Faces of
Malaysia
Brunei

Tiny state in Borneo, sandwiched between Sarawak and Sabah. After it was a big regional player a few hundred years back, Brunei became rich upon the discovery of Oil in the 1940s. For a period time the Sultan of Brunei was the richest person in the world.

Singapore

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. At 704.0 sqkm (272 square miles), it is one of the few city-states in the world and the smallest country in Southeast Asia.

Backpacking Malaysia
Fruit Seller

Bogus Monks

As a tourist (especially western tourist) it is likely that you will be approached by a fake monk in tourist hot spots in Malaysia's big cities (Penang, Melaka, KL). These "monks" will approach you actively to ask for donations. However, they are not real monks.

poster
photo: John Udovic

The above poster (photo taken in Melaka) warns of bogus monks:

Don't Be Conned
Eliminate the bogus monk

1) No Selling items, including Buddha images, prayer beads & relics
2) Alms bowls are not for collecting money
3) Mahayana monks do not go for alms round
4) No alms round after 12pm for Theravada monks

Theravada monks will only receive alms and take food before noon.
A monk will only use his alms bowl to receive food and medicine.