Category Archives: Tips

Living in Malaysia, oftentimes we come across the name “Klang Valley”. The word Klang Valley is so commonly heard throughout Peninsular Malaysia, you will even hear it on television, radio and you would even come across the name on magazines and newspapers or in a daily conversation. The most important question that raises frequently about the Klang Valley is, what and where is Klang Valley?

Early expansion of what we now denote to as ‘Klang Valley’ was situated nearby the Klang river. As a matter of fact, it was the expansion of tin mining towns in the late 19th century that would collectively become ‘Klang Valley’, which were scattered close to the river. Situated in such close propinquity to expansion, the Klang River evidently gave the valley its title. There were notable changes from the 19th century onwards. The zone developed rapidly, expanding in the east (Gombak) and western side (Port Klang), with urban areas increasing towards the north (Rawang) and south (Negeri Sembilan).

The Klang Valley is the largest urban conurbation in the state of Selangor. Integration between cities is very high, with the vastly developed road network and an increasingly integrated rail transit system. Many expressways criss-cross the metropolis making cars and motorbikes the most convenient way to get around. However, this has led to the Klang Valley’s notorious traffic jams which span the whole kilometres of expressways and make driving during peak hours exhausting.

In the early 90s, new rail system, such as Rapid KL’s light rapid transit (LRT), mass rapid transit (MRT), KTM Komuter, ERL’s airport rail links, and a Monorail has been developed. Majority of these systems have gone through widespread expansion. The Klang Valley Integrated Transit System, at present, is currently being upgraded to include a new MRT line and LRT line, as well as a monorail serving Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

The BRT Sunway Line bus service was presented in July 2015. This is help commuters, residents and vacationers beat the gridlock in Petaling Jaya. It is a Public-Private Partnership initiative with Sunway Berhad giving the private investment. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a new concept for Malaysia. Clean and quiet, eco-accommodating electric-powered buses travel on dedicated, elevated bus paths. An aggregate of 15 buses, each holding up to 60 commuters, ply the three-mile track at a rate of 30-40 km per hour. Since the line is short, buses complete the circuit in a brief timeframe, enabling a high frequency and effective service with zero traffic congestion.

What is Permission to Study?

The Permission to Study (PTS) is an endorsement stamp on the student’s passport issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department allowing the holder to study at his/her selected school

Who is eligible to apply for Permission to Study?

Children of expatriates who are less than 18 years of age, and holding a valid Dependent Pass can apply for PTS

What documents are required to apply for Permission to Study?

The following documentation is required for a PTS application:

• A Permission to Study letter from the school addressed to the Malaysian Immigration Department where the Dependent Pass was issued.
• Student’s passport (original and copy)
• Parent’s passport (original and copy)
• A letter from the parent’s hiring company to support the application
• Student Personal Data form, which can be obtained from the Immigration office

Which authority issues the Permission to Study?

Similar to the Dependent Pass, the PTS is issued by the Expatriate Services Division of the  Malaysian Immigration Department

How long is the Permission to Study stamp valid for?

The validity of the Permission to Study will follow the validity of the Dependent Pass

If the Dependent Pass is cancelled, what will happen to the Permission to Study?

Normally, the PTS will cancel automatically as the PTS follows the validity of the Dependent Pass

If I have further questions/inquiries, whom should I call?

If you have any questions/inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at immigration-kl@pathfinder-relocation.com or call +603 79325268

Housing in Malaysia and more specifically in the Klang Valley (which covers the more prevalent expatriate areas of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor, Cyberjaya & Putrajaya) comes in different forms, which includes houses (stand-alone – known locally as bungalows, semi-detached & terraced) and apartments (ranges from low-cost to high-end apartments known locally as condominiums). Condominiums are the most popular type of housing for expats as they are well secured, with amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, playgrounds & convenience stores within its reach. The typical expatriate areas within the Klang Valley is located in Mont Kiara, Bangsar, Damansara Heights, Sri Hartamas & the KL City Centre. These areas are great melting pots for expats who wish to connect to the local scene whilst being in familiar surroundings with their fellow expatriates.

