Experiencing Malaysia
Culture
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society. The population as of February 2007 is 26.6 million consisting of 62% Malays, 24% Chinese, 8% Indians, with other minorities and indigenous peoples (Dept of Stats. Malaysia). The Malays, who form the largest community, are defined as Muslims in the Constitution of Malaysia. The Malays play a dominant role politically and are included in a grouping identified as bumiputra. Their native language is Malay (Bahasa Melayu). Malay is the national language of the country. In the past, Malays wrote in Sanskrit or using Sanskrit-based alphabets. After the 15th century, Jawi (a script based on Arabic) became popular. Over time, romanized script overtook Sanskrit and Jawi as the dominant script. This was largely due to the influence of the colonial education system, which taught children in romanised writing rather than in Arabic script.
The largest non-Malay indigenous tribe is the Iban of Sarawak, who number over 600,000. Some Iban still live in traditional jungle villages in longhouses along the Rajang and Lupar rivers and their tributaries, although many have moved to the cities. The Bidayuhs, numbering around 170,000, are concentrated in the south-western part of Sarawak. The largest indigenous tribe in Sabah is the Kadazan. They are largely Christian subsistence farmers. The 140,000 Orang Asli, or aboriginal peoples, comprise a number of different ethnic communities living in Peninsular Malaysia. Traditionally nomadic hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists, many have been sedentarised and partially absorbed into modern Malaysia. However, they remain the poorest group in the country.
The Chinese population in Malaysia is mostly Buddhist (of Mahayana sect), Taoist or Christian. Chinese in Malaysia speak a variety of Chinese dialects including Mandarin Chinese, Hokkien/Fujian, Cantonese, Hakka and Teochew. Many Chinese in Malaysia don't speak Malay as a first language. Chinese have historically been dominant in the Malaysian business community.
The Indians in Malaysia are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India speaking Tamil, there are also other Indian communities speaking Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi, living mainly in the larger towns on the west coast of the peninsula. Many middle to upper-middle class Indians in Malaysia also speak Malay as a first language. There is also a sizable Sikh community in Malaysia of over 83,000. Most Indians originally migrated from India as traders, teachers or other skilled workers. A larger number were also part of the forced migrations from India by the British during colonial times to work in the plantation industry.
Eurasians, Cambodians, Vietnamese, and indigenous tribes make up the remaining population. A small number of Eurasians, of mixed Portuguese and Malay descent, speak a Portuguese-based creole, called Papiá Kristang. There are also Eurasians of mixed Filipino and Spanish descent, mostly in Sabah. Descended from immigrants from the Philippines, some speak Chavacano, the only Spanish-based creole language in Asia. Cambodians and Vietnamese are mostly Buddhists (Cambodians of Theravada sect and Vietnamese, Mahayana sect).
Malaysian traditional music is heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms. The music is based largely around the gendang (drum), but includes other percussion instruments (some made of shells); the rebab, a bowed string instrument; the serunai, a double-reed oboe-like instrument; flutes, and trumpets. The country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, some of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), silat (a stylised martial art) and crafts such as batik, weaving, and silver and brasswork.
Business Customs
Malaysia has a multicultural and multiracial population consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous peoples. Although Malaysia's ethnic mix is generally harmonious, the various communities remain largely separate. With such a varied ethnic composition, there is a diversity of religions, and although the official religion is Islam it is common to see temples, mosques, and churches within the same area. Business customs in Malaysia do not differ fundamentally from those of the U.S. Frankness, openness, and punctuality, are valued traits in business negotiations and dealings. Personal contact is important. However, visitors should be aware of religious and cultural traditions, which differ for each ethnic group. For example, Malay Muslims may feel uncomfortable in business or social functions where alcohol or pork is served, and visitors should take note that items (such as business cards) should always be presented or received using the right hand.
Travel Advisory
Business travelers should be mindful of the State Department's Travel Warnings and Public Announcements when planning a trip, as well as the Consular Information Sheet for Malaysia. Travel updates can also be obtained by calling the Overseas Citizens Services toll free at 1-888-407-4747.
Visa Requirements
U.S. visitors do not require a visa for visits of less than three months. U.S. business visitors to Malaysia do not require visas unless they enter the country for employment purposes. Business visitors may be issued passes at the point of entry for attending business meetings and conducting business negotiations. However, if one is to engage in work in Malaysia (such as overseeing the installation of equipment on a project), it is necessary to apply for a business or professional pass visa prior to arrival. U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the U.S. should be aware of security reviews that visa applicants have been undergoing since 2002.
Telecommunications
International telephone service from Malaysia is adequate and more investment is being undertaken to keep up with the very rapid increase in demand. GSM is the Malaysian standard for digital cellular communications. One of its cellular providers is GPRS enabled, while the other two are 3G spectrum holders. The later have commenced their 3G pilots and it should be commercially deployed early 2005.
