Malaysia. Gay bars are subject to police raids, and tourists should avoid public displays of affection.
Caning Punishment
Conviction for crimes including rape, illegal entry, bribery, or overstaying a visa can result in caning. This punishment involves painful strokes from a thick rattan cane that leave permanent scars.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Recommended:
From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Though the crime rate is higher than in neighbouring Singapore, Malaysia is generally a safe country for visitors.
- •Homosexuality is a crime and gay bars may be raided by police; gay and lesbian tourists should be discreet and avoid any public displays of affection.
- •Crime: There have been some reports of pickpockets and snatch-and-run thieves in some of the major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Johor Bahru.
- •In Malaysia, some crimes are punished with caning, known locally as whipping.
- •Credit card fraud is a growing problem in this country, especially if you order in an on-line store during your stay.
- •Corruption: While not as bad as the likes of Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia, corruption remains a significant issue in Malaysia.
Staying healthy
- •There are differences of opinion about whether and to what degree tap water is safe to drink.
- •Ice in drinks might be made from tap water, but nowadays, most restaurants and even roadside stalls use the cylindrical variety with a hollow tube down the middle that are mass-produced at ice factories and are safer to consume.
- •Heat exhaustion is rare, but do consume lots of fluids, use a hat and sunscreen and shower often!
- •Peninsular Malaysia is largely malaria-free, but there is a significant risk in Borneo especially in inland and rural areas.
- •Malaysia has been rabies-free since 1999 and was officially declared a rabies-free country in 2013.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers identify dengue fever as a legitimate health concern in Malaysia, requiring the use of protective clothing and insect repellent. Regarding physical security, eastern Sabah—specifically the area around Sandakan, including Turtle Island and the Kinabatangan River—carries travel advisories due to historical incidents involving kidnapping risks. While visitors often find the locals welcoming, these specific regions remain sensitive due to potential activity from groups targeting foreigners for ransom. Outside of these specific regional advisories, the provided data lacks reports on common street crime, violent incidents, or safety concerns regarding walking at night or general urban travel in Malaysia.
“In Asia, I keep reading about dengue and it honestly freaks me out a bit.
— r/travel
“There seems to be some minor(?) travel advisories about travel in this area, stemming from some incidents, it seems(?), that happened in 2013.
— r/travel
“Are these pretty standard advisories or is there active activity from groups looking to snatch somebody for ransom, for example.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / G / M · 230V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 999 / ambulance: 999 / fire: 999
Zoom in
3 Malaysia cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (10 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-07-12
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-07-12
- ca-gac — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-07-12
- cdc-health — observed 2026-07-12
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-07-12
- reddit — observed 2026-07-12
- unodc — observed 2026-07-12
- acled-hdx — observed 2026-07-12