How is Malaysia ?

[taiwanatoa]

Does anyone have any information/ experience? For example, if going from Thailand to the north like Penang or Langkawi ? How is life there? Is it nice to stay for maybe a year or more?Is it possible to renew the visa repeatedly by going back and forth to Thailand?

 

 

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[Destiny1990]

I kinda dislike Malaysia also I have rarely met any Thailand expats who do think its an interesting Country for living.

We go there for Visa Runs in and out.

its an backward country old fashioned they fry all their foods nothing going on.

 

[Olmate]

1 minute ago, Destiny1990 said:

I kinda dislike Malaysia also I have rarely met any Thailand expats who do think its an interesting Country for living.

We go there for Visa Runs in and out.

its an backward country old fashioned they fry all their foods nothing going on.

 

Your a real deep thinker!

[taiwanatoa]

I kinda dislike Malaysia also I have rarely met any Thailand expats who do think its an interesting Country for living.
We go there for Visa Runs in and out.
its an backward country old fashioned they fry all their foods nothing going on.
 

You go for visa runs. Do you mean you just go to some crappy border town or have you been to Penang or Langkawi ?


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[scorecard]

Keep in mind that Malaysia is quite complex in terms of it's own internal cultural mix: Malays, Chines, Indians and Sri lankans (they are all Malaysian citizens, many have been in Malaysia forevr / multiple generations. 

 

A very large % of the population speak the Bahasa Malaysia language regardless of their heredity, many also speak Tamil, many also speak 1 or several Chinese dialects, many speak English. 

 

Islam is the dominant religion (quite a few very serious) also quite a few Christians (almost can be quite serious), and a few buddhists, hindus etc. People are very clean, pleasant, helpful and courteous, cleaner than Thais in terms of the environment.

 

I had a country office in KL, worked with the locals / guided the locals many times in large consulting projects. All local staff were Malaysian (not foreigners, not needed), locals all well educated, all very capable, self-starters, good team players / very cooperative and always very respectful but no hesitation to politely discuss options etc., developed good value client solutions, excellent at delivery to the various mid size to mostly large size clients.  

 

The most recent gov't making some good progress on fighting corruption etc. There's quite a bit of ongoing infrastructure development. 

 

Agree, daily life is mostly as it was decades ago, great food options, for me especially in the Nth of Malaysia in and around Penang. 

 

Just my opinion, others may have a different view, their right of course, personally not on my agenda to live there but horses for courses.  

 

 

Edited May 29, 2019 by scorecard

[taiwanatoa]

Right. That's more like the impression I get from what I have found out on the internet


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[Destiny1990]

1 hour ago, taiwanatoa said:

You go for visa runs. Do you mean you just go to some crappy border town or have you been to Penang or Langkawi ?


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I been to Penang and KL I honestly didn’t like both those cities at all.

Langkawi I haven’t been and i wont go back to Malaysia either go check it out it cant be worse than Penang and KL.

[Denim]

I like Penang. Could happily live there. Nice people , nice beaches, good food.

 

However, if prostitutes are an important part of your life then it sucks more than the aforementioned.

[madmen]

20 million muslims STILL practising Sharia law. What else do you need to know. Oh if that's not bad enough Muzzies dont drink so beer is expensive and can be hard to find 

 

 yep thats coffee get used to it

[taiwanatoa]

You clearly don't know what you're talking about.
Hey, when's the next Trump rally?!


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[taiwanatoa]

I like Penang. Could happily live there. Nice people , nice beaches, good food.
 
However, if prostitutes are an important part of your life then it sucks more than the aforementioned.

Not at all. But I hear the boys are great!


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[tutsiwarrior]

Georgetown in Penang has some of the best food I've had in SE Asia...and not just the indian street food, at the top of Chulia Street there is a shopping center (or there useta be some years ago) with a food hall with all kinds of delights, chinese, malay, etc...but I wouldn't bother with alcohol in the bars, too expensive, get a bottle or a few of what you like and take it back to yer hotel room and order up ice and mixers...get a big pitcher and take it downstairs to the pool or the hotel terrace, very nice...

 

 

 

[madmen]

17 minutes ago, tutsiwarrior said:

Georgetown in Penang has some of the best food I've had in SE Asia...and not just the indian street food, at the top of Chulia Street there is a shopping center (or there useta be some years ago) with a food hall with all kinds of delights, chinese, malay, etc...but I wouldn't bother with alcohol in the bars, too expensive, get a bottle or a few of what you like and take it back to yer hotel room and order up ice and mixers...get a big pitcher and take it downstairs to the pool or the hotel terrace, very nice...

