OFW Guide to Living and Working in Malaysia

Where do you plan to work if you are thinking of working overseas? You will find tons of job opportunities in the Middle East, but Asia is still among the favorite job destinations. By Asia, we’re not just talking about Singapore and Hong Kong where you can find a lot of Filipinos. At this point, you might want to consider Malaysia.

You can find job opportunities in Malaysia, although priority is still given to Malaysians. Still, IT-related and healthcare jobs are in demand, but you can also find work opportunities in hotel service and administrative work. Multinational companies find home in Malaysia where they will need talents like you.

If you plan to work in this country, here are some things you need to know about it:

General Facts

Located two to three hours from Manila, Malaysia is among the countries in Southeast Asia and being surrounded by Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and Philippines. Its capital city is Kuala Lumpur, Malay or Bahasa Malaysia is its official language, but English is widely spoken as well especially in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Its currency is Malaysian Ringgit (1 MYR = 12.94 PHP as of this writing).

Religion 

Malaysia’s official religion is Islam. Nonetheless, Malays are welcoming of other religious denominations such as Catholics, Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism among others.

All major religious festivals of every religious group are considered as a holiday.

Culture

Malaysia is ethnically diverse, so don’t be surprised if you see yourself talking to other Asians. It would be challenging though in the workplace because of the difference in culture. Still, this would be fun since you’ll get a glimpse of the way of life in other countries. Since this country is ethnically diverse, you will hear other languages too aside from English.

When you work in Malaysia, you will notice that most people will say “No” to you. Malaysian culture perceive the act of saying “No” as shaming the other person, so try to read between the lines. The lack of outright positive feedback would also mean “No,” so make sure you follow up your question.

Since Malaysia is a Muslim country, it is imperative that you observe proper attire. Conservative dressing is recommended, especially for women. Nonetheless, Western-style clothing such as wearing suits is normal.

Food 

Malaysia is a food haven. You can find different cuisines that could range from traditional Malay food to Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, and even Indian. Western food outlets can be found in Malaysia, but if you really want to enjoy what this country offers, then you have to eat where locals eat.

Transportation 

Unlike other countries such as Japan or Singapore, Malaysia doesn’t have an elaborate transport system. Kuala Lumpur has a light rail line that could bring you from point A to point B, but it needs to be expanded. Riding the cab is more convenient and most cabs charge lower rate.

Employment Pass

Working overseas means you need to secure necessary permit for you to be allowed to work. This is the same with Malaysia.

If you plan to work in this country, then you need to secure an Employment Pass with the help of your Malaysian employer. This employment pass allows you to work for 60 months or throughout the duration of the contract. Take note that this Employment Pass is valid per employer. If you wish to look for another employer, then you need to apply for another employment pass.

If you will render a physical labor job, then make sure you secure Foreign Worker Visa. This type of visa is granted to those who will work in the fields of manufacturing, agriculture, construction, plantation, and services.

Are you ready to go?