Broadband Internet access is widely available in most major hotels. Offices and residential customers gain dial-up or broadband Internet access via ISDN, ADSL, SDSL, WiFi and/or WiMax. WiFi/WiMax Internet access are mushrooming in coffee outlets in metropolitan Kuala Lumpur and other major cities. Malaysia’s dial-up Internet penetration rate is at 13.8%, whereas its broadband subscribers penetration rate is at 1.6%. Residential broadband access pricing has been slashed recently, and we should see more uptakes in the near future.
Transportation
Malaysia's central location in the Asia Pacific region makes it an ideal gateway to Asia and the ASEAN markets. Air cargo facilities are well developed in the five international airports - the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Penang International Airport and Langkawi International Airport in Peninsular Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah, and Kuching International Airport in Sarawak. Malaysia's ultra-modern Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the nation's largest, located 50 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur. Cargo import and export procedures are fully automated at KLIA.
Kuala Lumpur is served by a number of international airlines, though no U.S. airlines fly to Malaysia directly. Additional international connections are available via Singapore, from which there is a joint Malaysian Airlines/Singapore Airlines air shuttle service. Direct flights are available from the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Within Malaysia, the national airline - Malaysian Airlines (MAS) - provides frequent service to all major cities, as does low-cost competitor Air Asia.
Peninsular Malaysia's network of well-maintained highways link major growth centers to seaports and airports throughout the peninsula and provide an efficient means of transportation for goods. To complement these highways, a Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok rail service known as the ASEAN Rail Express (ARX) has been initiated with the aim of expanding it to become the Trans-Asia Rail Link that will include Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar before ending up in Kunming, China. Local transportation rates can be found on the MIDA website (click on “Costs of Doing Business” and then “Living in Malaysia” and then “Public Transport”).
Language
As a result of the country's ethnic diversity, most Malaysians speak at least two and even three languages - Bahasa Malayu (the national language), English, and their own mother tongue (often Chinese Mandarin or Hokkien, or Tamil). English is widely spoken and is commonly used in business.
Health
State-of-the-art medical facilities are available in Kuala Lumpur and other big cities. Quality health care is accessible in Malaysia with many reputable private hospitals, as well as numerous clinics and doctors who are aware of the expectations and needs of expatriates. Rates for medical services as well as hospital stays are generally lower than in the U.S. The climate can be debilitating because of the uniformly high temperatures, the rainfall, and high humidity. Travelers should also be aware of dengue fever, including the hemorrhagic variety, which exists throughout Malaysia. Though it is not as common in Kuala Lumpur, open drainage ditches and stagnant water at construction sites facilitate breeding of mosquitoes in the city, and expatriates are occasionally affected by dengue or malaria.
Local Time, Business Hours & Holidays
The first thing to consider when planning business travel to Malaysia is whether or not any local holidays may occur during the trip, and whether they will disrupt the normal flow of business. If offices are not open, appointments may not be scheduled as easily. Listed below are official Malaysian holidays. In addition to these, each state celebrates the birthday of its Sultan and the current King. Malaysia holidays for 2007 can be found on the U.S. Embassy website. Additionally, travelers should be aware that Friday is the holy day for Muslims, and government offices close from 12:00-2:00 on Fridays. It is usually difficult to schedule meetings on Friday afternoons, especially with government agencies. Malaysia does not practice daylight savings, and is EST + 12 hours in spring/summer and EST + 13 hours in the fall/winter.
Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings
Malaysia has no restrictions on temporary entry of business-related materials, such as software, laptop computers, etc. Movement of exhibit materials for Malaysia-based trade shows is typically handled by official freight-forwarding companies that are able to handle customs and other required procedures easily and quickly. Malaysia also accepts the ATA Carnet, which is essentially a passport for your goods. If the good can be described as a "tool of the trade," then upon presentation of the ATA Carnet the good may be exempt from duties and taxes. "Tools of the trade" are items such as commercial samples, professional equipment, items used for trade shows or exhibitions and some ordinary goods such as computers (including laptops) or industrial equipment. Carnets do not cover consumable goods, disposable items or postal traffic. The ATA Carnet can be ordered by contacting the U.S. Council for International Business (1-866- 786-5625).
Some equipment, including some high-speed or encrypted laptop computers, requires an export license from the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Also, some technical materials, sophisticated equipment, and goods taken to certain countries will need a license. If you are unsure whether or not an export license is required for your laptop or other materials, please contact BIS at 202-482-4811 or visit their website.
Finally, before returning to the U.S., the U.S. Customs Service should be notified that your items will be coming back into the U.S. and that U.S. import duties and taxes should not be assessed on the goods once they return. U.S. Customs will need the serial number of the item(s) taken. To find your local customs office, information may be found online at the U.S. Customs website.
