Biz Norms

Business Norms, Practices & Cultures

Working Hours

In Malaysia, common working hours for most organizations are:

Work/Rest Days	Working Hours
Mondays to Fridays	0900 hours to 1730 hours
Saturdays	0900 hours to 1300 hours
Sundays & Public Holidays	Rest day
Lunch Time	1 hour usually between 1200 to 1400 hours

For companies who operate a 5-day week basis (especially multinational companies and some local conglomerates), the usual working hours are:

Work/Rest Days	Working Hours
Mondays to Fridays	0830 hours to 1730 hours
Saturdays	Rest day
Sundays & Public Holidays	Rest day
Lunch Time	1 hour usually between 1200 to 1400 hours

For government departments, government agencies and commercial banks

Work/Rest Days	Working Hours
Mondays to Fridays	0900 hours to 1700 hours
Saturdays*	0900 hours to 1300 hours
Sundays & Public Holidays	Rest day
Lunch Time (Mondays to Thursdays)	1 hour usually between 1200 to 1400 hours
Lunch Time (for Friday only)	2 1/4 hours usually between 1200 to 1445 hours

The 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of every month are rest days for government departments and financial institutions.

Public Holidays in Malaysia

for 2001

for 2002

Below are the lists of public holidays in Malaysia for year 2001, including some specific holidays in particular States. By knowing the various public holidays in Malaysia, you can plan your business cum pleasure visits in Malaysia much better.

Official Public Holidays (celebrated throughout Malaysia)	Date	Day	No. of days holiday
New Year Day	1^st January	Monday	1
Chinese New Year Day	24th February 25th February	Saturday Sunday Monday	3
Hari Raya Puasa	6th March 7th March	Tuesday Wednesday	2
Awal Muharram	26th March	Monday	1
Labour Day	1^st May	Tuesday	1
Wesak Day	7th May	Monday	1
King’s Birthday	2nd June	Saturday	1
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday	4th June	Monday	1
National Day	31st August	Friday	1
Deepavali	14th November	Wednesday	1
Hari Raya Puasa	16th December 17th December	Sunday Monday Tuesday	3
Christmas Day	25^th December	Tuesday	1

Specific holidays in the respective States	Date	Day	No. of days holiday
Federal Territory
- City Day	1^st February	Thursday	1
Selangor
- Thaipusam	7th February	Wednesday	1
- Sultan’s Birthday	10th March	Saturday	1
- Hari Quran	6th March	Tuesday	1
Penang
- Thaipusam	7th February	Wednesday	1
- Sultan’s Birthday	14th July	Saturday	1
Johore
- Sultan’s Birthday	8th April	Sunday	1
Perak
- Thaipusam	7th February	Wednesday	1
- Sultan’s Birthday	19th April	Thursday	1
- Hari Quran	6th March	Tuesday	1
Negri Sembilan
- Thaipusam	7th February	Wednesday	1
- Sultan’s Birthday	19th July	Thursday	1
Pahang
- Sultan’s Birthday	24th October	Wednesday	1
- Hari Quran	6th March	Tuesday	1
Malacca
- Sultan’s Birthday	13th October	Saturday	1
Kelantan
- Sultan’s Birthday	31st March 1st April	Saturday Sunday	2
- Hari Quran	6th March	Tuesday	1
Trengganu
- Sultan’s Birthday	20th July	Friday	1
- Hari Quran	6th March	Tuesday	1
Kedah
- Sultan’s Birthday	14th January	Sunday	2
- Hari Quran	6th March	Tuesday	1
Perlis
- Sultan’s Birthday	17th May	Thursday	1
- Hari Quran	6th March	Tuesday	1
Sabah
- Sultan’s Birthday	16th September	Sunday	1
Sarawak
- Sultan’s Birthday	8th September	Saturday	1

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Biz Culture

Most organizations prefer you to make an appointment with the person whom you wish to visit. A date, time and venue will be decided.

Meeting place can be held at the lobby, lounge or coffee house of hotels and clubs or it can be at the office or factory of your potential clients.

In the day, coffee and tea are served at business meetings.

In the evening, sometimes beer and liquor are complimentary at social meetings.

Biz people of the Muslim religion are refrain from consuming alcoholic drinks.

Formal suits at most business meetings are not necessary for most organizations due to our hot and humid climate throughout the year.

For night business and social functions, formal suits and bateks for men and evening gowns for ladies are preferred.