Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can you tell me about Malaysian names?
2. What can you tell me about gift giving?
3. What can you tell me about driving in Malaysia?
4. How can I arrange a visit to Terendak War Cemetery?
5. How do I obtain a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate from Malaysia?
6. How soon can I get married in Malaysia?
7. Can I undertake study in Malaysia?
8. How do I transfer financial assets to Australia?
9. Can I buy an investment property in Malaysia?
10. Can I apply for a Malaysian IC for my child/ lost of Malaysian IC or Drivers Licence at High Commission of Malaysia in Australia?
11. What is the Malaysia My Second Home
What can you tell me about Malaysian names?
Answer: Unlike in the West, Malays do not have family names. They attach their father's name to their personal names. Example: Razak bin Osman. In this case, Razak is the man's personal name while Osman is his father's name. Bin means 'son of' . In business, this person is often referred to as Encik Razak (Encik means 'Mr'). His friends would call him Razak. If you were writing a letter to him, you would address it to Encik Razak bin Osman. Then begin, Dear Razak.
Married Malay women do not take their husband's name but retain their own names. In the case of a female Malay name 'binti' is substituted for bin, and means 'daughter of'.
Chinese names are made up of the family name followed by the personal name which is normally made up of two words. Example: Tan Me Ling. In this case, Tan is the family name and the woman's name is Mei Ling. Formally, she would be referred to as Ms Tan and her friends would refer to her as Mei Ling. If she had taken a Western name or was a Christian, she may add that name before her family name. Example, Emily Tan Mei Ling. She would then choose to be known as Ms Emily Tan.
Most Indian Malaysians do not use their family names. They use their father's name. Example: Nagaratnam s/o Suppiah. The man's personal name is Nagaratnam and s/o means 'son of'. Suppiah is his father's name. In the case of females, d/o denotes 'daughter of'. Some Indians who are Christians have adopted Western surnames. Example: William Joseph or may add a Christian name before their personal name. Example: Michael Nagaratnam.
All male Sikhs have the name Singh which is not a family name. Example: Manjit Singh s/o Karamjit Singh. All female Sikhs adopt the name Kaur; again it is not a family name.
Many distinguished persons' academics, businessmen and politicians have honorary titles conferred on them by the King of Malaysia or the Sultan of their State. These titles such as Dato', Datuk or Tan Sri are equivalent to the British 'sir' and should always be used in written or verbal addresses. For example, Dato' Razak bin Osman would be used in the written form but in introducing him, you would refer to him as Dato' Razak.
Many Muslim Malaysians, who have made the pilgrimage to Mecca , are entitled to use the term Haji (abbreviated to Hj) in the written form of their name. Although it is not a name, it denotes that the person has been to Mecca .
As a form of respect to an older person who is not a relative, Malaysian children may refer to them as 'Uncle' or 'Aunty' , Bapa saudara or Emak saudara.
What can you tell me about gift giving?
Answer: There are several taboos associated with the giving of gifts to Malaysians. Malays are Muslims and the following gifts are forbidden: foodstuff containing pork or made using animal fat; alcoholic drinks or perfume containing alcohol; toy dogs or pigs, or anything made of pigskin.
For the Chinese, the following gifts connote an element of bad luck and should never be given them; clocks, straw sandals, handkerchiefs, sharp objects such as set of knives. If a gift consists of a number of small items, bring an even number of them as this a sign of happiness. Also never give anything having a picture of a stork to a Chinese woman because a stork symbolises a woman's death.
Some Indians are Hindus while others are vegetarians. So avoid giving foodstuff containing beef or meat extracts. In contrast to the Chinese, Indians prefer odd numbers to even numbers, which they consider luckier.
Don't be disappointed if the recipient doesn't open the gift in front of you. Malaysians of all races consider it rude to open a gift in front of the giver.
What can you tell me about driving in Malaysia ?
Answer. As in Australia , traffic moves on the left side of the road. However, both right hand and left hand drive cars may be driven on Malaysian roads. There are many excellent highways and toll roads and traffic regulations are similar to those in Australia . Tourists may use their Australian driver's licence for up to 3 months in Malaysia but must take out third party insurance if using their own vehicle.
How can I arrange a visit to Terendak War Cemetery ?
Answer: As Terendak is still a Malaysian Military Camp you need permission to visit the Cemetery. You should contact the Australian High Commission Defence attache' well before you leave on your trip, providing the names, passport details, dates of birth and occupations of the persons concerned, as well as the date and approximate hour of the day you wish to visit the cemetery. He will arrange permission from the Malaysian military authorities and advise you.
The address to contact is:
Australian Defence Attache
Australian High Commission
No. 6, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
50450. Kuala Lumpur . Malaysia .
Tel: 0011 (603) 246 5555
Fax: 0015 (603) 241 5773
How do I obtain a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate from Malaysia ?
Answer. You should contact the national headquarters of the National Registration Department ( Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara) at Putrajaya and provide all relevant details and date of birth concerning the individual's, name, occupation, parents, place of residence in Malaysia, etc. Payment is to be made by bank draft payable in Malaysian ringgit. Some time may elapse before the document can be found and sent, particularly if the event occurred 10 or more years ago.
