Malaysia gained its independence in 1957 and is a constitutional monarchy.  It is situated near to the equator and has a year-round tropical climate.  Humidity is always high and there is increased rainfall during the rainy seasons from September to October on the Peninsula's west coast and in Sabah, and on the east coast of the Peninsula and the western end of Sarawak from late November to mid-February. 

Visits to Malaysia by Irish nationals are normally trouble free and a considerable number of Irish live and work in Malaysia.  Given that Malaysia is a multi-cultural but predominantly Muslim country, visitors should be sensitive to local customs.  It is advisable to dress and behave modestly, especially in rural areas and, of course, in or near places of worship. 

Although the official language is Bahasa Malaysia, English is widely spoken and is the dominant business language.  The official website of the Malaysian Government is a very good source of information on all aspects of the country, including living and working in Malaysia.  To access this go to The Malaysia Government's Official Portal. 

For travel advice and information on travelling to Malaysia choose from the menu on the left.