Thanks Veg...:)

They do it openly and without fear of repercussion?

I've seen a lot of Arabs drink like there's no tomorrow...when they're not in their own country. I remember meeting a bunch of Kuwaiti nationals in South East Asia not long before the first gulf war and they were well bladdered.
When I say watch your back mate...I really meant it.
Being a foreign national makes all the difference. Don't trust anyone, least of all the police. You may think you'd be alright drinking, until some copper fancies an unofficial pay day. Same goes for other things too. Just be careful and don't put yourself in a situation you can't get out of.

Now I've scared you half to death...enjoy your experience. It'll be the best thing you ever did and it'll leave you wondering why the hell you spent all those years farting about at home like a useless, pathetic twat, wishing you were more adventurous.
Good wishes and good luck.

Wow. Good luck man!

maybe not in the open - they are no pubs there

but there is no constant monitor on these sort of things, unlike the more fundamentalist Islamic states

Just relax and enjoy, I spent a year in Oman and 2.5 years in Brunei, both Moslem countries with no pubs etc. You'll be fine.

Just been discrete and you will be fine! Wish you all the best for your move M!

it's a bit stricter than here I guess

we're supposed to be conservative, but it's more like liberal Islam - there are laws against sodomy but homosexuality is still practiced in the open (unless you happen to be the leader of the Opposition Political Party)

there are laws against gambling and drinking but most Muslims I know drink, and the lottery-style number betting shops are full of Malays (Malays are compulsory Muslims)

and as for pre-marital sex, there are millions of amateur sex videos on the Net and in pirated DVD centres featuring Malays

although most have adopted the headscarf and formless clothing, some dress even more daring than the non-Muslims

only hardline rule here? Malays cannot convert out of Islam - they'll put them in a minimal security prison for brainwashing