Accommodation can be partly furnished or fully furnished, based on the tenant’s needs and requirements. Once an appropriate accommodation has been found, the tenant would need to provide payment of a 1 month’s Earnest Deposit, 2 month’s Security Deposit & ½ month’s Utilities Deposit. The typical length of tenancy is 2+1 years which means a 2-year lease with an option to extend to another year. An Expat Clause, also known as Diplomatic Clause, is a usual clause added into the Tenancy Agreement which allows a tenant (within certain parameters) to break off the tenancy after one year.

Typical rental costs

The rental costs vary based on locations and types of housing, but a general overview would be as below. Prices are rental per month:

Apartments		Houses
Furnished	RM	Furnished	RM
1 bedroom	3,000.00	1 bedroom	N/A
2 bedrooms	4,500.00	2 bedrooms	N/A
3 bedrooms	5,000.00	3 bedrooms	7,000.00
4 bedrooms or more	6,500.00	4 bedrooms or more	15,000.00
Unfurnished	RM	Unfurnished	RM
1 bedroom	N/A	1 bedroom	N/A
2 bedrooms	N/A	2 bedrooms	N/A
3 bedrooms	5,000.00	3 bedrooms	N/A

Written by: Jeremy, Relocation Consultant at Pathfinder Relocation Services

Malaysia was slightly behind the rest of the world with television transmission only starting on December 28, 1963. Starting with one channel, television in Malaysia has mushroomed into a huge business and now encompasses free to air analogue television (to be phased out in 2017) and digital television, satellite, cable and IPTV. With the advance of high-speed internet, on-demand internet streaming media has taken a foothold and poised to change how Malaysian watch television.

Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) http://www.rtm.gov.my/ is the government media agency that handles the first two channels in Malaysia. The most popular terrestrial television channel is TV3 and it caters to the urban Malay family. Owned by media magnet Media Prima Berhad http://www.mediaprima.com.my/, it has a 45% share of total viewing.

Pay TV entered the Malaysian hemisphere in 1994 with the now defunct Mega TV. Consisting of 8 channels, it was short-lived as it could not handle the entry of Astro Satellite Television http://www.astro.com.my/ the next year which offered a much bigger channel offering plus they had sole ownership of showing the English Premier League which has a huge following in Malaysia. Astro is now the biggest pay tv media company in Malaysia.

iFlix www.iflix.com, a Malaysian based on-demand internet streaming media company is using the country’s burgeoning internet based society and has tapped into this market by offering media via the internet. All you need is a high-speed internet connection (unlimited data would help), and you are able to watch hundreds of tv shows and movies. Netflix www.netflix.com/my/ has just recently entered the Malaysian market and with a low subscription rate, it will be interesting to see how Malaysia will change its views on television. For those who are into Tamil shows and movies, HeroTalkies www.herotalkies.com is a goldmine in terms of content and its low price.

Shopping – the word itself gives off different vibes to different people. To some, all they can hear is the dreaded “cha-ching” from their credit cards while for some, it is heaven on earth.

Now, what does Malaysia have to offer when it comes to shopping? Plenty, in fact, Kuala Lumpur having been ranked at #4 of CNN’s World’s 12 best shopping cities, Malaysia has a smorgasbord of shopping delights from top fashion houses to local trinkets galore.

Whatever you’re shopping mind is into, you can be sure Malaysia has it!

*Fun fact: Did you know that celebrated fashion icons, Zang Taoi and Jimmy Choo are Malaysians!

Klang Valley

Pavillion Kuala Lumpur – A favourite among expatriates, this shopping centre is catered towards the high-end crowd and boasts high-end designer labels such as Celine, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry and Gucci. This mall also has a fair share of more reasonable brands such as Topshop and Zara. Equipped with a fitness centre, karaoke studio, a standard cinema and bistros, Pavillion is also a suitable place for entertainment and leisure.

Suria KLCC – located at the foot of the KL’s proud landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers, It showcases a mixture of high-end and mid-range designer labels. Exclusive high-end brands that can be found here include Chanel, Giorgio Armani and Marc Jacobs while the mid-range labels include Zara, Levi’s and ‘Mark and Spencers’.

