Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (M$) = 100 sen.
Notes are in denominations of M$5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of M$1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen. There are also a large number of commemorative coins in various denominations, which are legal tender. The Ringgit is often referred to as the Malaysian Dollar.

Currency restrictions
No restrictions on the import of foreign currencies (except banknotes of India up to INR270 and Indonesia up to IDR3000). The import of local currency is unlimited. No restrictions on export of local and foreign currencies.

Credit cards
All major credit cards are accepted at up market hotels, shops and restaurants. If you have a credit card with a personal identification number (PIN) attached, you can obtain cash advances from ATMs. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travelers' cheques
Accepted by all banks, hotels and large department stores. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Australian Dollars.

Banking
Banks in Malaysia are linking to international banking networks, which allow you to withdraw money from overseas savings accounts through ATMs. Check with your bank at home to see if you can withdraw money from your home account while in Malaysia. Banking hours is 0930 to 1600. Monday to Friday; 0930-1200 on Saturday. Banks in Sabah open at 0800 and usually break for lunch (1200-1400).

Malaysian banks charge around US$2-3 for foreign exchange transactions. Moneychangers do not charge a commission but their rates vary, so make sure you know the current rate before approaching one. For cash, you'll generally get a better rate at a moneychanger than a bank. Moneychangers are also generally quicker to deal with.

Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Malaysia. The more expensive hotels and restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge to their bills. All hotel rooms are subject to a 5 per cent government tax, though many cheaper hotels quote a price inclusive of this tax. Bargaining is common in markets and in many tourist shops. Treat it as a polite form of social discourse rather than a matter of life and death.