 

 

 

The Airport also has a fantastic food court similar to Food courts here, very nice

[tutsiwarrior]

I quite like having dunkin' donuts, pizza hut, KFC and Shitburger You Like a few steps from each other in a food court but there's a problem finding diet coke at 'The Airport'...

 

 

[Destiny1990]

On 5/29/2019 at 3:42 PM, Olmate said:

Your a real deep thinker!

So what you like about Malaysia?

 Besides their deep fried bananas.

Your Top 3...

[yellowboat]

On 5/29/2019 at 11:19 PM, madmen said:

20 million muslims STILL practising Sharia law. What else do you need to know. Oh if that's not bad enough Muzzies dont drink so beer is expensive and can be hard to find 

 

 yep thats coffee get used to it

The worst one could say is it is okay.   Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have very high tariffs on alcohol, making drinking less attractive compared to most other Asian countries.  If you are a digital nomad or working or wanting to work, it is better.  If you are looking for intellectual stimulating conversation, your chances of having one of those is much higher in Malaysia.  If you want to build an airplane or boat in your backyard, you neighbors will cheer you on or help out instead of reporting you to immigration.  Levels of education are much higher there.

 

If you are looking to just decompress, indulge in eye candy and do nothing, stay in Thailand. 

 

Worked in an office with very devout, Malays.  The majority were wonderful, as were the Chinese and Indians who also worked there. 

 

Beer is available everywhere in Malaysia, and was cheaper than Singapore, which has a much smaller Muslim population.   Langkawi is suppose to be duty free, so alcohol is suppose to be cheaper there. 

[hansnl]

On 5/29/2019 at 8:42 PM, Olmate said:

Your a real deep thinker!

Another portion of food for thought maybe?

It is a Muslim country and with the current government will get more Muslim.

Friend, Malaysian, from Malaysia, Buddhist, relocated to Thailand just for that.

Indonesia same same.

Try Phillipines.......

Edited June 20, 2019 by hansnl

[BestB]

How is it.? It all depends on what your expectations are.

 

clean, organised and boring . Food ok my opinion is crap unless you into Indian

 

people do speak English , fairly cheapish.

 

initial visa for 90 days instead of 30, extensions easy . 

[CapraIbex]

19 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Worked in an office with very devout, Malays.  The majority were wonderful, as were the Chinese and Indians who also worked there.

Beer is available everywhere in Malaysia...

Agree wholeheartedly!

[scuba2day]

Malaysia has a lot to like.

Malaysians are much less xenophobic than Thais. It is a multi-cultural society and people get along for the most part. Malaysians are more polite and courteous to other people. Kuching in East Malaysia even more so and Malays are the minority (23%). Most people with any education speak English. It is possible to have intelligent conversations with random people. Most Thais have no real interest in anything outside their little world. The variety of good food at reasonable prices is much larger. There is the local Malay, Indian and Chinese but also other food from all over the world. Very easy for foreigners to setup and work in their own business. Malaysians will never make up random excuses to not provide services to a foreigner. 

 

Civilised 90-day visa exempt entry.  

You can get a 10 year visa. Period. Cost is 650RM. No re-entry permit non-sense. No 90 day reporting. No reporting every time you stay a night in a hotel or friends house. No reporting when you come back home.

The financial requirements are harder and a 150,000 RM (over 50) or 300,000 RM (under 50) lock-in term deposit is required. 50,000 RM may be withdrawn after one year for house/condo purchase or medical expenses. Very easy to get 3% interest. So if you have a hard time putting together 800,000 baht then it is not for you.

 

You can buy property. However, there is a minimum price of 1M RM and 500,000 RM in Penang.

Most condos are 2 or 3 bedroom.

 

Local beer and alcohol can be more expensive. However, imported beer can be cheaper. You can get a pint of Guinness for 160 baht at a bar in KL or Penang. Langkawi is a duty free area so can buy a bottle of liqueur at a good price but can only take one bottle off the island.

 

The infrastructure is much superior.

 

 

 

Edited June 20, 2019 by scuba2day

[smccolley]

I spent about 10 months working in KL and what I found is that it is hard to fit in. The Indian, Chinese and Malay don't really interact outside of work, so it is easy to ignore another group (white guys). When I went out with friends it was usually the Filipino workers as they were happy to include me in their activities. 

