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When you come back to your new home in your relocation process, it is always comforting to be in a place that is peaceful and stress-free. Basically, you want your new home to feel, well like home.

For those who have experienced commuting all over the world, after a while every hotel room looks the same no matter if you’re in New York or Jakarta. The main reason for this is due to the fact that the furniture used are basically similar. This is where the ability to choose your own furniture for your new home makes all the difference.

Although it is possible to get a fully-furnished accommodation, the ability to decorate your new home according to your taste makes renting furniture a good pay-off. Although you can purchase brand new furniture when you arrive, the initial cost plus the time needed to go to a shop, select what you want, wait for the delivery and installation, and the stress to maintain the furniture can be costly.

Furniture rentals aim to cover that gap by providing these positives:

Investment Expense

Renting involves minimal initial investment; it releases funds other purchases.

Less Worry

You may want to bring your own furniture from your home country but things like the humidity changes, accidental damage during shipping, time taken, and customs clearance process are a hassle to deal with

Furniture rental provides an easy alternative the furniture will be collected at your departure.

After-Care

Warranties and maintenance service can be arranged.

If you wish to know more about furniture rental in Malaysia, please feel free to contact us at Pathfinder Relocation Services.

Written by: Jeremy, Relocation Consultant at Pathfinder Relocation Services

How do I open a bank account? Do I need to wait until I have my work permit?

In order to open a local bank account, you will need to have your valid work permit (Employed Pass) endorsed on your Passport. You will also need a letter from your hiring Company stating your employment and an initial deposit (varies from bank to bank, usually between MYR250 – MYR1000). Some banks may further request for a copy of your Tenancy Agreement as proof of your residential address.

Can I use my home country driving licence to drive in Malaysia? Otherwise, will I be able to convert to a Malaysian Driver’s Licence?

As of 24^th September 2018, the conversion of Foreign Drivers Licence to Malaysian Driving Licence had been suspended and this applies to both Automatic and Manual Conversion. This will however not affect those who are Diplomatic Pass holders and Singapore driving licence holders (Malaysians who convert their driving licences to obtain Singapore driving licence).

You will need to hold an International Driving Permit together with your respective country’s driving licence to drive in Malaysia. The International Driving Permit has to be applied for in your home country.

If you do not hold an International Driving Permit, you will need to apply for a Malaysian Driving Licence via authorized driving schools based on existing procedures.

Will I need to pay the realtor a service fee for helping me find a home?

In the event a realtor is needed to co-broke on the property with another realtor, he/she may request a home-finding fee/commission from the tenant. However, this is not a common practice. Our carefully selected panel of realtors takes a commission from the landlord only and not from the tenant.

Why do I need to use a panel realtor? Can’t I appoint one myself?

Our panel realtors are carefully appointed after due diligence. We ensure that they are registered, have a good track record and will be able to assist with negotiations with the landlord in the event issues arise with the property.

You can most definitely appoint a realtor on your own and we will be more than happy to work with your appointed realtor as well as offer you the support you need to finalise your lease. However, we find non-panel realtors are less co-operative in times of dispute with the landlord or when complaints about the property are made post move-in. As we are committed to having your best interest in mind at all times, Pathfinder has a strict policy of not accepting any commission from realtors.

How can I get domestic help (e.g. part/full-time maid)? How much will I need to pay the maid?

As there is a very limited supply of local maids, you will need to opt for foreign maids either from Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, India or Sri Lanka. As Filipina maids are able to converse in English, they are the preferred option among expatriates. If you have already sourced your own candidate, you will be able to handle the application process yourself directly with the Immigration Department of Malaysia, saving you a sizeable amount in cost. Alternatively, you may use a registered foreign maid agency to assist you. A full-time live-in Filipina maid would expect to be paid the equivalent of USD400-550 per month with a minimum 1 day a week off. Out of goodwill, some employers would even offer to pay for the maid’s return flight ticket for their trip back home once a year.

In the more popular expat residential areas, it is not difficult at all to find part-time maids, and this is done usually through word of mouth or recommendation from a neighbour or friend living in the vicinity. Part-time maids usually charge MYR20-MYR25 an hour. Sometimes, depending on where they are travelling from, they may request transportation allowance.

Will my spouse, holding a Dependent Pass be able to work in Malaysia?

Unfortunately, the law strictly prohibits a Dependent Pass holder from working in Malaysia. In order to find employment in the country, your spouse will need to convert his/her visa to an Employment Pass. He/she will have to make an application for the Employment Pass via the local hiring company to the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

How long does an Employment Pass application take to be approved? 

