Malaysia is stable and safe; the crime that does happen is opportunist. Snatch theft from moving motorcycles is the classic - walk with your bag on the side away from the road. Watch for the currency-display scam, where someone asks to see your home banknotes, and taxi drivers who refuse the meter.
- Malaysia is politically stable and safe, with minor property crime in the large urban areas.
- Snatch theft from moving motorcycles is the classic - riders tear bags and phones from pedestrians, often knocking them down. Walk with your bag on the side away from the road.
- The currency-display scam is very widespread: someone asks for directions, then asks to see banknotes of your home currency, and lifts money from the wallet unnoticed.
- Unofficial drivers at airports and tourist centres refuse the meter and charge several times the normal rate.
- Two regions need maximum caution - the northern border with Thailand and the coastal waters of eastern Sabah, where official advice warns of kidnapping.
Safety and common scams
Malaysia is politically stable and safe, with minor property crime in the large urban areas.
- Snatch theft from moving motorcycles is the most common. Riders on light motorcycles tear handbags, backpacks or phones from pedestrians in motion, often knocking the victim down. Walk on sidewalks with your bag on the side away from the road.
- The foreign currency display scam is very widespread. Organized groups of foreigners approach tourists asking for directions, then ask to see banknotes of your home currency, and use manual dexterity to pull money from the wallet unnoticed.
- Unofficial taxi drivers at airports and tourist centres refuse to turn on the meter and charge several times the normal rate.
- Two regions need maximum caution - the northern border with Thailand, and the coastal waters of eastern Sabah in the Sulu Sea, where official advice warns of kidnapping by Philippine separatist groups.
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