Contact:
National Registration Dept. HQ
(Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara)
Public Relations Officer
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62100 Putrajaya Malaysia
Tel (603) 8880 7000
Fax (603) 8880 7059
Email: admin_bka@jpn.gov.my
kamarudin@jpn.gov.my
How soon can I get married in Malaysia ?
Australian (and foreign) citizens must be physically present in Malaysia when they submit documents relating to their proposed marriage. The normal time for a Civil Marriage at an office of the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (National Registration Office) is seven days with submission of the application on the eighth day to the local registrar of marriage. These regional offices are in all states of Malaysia .
However, the seven day waiting period may be dispensed with by special license. The form Borang JPN KCP1 must be submitted and approved by the registrar's office and payment of RM100 made. The marriage will then be solemnized within seven days from the date of application. Apart from documents from Australia concerning their single status and identity (sighted and confirmed by the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra ) Australian citizens must present their passports and have two witnesses to sign the registry. The fee for solemnizing the marriage is RM30, paid in cash. A marriage celebrant may perform a ceremony away from the office but the couple will have to visit the office to officially record the marriage. Many resort hotels provide marriage packages for those intending to marry in Malaysia .
Can I undertake study in Malaysia ?
Answer. Yes. Foreign citizens who wish to study in any government or private school or university in Malaysia need to apply for the student pass in Malaysia . Before submitting the application to the Immigration Department in Malaysia , the intending student must have a letter of offer (acceptance) from the school or institution at which he or she plans to study. Parents accompanying their children are allowed to stay for up to six months. The forms and documents required are:
- Letter of offer from educational institution.
- Two copies of Students Permit Application Form –IMM.14
- Two copies of Students Detail Form.
- Two copies of BTK Form ( if student is 18 years old and above).
- Student's passport/travel documents (original and photocopy).
- Four recent passport size photos of the student.
Australian students may enter Malaysia and then submit the application form at the State Immigration Office where the relevant educational institution is located.
Alternatively, the educational institution that has accepted the student may forward the application on behalf of the student to the Immigration Department.
No visa is required by Australian, European Union , USA or New Zealand passport holders.
Further information: The Director, Visa, Pass and Permit Division, Immigration Department Headquarters, Precinct 2, Pusat Pentabiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Putrajaya , Malaysia . Tel: 0011 (603) 8880 1000 Fax: 0015 (60s) 8880 1200,
Email: pro@imi.gov.my
How do I transfer financial assets to Australia ?
Answer: You contact the Foreign Exchange Administration of the Bank Negara Malaysia and provide your personal particulars, status in Australia with certified documents, amount to be transferred as a result of sales or inheritance and the manner of funds to be transferred and the name of the Bank from which, and to whom, the transfer is to be effected.
Bank Negara Malaysia
(Petit Surat ) PO Box 10922
Jalan Kuching 51200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (603) 2698 8044, 2698 9044
Fax (603) 2691 2990 2693 6919
Can I buy an investment property in Malaysia ?
Answer: Yes. You may purchase an investment property in Malaysia and advise the Economic Planning Unit at the time of purchase. When selling the property you will be subject to capital gains and other taxes as may apply at the time.
Can I apply for a Malaysian IC for my child/ lost of Malaysian IC or lost of Malaysian Drivers Licence at the High Commission of Malaysia in Australia ?
No. You must return to Malaysia to apply in person for the MYKad at a Government Service Centre (GSC). The data will be sent to the National Registration Department HQ before the personalized IC is sent back to the GSC for collection by the applicant. The supporting documents required are a passport, the child's birth certificate and the father or mother's IC. The applicant's thumb print will be taken as well as a photograph.
If you have lost your Malaysian Identity Card or your Malaysian Drivers Licence you must first obtain a full police report from the Police Station at the area where you've lost the documents, you will then need to go back to the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara in Malaysia to obtain replacement of your Malaysian Identity Card or to Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalanraya (JPJ) to obtain replacement of your Malaysian Driving Licence. Refer to www.jpn.gov.my or www.jpj.gov.my for more information.
What is the Malaysia My second Home?
Answer: Malaysia My second Home Programme is promoted by the Government of Malaysia to allow foreigners, who fulfil certain criteria, to stay in Malaysia on a social visit pass with a multiple entry visa for 10 years. This is renewable, depending on the validity of the applicant's passport. The visa does not allow the applicant to work in Malaysia. However, the person may buy two (2) residential properties and import a motor vehicle for their personal use. The visa extends to the spouse of the applicant and any children under the age of 18 years old.
Information about further details and the application form may be found on the Malaysian Department of Immigration site: www.imi.gov.my or from the Ministry website:
Malaysia My Second Home Centre (MM2H)
Ministry of Tourism Malaysia
Putra World Trade Centre
50695 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: (603) 2693 7111
Fax: (603) 2693 3533
Email:mm2h@motour.gov.my
website:http://mm2h.motour.gov
