Was planning to go to KL in Jan next year. Inregards to the current world events is it still safe to go there?

Here's the advice I just gave a friend. (I live in KL.): <BR> <BR> <BR>Things are changing every day. Officially the Malaysian prime minister and his government have extended their sympathy and support to the US, but you can tell by what they say that are not being totally sincere. They certainly do not support the attacks on Afghanistan, referring to them as the “bombing of innocent civilians.” Officially they do not support the Taliban, however. So it’s all very wishy washy and hard to figure out. At any rate, the government’s inability to take a firm stand on the issue may give fuel to more militant Islamic groups in the country, much like has already happened in Indonesia. <BR> <BR>But as for any REAL situations arising here: there was a protest at the American Embassy the other day, but nothing got violent. Some white expats, no matter their citizenship, are being told “Go home, American” if they are out in town. And my husband received a warning from the Canadian High Commission that Canadians may be targeted, since Canada has give the US full support, but the warning seemed a little paranoid to us. There has been no violence at all, just a bit of minor verbal harassment. <BR> <BR>It’s still difficult to predict, though. Keep an eye on the news. Travel advisories take a too cautious approach, if you ask me. I would recommend: avoid the east coast of Malaysia, where the Muslim population is more concentrated. It’s raining over there anyway at this time of year, and will be for some months. But the potential for these things to escalate is there, so I would recommend getting trip cancellation insurance, or having a back up plan for spending more time in other SEA countries, just in case. <BR> <BR>I say: be cautious but not paranoid, and do come. It’s a great place to travel and SO cheap. The food is to die for. Go to Melaka, KL, Cameron Highlands (haven’t been yet but I hear it’s nice), maybe Penang, and Langkawi for relaxation (or skip that and go to an island in Thailand). The east coast is lovely, but give it a miss this time. Bring your umbrella. You never know when the sky will open and dump on you. And keep a hand on your money at all times in KL’s Chinatown. <BR> <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

i am planning a short stopover of 3 days in kuala lumpur this week....however, in view of the recent war on terrorism that has started, i am a little bit worried. will my stopover be safe or not? is there any rioting or any such terrorizing activities happening in malaysia/kuala lumpur? <BR>are foreign tourists safe in malaysia in the current situation? <BR>could anyone please inform me of the ground realities in kuala lumpur?

Well, MY has been considered unsafe long before the attack in Sept. The US gov't has not updated their warning on MY since then, but the old warning is still in effect. <BR> <BR>The place (for Americans and others if they wish) to check for the most updated, official information is always the US govt state dept. website: www.travel.state.gov. <BR> <BR>They obviously have the best intelligence the average American has access to, and are cautious but honest. <BR> <BR>Their current warning on Malaysia focuses on the islands closest to the Philipines, not KL, so you need to use your own judgement. <BR> <BR>Malaysia <BR>June 13, 2001 <BR>The Department reiterates its concern about attacks by members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Southern Philippines near the Malaysian State of Sabah. The ASG remains a security threat to areas of Malaysia near the Southern Philippines. <BR> <BR>On May 27, 2001, members of the ASG kidnapped 20 people, including three American citizens, from a resort on the Philippine island of Palawan and took them by boat to Basilan Island in the Southern Philippines. Since April 2000, the ASG has taken a number of people hostage, including foreign tourists on the Malaysian islands of Sipadan and Pandanan. The Department's current Public Announcement for the Philippines indicates there is concern that the ASG may attack U.S. citizens and others again. The group is under attack by the Armed Forces of the Philippines at this time. <BR> <BR>Since September 2000, the Government of Malaysia has increased the number of police and military personnel deployed in the southeastern part of Sabah. It has also placed small detachments in various places, including the islands of Sipadan and Pandanan, where armed gunmen kidnapped hostages on April 23 and September 11, 2000, subsequently transporting them to the islands of the Southern Philippines. However, the region is remote and large in area, and assistance in security matters may not be readily available. <BR> <BR>U.S. citizens traveling to the islands and in the coastal areas of eastern Sabah should be aware of the persistence of threats from the Abu Sayyaf Group, and should exercise extreme caution if they travel to that region. <BR> <BR>U.S. citizens traveling to the islands or in the coastal region of eastern Sabah in Malaysia are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. As the U.S. Embassy is quite distant from this region, U.S. citizens may wish to contact the Embassy by telephone at 60-3-2168-5000, or by e-mail at [email protected]. <BR> <BR>For further general information on travel to Malaysia, consult the Department's latest Consular Information Sheet, at http://travel.state.gov. Travelers to the Malaysian State of Sabah should also consult the current Public Announcement on the Philippines. <BR> <BR>This Public Announcement replaces the Public Announcement for Malaysia dated April 9, 2001, to expand the region included in the Announcement and to provide updated security information. It expires on December 6, 2001. <BR> <BR> <BR>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <BR>Department of State travel information and publications are available at Internet address: http://travel.state.gov. U.S. travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touchtone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine. <BR>Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings <BR>

Sorry, I didn't really read the above posts carefully before I posted - it's a knee-jerk reaction I give whenever people ask if anyplace is safe. <BR> <BR>Personally, I agree with Jen about safety in general and the overboard-but-better-safe-than-sorry attitute of the US govt website. <BR> <BR>While I obviously don't think it's wise to take a vacation in the middle of a war zone, I do try to live my life according to the laws of statistics, and statistically speaking, I'd assume (although I can't verify this) that you're probably safer in KL than driving to work in your car. <BR> <BR>I'm an American living in China, and the news has reported several times in the years that I've been here that it's unsafe for Americans (e.g. when we bombed their embassy, the spy plane incident), and nothing could be farther from the truth - it was just as safe as always. <BR> <BR>P.S. Jen - are you Jenrlyn from pplace expatriates board?

Ahh... Andrea - I thought that was you!! Where the heck have you been? <BR> <BR>Ekta, did you read my response to the original question in this thread? <BR> <BR>Starting to feel like I've answered this question about a hundred times, but nobody seems to care what I think, and I LIVE HERE!!! *sigh*