Malaysia : Safety by CityKuala Lumpur is a metropolis of 7 million people with the world’s cheapest 5-star hotels.
It is a great place for shopping, tasting delicious food and exploring some of nature’s wonders.
Kuala Lumpur is the national capital of Malaysia, as well as its largest city in the country and the only global city in Malaysia.
It consists of the city center and its surrounding urban areas, each of which offers a particular attraction or activity such as Old City Centre, Golden Triangle, and Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Warnings & Dangers in Kuala Lumpur
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Kuala Lumpur is the city where crime risks are medium, which means that you will need to exercise common sense since some petty crimes might occur, but n the other hand, some more serious criminal acts rarely happen.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Bogus taxis exist and they will try to deceive you by driving you around the city if he/she realizes that you do not know the city. Always ask them to turn on the meter, use only licensed ones and call them by phone instead of hailing one on the street. If you decide to drive, get ready for the paralyzing traffic jams periodically throughout the day. Kuala Lumpur has good quality roads and renting a car is an option for traveling there.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Thieves exist almost everywhere, especially among crowds and they try to snatch handbags, steal jewelry, mobile phones and other valuables from pedestrians. Also, motor-cyclists frequently pull bags from victims, which leads to injuries. Thieves operate on trains from the airport and at airports, work in groups at busy shopping centers, and even on car parks, so when parking your car, ensure valuables are kept out of sight and that all the doors are locked.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
During the rainy season, floods and mudslides might occur, while from June to October there is the dry season when smoke haze is usual in the city. Earthquakes occur in Malaysia and coastal regions can experience tsunamis.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Mugging and kidnapping risk in Kuala Lumpur exists. Extremists represent a great danger. Foreigners can be assaulted and robbed after their drinks were 'spiked', so never accept food or drinks from strangers. Do not hail taxis on the street, since there have been reports that taxis assaulted travelers at night.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Malaysia is a country where terrorist attacks can happen. The threat of terrorism exists in Kuala Lumpur and a grenade attack has been carried out by Islamic State. Malaysian authorities have made several arrests and joint patrols by police and military are active at public places around Kuala Lumpur.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Scams sometimes happen at busy shopping centers, where people may ask you something to distract your attention and steal your valuables. Credit card fraud is common, so keep your credit card in sight at all times. Be cautious of scams involving gambling.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Kuala Lumpur is a city where most women travel without any issues, but still, the threat exists. Female travelers need to take particular care in crowds, on public transportation, they should wear clothes that cover their arms, legs, and chest, in order not to attract male’s unwanted attention.
So... How Safe Is Kuala Lumpur Really?
When the crime level is considered in Kuala Lumpur, it is a good thing to mention that the Malaysian police have managed to reduce crime significantly.
The opportunistic crime, aimed at money and valuables frequently occurs, but the reports of violent crime against foreigners are uncommon.
Be aware of poker scams which means that the scammers will start with a friendly conversation with you and invite you to their home where comes poker and the loss of your cash and jewelry.
Other scammers are bogus police officer, so always ask them for his or her police I.D. card, which is a combination of white and dark blue.
Walking in the city is usually safe, but caution must be exercised since women have been injured by purse-grabbers on motorcycles.
Kuala Lumpur is generally safe for travelers since it is locals who are often the targets of crime.
Experienced tourists will encounter no problems in Kuala Lumpur.
How Does Kuala Lumpur Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 64 |
| Penang | 58 |
| Petaling Jaya | 76 |
| Johor Bahru | 68 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
Useful Information
Visas
Tourists get a visa on arrival for a stay of up to 90 days. If you're visiting for other purposes, you may need to arrange a visa in advance, by contacting an Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of Malaysia. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months.
Currency
The official currency is the Malaysian Ringgit. ATMs are widely available throughout the country, as well as cash machines. You can use your credit cards to pay, but pay attention to credit card fraud.