If the hiring company is already registered with the Immigration Department of Malaysia Expatriate Services Division (ESD), the Employment Pass application is usually approved within 21 working days. However, if the hiring company has yet to be registered with the ESD, the process can take much longer – even up to 3 months.

The world, despite being made “smaller” through the ease of travel and also the ability to “visit” a location online whilst in the comfort of your own home, can still surprise us with its wonders and awe. Whether in the hustle bustle of Kuala Lumpur, or the sight of the majestic Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, and all the way to the living historical city of Malacca, expatriates can be assured of a fulfilling time in Malaysia. To also get the best of your stay in Malaysia, it is best to understand the cultural challenges and differences so that you can avoid any faux pas.

It is our differences that makes travelling interesting but below are a few tips that can assist you during your stay in Malaysia:

Greeting Someone

While it is common especially in Europe and America to greet someone with a firm handshake, in Malaysia, due to its numerous ethnicities and religions, the form of greeting can differ somewhat. Malay women do not usually shake hands with members of the opposite sex and only if they initiate the handshake, the acceptable way to greet them is to smile and bow slightly. Malay men have no qualms with shaking the hands of someone of their own gender but would hesitate again when it comes to someone from the opposite sex. Again, wait and see if they initiate the handshake, else a simple bow would suffice. In the business circle however, this is less restrictive.

The Chinese community however is more open to a handshake greeting regardless of gender and this would also apply to the Indian community though the cultural Indian way to greet someone is to put their hands together in front of them and nod their heads.

Language

English is the business language and is very common especially in Multi-National Companies (MNC). Being a former British colony, English is understood in Malaysia especially the urban areas of the Klang Valley (Kuala Lumpur & Selangor) and also Penang. Learning a few common words in Malay would assist you greatly especially in rural areas. It would also help to break the ice and is a great conversation starter. As a testament of the cultural melting pot of races in Malaysia, languages like Mandarin, Tamil, Cantonese, & Hokkien are also widely used.

Communication

Malaysians, as with most Asians are generally non-expressive in their communication styles (except when stuck in trafficJ) and this could be frustrating especially in business meetings. This is due to the concept of saving face which means the need to, “…preserve their established position in society, taking action to ensure that one is not thought badly of by his or her peers.” In that sense, when someone disagrees with a suggestion for example, they will not directly reject the suggestion but try and seek to mediate a better solution. Non-verbal communication is another way that Malaysians differ from Europeans and Americans. Whilst pointing with the index finger is considered acceptable to expatriates, it is considered rude to Malaysians who prefer to use their thumb with a clenched fist to indicate with their hands. Do not also touch the head of a Malaysian as this is considered impolite.

Clothing

As Malaysia is a tropical country with temperatures reaching up to 35 °C, it is wise to use protective accessories like a hat and sunglasses, and also use light coloured, cotton clothing. Malaysia is a secular country but with Islam as its official religion. Due to this, it is best to show respect for local customs and dress conservatively especially in rural areas. The list above is of course not exhaustive but it a basic guide to better immerse yourself into the lifestyle of Malaysia. Don’t see this as a restrictive but as a way to enjoy your experience in your temporary new home. As we say in Manglish (English-based creole spoken in Malaysia which you will certainly pick up in no time), don’t worry lah!

Written by: Jeremy, Relocation Consultant at Pathfinder Relocation Services

Everyone in the world today is somewhat connected. Globalisation is no longer just a buzzword but a reality to so many, for the expatriates, is a given. The world is smaller as travel is faster and connections done virtually in seconds.

Nonetheless, there is a whole new world with variances in diversity and cultures which means gestures that seems innocuous to one and can be insensitive to another. Stressed and traumatized that you may be perceived as offensive? No worries, Cultural Training is a handy tool especially for expatriates to feel comfortable living and working in a host nation, in this way reinforcing their capacity to comprehend and welcome numerous cultural points of view. Working relations are smoother and well understood.

Below is an example of how Cultural Training can make that faux pas into a bright star!

Did you know that the founder of Toyota is Kiichiro Toyoda? How about Henry Ford? Yes, the founder of Ford Motors. I think we resonate more towards Henry Ford, not because the cars are better but it’s because he has made himself quite well known. Why? Individualism vs. Collectivism. Countries like the United States have an individualistic society whereby individuality is empowered whether in work or achievements, while countries like Japan and South Korea are more a collectivist society and sees the whole group as the important element. Through Cultural Training, an expatriate would be aware of their surroundings and adjust themselves when required.

