Cultures of Malaysia
Eve
Every country has a culture which its citizen practice, however, Malaysia has an unique
culture because of the diversity of its' citizens.The Malaysian citizen are made of three main race which is
Malay, Chinese and Indian. There are also other races in the country such as Sikh and Bumiputras. The
Bumiputras are non-Malay indigenous people, including ethnic Thais, Khmers, Chams and the natives of
Sabah and Sarawak. All these ethnic cultures have influenced each other, creating a truly Malaysian culture.
culture because of the diversity of its' citizens.The Malaysian citizen are made of three main race which is
Malay, Chinese and Indian. There are also other races in the country such as Sikh and Bumiputras. The
Bumiputras are non-Malay indigenous people, including ethnic Thais, Khmers, Chams and the natives of
Sabah and Sarawak. All these ethnic cultures have influenced each other, creating a truly Malaysian culture.
The basic attitude of a Malaysian is acceptance, courteous, respectful, honest, sincere,
generous, modest, humble, helpful and hardworking.The Malaysians practice this attitudes on a daily basis
with their elders and their peers. For Malaysians, family value is very important in their life. This is the reason
why most Malaysians have such good manner towards others in society. Moving on, there are many belief
within the Malaysian society which can be seen through the festivals celebrated in the country. For example,
Thaipusam in January, Chinese New Year in February, Hari Gawai & Dragon Boat Festival in June,
Independence Day & Hari Raya Aidilfitri in August and Christmas in December.
generous, modest, humble, helpful and hardworking.The Malaysians practice this attitudes on a daily basis
with their elders and their peers. For Malaysians, family value is very important in their life. This is the reason
why most Malaysians have such good manner towards others in society. Moving on, there are many belief
within the Malaysian society which can be seen through the festivals celebrated in the country. For example,
Thaipusam in January, Chinese New Year in February, Hari Gawai & Dragon Boat Festival in June,
Independence Day & Hari Raya Aidilfitri in August and Christmas in December.
Beside that, the business culture in Malaysia is closely related with their beliefs and tradition.
For example of tradition is the practice of the structure and hierarchy in Malaysian companies.Malaysian
companies generally follow a vertical hierarchical structure where authority is directed from the top. Titles
and job descriptions play a significant part in many Malaysian companies in order to emphasis the line of
authority within the business.
For example of tradition is the practice of the structure and hierarchy in Malaysian companies.Malaysian
companies generally follow a vertical hierarchical structure where authority is directed from the top. Titles
and job descriptions play a significant part in many Malaysian companies in order to emphasis the line of
authority within the business.
Furthermore, Malaysians' respect for authority is evident in most business dealings.The
relationship between subordinates and their superiors for example is distinct and highly official with the use
relationship between subordinates and their superiors for example is distinct and highly official with the use
of titles such as "Mr" and "Madam" followed by their honorific form of address. Relationships between
Malaysian business colleagues are based on mutual respect and, as such, the same procedure used when
addressing their superiors is also applied with their Malaysian business colleagues.
Malaysian business colleagues are based on mutual respect and, as such, the same procedure used when
addressing their superiors is also applied with their Malaysian business colleagues.
MALAY
Makanan Nasi Lemak |
Tarian Kudang Kepang |
Hari Raya Aildifitri |
CHINESE
Mooncake Festival |
Lion Dance Performance |
Chinese New Year |
INDIAN
Roti Canai |
Kuchipudi |
Deepavali |
Cultural Context
Malaysia is a high context society. This means that Malaysians are more likely to rely on implicit
communication rather than explicit messages. Malaysians as a result read more into what is said than
communication rather than explicit messages. Malaysians as a result read more into what is said than
the words themselves may actually mean. For most Malaysians, what is meant matters more than
what is actually said. In Malaysia, meaning is usually communicated indirectly. As a result,
Malaysians are likely to agree to things with which they disagree, allowing the context of the
discussion or past relationship to convey their disagreement.
Malaysians, as a high context culture, place a strong value on face saving.
The Malaysian conception of face-saving takes the form of the avoidance of shame. In Malaysia,
one commonly holds to a contract to maintain appearances rather than from fear of a lawsuit.
Malaysia is a polychromic culture. The Malaysians value friendship, personal commitments and the
completion of task at hand at the expense of present schedules.
Non-Verbal Communication
There are three major phyletic groupings in Malaysia, the Malays, the Chinese, and the
Indians.There are also a number of other horde and gens of the native race in West and East Malaysia.
There are many types of non-verbal communication which including space and distance,
physical contact , facial expressions , gestures and eye contact .Most of the Malaysians have the most
common gestures and facial expression . They tend to avoid speaking in a loud voice and standing while
being introduced to someone . They will look at each other while communicating .