 

If I were to live there I could see myself being pretty lonely unless I found an expat group to hand out with.

[ncc1701d]

I was going to buy in Penang a few years ago, but in a local paper there was a front page article that “they” had issued a fatwa on yoga. They thought that if people started doing yoga, then it may get the practitioners thinking about where yoga came from and join that religion. Absolutely moronic. 

 

Having said that, Penang does have amazing food and a polite, friendly scene. 

[Katipo]

You've got Malaysia proper, and then you've got Penang and KL. Of the two I think Penang is the most attractive. If you're an active sort of individual there is plenty to do. Tons of sports clubs and organisations to, with the use of English being common place. Less pollution, both on the ground and in the air. Fantastic cafes and restaurants. Beaches are nice, but not amazing. Lots of greenery. Plenty of places to get a drink, but it's not really a place for people who like to hang out in bars all the time, and certainly not for those who prefer paying for the company of woman. Although there are those types of woman around, often from Thailand, you won't be surprised to learn.

[PerkinsCuthbert]

It's like Thailand without the scowls from officialdom, and you are marginally less likely to develop malignant tumours from the food, which is delicious.

[Srikcir]

5 minutes ago, ncc1701d said:

“they” had issued a fatwa on yoga.

November 2008:

Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council, comprising Islamic scholars, told Muslims at the weekend to avoid yoga because it uses Hindu prayers that could erode Muslims’ faith. It ruled that yoga was "haram" (forbidden in Islam) for Muslims as it involved chanting of mantra and acts of worship which are against Islamic teachings.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi responded,

• “I wish to state that a physical regime with no elements of worship can continue, meaning, it is not banned. I believe that Muslims are not easily swayed into polytheism,” and
• "non-Muslims should not feel hurt or slighted by the announcement of the yoga fatwa as it was only applicable to Muslims."  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-islam-yoga/malaysia-backs-down-from-yoga-ban-amid-backlash-idUSTRE4AP2CA20081126

The ban itself was not binding from a religious perspective as it did not have the consent of the Conference of Malay Rulers. https://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/11/27/pm-understand-yoga-fatwa-dont-twist-it/

Unless you're a Muslim expat who must chant during yoga exercises when in Malaysia, there is no issue with yoga than there would be in Thailand (has its own nonMuslim restrictions).

[Sujo]

9 minutes ago, GalaxyMan said:

Who in their right mind would want to live in a Muslim country but a Muslim? Talk about half-assed backwards and Neaderthalic in their way of looking at life, not to mention repressive and restrictive.

Another one posting on something he knows nothing about.

[GalaxyMan]

Just now, Sujo said:

Another one posting on something he knows nothing about.

You must be looking in a mirror. I lived 9 years in the Middle East. I know very well what I'm talking about.

[Sujo]

I have been living in KL for 6 years.

 

KL is just like any major city, too much traffic. Many many bars but you have to know where to go for cheap beer. 2 nice bars near me have beer for rm6 at 6pm and goes up rm1 each hour. But usual cost for a pint can be around rm18 or so.

 

many different cultures here, quite friendly for a large multicultural society. Lots of different food. I prefer the chinese, indian, western food over the malay food.

 

There is generally no sharia law unless you live up in kelantan state area. Many of my muslim friends go drinking with me.

 

Langkawi, nice place, duty free. Beer around rm4. But i do find it boring, typical island life. 

 

Penang, one of my favourite places in malaysia. Fantastic food, nice old architecture. Has a really nice vibe to the place.

 

Those on here talking about muslims and sharia law etc have never been here and just trolling. Its a very friendly place.

[Sujo]

11 minutes ago, GalaxyMan said:

You must be looking in a mirror. I lived 9 years in the Middle East. I know very well what I'm talking about.

Oh i see, didnt know malaysia was in the middle east. I live in KL.

[asiamaster]

Penang is quite nice also because it has a relatively high Chinese population.

Cameron Highlands is a great place to relax and to get away from the oppressive heat in Thailand April/May and of course the Songkran madness. Not much entertainment wise so you have to do with nice strolls, visiting the tea plantations -there is golf course by the way. And bring some books.

The population is mostly Indian (Tamil) as they used to work on the plantations. Weekends and public holidays it can get quite busy though with people coming up from KL.