VZCZCXYZ0008
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKL #0957/01 3050846
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 310846Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1836
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 3381
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2670
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0144
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 4574
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2593
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0160

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000957 
 
CODEL 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR H/PAUL RADEMACHER AND EAP/MTS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN TH BM SN AS MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: WELCOME CABLE FOR STAFFDEL GROVE 
 
REF: STATE 115338 
 
¶1.  Embassy Kuala Lumpur warmly welcomes the November 18-19 
visit to Malaysia by Mr. Paul Grove and Ms. Michelle Wymer 
from the Senate Appropriations Committee.  The purpose of the 
trip is to conduct oversight of State Department and Foreign 
Operations.  Post will be generating a notional schedule for 
staffdel's review shortly. 
 
¶2.  Embassy control officer is Counselor for Political 
Affairs Mark Clark, Telephone: (603) 2168-4946, Fax: (603) 
2168-5165, Cellular: (60) 12-278-0125, E-mail: 
Clarkmd@state.gov; assisted by Claudia Ellingwood, Political 
Section, Telephone: (603) 2168-4843, Cellular: (60) 
12-232-1101, E-mail: Ellingwoodcr@state.gov. 
 
¶3. Hotel and Airport Transfer:  Reservations have been made 
at the Hotel J.W. Marriott in Kuala Lumpur for the night of 
November 18, 2009 for a non-smoking room at US$101 net with 
breakfast (183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur 55100, 
Malaysia, Tel: (603) 2715-9000 FAX: (603) 2715-7013). 
Confirmation numbers are:  178698 and 178699.  We have 
requested late check-out on November 19.  You will be met at 
the airport by control officer and expeditor. 
 
¶4. 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.  Counterfeit and pirated goods, including CDs, DVDs, 
software packages, and consumer goods, are widely available 
in Malaysia.  Transactions involving such products are 
illegal and bringing back to the United States may result in 
forfeitures and/or fines by U.S. Customs.  For further 
information, contact CBP (http://www.cbp.gov/). 
 
¶F.  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. 
 
¶G.  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