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IN MALAYSIA
Business hours
Shops usually open from 10am and
close at 7pm. Supermarkets and shopping malls open at 11am and close
at 10pm. If you shop at roadside stalls or pasar malam (night
market), be prepared to bargain (food prices however are fixed).
Payment Mode of payment at most shops is cash
- definitely in small towns, villages and small shops. However supermarkets and some
large department stores do accept credit cards (most common is Visa, Mastercard and Amex). Credit cards are common in Singapore and major
cities in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur,
Penang) and at hotels. When
travelling in
Malaysia, be prepared to pay cash. Licensed money changers are
usually located at shopping malls. To pay for what you get, bargain when
you shop for non food items at open markets (e.g. pasar malam) and
bazaars
Getting the best bargains.....
Food and Merchandise
Local fruits and fresh vegetables:
shop at supermarkets, wet markets or roadside stalls. Prices for
food is
fixed in Malaysia. Get local fruits from roadside stalls during the fruit season
(mid-year and end of year).
Fashionable items:
the best time to shop is during the mid-year mega sales
(July/August). Shop at shopping malls where you don't have to
bargain. All goods on display in Malaysia is required by law to bear
a price tag. At roadside stalls, be sure to bargain. Best place to
buy top brands and latest fashion goods is Kuala Lumpur.
Souvenirs, Malaysian and Asian Crafts
Shop for souvenirs at places like Langkawi, Penang,
Kedah (Pekan Rabu) Melaka and tourists spots. However, if you
are looking for typical Malaysian items, shop at shopping malls or
open markets. What to buy: batik Malaysia, songket, ceramic
wear, pewter, weaved products, etc.
 Biscuits and cakes:
Bakery, cake or biscuit shops sell freshly backed products.
Fresh Malaysian kuih can be bought everyday from
roadside stalls or shops.
Supermarkets sell mainly factory produced products. Prices are
fixed.
Duty free goods: Shop at
Langkawi island or Labuan for duty free items such as electrical
goods, textiles branded overseas fashion goods, kitchen merchandise,
liquor, alcoholic drinks , cigars, cigarettes and other imported
items.
Local foodstuff (such as
shrimp paste, keopok): usually available at wet markets or
sundry shops are great items to buy for visitors. Keropok and dry seafood are good buys at
many fishing
villages in Malaysia - Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan.
Where to buy local products: Street stalls and open markets,
open bazaars or markets (pasar) are the best places to shop for
bargains or get local foodstuff but those who cannot take the heat of the sun
can shop at air-conditioned shopping malls or complexes.
The pasar malam or night markets and pasar tani
(farmer's market) are delightful open market and bazaars where you
can shop and bargain for all
sorts of merchandise - from fruits, vegetables and fish to fashion clothes and bags.
In small towns in Malaysia, roadside stalls and wet markets offer fresh food,
fruits and local foodstuff. Supermarkets, hypermarkets and shopping
malls can be found in every major town in Malaysia
Check out our description of
Malaysian
Food and Recipes
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