Living in Malaysia
House Hunting
After arriving in Malaysia, you will be placed in a hotel for 7 days 6 nights while you search for a house. There is a list of available rentals included in your Welcome Package, to help you connect with local property agents.
*A furnished apartment costs approximately MYR 1,600 – MYR 2,000 per unit, we suggest sharing the apartment with your fellow colleagues to alleviate the cost.
Bank Opening Session
Done approximately 2 weeks after safe arrival to Malaysia
Bank opening will be conducted either at the office or at partnered bank branch
*Ensure that you have a working Malaysia SIM card for your mobile phone before this session (with working Malaysia contact number).
**You will need to keep your passport with you until the bank account is opened.
Things to bring before your arrival :
International plug for
electrical appliances
Cash in MYT for any cash
deposit or emergency purposes
Jacket/scarf to keep your body warm
Smart Phone Applications
WhatsApp - The primarily used application for chatting & communications. Prior to arrival, you will need to have registered on WhatsApp as you will be contacted by our local recruitment team via WhatsApp and e-mail.
MySejahtera – An app developed by the Government of Malaysia to manage the COVID-19 outbreak. You will need to provide important information such as your travel procedures and also health declaration in this application before flying to Malaysia.
The app also allows you to self-report your health status and you will be notified if you have been in close contact with high-risk COVID-19 individuals or areas. It can also show you nearby health facilities in your area after arriving in Malaysia.
As of August 2022, no quarantine is required; but we suggest to continue having the application installed to conduct contact tracing, self-quarantine and receive updates from the Ministry of Health in Malaysia.
MiCare MyMed Mobile App – An application for employees to conduct the following:
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Find nearest panel clinic/hospital partnered with TPMY
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View medical benefits entitlement & coverage information
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View e-Medical card
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Submit claims anytime anywhere
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Request Guarantee Letter (GL)
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Sync up with health apps on your phone to track your steps, weight, heart rate readings and more.
Our local teams will register an account for you one month after your join date.
Grab – For transportation and food delivery. In Penang, it is recommended to use Grab as other transportation options may be slower or more costly.
FoodPanda-There are numerous food delivery apps for Malaysia, common choices is FoodPanda. Some fast-food outlets like McDonalds or KFC have their own
applications too.
Touch n’ Go E-Wallet – One of the commonly used e-wallet applications for Malaysians. If you are short on change or prefer e-wallet payment methods, consider using Touch n’ Go. There are other options such as such as AliPay or GrabPay also.
*Please do consider keeping some amount of cash on you when purchasing food, as not all shops in Malaysia use e-wallet.
LINE – In Malaysia LINE is still used by some users, but WhatsApp is the most commonly used messaging app in Malaysia for personal or business use.
Selamat datang ke Malaysia
(Welcome to Malaysia)
Notable Public Holidays
Chinese New Year (2 Days) – Varies per year following Lunar Calendar, usually in January or February
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (2 Days) – Varies per year, usually in April or May
Wesak Day – Varies per year, usually in May
Hari Raya Qurban – Varies per year
National Day / Merdeka – 31st August. Celebrates Malaya’s independence.
Malaysia Day – 16th September. Celebrates the merge of Malaya and East Malaya to form Malaysia.
Deepavali – Celebrating the Festival of Lights. Varies per year, usually in October or November.
Christmas Day – 25th December
Useful Links/Communities
Penang Japanese Association
Penang has a Japanese association located in Jalan Air Itam, Penang; to promote understanding and friendship for the locals and Japanese community in Penang.
The Penang Japanese Association (PJA) organizes events and provides assistance for people to familiarize themselves with the culture of Japan.
The biggest social event organized by the PJA is the annual Bon Odori Festival.