Women can generally feel safe anywhere in Kuala Lumpur, including public transportation, but they should exercise the same caution as anywhere else in the world. Dark and seedy-looking areas late at night should be avoided. Physical assault, although it does happen, is still relatively rare. Much more frequently, women are the victims of purse snatchers using motorcycles.

Examples of harassment are rare in Kuala Lumpur, especially in Chinese and Indian areas. In Muslim areas, harassment is very unlikely if women are modestly dressed. This can be confusing since in other parts of the city, no such stricture applies. Still, better safe than sorry. When visiting a mosque, women must have all limbs covered and wear a head scarf. Malaysians, no matter what ethnicity, never go topless at a beach.

If you are being harassed, try appealing to Malaysians passing by. They will be mortified by such unsavoury behaviour and immediately come to your rescue.