Weather
Malaysia mostly has a tropical climate, but extreme temperatures are not common. The average temperature is from 20°C to 30°C. The monsoon season is from October to March. The wettest month is November with a lot of rainfall and the driest month is June.
Airports
Kuala Lumpur International Airport is Malaysia’s busiest airport, located about 50 km southwest of the city. When coming to Malaysia, travelers can use Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Penang International Airport, as well.
Travel Insurance
If you are a visitor to Kuala Lumpur, make sure that you have taken out comprehensive travel insurance before you depart. Consider your physical and mental health and get vaccinated before you travel.
Kuala Lumpur Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Low °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
| High °F | 90 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Low °F | 73 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 75 | 73 | 75 | 73 | 73 |
Malaysia - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Johor Bahru | 68 |
| Kuala Lumpur | 64 |
| Penang | 58 |
| Petaling Jaya | 76 |
Medium to Good
I am a Malaysian. I live in Kuala Lumpur. I take exception to a few comments of yours –
1. Earthquakes – the Indonesian islands are within the ring of fire. But Malaysia is out of this zone. Slight tremors experienced, if it ever occurs, are due to strong earthquakes in Sumatra. And a very rare (probably once in a hundred years?) minor earthquake did occur in Sabah a few years ago – but this was a novelty for us Malaysians because it has never occurred in living memory. And the only tsunami which occurred was in 2004 where we probably had the lowest number of fatalities in this region – about 50-60 persons killed cf thousands in our neighbours.
2. Extremism and terrorism – we know that we are a Muslim nation (btw, I am a Chinese Christian). And yes, my fellow Muslim citizens have certainly increased their extremist views. But it has never gotten to the stage where terrorism occurs. A few small (and thus widely publlicized incidents) such as a gunning of a person at a traffic light a few years ago did happen. But these are events that get into the news. I know our police and Special Branches are doing a good job. Yes, we know that there were some attempts but this was cut off before they occurred by our police forces. So – I do take exception with your ranking – the risk of terrorism in Malaysia is not Medium – it’s low.
3. Where I agree with your ratings – snatch thefts esp of women carrying handbags – I have personally witnessed 3 incidents. And yes, it’s common enough that it doesn’t get in the news when it occurs unless the victim dies – which thankfully is rare. Muggings – yes, it does happen, but the incidences have dropped since probably 20 years ago. I was mugged once in the 1970’s. And a friend I know got stabbed in the stomach about 20 years ago. But yes, incidences have reduced. The police have been doing a good job.
Then I might encounter you since 2009 I’ve been in Malaysia
Note: I was born in South Korea
Safe and enjoyable.
I have travelled to Kuala Lumpur several times. I am a senior female and have stayed in hotels and apartments. I found KL safe and enjoyable. I use the grab cabs and the drivers are excellent. Very polite and anxious to make the ride enjoyable. The people are friendly and English is spoken in most businesses. The weather is wonderful especially since my home is northern ontario, in Canada. I hope to visit again soon.
Taxi scam
I go to KL around 2014 and yes, taxi scams are eveerywhere! we alighted at Berjaya square and hailed a taxi from there, we chose the first driver because he is speaking english but when we are on the road, he act blur like he don’t know where we going already! we go in circle for hours and we end up paying around $100! not much of a starting experience I will say..
Actually locals does not favour to take a ride with taxis, they just wants to pick up our money by driving to long roads. Use e-hailing or trains if possible.
An underrated city!
Malaysia is free from natural disasters, especially Kuala Lumpur. The city is very modern, generally clean and tidy, and the quality of its roads are excellent. As for pick pocketing, it rarely happens but one needs to be careful just like in any other big cities. KL is also a good place to shop as the malls there are probably the best in the world and not to forget the food. Overall, i find the city easy to explore with its good train connection and its abundance of taxis. The cost of living is also low, so you will get to enjoy a very comfortable holiday there. It’s definitely underrated as compared to many of the western cities. Overall rating: an ‘A’.