Midvalley Mega Mall – This shopping centre is very popular amongst locals as it caters from the mid-range to high-end crowd. It has over 400 shops like Esprit, Adidas & Vincci. Its main feature is the 18-screen Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), which is the largest multiplex in Asia. It also houses a wide array of restaurants, cafes, bars, coffee shops and fast food outlets.

1 Utama – If you love your shopping, 1 Utama is the place for you. At approximately 5 million sq.ft. it is the largest shopping centre in Malaysia and the sixth-largest in the world. Boasting over 700 shops, its high fashion zone, named Highstreet features designer labels such as Coach and Armani Exchange. It has two cinemas, TGV cinemas and Golden Screen Cinemas. Unlike most malls, One Utama also has a sports complex where you can take part in a variety of activities such as bowling, rock climbing and futsal. Embracing a “Go Green” concept, it is the first shopping complex to house a tropical rainforest and an extensive rooftop garden.

The Curve – Just a stone’s throw away from 1 Utama, it is part of the Mutiara Damansara Commercial Centre which consists of international retail establishments such as IKEA Home Furnishings and eCurve. Stores here include both high-end and mid-range designer labels such as Guess, Giordano, Charles and Keith and Dorothy Perkins.

Bangsar Shopping Centre – This place is very popular amongst expatriates due to its proximity to the Bangsar suburbs. This mall caters to the whole family with a Kids Floor for children, and boutiques for the adults.

Bangsar Village Shopping Mall – This is a neighbourhood shopping mall that is suitable for the whole family. It houses international kids stores such as “Toys R Us.” It has an expat-friendly supermarket called Village Grocer, which sells imported goods that are typically found on supermarket shelves abroad. It also houses an MPH bookstore and a local pharmacy.

D’Pulze Shopping Centre – The first shopping centre to open in the IT township of Cyberjaya, it boasts of mid-range shops like Jaya Grocer, MPH bookstore, Ace Hardware, TGV Cinemas, and a plethora of cafes and eateries.

Penang

Gurney Paragon Mall – Penang’s best centre for an eclectic mix of fashion trends. Set along Persiaran Gurney, the seafront complex is home to more than 40 fashion boutiques and 30 restaurants. However, what makes Paragon utterly unique is the fact that the entire 700,000sqft complex has been built around St. Joseph’s Novitiate, a 1925 chapel that has been beautifully restored and incorporated into the mall’s open-plan layout design.

Queensbay Mall – Queensbay Mall is the largest shopping centre in Penang. Minutes away from the Penang Bridge, it is a waterfront complex in Bayan Lepas near the airport. The mall is home to mid-level restaurants, branded clothing stores, electronics shops and even a large Golden Screen Cinemas complex.

Little Discoveries

If you want to discover the shopping delights of old KL, then these shopping delights must be right up your alley.

Central Market – Central Market is home to stalls selling souvenirs such as key chains, figurines, t-shirts, shoes, unique timepieces, bags, cute knick-knacks, local handicraft such as batik, songket, wau, household decorations and more. Items here are reasonably priced and some places don’t mind if you bargain a little with them.

Amcorp Mall – If you’re looking for quirky trinkets, antique goods or great deals, then this place should be on your weekend list. The most popular flea market is the one that takes place every Saturday and Sundays. Browse through the cute little stalls scattered all across the mall. You can find pre-loved clothes, books, toys, leather shoes, old cassettes/records/cd’s, movie posters, coasters, collectible beer mugs, unique accessories, lamps, herbal medicines and tons more. Low Yat Plaza – Get electronic items at a slightly cheaper price here. This includes the latest mobile phones, laptops, computers, game stations, tablets, cameras, HD television, accessories such as headphones and chargers and more. Low Yat Plaza is also known as Malaysia’s premier IT shopping mall, as there are almost 500 stores in the mall specializing in IT products. The best part is that you can go do a little bargaining. Some shops may offer you a cheaper price compared to other shops in the same mall.