Malaysia: the interview

The Weddingparadises.com interview with:
Mr. Syed Yahya Syed Othman, Director Tourism Malaysia Frankfurt

1) honeymoon:

a) What is the address of your general touristic website in English language?
www.tourism.gov.my

b) Do you have an extra subsite and / or printed brochure for honeymooners?
Information about weddings and honeymoon is available at: www.tourism.gov.my/activities/?xtvt_id=4

c) What would you consider as the most romantic places for honeymooners in your destination?
For romantic couples I recommend some of our beautiful islands: Langkawi or Pangkor and Pangkor Laut at the west coast or some of the pristine islands on the east coast such as Perhentian, Redang or Tioman. Here they will find dream beaches wih turquoise waters, cozy little villages and our 30 million year old rainforest.

d) What are the most popular general touristic attractions of your destination that honeymooners "must see" (if they should like to see something else but themselves ...)?
Some couples may want to get right into the action of Malaysian life. For them, the pulsating ambience of the modern city of Kuala Lumpur with its modern shopping malls and many dance clubs will keep them occupied day and night. Do not forget to visit the city’s landmark, the majestic Petronas Twin Towers.

Other interesting cities include historic Melaka in the South and Georgetown on the island Penang, which are both part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2009.

Nature lovers should go to Sarawak and Sabah on Borneo where they find wild landscapes, fascinating ethnic tribes and the last resorts of the orang-utans.

e) Which times of the year are considered as low and high season?
Malaysia’s west coast is a year round destination, the east coast and Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo can best be visited from April to October.

2) destination weddings:

a) What are the basic requirements for a legal civil wedding in your destination for a couple from abroad?
Some foreign embassies based in Kuala Lumpur give information about the wedding requirements in Malaysia on their respective websites, e.g. the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur:
www.kuala-lumpur.diplo.de/Vertretung/kualalumpur/de/04/Konsularischer__Service/seite__Eheschliessung.html

b) Is there an internet address in English language where all details for destination weddings can be found?
see answer above!

c) Do you have an extra subsite or printed brochure for weddings?
Information about weddings and honeymoon is available at: www.tourism.gov.my/activities/?xtvt_id=4

d) What would you consider as the most romantic places for a legal civil and / or church wedding in your destination?
With its varied landscapes and scenic settings, Malaysia is the perfect backdrop for those wanting a wedding ceremony that will be remembered forever. Couples can choose to exchange their vows on an island, by the beach, up in the cool climates of the highlands, amidst verdant green nature, in the clear blue waters of the sea, or in the historical heart of the country. With Malaysia’s kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, couples can even exchange vows the way Malaysians themselves typically do it, e.g. in a Malay, Chinese or Indian style.

Malaysia is blessed with many beautiful islands that dot its shores. Among them are Langkawi, Redang, Tioman, Pangkor and Perhentian islands, with beaches that inspire romance and clear blue waters that sweep gently to the shores. Beach weddings at sunset may be typical but couples can also opt for a cruise wedding where they can sail away into the sunset as they exchange vows. In the case of Langkawi, a thrilling glide over the tree-tops of Raya Mountain can also be arranged for those looking for a wedding ceremony that’s literally off-the-beaten track.

Even though Malaysia is very much a tropical country with warm weather all-year-round, one can still choose to hold a wedding in the cooler climes of the highlands. Frasers Hill, Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands are located on the main mountain range of Peninsular Malaysia with temperatures dipping between 16 and 21 degrees Celcius. Here, garden weddings are a favourite with the rolling green hills as a witness to the sacred union.

3) general questions:

a) Is it possible to follow your tourist board on facebook?
Not yet (per October 2011), but coming up!

b) What else would you like to tell future wedding couples and / or honeymooners regarding your destination?
With Malaysia’s kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, couples may want to exchange vows the way Malaysians themselves typically do it. Malay weddings will see the bride and groom being treated like a king and queen for the day, complete with the “royal” dais and traditional martial arts and cultural performances fit for the royal courts. Guests then take turns to “bless” the union with rosewater and fragrant potpourri.

For a more oriental experience, couples can get dressed up in traditional Chinese wedding costumes and complete the intricate Chinese tea ceremony with friends and family. Indian temple weddings are also a colourful affair as bride and groom are celebrated with music and flowers by guests dressed in extravagant sarees of modern design. At the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching on Borneo, wedding ceremonies can be organized according to the traditional ways of the ethnic tribes, e.g. Iban, Bidayuh or Orang Ulu. Similarly, the Monsopiad Cultural Village in Sabah on Borneo caters to Kadazan-styled weddings, complete with traditional trimmings.

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