MALAYSIA: WELCOME CABLE FOR STAFFDEL BLANK

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