For gestures of non-verbal communication, people would tend to make some hand movements
that imply some symbols such as lifting one of the fingers of the opposite hands, place softly or pointing
softly .For personal appearance, people tend to find a way of grooming themselves. The traditional
Malay greeting of 'Salam' resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The man offers
both hands, lightlly touches his friend's outstretched hands, and then brings his hands to his chest to
mean, " I greet you from my heart". The visitor should requite the "Salam". "Salam" is not practiced by
the rest of the community though, so a normal handshake will do.
Greeting Gestures of Malays |
Greeting gestures of Chinese |
Greeting gestures of Indians |
Social Customs
There are many races and religions in Malaysia. Every race or religions have their own beliefs and
customs to follow. All of the Malaysians are able to live together in a harmony multicultural living
environment as they want to achieve peace and unity by respecting each others' beliefs and customs.
Although handshakes are generally enough for both men and women, some of the Muslim ladies
may also agree with using nodding head and smiling as a greeting with a gentleman. For Muslims, the way
to greet with each others is "Salam" and it has the same meaning with a handshake. A younger person
usually offers the "Salam" by taking hold of the hands of the elder people. Then, that's usually followed by
a verbal greeting "Assalamualaikum", which means that 'peace be upon you'. For a non-Muslim, they
should know that in Islam, physical contact between the opposite sex is not allowed. So, when a non-
Muslim is offering a handshake to a member of the opposite sex which is Muslim, he/she should not be
frightened if the handshake is not accepted. For Chinese, they are always calling their family names by
adding Mr., Mrs.,or Miss and then a handshake and a "hello" or "hi" are suitable to be used when you
are greeting to each other.
How Malay Greet with Each Other |
How Chinese Greet with Each Other |
How Indian Greet with Each Other |
Next , shoes are not allowed if you want to enter someone's house, mosque or temples. So, we must
remove our shoes first before we are going to enter a Malaysian's house, mosque, Indian temple or a
Buddhist temple. Besides that, ladies are advised to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts when
entering mosques and temples. Also, we need to call people politely first before we visit a home. For
example, when we want to enter a people's house, we need to ask for permission politely first.
Malay Mosque |
Chinese Temple |
In addition, the business card is always exchanged with each other and should be giving or receiving with
both of our hands at all the times. It is because that if we receive something with both hands, it will show that
we respect the people. Next, we have to read the business card first and understand what is the job or
position of the people, then only we keep it inside our pocket. It will show we are paying fully respectful to
the people so that the people will respect us too. Besides that, we should never give alcohol drinks
to Muslims because alcohol drinks are prohibited and not allowed in the Muslim religion. So, toasting is
not famous in Malaysia because Malaysia has a large Muslim population, those cannot having an alcohol
drink.So, we can only see people toasting when someone is organizing a party. Also, we should never give
clock,watches, knives or white flowers to a Chinese person because the white flowers signify to death in
Chinese culture, so are the clocks, knives and watches, there are the words those are related to death.
to Muslims because alcohol drinks are prohibited and not allowed in the Muslim religion. So, toasting is
not famous in Malaysia because Malaysia has a large Muslim population, those cannot having an alcohol
drink.So, we can only see people toasting when someone is organizing a party. Also, we should never give
clock,watches, knives or white flowers to a Chinese person because the white flowers signify to death in
Chinese culture, so are the clocks, knives and watches, there are the words those are related to death.
Legal & Ethics
Malaysia is no different than other countries with regards to the business laws, but, it has been
written to suit the culture of its’ citizens. For example, prior permission of the Foreign Investment
Committee (FIC) has to be obtained before an acquisition of a substantial fixed asset in Malaysia by
a foreign interest which includes non-Malaysian individuals, companies incorporated outside
Malaysia, and Malaysian incorporated companies in which foreign interests hold more than 50% of
the voting shares or has management control. Other than that, Malaysia also practices Islamic law
for the Muslim citizen.
Additionally, there are many business etiquette that one must follow and practice when doing
business in Malaysia. One must be patient during business negotiations. The process is often a
business in Malaysia. One must be patient during business negotiations. The process is often a
long and detailed one that should not be hastened. One should remain polite and demonstrate good
etiquette at all times. Elderly Malaysian business people for example should be treated with respect
and always be acknowledged before younger members of the organization. Take time to establish
productive business relationships with your colleagues. Initial meetings are generally orientated
towards developing such relationships and will be maintained throughout and beyond the
negotiations. Besides that, do not assume that a signed contract signifies a final agreement. It is
common for negotiations to continue after a contract has been signed. Do not be surprised if your
colleagues ask what you may consider to be personal questions. In Malaysia, for example,
asking people about their age, income and marital status is not uncommon and is viewed as
an acceptable approach to initial conversations.
an acceptable approach to initial conversations.