VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKL #0421/01 1440846
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 230846Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1031
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE 3288
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 2522
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 1658

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000421 
 
CODEL 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR H AND EAP/MTS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP PGOV OTRA AMGT ASEC AFIN THKSJA MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: WELCOME CABLE FOR STAFFDEL BLANK 
 
REF:  STATE 52114 
 
¶1.  Embassy Kuala Lumpur warmly welcomes Professional Staff Member, 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Jonah Blank to Malaysia from 
May 28 to June 3, 2008.  The purpose of the trip is research of 
issues before the committee, particularly those relating to the 
insurgency in southern Thailand. 
 
¶2.  Embassy control officer for Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu is 
Political Officer, William (Gary) Gray, Telephone: (603) 2168-4891; 
Fax: (603) 2168-5165; Cellular: (60) 12-267-5931; E-mail: 
GrayWg1@state.gov. Embassy control officer for Kuching is: Daniel P. 
Claffey, Telephone (603) 2168-5118; Cellular (60) 12-235-9582; 
E-mail ClaffeyDP@state.gov. 
 
¶3. HOTEL & AIRPORT TRANSFER: 
 
HOTEL: Reservations have been made at the Hotel J.W. Marriott in 
Kuala Lumpur for the night of May 28, 2008 for a non-smoking room at 
US$110 net with breakfast (183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur 
55100, Malaysia, Tel: (603) 2715-9000 FAX: (603) 2715-7013). 
Confirmation number is:  145605. 
 
You will be met at the airport by control officer and expeditor. 
 
Reservations have been made at New Pacific Hotel in Kota Bahru from 
May 29 to 30 (1 night) at RM288 (approx. $90) net with breakfast. 
(Section 26, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, 15400, Kota Bahru Kelantan 
Malaysia. Tel: 609 - 745 6555   Fax: 609 - 745 6400 / 609 - 745 
6500.) Confirmation number is 97369. 
 
Reservations have been made at The Holiday Inn Kuching from May 30 
to June 2 (3 nights) at RM316.25 Nett(approx. $97)with breakfast. 
(Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tel: 082-418911 Fax: 082-227296.) 
Confirmation number is 64750209. 
 
 
¶4.  BLACKBERRY support in Malaysia is provided by MAXIS help-line 
toll-free 1-800-82-1919 (1-800-82-8899).  Upon arrival, please set 
your network selection to manual and choose MAXIS.  (e.g., For a 
BlackBerry 7230 - select the Options icon, select Network, click the 
wheel on Automatic and select Change Option, select Manual, click 
the wheel on Scan for Available Networks.) 
 
¶5. Malaysia Security Threat Assessment: 
 
¶A.  Crime: Malaysia's overall crime rate is medium and violent 
crimes involving tourists are relatively uncommon.  Most criminal 
activity directed against foreigners is limited to non-violent 
crimes such as petty theft, credit card fraud, and residential 
burglary.  Purse snatchings are common, and usually perpetrated by 
thieves on motorcycles or in cars who grab purses and then speed 
off.  These thefts occur at all hours and often in front of large 
groups of witnesses.  Women walking by themselves or with small 
children are the most common targets.  People have been injured or 
killed by being pulled to the ground by their purse straps as the 
thieves speed off.  Purses or shoulder bags should be closed and 
tucked under the arm and the strap held, but not wrapped around your 
arm or shoulder.  If your bag is grabbed, immediately let go of it 
and do not put up a struggle.  To avoid becoming the victim of a 
purse snatching, be alert and aware of your surroundings.  Walk 
facing traffic, preferably with a group of people, and avoid poorly 
lit streets and narrow alleys.  If possible, walk on the sidewalk 
away from the curb.  Keep a low profile and do not carry large sums 
of cash or wear expensive jewelry.  If possible, leave wallets or 
purses at home and just carry necessary cash and ID in a front 
pocket. 
 
Credit card fraud continues to be a problem in Malaysia. Travelers 
should avoid using credit cards, if possible. Credit card numbers 
should be closely safeguarded at all times.  Visitors are encouraged 
to bring traveler's checks to pay hotel bills directly. 
Unfortunately, the Embassy Cashier does not have sufficient cash 
reserves to support cash payment of hotel bills for visitors.  ATM 
machines are prevalent throughout Malaysia and there have been few 
reports of fraud connected with their use.  Travelers, however, 
should only use ATM machines co-located with a bank.  ATM users 
should also exercise the same types of caution using ATMs as in the 
U.S.   Personal checks can be cashed at the Embassy Cashier for 
daily operational needs. 
 
If you need emergency police assistance, contact the Royal Malaysia 
Police by dialing 999 or 03-2115-9999.  The Fire Brigade can be 
reached by dialing 994. 
 
¶B.  Terrorism: Travelers should consult the Department's Consular 
Information Sheet for updated information concerning travel to 
Malaysia, especially if travel to the coastal areas of eastern Sabah 
or Southern Thailand is planned.  Travelers should also be aware of 
the Department's periodic Worldwide Cautions re-emphasizing that US 
citizens abroad may be targets of terrorist actions.  The Consular 
Information Sheet and Public Announcement are available on the 
Department website at http://travel.state.gov. 
 
¶C.  Vehicle safety: Vehicles in Malaysia are right-hand drive and 
traffic moves on the left side of the road.  Traffic in Malaysia is 
heavy, especially in and around the capital of Kuala Lumpur. 
Motorbikes weave in and out of traffic, posing a hazard for both 
drivers and pedestrians.  Laws against drinking and driving are 
strictly enforced with stiff penalties.  There have been recent 
incidents of road rage from individuals in the aftermath of 
accidents.  You should avoid escalating any confrontations if you 
are involved in an accident. 
 
¶D.  Criminal penalties: Many criminal penalties are quite severe in 
Malaysia, and they are enforced uniformly.  Firearms offenses carry 
strict penalties.  There is a mandatory death penalty for drug 
trafficking. 
 
¶E.  Airline restrictions:  Malaysia, as well as many other countries 
in Asia and around the world, has imposed restrictions on liquids in 
carry-on luggage.  Travelers should check on the current guidance at 
the airports they are transiting and departing from prior to packing 
their carry-on bag. 
 
¶F.  Emergency contact information: U.S. citizens are encouraged to 
register with the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.  The Embassy can be 
contacted by telephone at (603) 2168-5000, or by e-mail at 
klconsular@state.gov.  If you need security assistance please 
contact the RSO at 2168-5111 or 2168-5033.  After hours, contact the 
Marine Security Guard at Post One at 2168-4959.  For other 
after-hours emergencies, please contact the Embassy duty officer at 
(012) 218-4691. 
 
KEITH