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'''Malaysia''' is a country in South Eastern [[Asia]]. It has borders with [[Thailand]] to the north, [[Singapore]] to the south, and [[Indonesia]] to the west and south. Its Capital city is [[Kuala Lumpur]]. The country is separated in two parts: the Malay Peninsula, and the north of Borneo Island.
'''Malaysia''' is a really great country for hitchhiking.People know what hitchhiking is and they are interested in foreign visitors, so make sure you look like a tourist. On busy roads, waiting times of less than 5 minutes are very common.
There is a ''real'' expressway running on the north-south axis from the [[Thailand|Thai border]], via [[Kuala Lumpur]], towards [[Singapore]]. It is pretty easy to get a ride there. In rural areas it's even easier, but lifts will be shorter. On the on-ramps of the highway after the toll booth you can usually hitchhike as well, staff is are unlikely to bother you.
Unlike in other countries in Asia, it's not advisable to hitchhike right on the motorway. Police won't bother, but cars are much more unlikely to stop, if they are too fast or there is no safe place to stop.
Drivers usually speak English and stop easily. Cars are modern and fast. Local roads are often in a good condition, and are enjoyable to hitch.
== Gas stations ==
== Number Plates ==
It can come in handy to know where the car goes is going before asking, at a petrol station for exempleexample. Malaysian [[license plates]] are generally black with white letters and Numbers. The pattern is XXX-9999 or XXX-999. The first letter indicates which state the car comes from:
* A = [[Perak]] (Capital: [[Ipoh]])
* P = [[Penang]]
=== with [[Indonesia]] ===
There is a ferry from [[Malacca]] to [[Dumai]], [[Indonesia]] (20 USD) and police will give you real trouble if you try to leave by a cargo boat (if you can even enter the port. If you make it please inform us here.)
In [[Georgetown]] there's a small marina with private yachts. But it's easier to get a free ride with a boat in [[Langkawi]]. Most of the boats go to Indonesia.
==== For crossing from [[Sarawak]] (Borneo) to [[Indonesia]] ====
At Entikong crossing, You can get a visa on arrival at this border (25 USD). The There is not so much traffic to the border is not so big. Once across the border try get a ride with one of the trucks, almost all of them go to [[Pontianak]]. Usually many of them go in the afternoon and arrive in the morning in [[Pontianak]].
==== From [[Sabah]] (Borneo)to Indonesia ====There is no road crossing! You have to get a visa before(easy to get in [[Tawau]]).Only The only option seem seems to be speedboat to [[Tarakan]] or [[Nunukan]].
=== with [[Singapore]] ===
There are two border crossings to [[Singapore]], from the Malaysian city of [[Johor Bahru]]. One is Woodlands checkpoint to the north of Singapore, and the other is Tual Tuas checkpoint to the west. See [[Singapore]] for further informationsinformation.
== Languages ==
The official language of Malaysia is Malay. It is quite easy to learn the basics as it is a very easy language.
The country has a fairly fair amount of "native" Chineses Chinese and Indians who speak Mandarin or Hokkien for the former, and Tamil for the latter. But usually everybody knows Malay language (known as Bahasa Melayu).As for english, it is spoken in every level, from zero to fluent, but generally you won't find encounter trouble to communicate communicating at least for the basics.
Some useful sentences phrases:
*Hello = Selamat Pagi(am)/Petang(pm) OR Hi
*I don't know = Tidak tau
*Do you speak english? = Cakap bahasa Englis?
*I know a bit of Malay = Saya tau sikit bahasa malayumelayu
*Saya = I/me/mine ; Anda = You/yours
*Hitchhiking = Tumpang (meaning exactly "have a lift" as Hitchhiking is not known in Malaysia)
'''Bahasa''' means '''languageslanguage''', hence '''Bahasa Malayu''' = '''Malay Language''', or '''Bahasa Englis''' = '''English Language'''.
'''Tidak''' is the negation. It is also shortened to '''Tak''' very often.
== Experiences ==
* User [[User:Halt, Stop! Reudnitz kommt.|Craig]] hitched along the '''Silk Road from Istanbul to Malaysia''' and wrote about his experiences here: [http://thumbingasia.blogspot.com/ Thumbing Asia From West to East] Don't hitch-hike at night! You'd need the luck to get dropped at well lit places. Otherwise people won't stop! Beside Besides that, Malaysia is really comfortable to hitch-hike. I topped 120 km/h average hitching speed!
* [[User:MrTweek|MrTweek]] even hitchhiked in a group of 4 people and even though it was slightly slower than alone, they still made it to their destination without any problems and in 7 lifts.
