Malaysia is located across two pieces of land in Southeast Asia. It is one of the world's richest and most industrialized countries. Many people speak English, especially in Kuala Lumpur and other big cities.
The total land area is 127,547 square miles, over 82% of California's total area.
Malaysia is known for abundant sunshine, stunning beaches, rocky mountains, two annual monsoon seasons, and the world's tallest twin towers. Malaysians are proud of their rich, multicultural traditions from China, South Asia, the Middle East, the West, and archipelagic Southeast Asia. It is a country of space-age cityscapes, South Indian temples, and million-year-old rainforests.
Penang, also called Georgetown, is considered Malaysia's food capital. However, residents have strong opinions about where to find the best local and multicultural dishes.
Government policies encouraging foreign investment, market competition, and the privatization of publicly held firms helped create a dynamic financial industry. Malaysia has transitioned from a predominantly agricultural source of raw materials to a rising multi-sector economy since the 1970s. Exports of goods, mainly electronics, oil and gas, palm oil, and rubber, dominate the economy.
The World Bank classifies Malaysia as an upper-middle-income economy with the following trade agreements and alliances:
Trade Agreements:
Alliances:
Malaysian workers are also referred to as EA or non-EA, depending on how their employment situation addresses criteria set forth in the Employment Act 1955 (EA).
Beginning January 1, 2023, people earning more than MYR4,000/month are considered EA (full-time) employees; those earning less than that rate are non-EA contractors. There are additional criteria and exceptions but there’s no pre-defined, legal way to conclusively determine FTE vs contractor status in Malaysia. The Industrial Court resolves disputes.
January 1, 2023 amendments to the EA address:
In general, EA/full-time employees have
In general, non-EA/contractors have
Non-EA employees are protected by the Employment Act 1955, but employment contracts determine the legal relationship with employers. Employee rights, obligations, and remedies are typically defined in the contract and may include:
One to three months
Monthly
USD equivalent median salaries
Employer Contributions
Health Insurance
Paid leave
Maternity
Paternity
Vacation/PTO days
Sick Days
Additional Benefits
Holidays
Malaysia celebrates six national (public) holidays and multiple observances a year. Some have fixed-dates set on the Gregorian calendar and others are based on the Lunar calendar and thus observed on different dates each year.
The most important fixed date holidays are:
The most important Lunar calendar holidays are:
Notice Period
To avoid an unfair dismissal claim, the dismissal must be for “just cause or excuse”:
Severance Pay
