Malaysia

Recommended Vaccinations For Malaysia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A vccine is recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older. Infants 6 to 11 months old are also advised to be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants 6 to 11 months old prior to traveling.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccine is recommended if travelling to areas where the risk of exposure is high, and if engaging in extensive outdoor activities, vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is recommended.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Malaysia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

In rural areas where there is a risk of malaria, the recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Malaysia

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Malaysia, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Malaysia.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is a viral disease that occurs in Malaysia, mainly in Sarawak. Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season but can occur during the dry season as well.

For Some Travellers

Scrub Typhus

This disease generally occurs year-round in rural areas of Malaysia.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in the country through the consumption of contaminated food or being around someone who is sick with hantavirus.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk for yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Malaysia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Malaria

There is a low risk of malaria in mainland Malaysia. There is no risk of transmission in Georgetown, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, including Penang Island. There is a low risk in inland areas of Sabah and in the inland, forested areas of Sarawak.

Zika Fever

Zika virus can occur in this country.

Japanese encephalitis

In Malaysia, Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide, with year-round transmission. Rural areas are at high risk, especially where there are rice fields, swamps and marshes.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Malaysia are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Malaysia

Personal Safety

Petty crime is the main concern for visitors to Malaysia. Bag snatching by thieves on motorcycles happens frequently, especially in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Women walking alone or with children are common targets. When walking on streets, carry your bag on the side away from traffic to reduce risk. Pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas including shopping centers, airports, public transport, and tourist sites. Credit card fraud is common, so keep cards in sight when making payments. Various scams operate throughout the country, including gambling or poker scams where friendly strangers invite you to their home, bogus police officers asking for fines, and taxi drivers inflating fares or refusing to use meters. Always verify police identification and use ride-sharing apps or licensed taxis booked by phone. Drink spiking can occur at bars and nightclubs in tourist areas. Never accept food, drinks, cigarettes, or gum from strangers, and never leave drinks unattended. Assault and sexual assault can occur, though violent crime against foreigners is uncommon compared to property crime.

Extreme Violence

Malaysia reported no terrorist incidents in 2023 according to official government data. The country serves as a transit point for members of terrorist groups including ISIS, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and al-Qa’ida, though authorities maintain strong security measures. In 2023, police made three arrests for terrorism-related crimes with no prosecutions. The exception to the generally low risk is eastern Sabah State, which the Malaysian government designates as a Special Security Area. This region experiences ongoing security challenges from Philippine-based militant groups. Kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf Group have targeted fishermen and tourists in coastal areas and waters between eastern Sabah and the southern Philippines. Incidents occurred in 2016, 2018, and 2019. In April 2024, two Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel were injured in a shootout near Kunak. The at-risk zone includes areas east of a north-south line from Kudat to Tawau, encompassing all islands in that region. Coastal resorts, island resorts, and boats in these waters face particular risk. Malaysian authorities arrested eight suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in May 2021 who may have been planning kidnappings. Throughout the rest of Malaysia, violent crime levels remain low.

Political Unrest

Malaysia experienced significant political instability between 2020 and 2022, including government changes and emergency declarations during the pandemic. The crisis ended at the federal level in 2022 with elections and formation of a coalition government. More recently, in July 2025, thousands protested in Kuala Lumpur against rising living costs and demanding the prime minister step down, marking the first major protest since the 2022 elections. Police maintain a visible presence at demonstrations and have investigated protesters under various laws. In 2022 and 2023, authorities blocked marches by lawyers and students, opened investigations into demonstrators, and issued summons. Government crackdowns on free speech have increased, with arrests of political activists for social media posts critical of leadership. The government banned several online news portals in 2023 for alleged false information and defamation. Protests occasionally occur regarding government policies, corruption concerns, and economic issues. While most demonstrations are peaceful initially, they can turn confrontational when police intervene. Visitors should avoid areas where protests are taking place, monitor local news, and follow instructions from local authorities. Political tensions continue as public frustration over cost of living, corruption allegations, and governance issues persist.

Areas To Avoid

The eastern area of Sabah State requires particular caution due to kidnapping risks. Avoid coastal areas including Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, and Beluran, along with all areas east of the line from Kudat to Tawau, including surrounding islands. Terrorist and criminal groups based in the southern Philippines conduct raids in this region. Risks increase significantly after dark, especially on water and along waterfronts. Within Kuala Lumpur, the Chow Kit area has reports of drug-related activity and petty crime, particularly at night. Jalan Sultan Ismail between Bukit Nanas and certain stretches should be avoided late at night. Petaling Jaya has higher crime rates including violent crime compared to other Malaysian cities. The area around Jalan Tun Razak in the 430-440 block is advised to be avoided after 9:00 pm. The Malaysia-Thailand border region deserves caution as southern Thailand experiences terrorism and civil unrest, though this rarely crosses into Malaysia. During weekends, the Cangkat Bukit Bintang area attracts large crowds to bars and nightclubs where pickpocketing increases. Border areas of Peninsular Malaysia around Kelantan require vigilance due to proximity to less stable regions and reports of criminal activity. Mountainous areas of northern Pahang present challenges from harsh weather, poor infrastructure, and difficult terrain rather than crime.