MALAYSIA

LANGUAGE

* The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia. English, Chinese and Tamil are also widely spoken and English is the principal language used in commerce and industry.

CLOTHING

* Suits are preferred for formal meetings. However, a business shirt and tie or blouse and skirt are suitable for plant visits/ exhibition centres.

* Long-sleeved batik shirts can be worn by men when attending dinner parties, but very formal dinners require a lounge suit or evening gown.

INTRODUCTIONS

* Malaysian names usually have two parts, as in the Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy Anwar Ibrahim. When introduced to a Malaysian person, always refer to them by their first name, preceded by the appropriate term of address, eg Dr Mahathir or Mr Anwar. This rule applies to both male and female names.

* Many Malaysians in the business community are of Chinese descent and will usually have a three-syllable name in which the surname precedes the given names. Hence a Chinese Malaysian man named Lee Ming-teh should be referred to as "Mr Lee."

* Business cards are the norm during introductions. Warm handshakes are customary, however some Muslim women do not shake hands with the opposite sex.

TITLES

* Many top Malaysian businessmen have been conferred awards which carry a titled name. Care must be taken that they be addressed properly

* "Tun" is Malaysia's highest form of address. Only a handful in the country have received this honour - no more than a dozen. The Economic Adviser to the Government is Tun Daim Zainuddin. Daim is his given name and Zainuddin is his father's name. In terms of correct etiquette, he is referred to as "Tun Daim."

* The other significant award is "Datuk." Many businessmen have been conferred "Datukships."

* The wife of a Tun is known as "Toh Puan." The wife of a "Tan Sri" is "Puan Sri." The wife of a Datuk is known as "Datin."

TRAFFIC

* Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is becoming very congested. The situation has not yet reached Bangkok proportions but is approaching these levels. It is likely to stay this way at least until the city's mass rapid transit system is in place in 1998. Seek local advice on how long it will take to get to appointments.

MONEY

* The official unit of currency in Malaysia is the ringgit, which is divided into 100 sen. Malaysia has an advanced and efficient banking system and it is possible to change most currencies and travellers cheques into ringgit at banks and money changers across the country. Credit cards are accepted at most large retail outlets, restaurants and hotels and cash advances can be obtained over the counter in banks and at designated automatic teller machines.

* It is unnecessary to leave a tip for services in Malaysia.

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

* Malaysia's post and telecommunications system is highly efficient and reliable. Post offices are open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and until 12 noon on Saturday.

* Long-distance phone calls can be direct dialled between all Malaysian cities and international direct-dial phone calls can be made from public phone booths across the country.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

* Malaysia's international air traffic arrival points are located in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Penang.

* KL International Airport is located approximately 45 minutes from the city's downtown area, but the journey can take longer during heavy traffic. A set-price taxi-voucher service operates from a booth located to the right of the terminal exit. Metered taxis can also be taken for the journey at a cost of approximately $US10.

* Penang's Bayan Lepas Airport is located about 18 kilometres from downtown Georgetown. A taxi-voucher system also operates from a desk inside the airport terminal. The journey takes about 30 minutes.

* Duty free shopping at KL International is good and is recommended for last minute gift purchases.

MOBILE PHONES

* Always switch cellular phones off during conferences and meetings.

FOOD

* If you are hosting functions in Malaysia, never serve pork, as this will offend your Muslim guests. In addition, do not serve alcohol.

WORKING TIMES

* Most government offices open at 8am and close at 4.15pm.

* Most private sector establishments open at 9am and close at 5pm.

* Banking hours are 10am to 3pm for most banks from Mondays to Fridays and from 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays.

* Almost all are closed on Sundays, but a few open on Sunday mornings.

GIFTS

* When selecting gifts for Muslim Malaysians, avoid products made from pigskin and alcohol, as these goods contravene the laws of Islam. Remember however, that most Chinese Malaysians are not Muslims and would welcome a gift of fine French brandy or scotch whisky.

* Try to avoid using yellow wrapping paper in Malaysia. Yellow is associated with royalty and its use can be interpreted as presumptuous.

* Malaysian civil servants must surrender all gifts with a value exceeding RM500 to the national treasury. Under the official government guidelines, civil servants are permitted to buy the goods back if they intend to keep them. Always bear the price of the gift in mind if choosing something for a civil servant.

GENERAL

* Never exchange objects with Muslim people with the left hand, as this is considered unclean.

* Avoid visiting Malaysia during the holy fasting month of Ramadan (usually mid-March to mid-April) as it may be difficult to conduct business at this time of the year.

Return to Asia Pulse's Guide to Business Etiquette in Asia

Return to our Page Added July 8, 1998