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FY 1999: Malaysia |
CHAPTER IX: BUSINESS TRAVEL[end of document]In general, business customs in Malaysia do not differ fundamentally from those in the United States. Frankness, openness, promptness, etc. are all valued traits in business negotiations and dealings. Visiting businesspeople should be aware of some religious and cultural sensitivities; for example, Malay Muslims may feel uncom- fortable in business/social functions where alcohol is served. Many businesses and government agencies have working hours for a half-day on Saturday mornings.
U.S. business visitors to Malaysia do not require visas unless they are coming for the purpose of employment in the country. The typical entry-period for Americans is three months. Business visitors may be issued passes at the point of entry for the purpose of attending business meetings and conducting business negotiations in Malaysia. However, anyone who is to be employed in Malaysia, or to engage in work in Malaysia such as the overseeing of the installation of equipment on a project, must apply for a business or professional pass prior to arrival in Malaysia. English is widely spoken in Malaysia and is commonly used in business.
Malaysia is well served by a number of international airlines through Kuala Lumpur. Further international connections are less than an hour away in Singapore, with which there is a joint Malaysian Airlines/Singapore Airlines air shuttle service. Within the country, Malaysian Airlines provides frequent service to all major cities. The new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the first phase of which opened in late-June 1998, is the largest international airport in the region. KLIA, located 50 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur, is capable of handling 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo.
Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia have world class hotel accommodations catering to both business visitors and international tourism. For longer stays in the country, the market for rental housing and apartments in the Kuala Lumpur area is large and not overly expensive by regional standards. Food in Malaysia includes the three local cultures -Malay, Chinese, and Indian -- as well as restaurants specializing in U.S., Japanese, Korean, and European cuisine. Kuala Lumpur has several state-of-the- art medical facilities.
International telephone service from Malaysia is adequate, and more investment is being undertaken to keep up with the very rapid growth in demand.
Telekom Malaysia, the national phone company, aims to upgrade Malaysia's telecom services to the level of developed countries by the year 2005. Periodic power outages in and around the country are not uncommon, although there have not been any major power outages since the nationwide blackout in 1996, which affected all of Peninsular Malaysia. KL has recently been experiencing acute water shortages due to a number of factors, including reduced rainfall, poor water catchment management policies, lack of federal oversight over water rights, and ineffective distribution. Pipelines are currently being built to carry additional water from nearby states to the Klang Valley. Most international hotels, however, have not been affected.
Malaysia has had a number of haze incidents in the recent past, most notably from September to November in 1997, during which the air pollutant index (API) periodically reached "hazardous" levels. The smoke haze is a result of burning forest and peat fires, set by plantation owners, developers and farmers to clear land in various parts of Malaysia and nearby Indonesia, and has in the past affected the country during its main dry season. Poor visibility as a result of the haze caused many flight delays and cancellations in 1998.
Malaysia has no restrictions on temporary entry of business-related materials, such as software, laptop computers, etc. The movement of exhibit materials for Malaysia-based trade shows are typically handled by official freight-forwarding companies that are able to easily and quickly take care of customs and other required procedures. The electrical current is 220V. Mark-ups on products are negligible or not prohibitive, although bargaining in some retail outlets is not uncommon. Tipping for service is generally not practiced.
The following are commercial holidays for 1999:
January 1--New Year's Day January 19-20--*Hari Raya Puasa February 1--Kuala Lumpur City Day February 16--*Chinese New Year March 28--*Hari Raya Haji April 16-*Awal Muharam May 1 Labor Day May 29--*Wesak Day June 6--King's Birthday June 25--*Prophet Muhamad's Birthday August 31--National Day November 7--*Deepavali December 25--Christmas
* The dates of these holidays cannot be determined with absolute accuracy at this time because they are based on a lunar calendar.
"Guide for Business Representatives" is available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; tel (202) 512-1800; fax (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Malaysia seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur officials should contact the commercial section in advance. The commercial section can be reached by telephone at 60-3-248-9011 or fax at 60-3-248-1866 or e-mail at OKualaLu@cs.doc.gov.
Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title 17, United States Code.