Working in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
The capital and most populated city in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has a population of more than 5.5 million in its greater metropolitan region. The country’s parliament is located in Kuala Lumpur and it also serves as a major financial and cultural hub.
Kuala Lumpur continues to emerge on the world stage and has hosted international events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and a Formula One Grand Prix each year. The city has a tropical climate, which features hot weather all year round with regular rainfall.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Malaysia’s number one airport is a busy complex for travellers visiting the country or those en route to another destination further abroad. The modern, facility rich airport is located more than 50km south of Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, and also provides decent access to the southern coastline of Malaysia. The airport caters for more than 25 million travellers each year and consists of two terminals.
Travellers to Kuala Lumpur can access the airport through the city’s efficient train and bus services. The Express Rail Link trains take about 30 minutes to travel between the city centre and airport, while the cheaper bus service usually takes longer, depending on where you are departing or arriving.
Railway Station
Kuala Lumpur Sentral railway station
The primary rail station in Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral railway station was opened in 2001 and replaced Kuala Lumpur Railway Station as the major station in the city. KL Sentral services most of the city’s passenger rail lines and is also a key bus and monorail depot. Around KL Sentral visitors will find several shopping malls and hotels, while the area is also an emerging business district of the city.
Transportation
The public transport system in Kuala Lumpur is considered reasonably efficient and convenient for commuter use. It consists of networks for trains and buses and provides a better option than travel by car due to traffic congestion throughout the city.
Kuala Lumpur’s rail network covers much of the city and is separated into four sections or lines: LRT, KL Monorail, KTM Komuter and KLIA. The four lines aren’t well connected however, with most of the links between them in Kuala Lumpur’s central areas.
The bus network in Kuala Lumpur is known as RapidKL and provides a thorough service throughout the city. Each bus is clearly market for tourists, but they can be cramped and slow during peak hours. There is also a tourist service in Kuala Lumpur which operates on double-decker buses.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is reasonably low by western standards for expats. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (www.numbeo.com), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $2.70 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $16.90 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $3.40 |
| Coke (330mL) | $0.70 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.85 |
| Loaf of bread | $1.10 |
| Eggs | $1.60 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $0.70 |
| Monthly pass | $33.80 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $0.65 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $710 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $1350 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $15 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $130 |
| Average monthly salary (after tax) | $1350 |
Accommodation
Hotels in Kuala Lumpur can vary in price, but there is lots of choice for low and high end spenders. As the city is the key financial hub of Malaysia there are several high-end executive style hotels in central areas catering for the business traveler. The city also has a variety of hostels to choose from for backpackers. Popular areas for backpackers include the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Ipoh areas.
A few options to consider include:
Budget
Tune Hotel
Kuala Lumpur Hostel
High-end
Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
The Westin Kuala Lumpur
Shopping
Shoppers are spoilt in Kuala Lumpur, both those looking for a bargain and those after up market products from major brand names. As the retail centre of Malaysia, there are dozens of shopping malls to visit. Like most major cities in South-East Asia there is also a decent choice of markets.
The top shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur is Suria KLCC, which is situated below the Petronas Twin Towers. Others that are popular with locals and tourists include Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Low Yat Plaza. The major shopping district in Kuala Lumpur is Bukit Bintang.
Emergency
Emergency numbers
Police / Ambulance 999 / 112
Fire and Rescue 994 / 112
Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur
6 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Telephone: (60 3) 2146 5555
Facsimile: (60 3) 2141 5773
Email: ahckl.consular@dfat.gov.au
Website: www.malaysia.highcommission.gov.au
Insurance and Healthcare
The health care system in Malaysia is administered by the country’s federal government and consists of public and private sectors. The public health care system is available to all citizens, including expats who have registered for the system. Public health in Malaysia is excellent by South-East Asian standards and compares well with western countries.
On top of the compulsory health insurance requirements, expats in Malaysia can take out private care, with an extensive range of services available. Costs for private health treatment in Malaysia compare well with Australian services. Despite a high standard of health facilities in Malaysia, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.