Originally Posted by BlackAce1
Where to start?
I am a Malaysian citizen, so you can be reassured that I know what I am talking about. Secondly, I am a backed player so I do this for a living. There are many stereotypes within this thread and well I shall try my best to dispel some of them. I live in Penang.
1. Malaysia is safe. The two largest cities - KL and Penang, both have their fair share of urban crime, but what city anywhere in the world does not? As a tourist the worst you probably have to worry about is like purse snatching. Also I suggest that you don't go looking around for drugs or do any in Malaysia if you can help it. The government here is not tolerant, even if you are a foreigner. Pot is not really a drug, but still if you are caught with over 50g (I do believe) you will be tried and more then likely put to death. The Malaysian government sees it as you trafficking someone else's life. Even tho it may be for your consumption. So in essence unless u know whats up don't screw with drugs here.
2. Internet in Malaysia can suck and many a times it does, but this is a situation that is rapidly improving. However, with a little know how you can circumvent the traffic shaping that the local streamxy connections get affected by. I simply joined a VPN, which lets me send all my traffic outgoing to their servers here locally, and then it gets sent out encrypted and thus the ISP has no clue. No problems whatsoever getting connections to any poker website anywhere. Full blazing speed on torrents as well.
3. Living in KL is very expensive as compared to the rest of the country. Penang, is probably the best option for those who aren't balling, but making enough to survive. You can quite easily and comfortably survive in Penang for USD1-1.2k/month. Given that the avg income here is 1500-3000RM, u can see that 1.2k is well above avg. That will include rent, food, internet and outings. Now as you can expect anywhere else in world, you can find all types of accommodations. It really depends on what you are looking for. For that 1k figure I mentioned, you are looking at probably a decent semi furnished apartment, anywhere from 800-1200RM which is about 320USD. Most such apartment come with a pool which is pretty std here, and a gym within your complex. When I mean outings I do not mean clubbing and whoring all the time etc..but more along the lines of getting wasted at the bar, or catching a movie, a glitzy dinner etc. You can easily have three solid meals i.e. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for under $10. But obv this means that you eat at the hawker outlets and food courts and whatnot. But for those of you that are cringing at the thought don't. The food at these hawker stalls and side of the road vendor is bar none the best in Malaysia. And definitely has a realistic shot at being some of the best food you can have in Southeast Asia and maybe even in Asia.
4. Muslim country. And? So? Somebody somewhere in the thread mentioned that people else where especially in western countries are becoming narrow minded, I would tend to have to agree. Malaysia, for the outside world is indeed a declared Muslim country. But beyond that the comparisons stop against any other Muslim country. I am not Muslim but Hindu, and to tell you the truth I have never once felt marginalized in this country. There is definitely more incentives, and aid and what not given to the Muslim community here, but so what? The Chinese and Indian communities here still obviously thrive and do extremely well here. For all those Monkeys in this thread that pick bits and pieces of the internet and subscribe to it being the end all and be all truth well..as I mentioned..monkeys. I mean Muslims can't eat Pork, which is a religious preference as such its alright not a big deal. Just go across the street to a Chinese vendor and indulge your fried pork belly fantasies there. Also at the recent racial tensions...well, just that tensions. Nothing more will come of it. People here off religions like the way it is. Peaceful and Friendly.
5. Language barrier. There really is none. Just about everyone here speaks passable English at the least and if not, you can always find someone who does. English is probably the 2nd most spoken language here.
6. Places to kick back and spend that hard earned pokah monies!
There are so many. Highlands - Cameron highlands and Genting Highlands. Genting is where they have the one and only casino in Malaysia. I haven't been there in a very long time, and quite frankly have no wish too. If you go to genting its probably for tables games ala Black Jack roulette etc..Cameron highlands - yeup. This is my highland destination - tea estates..fresh strawberries amazingly fresh food..and yes..sweater/hoody wearing weather. Bliss. Then of course you have the ridiculous number of coastal resorts, whether the East or the West both have their share of world class spots..and the more bum friendly chalet type setups as well. Club life night scene....go to KL and go wild. Penang has a scene but its much much smaller. Penang is a place where u have a grp of friends and just kick back and lazily Penang std time..make them mirrons on the tables. We also have many national parks (jungles and marine) which offer some really amazing trekking adventures. Snorkling/diving in some of the spots in Malaysia is reckoned to be some of the best in the world. Also, many other countries are so close by. Want a change - fly/train/car it to Thailand. Need some high end shopping or a more western approach for a while - go to Singapore. Need to really gamble it up live - Go to Macau. Someone also pointed out that APT and APPT have stops which are easily accessible and relatively cheap to fly out too. Poker is booming here in Asia..and its only going to get much much bigger.
7. Girls. Malaysian girls, are freakin hot and almost all of them have this innocence about them, but most of them are freaks in bed..especially Chinese girls. They may seem all innocent and subservient (obv not all) on the outside..but get them naked, and well let the fun start. For those so inclined to whore it up, it is illegal here, but very readily available. But really why? The girls here aren't difficult. You can always go to Geylang in Singapore, or go nutz in Thailand if you want.
In closing, Malaysia can provide you all the luxuries one is use too , but perhaps just not in the form you wish it too be. It can take a little adjustment but certainly is peaceful and awesome living in Malaysia. I have and always will have a bias for Penang since this is my home, but imagine Penang to be a microcosm of the whole of Malaysia. All on a tropical urban green setting. If you have any questions pm me or something and I will be more then happy to try and answer your questions.
Luck at the tables,
BA1.