You sit down with your foreign counterparts who are bright, smart, and full of ideas, and you can’t wait for the meeting to start and contribute and make a good impression. The CEO comes into the meeting room and when it’s time for any questions or suggestions, your colleagues suddenly go quiet and don’t seem to chip in even when you know they have many ideas to share. No, it’s not that they have suddenly become tongue-tied but it is due to the Power Distance relations. Malaysia has the highest Power Distance in the world whereby people are more subservient and accepting whilst Australians and Americans have no qualms in making their views known to their superiors. With Cultural Training, expatriates will be made aware of the nuances within a country or even organisation, so that they would conduct themselves without being over or under-bearing. People tend to focus on the differences rather than the similarities between us. By making effort to understand a different culture and society, can one tear down the walls of prejudice and allows the windows of acceptance and tolerance to shine on us all. Cultural Training can be the key that will allow you and your family to have a great working assignment in your new country. Pathfinder Relocation Services offer Cultural Training with experienced and certified professionals that ensure you are ready to venture into a new country with confidence. Email us at info@pathfinder-relocation.com for an obligation-free consultation.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!

RED RED RED

Take out your red outfits and decorations as Chinese New Year (CNY) is just around the corner! Every year, the theme is red; therefore you do not have to crack your mind to figure out what colour you should wear. However, during CNY it is taboo to not wear the colours of black and white as they are colours that the Chinese community wear traditionally to mourn.

Red decorations everywhere! In psychology, the colour red could be associated with anger, hunger, love or passion. During the CNY however, the colour red is associated with good luck, good health, and good wealth.

Year of the Fire Rooster

2017 is the year of the Fire Rooster.

If you are born in the year of the rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 and 2005), your luckiest things are:

Numbers: 5, 7, and 8

Days: the 4^th and 26^th of any Chinese Lunar Month

Colours: Gold, Brown & Yellow

Directions: South, Southeast

Lucky months: the 2^nd, 5^th and 11^th Chinese Lunar Month

. . . and your unluckiest things are:

Colour: Red

Numbers: 1, 3, and 9

Direction: East

Unlucky months: 3^rd, 9^th and 12^th Chinese lunar months

Spring Clean & Kitchen God

In Chinese culture, CNY is not a religious celebration, but it is a celebration to welcome Spring. It is a custom where before the day of CNY, you have to clean your home or business space spic and span, but it is a big no-no to clean your space on the first day of CNY as it is associated with sweeping the wealth away.

There are some that pray to the “Kitchen God” (Zhao Shen) as he watches over the domestic affairs of a household. He will ascend to Heaven on CNY to give his report of the family member to the Jade Emperor, who is the Emperor of Heaven. The household would “bribe” him with “Nian Gao” – a sticky cake made of sugar and honey so that a “sweetened” version of the report would be provided instead. Zao Shen is also a moral force in the lives of the family members.

Reunion Dinner

During CNY’s eve, it is a tradition for all family members to get together as it is the last year of the Chinese Lunar Calendar before venturing into the New Year. The family’s usually will cook and eat food that has a good sounding name to it in the Chinese language such as “cai tao gui” (turnip cake) is associated with the phrase “hao cai tao” which means good luck, or “nian you yu” (fish) which means ‘may the year bring prosperity”, and each dish will have its head and tail as it refers to wholeness and completion of a task.

Yee Sang Toss

Another new tradition that started about 30 years ago is the Yee Sang Toss. The Yee Sang Toss is basically Chinese salad being put on a large plate that is toss in the air while you make a wish out loud. Each person would then eat it after the toss as it is said to make all your wishes come true.

You should make reservations to any Chinese restaurant close to you and give it a try for experience with your family. Who knows your wish may come true if not, you would have a yummy salad anyways.

Ang Pow Packets

If you are either young, single or unmarried, expect to receive ‘Ang Pow’ (Red) envelopes from married couples or the elders. It is a tradition for parents, grandparents and married couples to give money in even amounts as a wish of good luck in their studies, life, career, health and happiness. In today’s culture, it is also common for the young to give ‘Ang Pow’ to their parents and elders.

Lion Dance

Lion dances are one of the most important traditions that not only families would have in their homes, condominiums and offices. The significance of the Lion Dance is to bless the home or business so that they would have a year of good wealth, health and prosperity. The Lion Dance is usually done after CNY.

Did You Know?!

That Malaysia’s Lion Dance Team from Muar, Johor (The Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association) holds the world championship title for the World Championship of Lion Dance!

Check out HappyGoKL’s Guide to catch a Lion Dance performance at your nearest location:

http://happygokl.com/lion-dances-in-kl/

Gong Xi Fa Cai from us all at TEAM PATHFINDER We wish you and your loved ones a very Healthy, Happy and Prosperous Year of the Rooster!