Drug offences carry life imprisonment or the death penalty without exception, marijuana included. Nicotine vape is a scheduled poison again after a May 2026 court ruling, so leave it at home. Flying a drone needs approval 14 working days ahead, and Sabah and Sarawak want a second permission. Sockets are Type , 240 V.
- Drug offences carry life imprisonment or the death penalty, marijuana included, and the courts impose those sentences without exception.
- Nicotine vapes are effectively illegal. A High Court ruling on 15 May 2026 put liquid nicotine back on the Poisons List, so its sale is unlawful nationwide and only a pharmacist or doctor may dispense it. Leave the vape at home.
- Malaysia applies no practical small-drone exemption. Every flight needs a CAAM Authorisation to Fly filed at least 14 working days ahead, and Sabah and Sarawak want a state permission on top of it.
- Sockets are Type , the British three-pin, at 230 V, so European appliances need an adapter.
- One time zone across the whole federation, UTC+8, with no daylight saving, and shops typically open 10:00 to 22:00 seven days a week.
Local rules and cultural differences
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Drug offenses carry life imprisonment or the death penalty. Possession, distribution or smuggling of any quantity of a prohibited substance, marijuana included, is classified as the most serious crime, and the courts impose those sentences without exception.
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Do not bring a nicotine vape. On 15 May 2026 the High Court struck down the 2023 order that had removed liquid and gel nicotine from the Poisons List, and did so retroactively - so nicotine e-liquid is once again a scheduled poison under the Poisons Act 1952. Selling it is unlawful everywhere in Malaysia, to everyone rather than just to minors, and it may only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist or a registered doctor. Nicotine-free devices are regulated under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 rather than banned, but that is not a distinction worth arguing at a customs desk. Vaping products have no duty-free allowance either way, and vaping is prohibited wherever smoking is.
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Mosques and temples - cover shoulders and knees, and remove footwear.
Everyday practical information
- Power - Type outlets, the British three-flat-pin standard, at 230 V and 50 Hz. European appliances need an adapter.
- Time zone - a single UTC+8 across the whole federation, with no daylight saving.
- Opening hours - department stores and supermarkets typically 10:00 to 22:00, seven days a week.
- Ramadan and public holidays - smaller private restaurants and services may cut their hours, but public transport and the large chains run normally.
- Wi-Fi - standard in the vast majority of cafés and hotels, and at airports under the network name "FREE_WIFI@KLIA", which needs only a quick browser registration.
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